Palynological evidence for Jurassic strata in the Panagarh area, West Bengal, India

The Rajmahal Traps were discovered in the Panagarh area, West Bengal, during the exploration for coal resources. A Gondwana succession was found beneath the traps, consisting of the Early Cretaceous Intratrappean Rajmahal Formation, the Early Triassic Panchet Formation and the Late Permian coal-bearing Raniganj Formation. The present palynological study was aimed at confirming the age of the Panchet Formation. As a result of this study it has been found that Jurassic sediments are also included in the Panchet Formation. The study has revealed that the Panchet Formation, defined on a lithological basis, is a time-transgressive unit extending from the Early Triassic to the Late Jurassic, with a phase of non-deposition between the Middle Triassic and Middle Jurassic.     

Uppermost Triassic to Lower Jurassic sediments of the island of Ireland and its surrounding basins

The uppermost Triassic to Lower Jurassic interval has not been extensively studied across the island of Ireland. This paper seeks to redress that situation and presents a synthesis of records of the uppermost Triassic and Lower Jurassic from both onshore and offshore basins as well as describing the sedimentological characteristics of the main lithostratigraphical units encountered. Existing data have been supplemented with a re-examination and logging of some outcrops and the integration of data from recent hydrocarbon exploration wells and boreholes. The Late Triassic Penarth Group and Early Jurassic Lias Group can be recognised across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In some onshore basins, almost 600 m of strata are recorded, however in offshore basins thicknesses in excess of two kilometres for the Lower Jurassic have now been recognised, although little detailed information is currently available. The transition from the Triassic to the Jurassic was a period of marked global sea-level rise and climatic change (warming) and this is reflected in the lithostratigraphical record of these sediments in the basins of Northern Ireland and offshore basins of the Republic of Ireland. In general, the sediments of this interval are thicker than those in Great Britain and have potential for detailed study of climatic and sea-level fluctuation.     

西西伯利亚东南部早凡兰吟期孢粉地层学,古环境和植被再造

分析了西西伯利亚东南地区的下凡兰吟阶的两个剖面的陆相孢粉型化石的分布。依据西伯利亚北部已经定年的剖面中动物群建立起来的孢粉组合的对比,确定了孢粉标志层的定义,并与北方区的菊石带相对应的孢粉组合进行了对比。这一工作为早凡兰吟期与气候变化息息相关的植被和景观的短期变化以及周边古盆地变迁的重建,提供了地层依据。欧亚大陆中部和东部地区凡兰吟期孢粉组合的横向对比显示:西西伯利亚东南地区的植被具有印度欧洲和西伯利亚加拿大两大古植物地理区的过渡性质,显有这两区的典型特征。     

Flora from the Induan stage (Lower Triassic) of Middle Siberia

The first data on the taxonomic composition of the Induan flora of Siberia are presented. The investigation of Triassic reference sections in northern Siberia (eastern Taimyr, Lena–Anabar Trough, Verkhoyansk region) and correlation with volcano-sedimentary complexes of the Tungus and Kuznetsk basins made it possible to establish for the first time the taxonomic composition of the flora from the Induan Stage of Siberia. Its composition is heterogeneous, forming two large plant formations, which occupied different ecological niches. On the eastern coastal-marine margins of Siberia (eastern Taimyr, Olenek coast, Verkhoyansk region), the Induan flora was largely characterized by lepidophytic (Tomiostrobus) plants, while in the intracontinental areas (Tungus and Kuznetsk basins, partly Verkhoyansk region), it was characterized by Equisetales–Filicales communities.     

