Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Structural analysis of the East Band-e-Lengeh anticline (Southeast of Zagros) based on subsurface data and seismic line interpretation

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
1 Department of Sedimentary Basins and Petroleum, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Exploratory Geology, Exploration Directorate, National Iranian Oil Company, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
This study investigates the geometry and folding pattern of the East Band-e-Lengeh anticline, located in the Coastal Fars subzone, using 5 structural cross-sections and one longitudinal section derived from seismic line data, geological maps, and exploratory well data. The analysis reveals that the anticline is an almost symmetric fold with an overall elliptical to box-shaped geometry. Based on structural studies and interpretation of seismic lines, the southern limb of the East Band-e-Lengeh structure is affected by a reverse fault originating from the Dashtak formation. According to calculations using the excess area method, the folds detach at a depth of approximately 11 km, indicating that the deformation mechanism of the sedimentary cover in this anticline is a faulted detachment fold. Tectonic thickening of evaporites in the Dashtak formation (Middle Triassic) occasionally forms a detached horizon within the sedimentary cover, altering the geometry of Mesozoic and Cenozoic formations compared to the reservoir horizon of the Dehram group (Permo-Triassic) and causing axial shift. A UGC map of this horizon has been generated to explore the saddle-shaped relationship between the central segment of the anticline and its eastern segment and evaluate the exploration target horizon (Dehram group). Based on cross-section balancing using the bed-length conservation method, the shortening of the anticline is estimated at approximately 4%.
Keywords

