Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential

Page 1 of 12
FORELAND BASIN AND ITS HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL

1. INTRODUCTION
Foreland basins are generally accepted to express downexing of the lithosphere in
front of tectonic loads (Price, 1973; Beaumont, 1981; Jordan, 1981; Karner and Watts, 1983;
Lyon-Caen and Molnar, 1985; Stockmal et al., 1986; Flemings and Jordan, 1989; Sinclair et
al., 1991; Watts, 1992). Foreland basins are elongate or arcuate, highly asymmetrical basins
closely associate with continental collision zones (Allen & Allen, 2005). Foreland basins can
be divided into two categories (DeCelles & Giles (1996)) (see Fig. 1):
- Peripheral (Pro) foreland basins, which occur on the plate that is subducted or
underthrust during plate collision (i.e. the outer arc of the orogen). In the simply, it being
understood that lie on the continental crust of the subducting plate. Ex: Indo-Gangetic Plain,
north Alpine foreland foreland basin.
- Retroarc (Retro) foreland basins, which occur on the plate that overrides during
plate convergence or collision (i.e. situated behind the magmatic arc that is linked with the
subduction of oceanic lithosphere). In the simply, it being understood that lie on the
continental crust of the overriding plate. Ex: Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic Rocky Mountain Basin,
North America.
Both classes of foreland basin overlie cratonic lithosphere and are associated with
crustal shorting in tectonically active zones. Some highly arcuate thrust belts and spatially
restricted foreland basin are related to subduction zone roll-back and are commonly
associated with important backarc extension (Fig. 1).
Foreland basin strata potentially contains a decipherable record of the rheology of the
lithosphere and the tectonic history of the bounding mountain belt. Foreland basin area is
important because it not only contains large reserves of hydrocarbons, coal but also the
habitat, cultivation of human.
Characterization of petroleum foreland Basin:
o Distinguishing features: multicycle basin on craton edge with adjacent uplift.
o Depositional History: 1st cycle mature platform sediments; unconformity;
2nd cycle orogenic clastics.
o Reservoir: mostly sandstone, lesser carbonate; in both cycles.
o Source: overlying or interfingering shale; locally coal.
o Cap: shale or evaporite.
o Trap: mostly anticlines; some stratigraphic and combination.
o Geothermal Gradient: low to above average.
o Hydrocarbons: mixed crude, similar to interior basins in 1t cycle; above
average deep thermal gas.
o Risks: trap efficiency; reservoir, source and seal development.
o Typical Reserves: <0.5- 5 billion bbl hydrocarbon/basin.
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 2 of 12
Fig. 1 Schematic illustration of peripheral foreland basins, retro-foreland basins, and basin
related to subduction zone roll-back (Allen & Allen (2005))
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 3 of 12

Fig.2 A typical foreland basin: The Permian basin of west Texas

Fig. 3 Foreland Basins in the Would
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 4 of 12
2. FORELAND BASIN SYSTEM
DeCelles & Giles (1996) provide a thorough definition of the foreland basin system.
Foreland basin systems comprise three characteristic properties:
a) Orogenic Wedge: An elongate region of potential sediment accommodation that
forms on continental crust between a contraction orogenic belt and the adjacent craton, mainly
in response to geodynamic processes related to subduction and the resulting peripheral or
retroarc fold-thrust belt;
b) Depozones: It consists of four discrete depozones, referred to as the wedge-top,
foredeep, forebulge and back-bulge depozones (depositional zones) which of these
depozones a sediment particle occupies depends on its location at the time of deposition,
rather than its ultimate geometric relationship with the thrust belt;
The wedge-top depozone is the mass of sediment that accumulates on top of the frontal part
of the orogenic wedge, including piggyback and thrust top basins. Wedge-top sediment
tapers toward the hinterland and is characterized by extreme coarseness, numerous tectonic
unconformities and progressive deformation.
The foredeep depozone consists of the sediment deposited between the structural front of the
thrust belt and the proximal flank of the forebulge. This sediment typically thickens rapidly
toward the front of the thrust belt, where it joins the distal end of the wedge-top depozone.
The forebulge depozone is the broad region of potential flexural uplift between the foredeep
and the back-bulge depozones.
The back-bulge depozone is the mass of sediment that accumulates in the shallow but broad
zone of potential flexural subsidence cratonward of the forebulge.
This more inclusive definition of a foreland basin system is more realistic than the
popular conception of a foreland basin, which generally ignores large masses of sediment
derived from the thrust belt that accumulate on top of the orogenic wedge and cratonward of
the forebulge.
c) The longitudinal dimension of the foreland basin system is roughly equal to the length
of the fold-thrust belt, and does not include sediment that spills into remnant ocean basins or
continental rifts (impactogens).

