The study area having coordinates 2652’50”N and 68°55’60” E lies in Lower Indus Basin of Pakistan which is one of the proven geological provinces as well as contributing in the oil and gas requirements of the country. The study area has a prominent position in hydrocarbon prospecting with Sargodha high, Indian Shield and marginal zone of Indian Plate in north, east and west respectively [1], furthermore, this field is situated in Sindh Province of Pakistan, discovered in 1991 and came in regular production after successful drilling of three wells in 1995. The production from this field on regular basis is in the form of gas with condensate while it is bounded by nearby famous gas fields namely Miano and Sawan. Major basins in Pakistan are result of to regional tectonic activity about 200 M.y. ago, continuous rifting gave birth to formation of Lower Indus basin, which was further subdivided into two parts because of rotation of Indian plate about 55 M.y. ago. In the original 1992 Field Development Plan the core area, which is the eastern part of the field Lower Goru was considered more prospective as the reservoir [2].

Stratigraphic analysis comprises of interpreted seismic section where the different lithological layers exhibit as genetically related sedimentary succession. Structural interpretation involves identifying proper geological structures for probable accumulation of hydrocarbon, mainly tectonics play vital role in structural styles of a geological entity. Tectonic setting usually governs the structural network and associated features. The Lower Indus basin of Pakistan has been resulted due to large scale extensional tectonic forces that resulted into normal faulting and associated horst and graben geometry. Structural traps include the faults, anticlines and duplex etc. [3]. One of the most common ways of identifying seismic reflections is to compare a seismic section with another section to find the regularity in different horizon of the area to be investigated. To grasp strong command on seismic interpretation and structure delineation, synthetic seismograms are frequently used to identify the reflectors [4]. For new prospects in any area, seismic data interpretation for hydrocarbon traps is not sufficient, further detail study like Petrophysical analysis, reservoir characterization, rock physics analysis and seismic modeling is required. According to Robinson and Coruh [5], in order to get detail information of the subsurface, velocity modeling is indeed essential. However, if the geophysical data is sparse, then structural and stratigraphical interpretation is the most suitable method to extract more information regarding petroleum system. In general, velocity increases with depth as density and overburden pressure increases, velocity in the subsurface varies in both laterally and vertically. Vertical variations are due to lithological changes of layering and increasing pressure due to increasing depth [6]. Lateral variations are due to slow changes in density and elastic properties due to changes in lithology or physical properties [6]. Meanwhile acoustic impedance provides useful information about the lithological successions as well as variation in different rock properties [7,8]. Acoustic impedance variations are directly related to the lithological variations and hydrocarbons content in a reservoir formation. A 60 fold 2D seismic data with 6 seconds of record length was acquired in 1989 by LASMO oil Pakistan limited in SEG-Y format, the seismic data for this study was provided in post stack migrated (PSTM) format for structural and stratigraphical interpretation. In this study, we have interpreted the data of 2D seismic lines for better understanding of structure and stratigraphy in a part of Lower Indus basin Pakistan. The horizons of interest are defined on the basis of their seismic character and continuity as well as wells formation tops. Three seismic horizons were interpreted in the study area as Eocene aged Sui Main Limestone; Cretaceous aged Upper Goru and Lower Goru formations. For further insights, P and S waves’ acoustic impedance were numerically computed and modeled to locate probable hydrocarbon bearing prospects in the study area.

Geological setting

Based on the sedimentation history and structural style, the Indus Basin is divided into three segments namely Upper, Central and Southern Indus basins [9,10]. Relatively high areas from shoreline of Jacobabad-Khairpur and Mari- Kandhkot highs distributed the lower portion of Indus basin in central and southern basins mutually known as Sukker Rift.

