SPE

Society of PtJtroIeurn Engineers

SPE 21396
The Western Rub' AI-Khali Infracambrian Graben System
R.A. Dyer and M. Husseini, Saudi Aramco
Copyright 1991, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Middle East Oil Show held in Bahrain, 16-19 November 1991.
This paper was selected for by an Program following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s), Contents of the paper,
as have been revIewed by th.e of 'petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect
any poSItIon of th,e SoCIety of ItS offIcers, or members. Papers presented at SPE meetings are subject to pUblication review by Editorial Committees of the Society
of Petroleum EngIneers. PermlsSlon.to copy IS restricted tO,an II!Jstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment
of where and by whom the paper IS presented. Write LIbrarian, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836 U.S.A., Telex, 730989 SPEDAL.
ABSTRACT
A maj or Infracambrian graben system is observed
along regional seismic reflection profiles in the
Western Rub' AI-Khali of Saudi Arabia. This graben
system was formed coincident with the development
of salt basins in Oman and the Arabian Gulf and
the Najd fault system of the Arabian Shield.
Evident structural elements include the northwest-
southeast trending Najd faults, and the more
commonly recognized north-south trends.
The sediments deposited in the grabens can be
divided into three units based on seismic
character. The inferred basal unit is relatively
free of seismic reflections and has an indefinite
basal seismic reflector. The middle unit contains
parallel seismic reflections marked by high
comparative amplitude and continuity. The upper
unit represents an eroded wedge characterized by
low internal seismic reflectiVity.
The three units are correlated with the
Infracambrian Huqf Group of Oman and the Jubaylah
Group of the Najd system of the Arabian Shield.
Specifically, the basal unit is interpreted to
correspond to the coarse clastics of the Abu Mahara
,Formation at the base of the Huqf Group and the
Robutain Formation of the Jubaylah Group. The
middle seismic unit is interpreted as carbonates
and marine clastics, equivalent to the Khufai,
Shuram, and Buah Formations of the Huqf Group and
the Muraykhah Formation of the Jubaylah Group. The
upper seismic unit is interpreted as the clastic
facies equivalent of the Ara Formation salt of the
Huqf Group.
The carbonates of the Huqf Group of Oman are the
proven source rocks of oil fields in the Ghaba and
References and figures at end of paper.
505
South Oman Salt Basins, and therefore the middle
seismic unit of the Western Rub' al-Khali graben
system may also be regarded as a potential source
rock. The faulting associated with the graben
system is terminated by a major unconformity which
separates the syn-rift sequence from the post-rift
sandstones of the Saq Formation of Saudi Arabia.
INTRODUCTION
Newly acquired seismic data has confirmed the
presence of extensive basinal areas within the
greater Rub' AI-Khali embayment of the Arabian
peninsula (Figure 1). The basins are largely the
result of slow differential subsidence which
occurred in phases during the Paleozoic and
Mesozoic. On several of these seismic profiles,
the Phanerozoic basins are underlain by an
Infracambrian (Late Precambrian to Early Cambrian)
graben system comparable in areal extent to the
modern East African rift system and the Jurassic
Viking graben system of the North Sea. This paper
describes the graben system in terms of its age,
structural evolution, stratigraphy, and hydrocarbon
potential. The model for the graben system is
based on a seismic stratigraphic and tectonic
sequence analog with the South Oman and Ghaba salt
basins to the southeast in Oman, and the Najd rift
grabens to the northwest on the Arabian shield.
Specifically, the graben system in the western Rub'
AI-Khali is believed to have formed coincident with
the formation of the salt basins in Oman and the
Arabian Gulf, and the Najd rift system of the
Arabian shield, when the underwent a period
of extensional tectonics1, . Because there was
limited access to ocean water, clastics rather than
salt were deposited concurrent with the major phase
of graben development. During the earliest syn-
rift phase, an extensive carbonate platform existed
throughout the area. These carbonates and
associated fine clastics, which are prolific source
2 THE WESTERN RUB' AL-KHALI INFRACAMBRIAN GRABEN SYSTEM
SPE 21396
rocks in Oman
3
, were preserved from later erosion
within the graben system. Structural trends which
are found adjacent to these graben systems can be
high graded with respect to hydrocarbon
exploration, in cases where early trap formation
and reasonable present day burial depths exist.