Fig. 4 Foreland Basin system (DeCelles & Giles (1996))
3. BASIN EVOLUTION
3.1 Tectonic evolution
Foreland basins form because as the mountain belt grows, it exerts a significant mass
on the Earths crust, which causes it to bend, or flex, downwards. The primary of foreland
basin formation is moving tectonic load. Subsidence is differential and increases the closer to
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 5 of 12
the Orogen, subsidence is not uniform along strike of fold and thrust belt. Variability of
orogenic load is also control basin formation, it along strike tilts variability basin. Excepting
for dynamic loading, all other types of supra- and sublithospheric subsidence mechanisms
relate to the gravitational pull of static loads represented by the subducting slab, the
orogen, or the sedimentwater mixture that lls the foreland accommodation created by
lithospheric exural deection (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5 Proarc and retroarc foreland systemstectonic setting and controls on
accommodation (modied from Catuneanu et al., 1997a). Foreland systems form by the
exural deection of the lithosphere under a combination of supra- and sublithospheric loads.

The static tectonic load of the orogen and the sublithospheric dynamic loading are
most often invoked as the primary subsidence mechanisms that control accommodation and
sedimentation patterns in retroarc foreland settings. The static load of the sedimentwater
mixture is only of secondary importance in the formation of foreland basins, because
accommodation by exural deection must be created rst, before sediments can start to
accumulate.
By Allen & Allen (2005), the plate tectonic scenario providing the context for the
general evolution of foreland basin involves three stages (Fig. 6):
- Passive margin: the passive margin stage with orogenic loading of previously
stretched continental margin during the early stages of convergence
- Convergent stage: inheritance of a passive margin, followed by an early convergent
stage characterized by deep water conditions;
- Convergent stage: convergent stage during which a subbaerial wedge is flanked with
terrestrial or shallow marine foreland basin. Flexural foebulge unconformities are thought to
be best developed during the early convergent stage, but may be buried beneath terrestrial
sediments during the late convergent stage.
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 6 of 12

Fig.6 Model involving orogenic loading of a previously stretched continental margin during
the early stages of convergence (Stockmal et al. 1986; Watts 1992), modified by Allen et al.
(1991). The first orogenic loads are emplaced on a weaker lithosphere at considerable water
depths.
The temperature underneath the orogen is much higher and weakens the lithosphere.
Thus, the thrust belt is mobile and the foreland basin system becomes deformed over time.
Syntectonic unconformities demonstrate simultaneous subsidence and tectonic activity.

3.2 Stratigraphy
In Catuneanu (2004), evolution phase of foreland basin divided into 3 phase,
underfilled phase, filled phase, and overfilled phase. These phase determined fluctuation of
relative sea level and flexural subsidence.
3.2.1 Underfilled Phase
Underfilled phase is initial phase of foreland basin infilling. Underfilled phase
characterized by facies that has characterize of its rate subsidence. In basin which has rate of
decline slowly, developing deep marine facies with flysch and agradation fluvial sequence
and shallow marine. In basin which has rate of decline rapidly will develop submarine fan
facies and agradation fluvial-delta sequence.
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 7 of 12