新疆柴窝堡盆地侏罗纪孢粉地层学

根据孢粉组合特征及其与国内外有关资料的对比、分析,认为三工河组的孢粉组合时代为早侏罗世晚期,西山窑组和头屯河组的孢粉组合时代为中侏罗世。对柴窝堡盆地侏罗系沉积发育特征、各岩组所含孢粉组合面貌及其地质时代作了研究,建立了可信的侏罗系层序：水西沟群包括下统的八道湾组和三工河组、中统下部的西山窑组,艾维尔沟群包括中统的头屯河组和上统的齐古组与喀拉扎组。研究证实,早至中侏罗世早期该盆地气候温湿,植被发育,沉积以河湖相为主,为重要成煤及生油期;中侏罗世晚期至晚侏罗世受燕山运动影响盆地抬升,气候逐步变得干热,沉积以红色粗碎屑河流或山麓河流相为主。     

鄂尔多斯盆地与国外相似盆地对比及其中生界石油储量预测

选取3个国外克拉通盆地,即西西伯利亚盆地、巴黎盆地和伊利诺斯盆地,与鄂尔多斯盆地进行对比。鄂尔多斯盆地作为发育在坳拉谷基底之上的克拉通盆地,具有含丰富油气资源量的地质基础。鄂尔多斯盆地为中生代陆相沉积,其烃源岩的分布相对于整个盆地较为局限,圈闭类型较为复杂多样,除此之外的其他地质因素均比较相似。根据盆地对比估算得到鄂尔多斯盆地中生界的探明石油储量为17.21 x10⁸t据西西伯利亚盆地)、22.67 x10⁸t据巴黎盆地)和24. 40 x10⁸t (据伊利诺斯盆地),表明鄂尔多斯盆地中生界具有很大的资源潜力和勘探前景。     

Probable distribution of Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous deposits on the Laptev Sea shelf and their petroleum resource potential

The analysis of Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous marine sections developed in surrounding structures of the Laptev Sea revealed that all of them are composed of terrigenous rocks, which enclose abundant concretions cemented by calcareous material. The Upper Jurassic portion of the section is the most variable in thickness and stratigraphic range of sediments usually including hiatuses. Its Lower Cretaceous part represented by the Boreal Berriasian (=Ryazanian) and lower Valanginian stages is most complete. The Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sections are usually composed of fine-grained rocks (clays and mudstones) in the west and coarser cemented varieties (siltstones and sandstones) with rare mudstone intercalations in the east. Practically all the investigated Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sections include readily recognizable age and facies analogs of the Bazhenovo Formation and Achimov sandstones, which are petroliferous in West Siberia. There are grounds to assume the occurrence of these formations also on the Laptev Sea shelf, which is confirmed by seismic records. Conditions favorable for the formation of potential hydrocarbon reservoirs could exist in the western part of the paleobasin along the Nordvik Peninsula coast and northeastern Tamyr Peninsula margin. Paleotectonic reconstructions presented in this work are well consistent with stratigraphic conclusions.     

Palynostratigraphy of Oligocene-Miocene continental deposits in Southwestern Siberia

Data on spores, pollen, and dinoflagellate cysts studied in composite section of Oligocene-Miocene deposits in southern part of West Siberia are presented. Eleven biostratigraphic units distinguished in the section are ranked as palynozones and beds with palynological assemblages. Palynological data substantiate age of deposits and specify ranges and boundaries of palynozones. Based on dinocyst assemblages first studied in sediments of the Zhuravka and Abrosimovo horizons (upper Oligocene, lower Miocene), the Pseudokomewuia Beds are included into local stratigraphic scheme. According to results of comparative analysis, similar and distinctive features of Oligocene-Miocene dinocyst assemblages from West Siberia, China and North America are elucidated. Based on palynological data, the local stratigraphic scheme of higher resolution is suggested for subdivision of Oligocene and Miocene deposits in southern part of West Siberia (Baraba and Kulunda lithofacies regions).     

Petroleum Habitat of East Siberia,Russia

East Siberia comprises three petroleum provinces—Lena-Tunguska, Lena-Vilyuy, and Yenisey-Anabar—that occupy the area of the Siberian craton. Petroleum has been generated and has accumulated in Precambrian rifts beneath the sedimentary basins and, more importantly, within the section of the basin itself. The platformal deposits of the basins extend beneath overthrusts on the east and south and are covered by sedimentary rocks of the West Siberian overthrusts on the east and south and are covered by sedimentary rocks of the West Siberian province on the west. Permafrost and gas hydrate deposits are present throughout most of East Siberia.

