TECTONICS, STRATIGRAPHY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE MAKASSAR STRAITS: RECENT UPDATES FROM EXPLORING OFFSHORE WEST SULAWESI, OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS

摘要

The western part of the Makassar Straits is a very prolific petroleum province proved by the numerous oil and gas fields of the Lower Kutei-North Makassar Basin. These fields are found in the deltaic, shelfal and deep-water areas and are sourced and reservoired by a single petroleum system involving Miocene-Pliocene Mahakam deltaic sediments. Its counterpart, the eastern part of the Makassar Straits or West Sulawesi Offshore, is very different from a petroleum geology perspective. The area has been under-explored and hence there is a lack of understanding. However, exploration activity in this area has been increasing significantly in the last five years. Several speculative seismic surveys have been acquired and working blocks have been established, operated by world-class operators. They have acquired detailed 2D-3D seismic data and other geophysical-geological data. Several expensive exploration wells have also now been drilled, mostly in the deep-water area.