Stratigraphy of the Lower Paleozoic Haima Supergroup of Oman

Following the discovery of significant gas/condensate reserves in Lower Paleozoic clastics in Central Oman a regional geological review using all available well data and a set of regional seismic lines was carried out by Petroleum Development Oman. The objective of this study was to support further appraisal and exploration activities. A chronostratigraphic framework of regional correlatable major flooding surfaces improved the understanding of the stratigraphic relationship between the different units and the regional distribution of the reservoir seal pairs. The interval of interest, the Cambrian to Lower Silurian Haima Supergroup, is a late syn- to post-rift siliciclastic infill of an extensive graben system. The depositional setting was initially continental but higher in the sequence of marine deltaic setting prevailed. The sequence is characterised by the occurrence of laterally extensive sand sheets typical of pre-vegetational times but difficult to interpret sedimentologically. At least six major transgressive regressive cycles can be recognised which can be regionally correlated. Marine intercalations are limited to Central and North Oman. The clastic influx into the grabens was initially of local origin but as the grabens filled up the sediments were predominantly derived from a southern source.