REGIONAL GEOLOGY AND TECTONICS
During the Infracambrian, the region comprising the
present day Arabian Peninsula underwent a period of
extensional tectonics coinciding with the main
period of movement along the Najd fault system of
the Arabian shield. The previous orogenic
processes which resulted in the accretion of the
Arabian plate are likely responsible for the
initiation of movement along the Najd fault zone
and its dominant northwest- southeast orientation
2
,
4
There are two basic interpretations regarding the
nature of the tectonic events active during the
Infracambrian, a collisional mode1
5
, 6 and a
transform-extensional model
1
. The transform-
extensional model, discussed in more detail
previously2, is consistent with the data presented
here, and relates the Najd fault system of the
Arabian shield with the formation of rift basins in
northeast Egypt and the Sinai peninsula, as well as
the development of the extensive salt basins in
Oman (Ara Formation), the Arabian Gulf (Hormuz
Formation), Iran (Kerman salt graben), and Pakistan
(Pakistan salt range).
The extensive carbonate and evaporite depositional
environment which existed during the Infracambrian
is difficult to reconcile with a collisional model
for the Naj d, as continued collisional tectonics
would have maintained the Arabian plate as a
prominent highland. Finally, the seismic data
presented here exhibits all the characteristics of
extensional tectonics observed in other rifted
provinces, including tilted fault blocks, proximal
sediment wedges downthrown to major fault blocks,
and post-depositional erosion.
Tectonic elements of the Arabian Peninsula which
were active during the Infracambrian (Figure 1)
include the left lateral Najd fault system
inferred from unpublished potential field data to
extend hundreds of kilometers beneath the
sedimentary cover, the salt basins of the Northern
and Southern Arabian Gulf, and the Fahud, Ghaba,
and South Oman salt basins of Oman.
Outcrops of Infracambrian rocks on the Arabian
peninsula include the Jubaylah Group8 and Wadi
Fatima Series
7
on the Arabian shield. These rock
units are observed in isolated fault bounded rift
grabens along the Najd fault system. The Huqf
Group of Oman crops out in three major locations,
the Saih Hatat and Jabal Akhdar windows in the Oman
Mountains
9
, and along the HuqfAxis on the southeast
coast of Oman
10
The Ghabar Group (not shown on
Figure 1) crops out along the south coast of
Yemen
ll
.
STRATIGRAPHIC CORRELATION OF ROCK UNITS
Several regional correlations of the Infracambrian
rock units in the Middle East have been recently
506
published
12
, 13, 14. These correlations (Figure 2)
are generalized and based on lithology,
paleogeography, and tectonic reconstructions in the
absence of conclusive biostratigraphic information.
Assuming these correlations as valid, the
Infracambrian rock units of the Arabian peninsula
represent a transgressive regressive cycle of
coarse clastics, carbonates, fine clastics, and
evaporites deposited within a syn-rift tectonic
environment. For the purposes of this paper, the
Infracambrian rock units have been divided into
three related units: a basal clastic unit, a
middle unit of carbonates and related fine
clastics, and an upper unit of varied lithologies
including evaporites, carbonates, and clastics
deposited during the main period of Najd related
extension.
The Infracambrian depositional cycle commenced with
the deposition of a thick succession of generally
coarse clastics interbedded in places with
volcanics and volcanoclastics. Representative
formations for this interval include the Robutain
Formation of the Jubaylah Group, the Lower Fatima
Formation of the Fatima Group, and the Abu Mahara
Formation of the Huqf Group. The thickness of this
interval is variable. In Oman, for example, the
thickness of the Abu Mahara Formation is reported
to vary from 0 to over 1400 meters
12
These
sediments correspond tectonically with a
transitional period of post orogenic relaxation and
erosion of the highlands which had resulted from
the preceding accretionary tectonic events. The
Abu Mahara Formation has been dated as Late
Precambrian based on a Potassium Argon age
determination of 654 12 M.a. at the base of the
formation
15
. The stratigraphically equivalent
Mistal Formation of the Oman Mountains contains
diamictites which are thought to be of glacial
origin, and hence may be related to the loungest
Precambrian glacial event at 616 30 M.a.