In the Lena-Tunguska province, rifts that developed during Riphean time are filled by thick sedimentary rocks, in which petroleum deposits have formed. In Early Cambrian time a barrier reef extended across the East Siberian craton from southeast to northwest. A lagoon to the west of this reef was the site of thick rhythmic salt deposits, which are the main seal for petroleum in the province. The sedimentary section of the platform cover ranges in age from Late Proterozoic to Permian. More than 25 oil and gas fields have been discovered in the province, all in Riphean through Lower Cambrian rocks.

The Lena-Vilyuy province includes the Vilyuy basin and the Cis-Verkhoyansk foredeep. During Middle Devonian time, a rift formed along the axis of what was to become the Vilyuy basin. This rift is filled by Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous basalt, elastics, carbonates, and evaporites. During this rift stage the region that was to become the Cis-Verkhoyansk foredeep was an open geosynclinal sea. The sedimentary cover consists of Permian, coal-bearing sedimentary rocks as well as elastics from the Lower Triassic, Lower Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Upper Cretaceous, the latter only in the Vilyuy basin. In the Lena-Vilyuy petroleum province as many as nine gas and gas-condensate fields have been discovered.

The Yenisey-Anabar province is largely an extension of the West Siberian petroleum province. Permian sedimentary rocks are present only in the east, where they consist of elastics and some salt. The Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous each are represented by thick clastic deposits. Total thickness of the sedimentary cover is up to 15 km on the west and 8 km on the east. Twelve gas and gas-condensate fields have been discovered in the western part of the province.     

High-resolution stratigraphy of the Upper Jurassic section(Laptev Sea coast)

Jurassic strata are widespread through Arctic Siberia and host oil and gas fields. However, in most cases, the geology of such vast areas still remains unexplored, and study of the Jurassic stratigraphy and reconstructions of geologic history are possible only through analysis of sediment cores. In this connection, there is a clear need for detailed studies of microfaunas (foraminifera, ostracods) and palynomorphs (dinocysts, spores, and pollen). The studied reference section of the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous is located on the left side of Anabar Bay of the Laptev Sea (Nordvik Peninsula, Cape Urdyuk-Khaya). An uninterrupted and continuous section from the Upper Oxfordian to the Lower Valanginian is exposed in coastal cliffs and consists mainly of silty clay deposits with abundant macro- and microfossils. Integrated field studies (biostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, sedimentology) allow a more detailed characterization of the regional geologic framework. A detailed subdivision of the section is based on the systematic composition of ammonites from Upper Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian deposits. Several foraminiferal zones of the Upper Oxfordian and Lower Volgian are defined, and some of them are denfined for the first time. The distribution of ostracods in the section is analyzed for the first time. The section is also studied using palynological analysis, that results in its detailed subdivision on palynological data and recognition of two sequences of palynostratigraphic units. The integrated stratigraphy is used to establish the precise position of stage and substage boundaries. The continuity of the section is defined based on micropaleontological and palynological data.     

A lithofacies description of Jurassic sediments in the south of the Predyenisei petroleum subprovince,West Siberia

We have studied Jurassic sections in the Predyenisei subprovince of the West Siberian petroleum basin, which were penetrated in the Vostok-1, Vostok-3, and Vostok-4 stratigraphic wells. The Urman, Togur, Ilan, Peshkovo, Tyumen’, Naunak, and Mar’yanovka Formations are described from a detailed comprehensive core analysis and log data. The depositional environment for these sediments was predominantly continental. There is evidence for short transgressions in the Ilan (Lower Toarcian) and Peshkovo (Upper Toarcian) Formations, as well as the Upper Urman (Upper Pliensbachian) and the Upper Tyumen’ (Bajocian) Subformations. In the Upper Naunak Subformation (Oxfordian), there was a change of facies from continental to littoral continental and littoral marine. The Mar’yanovka Formation developed in normal marine shallow- or moderately deep-water environments. Although good reservoirs are common throughout the Jurassic section in the southeast of West Siberia, only small, lithologically screened deposits are predicted here.     