Subjects


Alavi, M., 1994. Tectonics of the Zagros orogenic belt of Iran: New data and interpretations. Tectonophysics, 229(3–4), 211–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(94)90030-2.
Alavi, M., 2007. Structures of the Zagros fold-thrust belt in Iran. American Journal of Science, 307, 1064–95. https://doi.org/10.2475/09.2007.02.
Bastida, F., Aller, J., Bobillo-Ares, N.C., and Toimil, N.C., 2005. Fold geometry: a basis for their kinematical analysis. Earth-Science Reviews, 70(1-2), pp.129-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2004.11.006.
Berberian, M., 1995. Master ‘blind’ thrust faults hidden under the Zagros folds: Active basement tectonics and surface morphotectonics. Tectonophysics, 241, 193–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(94)00185-C.
Berberian, M., and King, G. C. P., 1981. Towards a paleogeography and tectonic evolution of Iran. Canadian Journal of Earth Science, 18, 210-265. https://doi.org/10.1139/e81-019.
Blanc, E., Allen, M.B., Inger, S., and Hassani, H., 2003. Structural styles in the Zagros Simple Folded Zone, Iran. Journal of the Geological Society, 160, 401 - 412. https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-764902-110.
Falcon, N.L., 1974. South Iran: Zagros Mountains. Spencer, A.M, Mesozoic-Cenozoic Orogenic belts Data for Orogenic studies, Geological Society of London, Special Publication, 4 (1), pp.199-211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2005.004.01.11.
Fleuty, M.J., 1964. The description of folds. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 75(4), pp.461-492. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7878(64)80023-7.
Haghi, A. H., Kharrat, R., Asef, M. R., and Rezazadegan, H., 2013. Present day stress of the central Persian Gulf: Implications for drilling and well performance. Tectonophysics, 608, 1429–1441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2013.06.001.
Hasani, M., Kavousi, M., Tabatabaei, S., and Motamedi, M., 2010). Study of the Dehram group and Dashtak formation from the perspective of reservoir geology, zonation, and determination of reservoir zone distribution in the Fars and Persian Gulf regions. Exploration Directorate, National Iranian Oil Company, Report No. 2206, 178 pp. (In Persian).
Hessami, K., Koyi, H.A., and Talbot, C.J., 2001. The significance of strike-slip faulting in the basement of the Zagros fold and thrust belt. Journal of Petroleum Geology, 24(1), pp.5-28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.2001.tb00659.x.
Lisle, R. J., Martinez, J. F., Bobillo-Ares, N., Menendez, O., Aller, J., and Bastida, F., 2006. FOLD PROFILER: A MATLAB®-based program for fold shape classification. Computers & Geosciences, 32(1), 102-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2005.05.007.
McNaught, M.A., and Mitra, G., 1993. A kinematic model for the origin of footwall synclines. Journal of Structural Geology, 15(6), pp.805-808. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8141(93)90064-H.
McQuarrie, N., 2004. Crustal scale geometry of the Zagros fold–thrust belt, Iran. Journal of Structural Geology, 26(4), 519–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2003.08.009.
Mitra, S., 2002. Structural models of faulted detachment folds. AAPG Bulletin, 86(9), 1673-1694. https://doi.org/10.1306/61EEDD3C-173E-11D7-8645000102C1865D.
Mitra, S., 2003. A unified kinematic model for the evolution of detachment folds. Journal of Structural Geology, 25, 1659–1673. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8141(02)00198-0.
Motamedi, H., and Gharabeigli, G., 2019. Chapter 9- Structural Style in the Fars Geological Province: Interaction of Diapirism and Multidetachment Folding. Developments in Structural Geology and Tectonics. A. F. Saein, Elsevier. 3: P. 145-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815048-1.00009-3.
Motamedi, H., Asghari, A., and Vali-Nejad, M., 2012. Report on ancient elevations in the eastern Razak Fault Zone, Exploration Directorate, National Iranian Oil Company, Report No. 2278, 159 pp. (In Persian).
Motamedi, H., Norouzi, M., Arianfar, B., Farmani, F., and Shamshiri, M., 2005. Structural analysis and hydrocarbon potential assessment of Kuh Sefid, Bandar Lengeh, Herang, Boneh Kuh, Band Moallem, Chah Moslem, and Borkeh Soflin structures, Exploration Directorate, National Iranian Oil Company, Report No. 2132, 79 pp. (In Persian).
Motamedi, H., Sherkati, S., and Sepehr, M., 2012. Structural style variation and its impact on hydrocarbon traps in central Fars, southern Zagros folded belt, Iran Journal of Structural Geology 37 (2012) 124-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2012.01.021.
Motiei, H., 1993. Zagros Stratigraphy, Geology of Iran Book Compilation Project, Geological Survey of Iran Publications, 548 pp. (In Persian).
National Iranian Oil Company, 2016. Zagros geological map, Scale 1:50,000. (In Persian).
Oveisi, B., Lavé, J., Vander Woerd, J., Carcaillet, J., Tatar, M., Abbassi, M. R., and Farbod, Y., 2009. Thick- and thin-skinned deformation rates in the central Zagros simple folded zone (Iran) indicated by displacement of geomorphic surfaces. Geophysical Journal International, 176(2), 627–654. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2008.04002.x
Rahimpour, H., Esrafili-Dizaji, B., and Tavakoli, V., 2010. Dolomitization and Anhydrite precipitation in Permo–Triassic carbonates at the South Pars gas field, offshore Iran: controls on reservoir quality. Journal of Petroleum Geology, 33, 43 – 66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.2010.00463.x.
Safari, H., and Amiri-Bakhtiar, H., 2013. Basic subsurface geology. Tehran: Ava Publications. 487 pp. (In Persian).
Sella, G.F., Dixon, T.H., and Mao, A., 2002. REVEL: A model for recent plate velocities from space geodesy. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 107(B4). https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JB000033.
Sepehr, M., Cosgrove, J., and Moieni, M., 2006. The impact of cover rock rheology on the style of folding in the Zagros fold-thrust belt. Tectonophysics, 427(1-4), pp.265-281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2006.05.021.
Sherkati, S., and Letouzey, J., 2004. Variation of structural style and basin evolution in the central Zagros (Izeh zone and Dezful Embayment), Iran. Marine and petroleum geology. 21(5), pp.535-554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2004.01.007.
Sherkati, S., Letouzey, J., and Frizon de Lamotte, D., 2006. The Central Zagros fold–thrust belt (Iran): New insights from seismic data, field observation and sandbox modeling. Tectonics, 25, TC4007. https://doi.org/10.1029/2004TC001766.
Sherkati, S., Molinaro, M., de Lamotte, D.F., and Letouzey, J., 2005. Detachment folding in the Central and Eastern Zagros fold-belt (Iran): salt mobility, multiple detachments, and late basement control. Journal of Structural Geology, 27(9), pp. 1680-1696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2005.05.010.
Snyder, D.B., and Barazangi, M., 1986. Deep Crustal Structure and Flexure of the Arabian Plate Beneath the Zagros Collisional Mountain Belt as Inferred from Gravity Observations. Tectonics, 5, 361-373. https://doi.org/10.1029/TC005i003p00361.
Stocklin, J., 1968. Structural history and tectonics of Iran: a review. AAPG Bulletin, 52(7), pp.1229-1258. https://doi.org/10.1306/5D25C4A5-16C1-11D7-8645000102C1865D.
Szabo, F., and Kheradpir, A., 1978. Permian and Triassic stratigraphy, Zagros basin, south-west Iran, Journal of Petroleum Geology, 1, 57 – 82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.1978.tb00611.x.
Tabatabai, H., 1997. Basement contour map (South East Iran). Scale 1: 1 000,000. National Iranian Oil Company, Exploration and Production, Tehran, Report 35393/A.
Talbot, C.J., and Alavi, M., 1996. The past of a future syntaxis across the Zagros. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 100(1), pp.89-109. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1996.100.01.08.
Twiss, R. J., and Moores, E., 1992. Structural Geology. New York: W.H. Freeman, pp. 217–235.