1
.
The basal clastics are overlain by a widespread
stromatolitic carbonate unit represented by the
Muraykah Formation of the Jubaylah Group, and the
Middle Fatima Formation on the Arabian Shield. The
Middle Fatima Formation has been biostrati-
graphically dated as early Cambrian and is presumed
by stratigraphic similarity, to correlate to the
Muraykhah Formation
16
In Oman, the middle Huqf
Group17, is divided into three formations, the
Khufai Formation dolomite, which sits
transitionally over the Abu Mahara Formation, the
Shuram Formation shale, and the Buah Formation
carbonates17. The middle Huqf Gro':!' is dated as
Late Precambrian to Early Cambrian
1
on the basis
of its position in outcrop between the Abu Mahara
Formation and the upper Cambrian Muhatta Humaid
Formation which unconformably overlies the Buah
Formation in outcrop.
The final phase of syn-rift deposition, occurred
with the accumulation of thick evaporitic halite
and associated carbonates in Oman (Ara Formation)
and the Arabian Gulf (Hormuz Formation), followed
by an erosional-depositional hiatus indicated from
seismic data
15
The distribution of salt was
probably limited geographically by access to sea
water from the Tethys Ocean to the east or present
day northeast
18
, and does not appear to have
SPE 21396
R.A. DYER AND M.I. HUSSEINI 3
penetrated the southern and western flanks of the
South Oman Salt Basin
17
On the Arabian shield
synchronous units consist of clastics and may
include the Siq Formation
19
and the Upper Fatima
Formations.
SEISMIC DATA INTERPRETATION
In 1987, Saudi Aramco began an active exploration
program outside the main Eastern Province producing
areas. Initial data gathering included the
acquisition of multichannel reconnaissance seismic
data used to probe areas with highest exploration
potential as suggested by scattered well, outcrop,
and potential field data. Several of these seismic
lines shot in the western Rub' Al-Khali indicate
that the basinal areas of the Phanerozoic section
are underlain in places by rifted grabens of likely
Infracambrian age. One such seismic example can be
seen in Figure 3, which was tied to regional well
penetrations down to the approximate base of the
Middle Cambrian. Below this level, simple seismic
stratigraphic principles
20
were used to interpret
the data.
The first obvious feature of the sedimentary
section represented by the seismic line, is that
the section can be divided into two major tectonic
sequences separated by a profound erosional
unconformity at the Base of the Middle Cambrian.
The uppermost sequence is tectonically stable and
represents the post-rift sedimentary section. The
general absence of good quality continuous seismic
reflectors up to the Base Silurian is typical of
the marginal marine to continental clastics
represented by the seismic section. By contrast,
the general reflection quality, in terms of both
resolution and continuity, is quite good in the
marine carbonate section below the Top Permian.
The tectonic sequence below the Base Middle
Cambrian is marked by strong extensional faulting
and growth. Hence, this tectonic unit comprises
syn-rift and possibly pre-rift sediments presumably
equivalent with other syn-rift Infracambrian rocks
which crop out elsewhere on the Arabian peninsula.
The syn-rift tectonic sequence deposited within the
graben system can be divided into three units based
on seismic character. The lower unit (unit A) is
relatively reflection free and has an indefinite
basal reflector. The middle unit (unit B) contains
parallel reflections marked by higher amplitudes
and good continuity, albeit cut by faults. The
upper unit (unit C) is an eroded wedge
characterized by moderate to low reflectivity.
Post depositional extension and block faulting
marks the structure of the lower and middle units.
This faulting is mostly terminated by the
unconformity at the Base Middle Cambrian. The
subcrop and areal extent of the three units is
illustrated in Figure 1.
Unit A is the most obscure of the three units. The
lack of reflectiVity in this unit and the absence
of a clear basement reflection is explained by the
probable induration of these old and deeply buried
rocks. Hence, the impedance contrast between this
unit and the crystalline or metamorphic basement
rock is likely to be small.