Fig. 7 Ilustration Underfilled Foreland

Fig. 7A is initial phase development of foreland basin that form initial subsidence
(dynamic subsidence<flexural uplift) on foredeep that form simultaneously with forebulge
uplift. Then, Fig. 7B is final stage underfilled phase that occur when dynamic subsidence >
flexural uplift, resulted basal unconformity from forebulge erosion (Catuneanu, 2004).
3.2.2 Filled Phase
This phase occur when the basin initially underfilled become to shallowing due to
incoming sediment supply to the basin continuously, result of erosion from thrust belt lifted.
This would causes the formation of stable shallow marine environmental in foreland basin, so
that the stratigraphic record of this phase become shallow marine deposits and carbonate
(forebulge, backbulge) and deep marine (foredeep).

Fig. 8 Filled phase
3.2.3 Overfilled Phase
Overfilled phase is dominated by the formation of non-marine environment and reflect
the stages of foreland basin evolution, when the sediment supply far exceeds the available
accommodation space. This phase is the final phase in the development phase of the foreland
basin. This phase is characterized by non-marine environment during the deposition zone and
foreland basin molasses deposition.
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 8 of 12

Fig. 9 Overfilled phase. Depositional environmental on foreland basin is non-marine fluvial
(Catuneanu, 2004).
3.3 Lithospheric behavior
Although the degree to which the lithosphere relaxes over time is still controversial,
most geologists accept an elastic or visco-elastic rheology to describe the lithospheric
deformation of the foreland basin. The composite lithospheric prole in Fig. 1 (average
exural prole in Fig. 2) changes through time in response to uctuations in the amount of
orogenic loading. Such orogenic cycles of thrusting (loading) and quiescence (erosional or
extensional unloading) may operate over a wide range of time scales, both > and <1 My
(Cloetingh, 1988; Cloetingh et al., 1985, 1989; Peper et al., 1992; Catuneanu et al., 1997b;
Catuneanu and Sweet, 1999).