Lower–Middle Jurassic foraminiferal and ostracode biostratigraphy of the Barents Sea shelf

The Barents Sea shelf is an attractive target as a prospective large petroleum province. Further development of geological and geophysical exploration in the area requires high-resolution biostratigraphic constraints and update stratigraphic charts. The zonal succession of Lower and Middle Jurassic assemblages of foraminifers and ostracodes of the Barents Sea fits well the division for northern Siberia based on correlated independent Jurassic and Cretaceous zonal scales on all main microfossil groups, of which some scales were suggested as the Boreal Zonal Standard. The stratigraphic range of the Barents Sea microfossil assemblages has been updated through correlation with their counterparts from northern Siberia constrained by ammonite and bivalve data. Joint analysis of foraminiferal and ostracode biostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy of the sections allowed a revision to the stratigraphic position and extent of lithological and seismic units. The discovered similarity in the Lower and Middle Jurassic lithostratigraphy in the sections of the Barents Sea shelf and northern Siberia, along with their almost identical microfossil taxonomy, prompts similarity in the Early and Middle Jurassic deposition and geological histories of the two areas.     

The International Union of Geological Sciences' Commitment to International Geology Review

A prominent Western specialist on the geology of the oil and gas deposits of Russia provides an interpretation of the genesis of the West Siberian basin, relying, in part, on most recent Russian studies as well as information made available in 1994 evaluating the reserves of Russia's most important producing province. From Late Carboniferous through Middle Jurassic time, the region of West Siberia passed through orogenic, rift, and early platform stages. A domal high was present in the region during the orogenic stage, arising from cratonization of the Ural-Mongolian fold belt. Early Triassic rifting was part of a global rifting event and was a precursor to the subsequent crustal sagging that produced the West Siberian basin. The Early-Middle Jurassic was a time of cyclical marine and continental deposition, the sea moving back and forth from the north. The Talinskoye oil field occurs in Lower-Middle Jurassic sandstones that have the form of a river channel that extends more than 200 km. The Priobskoye field is associated with a Lower Cretaceous clinoform that has been traced N–S for more than 300 km. It is suggested that: (a) the oil in the Lower Cretaceous Neocomian sandstones was sourced by bituminous clays that interfinger with these sandstones on the west; and (b) that Upper Cretaceous Cenomanian gas was sourced in part by deeply buried Paleozoics and by overlying Upper Cretaceous Turonian clays. Predicted discoveries in West Siberia include several thousand small fields with reserves of less than 10 million tons, 250 to 300 medium-sized fields, and several large fields with 30 to 100 million tons.     

A comparison of burial,maturity and temperature histories of selected wells from sedimentary basins in The Netherlands

Sedimentary basins in The Netherlands contain significant amounts of hydrocarbon resources, which developed in response to temperature and pressure history during Mesozoic and Cenozoic times. Quantification and modelling of burial, maturity and temperature histories are the major goals of this study, allowing for a better understanding of the general geological evolution of the different basins as well as petroleum generation. All major basins in The Netherlands encountered at least one time of inversion and therefore moderate to high amounts of erosion. In order to determine the amount of inversion the basins have experienced, a 1D study was performed on 20 wells within three basins (West Netherlands, Central Netherlands and Lower Saxony Basins). New vitrinite reflectance values were obtained and existing data re-evaluated to gain a good data base. The burial histories of six wells, two for each studied basin, are presented here, to demonstrate the differences in basin evolution that led to their present shape and petroleum potential. The Permo-Triassic subsidence phase can be recognized in all three basins, but with varying intensity. In the Jurassic, the basins experienced different relative movements that culminated in the Cretaceous when the influence of the inversion caused erosion of up to 2,500 m. Most wells show deepest burial at present-day, whereas the timing of maximum temperature differs significantly.     