507
The'reflection characteristics of unit B is typical
of a marine dominated sequence. Uniform and
continuous reflections patterns such as are seen in
this unit are often produced by sediments deposited
as a result of widespread pelagic or hemipelagic
settling in a marine environment. Vertical
variations in the clastic content of the sediment
can produce strong acoustic impedance changes such
that high amplitude, laterally continuous
reflections are common. The high amplitudes here
indicate the presence of both carbonates and fine
clastics.
Interpreted stratigraphically, unit C exhibits the
expected seismic response of a proximal clastic or
lacustrine wedge. The poor internal reflectivity
of the unit likely indicates the general
discontinuity of rock members within the
sedimentary unit as a whole. There is little
evidence for maj or deposits of diapiric halite
within the graben from the seismic data. The
absence of evaporitic salt is also suggested by the
presence of a prominent gravity high over the
basinal areas.
The termination of the syn-rift tectonic sequence
by the erosional unconformity is a strong
indication that these units were deposited more
extensively, and were at one time possibly
connected with other correlative units in the
Middle East and specifically in Oman and the Najd
rift basins.
OMAN SALT BASINS ANALOG
A seismic time structure cross section across the
South Oman Salt Basin to the Eastern Flank
producing province is reproduced in Figure 4.
Salient features of the structure include the
division of the sedimentary section into pre-salt
and post-salt tectonic units. The pre-salt unit is
of general uniform thickness and is highly block
faulted, presumably by the extensional tectonics
which was responsible for the opening of the salt
basin. The post salt tectonic unit is composed of
a thick succession of mainly Paleozoic rocks, which
has been structurally altered by halokinetic
movement of the salt, and salt dissolution
processes
21
. Published seismic sections from Oman
17
confirm the division of the section into two major
tectonic units. The pre-salt unit is composed of
uniform and continuous, albeit faulted, seismic
reflections in the middle Huqf Group. The Abu
Mahara Formation is generally seismically
transparent and there is no obvious basement
reflector.
These observations strongly point to the
correlation of units A and B of the syn-rift
sequence in the Western Rub' Al-Khali graben system
to the Abu Mahara Formation and middle Huqf Group
of Oman, respectively. Unit C of the graben system
appears to correlate tectonically to the Ara
Formation of Oman. The graben system was likely
self enclosed and geographically cut off from the
South Oman Salt Basin during the main period of
rifting and salt precipitation. With limited
access to the recharge of ocean water necessary for
thick deposits of salt
22
, 23, it is logical that
synchronous rock units deposited within the graben
4 THE WESTERN RUB' AL-KHALI INFRACAMBRIAN GRABEN SYSTEM
SPE 21396
would be composed of proximal clastics or
lacustrine deposits as indicated by the seismic
data in Figure 3. A facies change from salt to a
red or black argillaceous clastic facies toward the
western and southern flanks of the South Oman Salt
Basin has also been documented
17
, further suggesting
a western limit to salt deposition.
NAJD RIFT BASINS ANALOG
To the northwest of the Rub' Al-Khali, the Jubaylah
Group crops out within fault bounded rift grabens
along the Najd fault system on the Arabian shield
7
.
In the Mashhad area, the Jubaylah Group consists of
three formations (Figure 5), a basal clastic unit
(Robutain Formation) overlain by a unit o layered
basalt (Badayi Formation), followed by a unit of
stromatolitic carbonates (Muraykhah Formation). It
is uncertain whether the Siq Formation which
overlies the Muraykhah Formation correlates with
unit C in the Rub' Al-Khali, or in fact belongs in
the post-rift tectonic sequence. Nevertheless, the
deposition of these units follows the same general
pattern observed in Oman and the western Rub' Al-
Khali grabens.
ORIENTATION OF THE GRABEN SYSTEM
The orientation of the graben system is
problematic, and likely more complex than as
depicted in Figure 1. Along the southern flank of
the Rub' Al-Khali embayment, where more extensive
seismic data exists, the graben system appears to
have an east-west orientation roughly parallel to
the strike of the present day embayment. Along the
northwest flank of the embayment, the graben
appears to be oriented roughly north-south or
subparallel to the strike of the embayment.