The study area is situated on the eastern and southeastern flank of the regional north-south– trending Jacobabad-Khairpur high as shown in Figure 1, which is an important factor in the formation structural traps in the study area [11], Kadanwari [2], Sawan and Tajjal gas fields. The Jacobabad-Khairpur has been developed by domal uplifting during the early Cretaceous, and later on along deep seated faults in the Late Cretaceous and Paleocene ages. The three tectonic events mainly responsible for the structural configuration of the study area are: First is the late Cretaceous uplift and erosion, Second event is a late Paleocene right-lateral wrenching, and third one is the late Tertiary to Holocene uplift/inversion of the Khairpur high [2]. The Khairpur high can be characterized by a high geothermal gradient of up-to 4.8°C/100 m (328 ft) [10]. The study area has been evolved through above mentioned tectonic events and as a result the stratigraphic successions from Pre- Camb-Mesozoic and Paleogene have been deformed by more than one episode [9]. The variations can be seen in stratigraphic succession of Lower Indus basin from east to west, as no succession older than Late Triassic have been drilled in the Southern Indus basin [11]. The stratigraphic package of the Jacobabad-Khairpur High includes Mesozoic,Tertiary and Quarternary lithologies as shown in Figure 2. The major unconfirmity occurs between base Permian and base Tertiary and the presence of Jurassic rocks in the area show deposition in early rifting stage. During early collision in Paleocene Ranikot, clastics were deposited followed by Eocene carbonates including the important reservoir unit Sui Main Limestone in the study area. The Sui Main Limestone was deposited on a shallow water carbonate platform with sporadic influx of clastic materials. This unit is widely distributed on a Jaccobabad - Khairpur High and which could be considered as good hydrocarbon reservoirs. Medium to coarse-grained sandstones in a shallow-marine setting constitute the main reservoir (Lower Goru Formation) in the field [10]. The sandstone of the Cretaceous Lower Goru is the most productive reservoir rock unit in the study area and nearby oil and gas fields. The lower part of this member has informally been divided, from bottom to top, into A, B, and C intervals, respectively [11].

Figure 1: Geological and Tectonic setting of Lower Indus Basin Pakistan [1]. The Base map in the bottom right corner shows the seismic profiles. The study area is highlighted by circle.

Figure 2: The generalized stratigraphy of Lower Indus basin Pakistan. The formations shown are mainly from the present study area.

Petroleum prospects

The Lower Cretaceous formation (Lower Goru) has consecutive layers of sand and shale. These sands act as reservoir rock units with rapidly varying reservoir characteristics within few kilometers. The foremost influence on these two processes is the degree of sands supply. This formation is the most proven reservoir rock unit throughout the entire basin; it is producing oil and gas in many fields located in Lower Indus basin. The Eocene aged Sui Main Limestone is also found productive in the vicinity gas fields. The shales of Cretaceous and Eocene act as source rock units in the study area [12].

Seismic coverage

The study area is an old exploration concession known as Old Tajjal Concession situated in the Lower Indus basin. The initial 2D seismic data in investigated area was acquired 6 to 7 kilometers along a horizontal profile in the year 1988. The seismic profiles are generally east west trending with some lines ties in north south direction. The prospective areas were subsequently in-filled with more data; the current study area is one of them, in which the central area was considered more prospective than western area. In the year1989, a NE–SW orientated, 2 kilometers spaced seismic grid, with a shot point interval of 50 m and 60-fold coverage was acquired. This was extended in 1990 to the west, but with a 25 m shot point interval and 120-fold coverage. The seismic source used was vibroseis. The area is generally covered with sand dunes of Thar Desert [2].

Seismic interpretation is the processes of transforming seismic data into geological section to get information about structure and stratigraphy. It possibly will find out the general information about an area, locate prospects for drilling new exploratory wells, or guide development for already discovered field. According to Badley [13], there are two main approaches for interpreting seismic data, one is stratigraphic analysis and another is structural analysis. For seismic data interpretation, the identification of seismic reflection packages has been done using seismic sections as shown in Figures 3a-3c, depths from formation tops and average thicknesses from available wells, interval and average velocities during the processing of seismic data, geological and seismic characteristics of different lithologies. In stratigraphic interpretation, lateral continuity, variation in sedimentary deposits and different episodes of sedimentation affected by tectonic activities and recognition of time depositional units is studied.

Figure 3: (a) Interpreted seismic lines showing normal faulting with horst and graben geometry (b) lithologies filled and predicted hydrocarbon migration path (c) Trace Envelope map of seismic line “X”.