Gondwana biostratigraphy of the Purnea Basin (eastern Bihar,India), and its correlation with Rajmahal and Bengal Gondwana basins

Integrated biostratigraphic studies are undertaken on the newly discovered Gondwana successions of Purnea Basin which have been recognized in the subsurface below the Neogene Siwalik sediments. The four exploratory wells, so far drilled in Purnea Basin, indicated the presence of thick Gondwana sussession (± 2450m) with varied lithological features. However, precise age of different Gondwanic lithounits of this basin and their correlation with standard Gondwana lithounits is poorly understood due to inadequate biostratigraphic data.Present biostratigraphic studies on the Gondwana successions in the exploratory wells of PRN-A, RSG-A, LHL-A and KRD-A enable recognition of fifteen Gondwanic palynological zones ranging in age from Early Permian (Asselian-Sakmarian) to Late Triassic (Carnian-Norian). Precise age for the Gondwanic palynological zones, recognized in the Purnea Basin and already established in other Indian Gondwana basins, are provided in the milieu of additional palynological data obtained from the Gondwana successions of this basin.The Lower Gondwana (Permian) palynofloras of Purnea Basin recorded from the Karandighi, Salmari, Katihar and Dinajpur formations resemble the palynological assemblages earlier recorded from the Talchir, Karharbari, Barakar and Raniganj formations respectively, and suggests the full development of lower Gondwana succession in this basin. The Upper Gondwana (Triassic) succession of this basin is marked by the Early and Middle to Late Triassic palynofloras that resemble Panchet and Supra-Panchet (Dubrajpur/Maleri Formation) palynological assemblages, and indicates the occurrence of complete Upper Gondwana succession also in the Purnea Basin.The lithological and biostratigraphic attributes of Gondwana sediments from Purnea, Rajmahal and western parts of Bengal Basin (Galsi Basin) are almost similar and provides strong evidences about the existence of a distinct N-S trending Gondwana Graben, referred as the Purnea-Rajmahal-Galsi Gondwana Graben. Newly acquired biostratigraphic data from the Gondwana sediments of CHK-A, MNG-A and PLS-A wells from central part of Bengal Basin and Bouguer anomaly data suggest that these wells fall in a separate NE-SW trending graben of “Chandkuri-Palasi-Bogra Gondwana Graben”. Although, the post-Gondwana latest Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Rajmahal Traps and and intertrappean beds succeed the Upper Gondwana successions in Rajmahal, Galsi and Chandkuri-Palasi Gondwana basins, but not recorded in the drilled wells of Purnea Basin, instead succeeded by the Neogene Siwalik sediments.     

西非海岸盆地群形成演化及深水油气田发育特征

西非海岸盆地群的形成演化受非洲板块构造演化和大西洋张裂的控制,总体上可以分为前裂谷阶段、裂谷阶段和后裂谷阶段。沿岸15个主要盆地从北往南可细分为5段,分别为北段盐盆、中段盆地、尼日尔三角洲、中南段盐盆、南段盆地。深水油气田主要发育于后裂谷阶段的上白垩统和第三系海退层序中,以油田为主。在尼日尔三角洲和中南段盐盆的下刚果盆地,所发现的油气田个数及可采储量均比较集中,个数占西非深水油气田总个数比例分别为55%和29%,占总可采储量的比例分别为48%和41%。烃源岩主要有裂谷阶段下白垩统的湖相烃源岩,后裂谷阶段上白垩统、第三系的海相烃源岩。绝大多数储层为浊积岩储层,类型以深水水道砂岩为主,其次为席状砂储层和砂质碎屑流储层。圈闭类型主要为构造-地层复合圈闭,其次为构造圈闭,另外还有地层-岩性圈闭,其所占比例较小。盐构造和泥岩塑性变形构造总体上控制了西非深水区大多数复合圈闭和构造圈闭的形成。     

