Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a chert reservoir at the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary: The Al Shomou Silicilyte, South Oman Salt Basin

GeoArabia

Volumn 10, Issue 2, 2005, Pages 89-122

  Amthor, Joachim E ^a   Ramseyer, Karl ^b   Faulkner, Tom ^c   Lucas, Peter ^d  

^a PDO   (Oman)

^b UNIVERSITY OF BERN   (Switzerland)

^c Shell Group   (Oman)

^d Fugro Geoteam Limited   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

PRECAMBRIAN-CAMBRIAN BOUNDARY;

ASIA; EASTERN HEMISPHERE; EURASIA; MIDDLE EAST; OMAN; WORLD;

EID: 17144394139     PISSN: 10256059     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2113/geoarabia100289     Document Type: Article

References (87)

1. Aharon, P. and T.C. Liew 1992. An assessment of the Precambrian-Cambrian transition events on the basis of carbon isotope records. In, M. Schildowski, S.S. Golubic, M.M. Kimberly, D.M. McKirdy and P.A. Trudinger (Eds.), Early Organic Evolution. Heidelberg, Springer-Verlag, p. 212-223.
2. Al-Husseini, M., J.E. Amthor, J.P. Grotzinger and J. Mattner 2003. Arabian Plate Precambrian-Cambrian boundary interpreted in Oman's Ara Group. GeoArabia, v. 8, no. 4, p. 578-580.
3. Alixant, J.L., N. Frewin, P. Nederlof and N. Al Ruwehy 1998. Characterisation of the Athel Silicilyte source/reservoir: petrophysics meets geochemistry. Society of Professional Well Log Analysts 39th, Annual Symposium.
4. Amthor, J.E. 2000. Precambrian carbonates of Oman: a regional perspective. GeoArabia, v. 5, no. 1, p. 47.
5. Amthor, J.E., J.P. Grotzinger, S. Schröder, S.A. Bowring, J. Ramezani, M.W. Martin and A. Matter 2003. Extinction of Cloudina and Namacalathusat the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary in Oman. Geology, v. 31, p. 431-434.
6. Amthor, J.E., W. Smits, P. Nederlof, N.L. Frewin and S. Lake 1998. Prolific oil production from a source rock-the Athel silicilyte source-rock play in south Oman. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Convention, p. A22.
7. Bengston, S. 1992. Proterozoic and earliest Cambrian skeletal metazoans. In, J.W. Schopf and C. Klein (Eds.), The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study. New York, Cambridge University Press, p. 397-411.
8. Beukes, N.J. and C. Klein 1992. Models for iron-formation deposition. In, J.W. Schopf and C. Klein (Eds.), The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study. New York, Cambridge University Press, p. 147-151.
9. Birnbaum, S.J. and J.W. Wireman 1984. Bacterial sulfate reduction and pH: implications for early diagenesis. Chemical Geology, v. 43, p. 143-149.
10. Birnbaum, S.J. and J.W. Wireman 1985. Sulfate-reducing bacteria and silica solubility: a possible mechanism for evaporite diagenesis and silica precipitation in banded iron formations. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 22, p. 1904-1909.
11. Bramlette, M.N. 1946. The Monterey Formation of California and the origin of its siliceous rocks. United States Geological Survey Professional Paper, 57 p.
12. Brasier M.D. 1989. On mass extinctions and faunal turnover near the end of the Precambrian. In, S.K. Donovan (Ed.), Mass Extinctions, Processes and Evidence. New York, Columbia University Press, p. 73-88.
13. Brasier, M., G. McCarron, R. Tucker, J. Leather, P. Allen and G. Shields 2000. New U-Pb zircon dates for the Neoproterozoic Ghubrah glaciation and for the top of the Huqf Supergroup, Oman. Geology, v. 28, p. 175-178.
14. Burns, S.J. and A. Matter 1993. Carbon isotopic record of the latest Proterozoic from Oman. Eclogae geologicae Helvetiae, v. 86, p. 595-607.
15. Claypool, G.E., W.T. Holser, I.R. Kaplan, H. Saki and I. Sak 1980. The age curves of sulfur and oxygen isotopes in amrine slufate and their mutual interpretation. Chemical Geology, p. 199-260.
16. Cloud, P. 1973. Palaeoecological significance of banded iron-formation. Economic Geology, v. 68, p. 1135-1143.
17. Conway Morris, S.C., B.W. Mattes and C. Menge 1990. The early skeletal organism Cloudina: new occurrences from Oman and possibly China. American Journal of Science, p. 245-260.
18. Degens, E.T. and P. Stoffers 1976. Stratified waters as a key to the past. Nature, v. 263, p. 22-27.
19. Demaison, G. and B. Huizinga 1994. Genetic classification of petroleum systems using three factors: charge, migration and entrapment. In, L. Magoon and W. Dow (Eds.), The Petroleum System - From Source to Trap. American Association of Petroleum Geologists, p. 73-92.
