Facies and stratigraphic framework of a Khuff outcrop equivalent: Saiq and Mahil formations, Al Jabal al-Akhdar, Sultanate of Oman

The Middle Permian to Lower Triassic Khuff Formation is one of the most important reservoir intervals in the Middle East. This study presents a sequence stratigraphic analysis of the Khuff Formation of a well-exposed outcrop in the Oman Mountains, which may provide a reference section for correlations across the entire Middle East. On the Saiq Plateau of the Al Jabal al-Akhdar, the Permian Upper Saiq Formation is time-equivalent to the Lower and Middle Khuff Formation (K5–K3 reservoir units in Oman). The Permian section is dominated by graded skeletal and peloidal packstones and cross-bedded grainstones with a diverse marine fauna. The Lower Mahil Member (Induan Stage), time-equivalent to the Upper Khuff Formation (K2–K1 reservoir units in Oman), is dominated by grainstones composed of microbially-coated intra-clasts and ooids. In general, the studied outcrop is characterized by a very high percentage of grain-dominated textures representing storm-dominated shoal to foreshoal deposits of a paleogeographically more distal portion of the Khuff carbonate ramp. A sequence-stratigraphic analysis was carried out by integrating lithostratigraphic marker beds, facies cycles, bio- and chemostratigraphy. The investigated outcrop section was subdivided into six third-order sequences, named KS 6 to KS 1. KS 6–KS 5 are interpreted to correspond to the Murgabian to Midian (ca. Wordian to Capitanian) stages. KS 4-Lower KS 2 correspond to the Dzhulfian (Wuchiapingian) to Dorashamian (Changhsingian) stages. Upper KS 2–KS 1 represent the Triassic Induan stage. Each of the six sequences was further subdivided into fourth-order cycle sets and fifth-order cycles. The documentation of this outcrop may contribute to a better regional understanding of the Khuff Formation on the Arabian Platform.