Mesozoic Structural Architecture and Petrophysical analysis of Badin South Block, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

Abstract

The study area “Badin South Block” lies in the southern most of the 
Sindh Monocline, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan. The objective of 
the research work is to analyze the structural architecture and 
hydrocarbon prospective of Mesozoic age rocks of Badin South 
Block.  Ten 2D seismic lines and 4 wells data were used for a better 
understanding of the structural styles of the area and to ascertain 
hydrocarbon potential. The Badin South Block is located in the 
Lower Indus Basin and is a part of an extensional regime with 
normal faulting that resulted from the separation of the Indian and 
African plates. Four horizons were interpreted i.e., Khadro 
Formation, Upper Goru Formation, Lower Goru Formation and 
Sembar Formation. Seismic interpretation reveals the existence of 
horst/graben structures in the study area having listric/normal 
faults. The interpreted faults are oriented in NW-SE or NNW-SSE 
direction with high angle planer geometries having an impact on the 
sealing nature of each fault. The NW-SE trends of structures in the 
study area are similar to regional structures in the Lower Indus 
Basin confirming the validity of seismic interpretation. The normal 
high angle planer faults dip majorly in the SW direction. 
Additionally, the petrophysical analysis showed good reservoir 
quality of the Lower Goru Formation with respect to reservoir 
effectiveness. Additionally, the results further revealed that up-dip 
hydrocarbon migration is predictable in the proximity of the 
research area, therefore a 3D seismic survey is suggested for a 
better understanding of the subsurface geological structures.  
Keywords: Mesozoic rocks; Structural architecture; Petrophysics; 
Hydrocarbon potential; Badin South Block