Because the development of the graben system is
coincident with left lateral movement along the
Najd fault system, the graben bounding faults which
line up along maj or Naj d fault traces proj ected
from the shield are tentatively predicted to be
oriented subparallel or synthetic to the strike of
these faults. The orientation of dike swarms
observed on the shield in the vicinity of the Najd
faults
24
might be used to predict the orientation
of graben bounding faults in the absence of seismic
data.
The southern flank graben segment, which is aligned
along such a fault projection follows this
orientation. The northwest flank graben segment
which does not lie along a Najd fault projection,
has an orientation roughly parallel to the Idsas
fault on the shield. Thus even though formation of
both graben segments is concurrent, the graben
segment along the northern flank foundered along
north-south oriented zones of weakness pre-
established by earlier compressional events such as
the Nabitah or Idsas orogenies. To account for the
extension the north-south trending graben faults
must have had a dextral component of movement.
GRABEN RECONSTRUCTION
A likely reconstruction scenario is illustrated in
Figure 6. With the close of the accretionary phase
of the present day Arabian plate, a transition
period of post orogenic relaxation and erosion took
508
place during which a basal clastic unit,
represented by unit A, was deposited in lowlands
adjacent to the areas uplifted by the preceding
orogenies, resulting in the eventual peneplanation
of the craton (Panel A).
This dominantly clastic regime was superseded
transitionally by the widespread flooding of large
areas of the craton in the late Precambrian and
early Cambrian during which time carbonates and
fine clastics were deposited (panel B). The
widespread occurrence of these sediments are
evidenced by their existence in Jordan, Iran, and
the present day Arabian peninsula
14
. Within the
western Rub' Al-Khali graben system, this period is
represented by unit B. The uniform thickness of
the unit indicates a pre-rift or early syn-rift
tectono-depositional setting. Facies changes
within the unit are the likely result of regional
or eustatic variations of sea level.
The stable carbonate platform was superseded by the
primary phase of graben development (panel C). The
previously deposited sediments were preserved from
erosion within the growing pull-apart basins and
grabens. Likewise, on the adj acent horsts and
graben flanks, these sediments were differentially
eroded and redeposited proximally within the
grabens as a clastic or lacustrine wedge,
represented by unit C. The erosional regime
eventually peneplaned the entire area, extending
across the grabens and partially eroding the
clastic wedge prior to the deposition of the first
sands of the post-rift Saq Formation (Panel D).
APPLICABILITY TO HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION
The Infracambrian rock units in the western Rub'
AI-Khali have proven economic importance. In Oman,
the middle and upper Huqf Group contains zones
which are rich in organic material, and are
credited as the major source rock of the oil found
in the hydrocarbon provinces on the eastern flank
of the South Oman Salt Basin and in the Ghaba Salt
Basin
3
. Additionally, many of the hydrocarbon
bearing structures of Oman and the Arabian Gulf are
cored by diapiric salt.
In the western Rub' AI-Khali, unit B of the syn-
rift tectonic sequence has obvious potential as a
hydrocarbon source in the light of its probable
correlation with the middle Huqf Group. At present
depths the unit is likely overmature with respect
to hydrocarbon generation throughout mcuh of the
western Rub' AI-Khali. However, hydrocarbons
generated and expelled as the unit passed through
the hydrocarbon generation window in the past may
have migrated vertically and be trapped in
structures still at reasonable depths for hydro-
carbon preservation and prospecting.
OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
1. Seismic data in the western Rub' AI-Khali
indicates the presence of extensional rift
grabens and basins. These grabens can be
interpreted as Infracambrian (Late Precambrian
to Early Cambrian) in age based on a tectonic
sequence analog with the Jubaylah Group of the
Arabian shield and the Huqf Group of Oman.
SPE 21396
R.A. DYER AND M.I. HUSSEINI 5
Seismic stratigraphic analysis of the rock units
within the graben further indicate the
correlation of the rock units to the Huqf Group.