20. Eastoe, C.J., M.S. Gustin, D.F. Hurlblut and R.L. Orr 1990. Sulfur isotopes in early Proterozoic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits: new data from Arizona and implications for ocean chemistry. Precambrian Research, v. 46, p. 353-364.
21. Erba, E. 1991. Deep mid-water bacterial mats from anoxic basins of the Mediterranean. Marine Geology, v. 100, p. 83-101.
22. Eugster, H.P. 1967. Hydrous sodium silicates from Lake Magadi, Kenya. Precursors of bedded cherts. Science, v. 157, p. 1177-1180.
23. Eugster, H.P. 1969. Inorganic bedded cherts from the Magadi area, Kenya. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 22, p. 1-31.
24. Eugster, H.P. and I.-M. Chou 1973. The depositional environments of Precambrian banded iron formations. Economic Geology, v. 68, p. 1144-1168.
25. Eugster, H.P. and B.F. Jones 1968. Gels composed of sodium-aluminium silicate, Lake Magadi, Kenya. Science, v. 162, p. 160-163.
26. Folk, R.L. and E.F. McBride 1976. The Caballos Novaculite revisited. Part 1: Origin of Novaculite members. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 46, p. 659-669.
27. Garrels, R.M. 1987. A model for the deposition of the microbanded Precambrian iron formations. American Journal of Science, v. 287, p. 81-106.
28. Gorin, G.E., L.G. Racz and M.R. Walter 1982. Late Precambrian-Cambrian Sediments of Huqf Group, Sultanate of Oman. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 66, p. 2609-2627.
29. Gradstein, F.M., et al., 2004. A new geological time scale, with special reference to Precambrian and Neogene. Episodes, v. 27, no. 2, p. 83-100.
30. Grotzinger, J.P., H.A. Al-Siyabi, R.A. Al-Hashimi and A. Cozzi 2002. New model for tectonic evolution of Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Huqf Supergroup basins Oman. 5th Middle East Geosciences Conference, GEO 2002. GeoArabia, Abstract, v. 7, p. 241.
31. Guit, F.A., M.H. Al-Lawatia, and P.J.R. Nederlof 1995. Seeking new potential in the Early-Late Permian Gharif play, west central Oman. In, M.I. Al-Husseini (Ed.), Middle East Petroleum Geosciences, GEO'94. Bahrain, Gulf Petrolink, p. 167-178.
32. Hayes, J.M., D.J. Des Marais, I.B. Lambert, H. Strauss and R.E. Summons 1992a. Proterozoic Biogeochemistry. In, J.W. Schopf and C. Klein (Eds.), The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study. New York, Cambridge University Press, p. 81-134.
33. Hayes, J.M., I.B. Lambert and H. Strauss 1992b. The sulfur-isotopic record. In, J.W. Schopf and C. Klein (Eds.), The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study. New York, Cambridge University Press, p. 129-132.
34. Hesse, R. 1990a. Origin of chert: diagenesis of biogenic siliceous sediments. In, I.A. McIllreath, and D.W. Morrow (Eds.), Diagenesis. Geoscience Canada Reprint Series, Geological Association of Canada, p. 227-251.
35. Hesse, R. 1990b. Silica diagenesis: origin of inorganic and replacement cherts. In, I.A. McIllreath, and D.W. Morrow (Eds.), Diagenesis. Geoscience Canada Reprint Series, Geological Association of Canada, p. 253-275.
36. Holland, H.D. 1984. The chemical evolution of the atmosphere and oceans. Princeton, Princeton University Press, 582 p.
37. Holser, W.T. 1977. Catastrophic chemical events in the history of the ocean. Nature, v. 267, p. 403-408.
38. Holser, W.T., M. Schildowski, F.T. Mackenzie and J.B. Maynard 1988. Geochemical cycles of carbon and sulfur. In, C.B. Gregor, R.M. Garrels, F.T. Mackenzie and J.B. Maynard (Eds.), Chemical Cycles in the Evolution of the Earth. New York, John Wiley & Sons, p. 105-173.
39. Horodyski, R.J., J. Bauld, J.H. Lipps and C.V. Mendelson 1992. Preservation of prokaryotes, and organic-walled and calcareous and siliceous protests. In, J.W. Schopf and C. Klein (Eds.), The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study. New York, Cambridge University Press, p. 185-193.
40. Houseknecht, D.W. 1991. Use of cathodoluminescene petrography for understanding compaction, quartz cementation, and porosity in sandstones. In, C.E. Barker and O.C. Kopp (Eds.), Luminescence Microscopy: Quantitative and Qualitative Aspects. SEPM Short Course 25, p. 59-66.
41. Hughes Clarke, M.W. 1988. Stratigraphy and rock unit nomenclature in the oil-producing area of interior Oman. Journal of Petroleum Geology, v. 11, p. 5-60.