New data on stratigraphy (palynomorphs,ostracods, paleomagnetism) of Cenozoic continental deposits of the Ishim plain,Western Siberia

New micropaleontological and paleomagnetic data were obtained by studying core samples of Cenozoic continental deposits from two boreholes drilled in the south of Tyumen oblast (Western Siberia). Palynological assemblages in deposits of the Tavda (upper part), Novomikhailovka, Turtas, Abrosimovka, Tobolsk, Smirnovka, and Suzgun formations were described. Deposits of these formations are enriched in spore-pollen assemblages, which can be correlated with assemblages of regional palynozones of the West Siberian Plain. Ostracods were described in Quaternary deposits. On the basis of biostratigraphic and paleomagnetic data, the Late Eocene (Priabonian)–Holocene age of deposits was substantiated. For the first time, beds with dinocysts of genus Pseudokomewuia were identified in deposits of the Turtas Formation (Upper Oligocene) of the Ishim lithofacial area. In total, nine regional magnetozones were distinguished in the paleomagnetic section. On the basis of palynological and paleomagnetic data, sections of two boreholes were correlated, and hiatuses in sedimentation were revealed. A large hiatus is at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary (Western Siberia): the Lower Oligocene Atlym Horizon and Miocene–Pliocene and Eopleistocene sediments are missing. The Oligocene interval of the section is represented in a reduced volume.     

Numerical modelling of burial and temperature history as an approach for an alternative interpretation of the Bramsche anomaly, Lower Saxony Basin

The Lower Saxony Basin, Germany, is one of the several sedimentary basins within the Central European Basin system. In its southwestern part, anomalously high maturity of organic matter has been observed to reach 4.5% VRr in Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in an area which coincides with a magnetic and a positive gravimetric anomaly. This anomaly was often interpreted as the consequence of a deep-seated igneous intrusion, the so-called Bramsche Massif. However, results obtained from calibrated numerical modelling are not in accordance with this scenario. Instead, a burial by approximately 4 km of now-eroded Cretaceous rocks was revealed to be the probable cause for the anomaly. Data and modelling results from six boreholes and two pseudo-wells support this view.     

The Upper Jurassic of the Laptev Sea: interregional correlations and paleoenvironments

The Late Jurassic evolution of Boreal and Arctic basins is reflected in the widespread deposition of organic-rich black shales (source rocks). In this connection, the priority should be placed on the development and refinement of zonal schemes for the Upper Jurassic of the Laptev Sea coast based on ammonites, foraminifers, ostracods, dinocysts, and spores and pollen from reference sections as the basis for stratigraphic, paleogeographic, and facies studies. The Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous reference section of interest is located on the left side of the Anabar Bay of the Laptev Sea (Nordvik Peninsula, Urdyuk-Khaya Cape). An uninterrupted and continuous section from Upper Oxfordian to Lower Valanginian is exposed in coastal cliffs and consists mainly of silty clay deposits with abundant macro- and microfossils. A reliable biostratigraphic subdivision of the Upper Jurassic interval of this section was taken as the basis for the assessment of the correlation potential of different fossil groups and subsequent interregional correlations, facies analysis, and detailed paleogeographic reconstructions of the study area. The analysis of variations in the composition of macrobenthic communities and microphytoplankton and terrestrial palynomorph assemblages and the biofacies analysis allowed the reconstruction of the evolution of marine paleoenvironmental settings in the western part of the Anabar–Lena sea and in the terrestrial settings in the adjacent land area of Siberia.     

鄂尔多斯盆地下侏罗统富县组沉积体系及古地理

富县组是鄂尔多斯盆地侏罗系最早沉积的地层,其发育在由印支运动所造成的凹凸不平剥蚀面上,沉积以填平补齐为特点,与下伏三叠系延长组呈不整合接触关系。富县组沉积厚度变化大,岩性差异明显,岩相复杂。沉积相在空间上变化较大,为河流相和冲积扇相沉积