In this study, we investigated new prospects for fast track implementation of oil and gas exploration activities in parts of Lower Indus basin of Pakistan. Regional geology, tectonics and stratigraphy were reviewed as part of the objectives in order to properly identify the structural and stratigraphical traps which were then confirmed by compressional and shear wave’s velocity and Impedance modeling. On the basis of structural and stratigraphic trends of the formations and geological history, migration pathways are also predicted along deeper horizon on seismic section as shown in Figure 4. The Iso-velocity map hich commonly shows velocity variations along horizontal and vertical directions over a specific profile was constructed using velocity information obtained from seismic sections.

Figure 4: Iso velocity contour map with shot points distributed on horizontal axis while TWT (milli-seconds) on vertical axis. Blue color shows low velocities and red color shows high velocities.

The primary objective of seismic interpretation is therefore to prepare contour seismic maps showing the two way time to a reflector as picked on the seismic sections. This time (isochron) map must be converted to depth (isodepth) map through the seismic time-depth conversion process. Contour maps are the most accurate representative of subsurface geology; consequently interpreted seismic sections along with average velocity information were used to generate 2D and 3D contour maps of formations of interest in the study area. The contour maps of Lower Goru formation and Sui Main Limestone are shown in the Figures 5 and 6 respectively.

Figure 5: (a) 2D Time contour map of Sui Main Limestone (b) 2D depth contour map of Sui Main Limestone (c) 3D time contour map (d) 3D depth contour map of Sui Main Limestone.

Figure 6: (a) 2D Time contour map of Lower Goru Formation (b) 2D depth contour map of Lower Goru formation (c) 3D time contour map (d) 3D depth contour map of Lower Goru formation.

Trace Envelope as attributes analysis has the ability to enhance strength, amplitude and energy of the reflector while increasing the basic properties of seismic reflectors. Trace Envelope was initially developed for the oil industry by Nigel Anstey in the 70’s in order to identify “bright spots” related to hydrocarbon accumulations. Trace envelope can be computed from complex trace which was first introduced by Taner [14]; the complex trace can be defined as;

CT (t) = T (t) + t H (t) (1)

Where;

CT (t) = Complex trace

T (t) = Seismic trace

H (t) = Hilbert’s transform of T (t)

H(t) is a 90° phase shift of T(t)

The Trace Envelope is calculated from complex trace by the following formula;

E (t) = SQRT {T² (t) + H² (t)} (2)

Trace envelop is helpful in identifying the subsurface discontinuities, lithological variations, changes in deposition system and sequence boundaries. In order to differentiate the top and bottom of various geological units or formations in the study area the trace envelope was designed using seismic lines.

An empirical relationship was established for computation of acoustic impedance by Gardner et al. [15] using density and velocity information. This relationship is widely used for brine saturated sedimentary rocks and is given in Eq (3);

(3)

(4)

ρ =Density (g/cm³)

V_p=P-wave (compressional) velocity (ft/s)

μ=Shear Modulus

Consequently, the acoustic impedance can be computed by using the compressional and shear wave velocity information, the empherical relation between velocity and density is given by;

Z = Vp,sρ (5)

Z=Acoustic Impedance

Root Mean Square (RMS) velocity read from velocity panels of the seismic data provided were used to derive different velocities using Dix equations to construct compressional and shear wave’s models, density sections and impedance sections. The impedance sections for P and S waves were created after numerical solution for available velocity data as shown in Eq (5). To achieve this target, SMT Kingdom 8.4 and Geosoft softwares were used in integration with other Geological and Geophysical softwares.