42. Hurst, R.W. 1992. Geochemical and isotopic constraints on silica and carbonate diagenesis in the Miocene Monterey Formation, Santa Maria and Ventura basins, California. In, K.H. Wolf and G.V. Chilingarian (Eds.), Diagenesis III. New York, Elsevier Science Publishers, p. 387-433.
43. Immerz, P., W.H. Oterdoom and M. El Tonbary 2000. The Huqf/Haima hydrocarbon system of Oman and the terminal phase of the Pan-African Orogeny: evaporite deposition in a compressive setting. 4th Middle East Geosciences Conference, GEO2000. GeoArabia, Abstract, v. 5, p. 113-114.
44. Iler, R.K. 1979. The Chemistry of Silica. New York, John Wiley & Sons, 866 p.
45. Issacs, C.M., K.A. Pisciotto and R.E. Garrison 1983. Facies and diagenesis of the Miocene Monterey Formation, California: a summary. In, A. Iijima, J.R. Hein and R. Siever (Eds.), Siliceous Deposits in the Pacific Region. Amsterdam, Elsevier, p. 247-282.
46. James, H.L. 1954. Sedimentary facies of iron-formation. Economic Geology, v. 49, p. 235-293.
47. Kaufman, A.J. and A.H. Knoll 1995. Neoproterozoic variations in the C-isotopic composition of seawater: stratigraphic and biogeochemical implications. Precambrian Research, v. 73, p. 27-49.
48. Klein, C. and N.J. Beukes 1989. Geochemistry and sedimentology of a facies transition from limestone to iron-formation deposition in the early Proterozoic Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa: Economic Geology, v. 84, p. 1733-1742.
49. Klein, C. and N.J. Beukes 1992. Time distribution, stratigraphy, and sedimentologic setting, and geochemistry of Precambrian iron formations. In, J.W. Schopf and C. Klein (Eds.), The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study. New York, Cambridge University Press, p. 139-146.
50. Klug, H.P. and L.E. Alexander 1954. X-ray Diffration Procedures for Polycrystalline and Amorphous Materials. New York, John Wiley & Sons, 716 p.
51. Knoll, A.H. and S.B. Carroll 1999. Early animal evolution: emerging views from comparative biology and geology. Science, v. 284, p. 2129-2137.
52. Kornhauser, K.O. and F.G. Ferris 1996. Diversity of iron and silica precipitation by microbial mats in hydrothermal waters, Iceland: implications for Precambrian iron formations. Geology, v. 24, p. 323-326.
53. LaBerge, G.L. 1973. Possible biological origin of Precambrian iron formations. Economic Geology, v. 68, p. 1098-1109.
54. Ledger, E.B., M.C. Crocker, S. Beaty, M.W. Rowe and M. Attrep 1993. Origin of the Arkansas/Caballos Novaculite based on rare earth element count. American Association Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, p. 136.
55. Lipps, J.H. 1992. Proterozoic and Cambrian skeletonized protests. In, J.W. Schopf and C. Klein (Eds.), The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study. New York, Cambridge University Press, p. 237-240.
56. Logan, G.A., J.M. Hayes, G.B. Hieshima and R.E. Summons 1995. Terminal Proterozoic reorganization of biogeochemical cycles. Nature, v. 376, p. 53-56.
57. Maliva, R.G., A.H. Knoll and R. Siever 1989. Secular change in chert distribution: a reflection of evolving biological participation in the silica cycle. Palaios, v. 4, p. 519-532.
58. Manikyamba, C. and S.M. Naqvi 1995. Geochemistry of Fe-Mn formations of the Archaen Sandur schist belt, India - mixing of clastic and chemical processes at a shallow shelf. Precambrian Research, v. 72, p. 69-95.
59. Mattes, B.W. and S. Conway Morris 1990. Carbonate/evaporite deposition in the Late Precambrian-Early Cambrian Ara Formation of southern Oman. In, A.H.F. Robertson, M.P. Searle and A.C. Ries (Eds.), The Geology and Tectonic of the Oman Region. Special Publication, Geological Society, p. 617-636.
60. McBride, E.F. and R.L. Folk 1977. The Caballos Novaculite revisited. Part 2: Chert and shale members and synthesis. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 47, p. 1-23.
61. McCarron, G.M.E. 2000. The sedimentology and chemostratigraphy of the Nafun Group, Huqf Supergroup, Oman. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Oxford.
62. Murata, K.J. and M.B. Norman 1976. An index of crystallinity for quartz. American Journal of Science, v. 276, p. 1120-1130.
63. Nederlof, P., J.E. Amthor and A. Bell 1997. The Athel source rock in South Oman - a unique opportunity to produce oil from source rocks. 18th International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry, p. 107-108.