10. Tschopp, R. H., 1967, "The general geology of
Oman": 7th World Petroleum Congress, v. 2, p.
231-242.
REFERENCES
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Petroleum
and Mineral Resources and Saudi Aramco for their
permission to publish to this paper.
4. Stoesser, D. B., and V. E. Camp, 1985, "Pan-
African microplate accretion of the Arabian
shield": GSA Bulletin, v. 96, p. 817-826.
Beydoun, Z. R., 1966, "Geology of the Arabian
Peninsula, Eastern Aden Protectorate and part
of Dhufar": USGS Professional Paper 560-H, p.
49.
11.
16. Basahe1, A. N., A. Bahafza11ah, S. Omara, and
U. Jux, 1984, "Early Cambrian carbonate
platform of the Arabian Shield": Neues Jahrbuch
fur Geologie und Palaontologie, v. 2, p. '113-
128.
13. Wolfart, R., 1981, Lower Paleozoic Rocks of the
Middle East, in C. H. Holland, ed., Lower
Paleozoic rocks of the Middle East, eastern and
southern Africa, and Antarctica: New York, John
Wiley, p. 6-130.
15. Hughes-Clarke, H. W., 1988, "Stratigraphy and
rock unit nomenclature in the oil-producing area
of interior Oman": J. Petroleum Geology, v.
11(1), p. 5-60.
12. Gorin, G. E., L. G. Raze, and H. R. Walter,
1982, "Late Precambrian - Cambrian sediments of
the Huqf Group, Sultantate of Oman": AAPG
Bulletin, v. 66(12) p. 2609-2627.
14. Husseini, H. I., 1989, Tectonic and deposition
model of Late Precambrian- Cambrian Arabian and
adjoining plates: AAPG Bulletin, v. 73(9), p.
1117 -1131.
17. Sykes, R. H., and A. K. Abu Risheh, 1989,
Exploration of deep paleozoic and Precambrian
plays in the Sultantate of Oman, in Country
Reports and Case Studies Presented at the
Seminar on Deep Formations in the Arab
Countries: Hydrocarbon Potential And
Exploration Techniques: Abu Dhabi National Oil
Co. and OAPEC, Kuwait, p. 71-155.
18. Smith, A.G., A.H. Hurley, and J.C. Briden,
1981, Phanerozoic paleocontinental world maps:
Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, p. 102.
I. , 1987, "The Arabian
extensional system":
148, p. 93-103.
Stern, R. J., 1985, "The Najd fault system,
Saudi Arabia and Egypt: A late Precambrian
rift-related transform system?" Tectonics, v.
4, p. 497-511.
Husseini, M.
Infracambrian
Tectonophysics, v.
The grabens likely formed contemporaneous with
the major period of movement on the Najd fault
system, and therefore it can be assumed that the
Najd was associated with extension rather than
compression during the Infracambrian.
2.
3. Carbonates and fine clastics deposited within
the grabens are correlative to the middle Huqf
Group of Oman, and have the potential to be a
hydrocarbon source rock in the Rub' AI-Khali.
5. Schmidt, D. L., D. G. Hadley, and D. B.
Stoesser, 1979, "Late Proterozoic crustal
history of the Arabian shield, southern Najd
Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", in S. A.
Talhoun, ed., Evolution and Mineralization of
the Arabian-Nubian shield: New York, Pergamom,
v. 2, p. 41-58.
2.
3. Grantham, P. J., G. W. H. Lijmbach, J.
Posthuma,H. W. Hughes-Clark, and R. J. Wi1link,
1988, "Origin of crude oils in Oman": L
Petroleum Geology, v.ll(l), p. 61-80.
1.
22. Kendall, A. C., 1979, "Continentaland supratidal
(sabkha) environments", in Walker, R. G., ed.,
Facies models: Geol. Assoc. Canada, Geoscience
Canada Reprint Series 1, p. 145-157.
20. Hitchum, R. H., P. R. Vail, and J. B. Sangree,
1977, "Stratigraphic interpretation of
reflection patterns in depositional sequences",
in C. E. Payton, ed., Seismic stratigraphy -
applications to hydrocarbon exploration: AAPG
memoir 26, p. 117-133.