Structural and stratigraphical interpretation of a geological entity is important for expediting hydrocarbons exploration. In order to understand the subsurface geology and structural trends for possible hydrocarbon prospects in the study area, seismic data with some well information were used on an interactive workstation. Distinguishable results have been achieved by using 5 seconds two way travel time data to explore the hydrocarbon potential of the geological structures a part of Lower Indus basin Pakistan. The structural interpretation of the seismic data is presented in Figure 3. Based on the well to seismic ties three horizons were identified in the seismic sections. These three horizons were named Possible Sui Main Limestone, Possible Upper Goru and Possible Lower Goru formation. The fault analysis was carried out on dip lines because it provides clearer picture of the fault pattern. Figure 3a shows an interpreted seismic line oriented NE-SW direction. The green, purple and blue colors represent Possible Sui Main Limestone, Possible Upper Goru and Possible Lower Goru formation. Faults are marked as black in order to differentiate between horizon and fault as it is discontinuity in seismic reflectors. Since the study area is an extensional regime disturbed by drifting with some rotational component therefore the interpretation results show that the area has normal nature of faulting with some wrench components. The associated geometry is horst and graben, horst is geologically uplifted part of the normal fault while graben is the down ward portion of the fault which is bounded by two normal faults. Graben is relatively deep portion, where chances of hydrocarbon accumulations are less. Each horizon/ formation show horst and grabens geometry, since hydrocarbons always move from high potential or high Pressure area to low potential or low pressure area therefore the probability of hydrocarbons accumulation is mainly possible on “horst” rather than graben. Pressure in Horsts structure is comparatively low as compared to grabens because of the fact that horsts are shallow portions as compared to grabens in entire structure. The traps in the study are mainly stratigraphic traps. Sui Main Limestone (SML) and Lower Goru formation have strong reflection on the seismic section. A number of normal faults can be seen on the seismic section. SML formation is not much disturbed by faults on the western sides of the seismic section. But if we go deeper in the seismic section the throw of the faults increases. A very minor horst structure at Sui Main Limestone (SML) level can be seen on the seismic section between Shot Points 380 to 395 at approximately 1.138 seconds. Figure 3b shows lithologies filled in respective formations; it is close to real situations in the subsurface, predicted path for migration of hydrocarbons is shown with blue color arrows. Once the hydrocarbons are matured within the source formation (Shales of Lower Indus basin: probably Sembar formation), they are migrated towards the Lower Goru formation (reservoir formation) through these predicted paths. Generally the primary migration takes place along the fault or fractured planes or pores within rock units. Envelope map for the known seismic line is shown in the Figure 3c. Trace envelope rose with ultimate energy horizon on seismic section and often associated with huge hydrocarbon accumulation in the form of bright spots. It is affected by the slope, rather than envelope magnitude, hence indicate sharp interfaces.

Figure 4 shows the Iso-velocity contour map of the study area. The Iso-velocity contour map represents the lateral as well as vertical variations encountered in the study area. In practice, these variations are resulted due to changes in the rock properties and discontinuities affected by tectonic force and over burden pressure. This map shows the push-up and pull-up velocities. These velocities are representative of variation of average velocities at certain time along different vibrating points. The purple color represents low velocities associated with shallow subsurface unconsolidated sediments while the red color represents higher velocities and deeper portions of the subsurface, it follows the general trend of velocity increase with increase in depth. The Iso-velocity map is important for current study in order to observe anomalies associated with structural disturbances in the study area.

Contours represent the lines joining the same elevation so they are important tool of seismic data interpretation. Contours represent the picture of the subsurface formations. It is generally applied to basin wide study because data in time or depth domain of all the seismic lines are used to contour a single formation. Time and depth contour maps of Sui Main Limestone and Lower Goru in 2D and 3D are shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 5 represents the time and depth contour maps of Sui Main Limestone, the yellow color shows the shallowest part (horst) and blue color shows deeper parts (graben). A closure of light yellow contour having 0.05 sec interval at shallow time of 1.125 sec covers approximately area of 1 square kilometer. Well “X” is drilled at the extreme eastern boundary on the horst structure. Contour value lies between 1.110 sec-1.179 sec, complete structure of the area has been covered by this interval of two way travel time. The highlighted area in the same figure may be the probable zone of hydrocarbon accumulation, because it provides a good stratigraphic and structural trap. The time contour map of Sui Main Limestone was converted into depth domain using the information of average velocity in the study area. The contour map of Sui Main Limestone is shown in depth domain in Figure 5b, the depth ranges from 1221 to 1297 meters and geometry is same as the time domain. Figures 5c and 5d show 3D representation of the time and depth contour maps of Sui Main Limestone.

Contour maps of Lower Goru formation are shown in Figure 6. The contour mapping of 0.05 seconds contour interval shows a closure of 500 sq km at Shot Point # 260 of two horst structures with approximately 0.1 seconds vertical throw and in terms of depth it is approximately 15 meters. A small lead is also present at Shot Point 380 – 390 of closure 400 sq km bounded by fault towards western side of the Lower Goru formation. This could be very good promising zone for accumulation of hydrocarbons and can be regarded as future prospects. 3D contour maps of Lower Goru formation is also shown in the Figures 6c and 6d. The maps clearly depict that area has conjugate normal fault system with extensive horst and graben geometry.