Fig. 10 Flexural response to orogenic loading and unloading (modied from Catuneanu et
al., 1997a). Renewed thrusting in the orogenic belt (loading) results in foredeep subsidence
and forebulge uplift. The reverse occurs during stages of orogenic quiescence (erosional or
extensional unloading): the foredeep undergoes uplift as a result of isostatic rebound,
compensated by subsidence of the forebulge.
For the loading model, the lithosphere is initially stiff, with the basin broad and
shallow. Relaxation of the lithosphere allows subsidence near the thrust, narrowing of basin,
forebulge toward thrust. During times of thrusting, the lithosphere is stiff and the forebulge
broadens. The timing of the thrust deformation is opposite that of the relaxing of the
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 9 of 12
lithosphere. The bending of the lithosphere under the orogenic load controls the drainage
pattern of the foreland basin. The flexural tilting of the basin and the sediment supply from
the orogen.
4. CHARACTERISTIC OF PETROLEUM SYSTEM OF FORELAND
BASIN
Petroleum system is the system that result and keep hydrocarbon. Its divided in to 5
elements, they are source rock, reservoir, seal, trap and proper timing of migration.
Establishment and infilling of basin that occure during evolution controlled by tectonic
and sedimentation. Tectonic and sedimentation are also affected the characteristic of
petroleum system.
Source rock of petroleum system in foreland basin can be formed in early underfilled
phase on wedge-top or foredeep is pelagic sedimentary rock with very fine material
(flysh) and, the rock at back-bulge is deposit on fluvial and lacustrine environment.
Whereas, the source rock can be formed at the end of underfilled phase of forebuldge
deposited in deltaic-fluvial environment (Catuneuanu, 2004).
Reservoir of petroleum system in foreland basin can be formed in early underfilled phase
on forebulge is aeolian deposit with unconformity, and also at late underfilled phase of
wedge-top foredeep is submarine fan deposit, on forebulge backbulge is fluvial-deltaic
deposit. Besides that, it can be formed on filled phase of forebuldge backbuldge that
formed carbonate platforms and ramps (Catuneuanu, 2004).
Seal of petroleum system in foreland basin can be formed on overfilled phase in non-
marine environment like fluvial environment (Catuneuanu, 2004).
Hydrocarbon migration of foreland basin occure after kerogen in source rock is mature.
The maturation of source rock in retroarc foreland basin is faster than peripheral foreland
basin. It is caused by depleted of basement on retroarc-foreland basin is bigger than
peripheral foreland basin.
The most common trap that can be found in foreland basin is thrust-fault. Thrust-fault can
be formed by compression in collision zone. Besides that, the other trap which found is
pinch-out. Pinch-out is mostly found on reservoir layers that wedge to slope from
basement rock (Koesoemadinata, 1980).
5. CASE STUDY IN INDONESIA
In this case, there are two examples of petroleum system in foreland basin that resulted
by collision in East Indonesia and have been proven oil and gas. They are Barito Basin and
Banggai Basin.
5.1 Barito Basin
Barito basin is retroarc-foreland basin that resulted by collision of microcontinent
southwest Borneo or Schwaner with Paternoster on late Jurassic until late Cretaceous. The
result of this process also form Meratus Mountain as orogenic belt that reveal the outcrop of
ophiolite. And then, the collision also form Barito Basin as retroarc foreland basin and Pasir-
Asem Asem Basin as peripheral foreland basin (Satyana et.al, 2008).
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 10 of 12
- Source rock
Lower Tanjung Formation of Barito basin
deposited on early Eocene. It consist of
carbonaceous shale, coarse sandstone, conglomerate
sandstone and conglomerate. Lower Tanjung
formation deposited on fluvial environment of
underfilled phase of back-bulge part (Heryanto,
2010). Layer of carbonaceous shale is act as source
rock of barito basin. Besides that, Lower Warukin
formation deposited on Early Miocene, it consist of
mudstone (dominated) the color is black greyish
with intercalation of fine sandstone and coarse
sandstone, the sedimentary structure are laminated
and flaser. Lower Warukin Formation deposited in
delta plain environment of late underfilled phase of
forebulge-backbulge part (Heryanto, 2010). Black
mudstone of its formation is act as source rock.

- Reservoir
In barito basin, formation that act as reservoir are Middle Tanjung formation and Middle
Warukin Formation. Middle Tanjung formation consist of inserts blackish mudstone with
coarse sandstone and coal. Sandstone of this formation is act as reservoir.
Middle Warukin Formation consist of black greyish mudstone inserts with fine-coarse
sandstone, and the sedimentary structure are lamination of carbon and flaser. Its deposited in
deltaplain environment and rock that act as reservoir is fine-coarse sandstone of channel
deposit. Both Middle Warukin and Middle Barito formation is form in underfilled phase of
forebulge-back-bulge (Heryanto, 2010).

- Seal
Seal of barito basin are upper Tanjung formation and Lower Warukin Formation.
Upper Tanjung formation is deposited in deltaic environment on late Eocene, it consist of
siltstone, fined-coarse sandstone wit sedimentary structure are wavy and flaser. Inserts of
siltstone and fine sandstone is act as seal.
Lower Warukin formation is deposited on early Miocene on delta plain environment,
it consist of black greyish mudstone inserts with fine-coarse sandstone, laminated carbon and
its sedimentary structure is flaser. Mudstone of its formation is act as seal. Both upper
Tanjung formation and Warukin formation that act as seal are formed in late underfilled phase
of forebulge-backbulge (Heryanto, 2010).
- Proper timing of migration
Migration process in Barito basin happened after source rock (lower Tanjung formation)
have been mature on middle Miocene and start to migration on late Miocene. Destination of
its migration is coarse sandstone of middle Tanjung Formation that act as reservoir (Heryanto,
2010).

Fig. 11 Barito Basin (Red Circle)
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 11 of 12
Fig. 13 Banggai Basin,
eastern Sulawesi (purple color)

- Trap
Thrust fault in barito basin is act as trap (structural trap).