6. Davies, F. B., 1984, "Strain analysis of wrench
faults and collision tectonics of the Arabian-
Nubian shield": J. Geology, v. 82, p. 37-53.
7. Hadley, D. G., 1972, "The taphrogeosynclinal
J 'balah Group in the Mashad area, northwest
Hij az, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia": Saudi Arabian
Project USGS Open-File Report 151, p. 37.
8. Nebert, K., A. A. A1shaibi, H. Alwia, 1. Bounny,
Z. A. Nawab, O. H. Sharief, O. A. Sherbini, and
A. H. Yes1am, 1974, "Geology of the area north
of Wadi Fatima, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia":
Center App1. Geo1. Jeddah Bulletin v.1, p.1-
31.
9. Glennie, H. E., H. G. Boeuf, H. W. Hughes
Clarke, H. Hoody-Stuart, W. F. Pilaar, and B.
H. Rienhart, 1974, "Geology of the Oman
Mountains": Transactions of the Royal Dutch
Geological Mining Society, v. 31, p. 1-423.
19.
21
Powers, R. W., L. F. Ramirez, C. D. Redmond,
and Elberg, E. L., 1966, "Geology of the Arabian
peninsula, sedimentary geology of Saudi Arabia":
USGS Prof. Paper 560-0, p. 147.
Al-Harjeby, A., and D. Nash, 1986, "A summary
of the geology and oil habitat of the Eastern
Flank petroleum province of South Oman": M!Irire
and Petroleum Geology, v. 3, p. 306-314.
509

RESIDUAL BOUGER GRAVITY

BASEMEN'
CJ)
""0
rn
I'\)
...
VI
..Q
a

30 I

4.0

:
5.0
A'
NE
2
4
3
5
SE
o
HUQF
GR
(1) CRETACEOUS-U. PERMIAN
(2) L. PERMlAN-CARBONIFEROUS
(3) DEVONIAN-U. CAMBRIAN
(4) ARAFMSALT }
(5) BUAH, SHURAM, KHUFAI FMS.
(6) ABU MAHARA FM.
FIGURE 3 - SEISMIC LINE A - A'
RUB' AL - KHALI
FIGURE 4 - REGIONAL X-SECTION S. OMAN SALT BASIN
(Aftor and Nolh, 1986)
VERTICAL EXAGGERATION X 3
NW
0
U
w
!!!.
w
::E
i=
2
oJ
w
>
c(
a:
3 to-
>"
c(
;:
0
4

5
A
SW
2500 -
5000-
..
..
..
:II

7500-
c
m

:!
10,000 -
1
T
5
FIGURE 2a REGIONAL CORRELATION OF INFRACAMBRIAN
OUTCROP UNITS, ARABIAN PENINSULA
(Aftor HUI..lnl, 1989)
SYSTEM
J
III Ol

c( .J
e: d
;; I
FIGURE 2b REGIONAL CORRELATION OF WESTERN RUB' AL-KHALI SUBSURFACE
INFRACAMBRIAN TO WESTERN ARABIA AND OMAN
CONGLOMERATE oa.OUITE
OATEDYOLCANICS IT]] SANDSTONE rnJ STROWr.TOlITES
lD.ESTQE II1II EVAPORITE

Kilometers
STAGE 3
PREDOMINANTLY
SHALLOW MARINE
STAGE 2
VOLCANIC
STAGE 1
CONTINENTAL
TERRIGENOUS
~ ~
\iiiiY
~
Shalo
:.... sandstone
:.. Conglomerate
FIGURE 5 EVOLUTION OF JUBAYLAH GROUP-MASHHAD AREA, SAUDI ARABIA
(Alto, Hldley, 11172)
PANel D. POSTRlFT EROSION AND BURIAL
(UTE CAMBRIANI EARLY ORDOVICIAN)
FIGUREI EVOLUTION OF THE WESTERN RUB' ALKHAU GRABEN SYSTEM
512