Figures 7a-7d shows the velocity modeling of the simple body wave’s propagation and acoustic impedance sections of a seismic profile “A”. The interval velocity information was used to investigate the variations of compressional and shear wave and their response to different formations. Velocities generally increase with depth, tight sand show sharp increase while shales generally show blunt variations in seismic velocities. In seismic, velocity information play vital role in providing the subsurface details. Figures 7a and 7b show a velocity trap between 2500 to 3500 milli-seconds, throughout the section the velocity of both P and S waves uniformly increases with depth but the highlighted zone shows a trap of intermixed velocity which depicts a transition or presence of gas sand inside the formation. The trap was confirmed with acoustic impedance model for the same profile as well. In Figures 7c and 7d the sky and pink color represents zones of high acoustic impedance while blue color represents low acoustic impedance contrast. The zone between 2500 to 3500 milli-seconds may be the possible future prospect. The same

Figure 7: Models of Compressional and Shear waves Acoustic Impedance for seismic profile “A”. (a) Compressional wave velocity model having a possible trap between 2500 to 3500 milli-seconds (b) Shear wave model (c) Compressional wave Acoustic Impedance with impedance trap between 2500 to 3500 milli- seconds (d) Shear wave acoustic Impedance.

Zone was marked in contour maps of Lower Goru Formation (Main Reservoir rock in study area); both the structural and stratigraphical interpretation and seismic wave’s propagation models confirm an anomalous zone. Figures 8a-8d shows the compressional and shear wave propagation model and impedance sections for the seismic profile “B”. According to Castagna [16], the trapping of seismic waves in the subsurface always depicts presence of fluid inside the rock formation. The same anomaly was seen close to 2500 milli-seconds as marked by the circle in Figures 8a and 8b, the same anomaly was seen in the impedance sections of the same profile. The zone may be considered promising for future exploration.

Figure 8: Models of Compressional and Shear waves Acoustic Impedance for seismic profile “B”. (a) Compressional wave velocity model having a possible trap between 1500 to 2500 milli-seconds (b) Shear wave model (c) Compressional wave Acoustic Impedance with impedance trap between 1500 to 2500 milliseconds (d) Shear wave acoustic Impedance.

The structural and stratigraphical based seismic interpretation of possible hydrocarbon bearing formations in a part of Lower Indus Basin has been done using integrated approach of reflection seismic profiles, geology and acoustic impedance modeling. Three horizons have been marked on the basis of available information of well “X”. The structural analysis of seismic profiles A and B shows conjugate normal fault system which are responsible for hydrocarbon entrapment in field. A closure of contour at shallow time of 1.125 sec on Eocene aged Sui Main Limestone covers an area of approximately 1 Sq Km, while for Lower Goru formation a closure of 500 Sq Km at Shot Point 260 of two horst structures with approximately 0.1 sec vertical throw and in terms of depth it is approximately 15 meters and another closure is of 400 Sq Km between Shot Point 380-390. We have concluded that about 50 M.y ago tectonic deformation in the study area has resulted variety of structural and stratigraphical traps. Based on our findings, the Lower Indus basin can be regarded as unique for hydrocarbon accumulations. The compressional and shear waves and impedance modeling show the same anomalous zone as depicted by seismic data interpretation. The acoustic waves modeling investigation shows the prospective to include the appropriate information of subsurface geological and geophysical understandings. We are interested in lengthening this approach for further studies with good quality data in order to facilitate the researchers as well as industry professionals for expediting hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation in Lower Indus basin of Pakistan. This study, however, can provide additional information for precise well placement in further exploration and production of oil and gas. Within the limits of the available data, it is recommended that further studies should include integration of velocity (check shot) and biostratigraphic data of all the wells. This will provide more reliable data for interpretation of the depositional environments.

We express great gratitude to Dr. Gulraiz Akhtar and Dr. Aamir Ali of Department of Earth Sciences of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad and Dr. Khaista Rehman NCEG, Peshawar, Pakistan. We are thankful to Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Islamabad Pakistan for providing the public domain data set.