Fig. 12 Migration and structural trap in Barito Basin.
5.2 Banggai Basin
Banggai basin is peripheral foreland basin from
micro-continent collision of Banggai-Tukang Besi and
Banggai-Sula which separated from the head of a bird
(Papua) and move to the west by a Sorong-Fault with
eastern Sulawesi ophiolite in the early Neogene. These
collisions also formed basins in western Sulawesi such as
Lariang Basin as retroarc foreland basin (Satyana et al.,
2008).
- Source Rock
Formation Matindok on Banggai Basin sedimented on
Middle Miocene consisting of mudstone with sandstone
inserts. Matindok Formation sedimented in shallow
marine environments are also precipitate Tomori
Formation below and above Minahaki Formation on filled
phase. The mudstone layer becomes the parent rock of
Formation Matindok (PT PATRA NUSA DATA, 2006).
- Reservoir
Anggota Mentawa of Minahaki Formation is carbonate reef act as reservoir. Minahaki
formation deposited on shallow marine by filled phase above Matindok formation (source
rock).
- Seal
Shale of Matindok Formation becomes seal in Banggai basin. This formation deposited
on non-marine by overfilled phase.
- Trap
In Banggai basin, the trap is carbonate reef and carbonate build-up (stratigraphic trap).

Fig. 14 Migration and stratigraphic trap in Banggai Basin
Foreland Basin And Its Hydrocarbon Potential
Page 12 of 12
CONCLUSION
Foreland basin is one basin in a convergent plate boundary formed by collisions or
subduction produce peripheral (collision) and retroarc (subduction) foreland basin. Deposition
zone in foreland basin can divided to 4 zone, wedge top, foredeep, forebulge and backbulge.
Infilling phase of foreland basin divided into 3 phase, underfilled, filled, and overfilled phase.
From underfilled towards overfilled sea level rise, so that the environment of deposition of
deep marine become increasingly shallow (fluvial).
Petroleum system that developed in Barito Basin (retroarc foreland) is in fluvial
sediments, lacustrine until deltaic at Tanjung and Warukin Formation, and in Banggai Basin
(peripheral foreland) is in shallow marine sediments at Matindok Formation and carbonate
reef as the Mentawa member of Minahaki Formation.
REFERENCES
Allen, P. A., Allen, J. R, 2006, Basin Analysis Principles and Applications, Blackwell
Publishing, United Kingdom, p. 117-120, 256-257.
Catuneanu, O., 2004, Retroarc Foreland Systems Evolution Through Time; Journal of
African Earth Sciences, volume 38, issue 3, Elsevier Ltd., Oxford, United Kingdom, p.
225, 230-237.
Einsele, G., 1992, Sedimentary Basins Evolution, Facies, and Sediment Budget, Springer-
Verlag, p. 488-491.
DeCelles, P.G., and Giles, K.A., 1996, Foreland Basin Systems; Basin Research, volume 8,
issue 2, Blackwell Science Ltd., Oxford, United Kingdom, p.105, 106, 108-114
Heryanto, R., 2010, Geologi Cekungan Barito, Badan Geologi Kementerian ESDM, Bandung,
Indonesia, p. 51, 58-61, 79-81, 111-123
Koesoemadinata, R.P., 1980, Geologi Minyak- dan Gasbumi (2rd Ed.), Penerbit ITB,
Bandung, Indonesia, p. 79, 80, 109-138, 173, 192-202
PATRA NUSA DATA, PT., 2006, Indonesia Basin Summaries (IBS), PT. PATRA NUSA
DATA, Jakarta, Indonesia, p. 95-103, 126-136
Satyana, A.H., Armandita, C., Tarigan, R.L., 2008, Collision and Post-Collision Tectonics in
Indonesia: Roles for Basin Formation and Petroleum System; Proceedings Indonesian
Petroleum Association 32nd Annual Convention & Exhibition, Indonesian Petroleum
Association, Jakarta, Indonesia, p. 1-12