Deformation, Stratigraphy, Structures and Shortening of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt in Southwest Iran Analysis by Restoration

A structural cross-section constructed across the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt covering the Abadan Plain, Dezful Embayment, and Izeh Zone applied 2D and 3D seismic data, well data, surface and subsurface geological maps, satellite images and field reconnaissance. Besides validation and modification of the cross-section, restoration allows better understanding of the geology, structural style and stratigraphy of the Zagros basin. In the area of interest, the Hormuz basal decollement and the Gachsaran detachment play the most significant roles in the structural style and deformation of the Zagros belt. More complexity is associated with interval decollements such as Triassic evaporites, Albian shales and Eocene marls. A variety of lithotectonic units and detachment surfaces confound any estimation of shortening, which generally decreases with increasing depth. Deformation completely differs in the Abadan Plain, Dezful Embayment and Izeh Zone because of different sedimentation histories and tectonic evolution; gentle and young structures can be interpreted as pre-collisional structures of the Dezful Embayment before the Late Cretaceous. After the Late Cretaceous, the Mountain Front Fault is the main control of sedimentation and deformation in the Zagros Basin, and this completely characterizes fold style and geometry within the Dezful Embayment and the Izeh Zone.

Seismic geomorphology and stratigraphic trap analyses of the Lower Cretaceous siliciclastic reservoir in the Kopeh Dagh-Amu Darya Basin

Lower Cretaceous Shurijeh–Shatlyk Formations host some of the main reservoirs in the Kopeh Dagh-Amu Darya Basin.Exploration in this area so far has focused on the development of structural traps, but recognition of stratigraphic traps in this area is of increasing importance. Integration of 3D seismic data with borehole data from thirteen wells and five outcrop sections was used to identify potential reservoir intervals and survey the hydrocarbon trap types in the East Kopeh Dagh Foldbelt(NE Iran). Analyses of horizontal slices indicated that the lower Shurijeh was deposited in a braided fluvial system.Generally, three types of channel were identified in the lower Shurijeh Formation: type 1, which is low-sinuosity channels interpreted to be filled with non-reservoir fine-grained facies;type 2, which is a moderately sinuous sand-filled channel with good prospectively;and type 3, which is narrow, high sinuosity channel filled with fine-grained sediments. Results indicate that upper Shurijeh–Shatlyk Formations were deposited in fluvial to delta and shallow marine environments. The identified delta forms the second reservoir zone in the Khangiran Field. Study of the stratigraphic aspects of the Shurijeh succession indicates that both lower and upper Shurijeh reservoirs are stratigraphic reservoir traps that improved during folding.