64. O'Dell, P.M. 1997. The Athel: a challenging formation in South Oman. Society of Petroleum Engineers, Paper no. 37748.
65. Pisciotto, K.A. and R.E. Garrison 1981. Lithofacies and depositional environments of the Monterey Formation, California. In, R.E. Garrison (Ed.), The Monterey Formation and Related Siliceous Rocks of California. Special Publication, Pacific Section SEPM, p. 97-122.
66. Raiswell, R. 1982. Pyrite texture, isotopic composition and the availability of iron. American Journal of Science, v. 282, p. 1244-1263.
67. Rogers, J.P. and M.W. Logman 2001. An introduction to chert reservoirs of North America. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 85, p. 1-5.
68. Saylor, B.Z., A.J. Kaufman, J.P. Grotzinger and F. Urban 1998. A composite reference section for terminal Proterozoic strata of southern Namibia. Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 68, p. 1223-1235.
69. Schopf, J.W. and C. Klein 1992. The Proterozoic Biosphere: A Multidisciplinary Study. New York, Cambridge University Press, 1348 p.
70. Schröder, S. 2000. Reservoir quality prediction in Ara Group carbonates of the South Carbonate Platform, South Oman Salt Basin. PhD Thesis, University of Bern.
71. Schröder, S., B.C. Schreiber, J.E. Amthor and A. Matter 2003. A depositional model for the terminal Neoproterozoic-Early Cambrian Ara Group evaporites in South Oman. Sedimentology, v. 50, 879-898.
72. Schröder, S., B.C. Schreiber, J.E. Amthor and A. Matter 2004. Stratigraphy and environmental conditions of the terminal Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Period in Oman: evidence from sulphur isotopes. Journal of the Geological Society, v. 161, no. 3, p. 489-499.
73. Seilacher, A. 1984. Late Precambrian and Early Cambrian metazoa: preservational or real extinctions? In, H.D. Holland and A.F. Trendall (Eds.), Patterns of Change in Earth Evolution. Berlin, Springer-Verlag, p. 159-168.
74. Sheppard, R.A. and A.J. Gude 1986. Magadi-type chert - a distinctive diagenetic variety from lacustrine deposits. In, F.A. Mumpton (Ed.), Studies in Diagenesis. United States Geological Survey Bulletin, p. 335-345.
75. Siever, R. 1991. Silica in the ocean: biochemical-biological interplay. In, S.H. Schneider and P.J. Boston (Eds.), Scientists on Gaia. Cambridge, MA, The MIT Press, p. 287-295.
76. Strauss, H. 1997. The isotopic composition of sedimentary sulfur through time. Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology, Paleooceanography, p. 97-118.
77. Summons, R.E., S.C. Brassell, G. Eglinton, E. Evans, R.J. Horodyski, N. Robinson and D.M. Ward 1988a. Distinctive hydrocarbon biomarkers from fossiliferous sediment of the Late Proterozoic Walcott Member, Chuar Group, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 52, p. 2625-2637.
78. Summons, R.E., T.G. Powell and C.J. Boreham 1988b. Petroleum geology and geochemistry of the Middle Proterozoic McArthur Basin, northern Australia: III. composition of extractable hydrocarbons. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 52, p. 1747-1763.
79. Sweeney, R.E. and I.R. Kaplan 1973. Pyrite framboid formation: laboratory synthesis and marine sediments. Economic Geology, v. 68, p. 618-634.
80. Terken, J.M.J., N.L. Frewin and S.L. Indrelid 2001. Petroleum systems of Oman: charge timing and risks. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 85, p. 1817-1845.
81. Trendall, A.F. 1983. Introduction. In, A.F. Trendall and A. C. Morris (Eds.), Iron Formation: Facts and Problems. Amsterdam, Elsevier.
82. Trendall, A.F. and A.C. Morris 1983. Iron Formation: Facts and Problems. Amsterdam, Elsevier.
83. Urrutia, M.M. and T.J. Beveridge 1994. Formation of fine-grained metal and silicate precipitates on a bacterial surface (Bacillus subtilis). Chemical Geology, v. 116, p. 261-290.
84. Williams, L.A., G.A. Parks and D.A. Crerar 1985a. Silica diagenesis, I. Solubility controls. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 55, p. 301-311.
85. Williams, L.A., G.A. Parks and D.A. Crerar 1985b. Silica diagenesis, II. General controls. Journal Sedimentary Petrology, v. 55, p. 312-321.
86. Wollast, R. and F.T. Mackenzie 1983. The global cycle of silica. In, S.R. Aston (Ed.), Silicon Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry. London, Academic Press, p. 39-76.
87. Wong, S.W., S. Ford and B. Turner 1998. Massive fracture stimulation in deep, high-pressure Athel Formation. Society of Petroleum Engineers, Paper 50614, p. 407-412.