The Modern Mahakam Delta: An Analogue for Transgressive-Phase Deltaic Sandstone Reservoirs on

Low Energy Coastlines*

Joseph J. Lambiase1 and Salahuddin Husein2

Search and Discovery Article #51108 (2015)**

Posted June 30, 2015

*Adapted from oral presentation given at AAPG Asia Pacific Region, Geoscience Technology Workshop, Modern Depositional Systems as Analogues
for Petroleum Systems, Wellington, New Zealand, April 21-23, 2015
**Datapages © 2015 Serial rights given by author. For all other rights contact author directly.

1
Chulalongkorn University Petroleum Geoscience Program, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand (joe_lambiase@yahoo.com)
2Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

The modern Mahakam Delta on the east coast of Borneo has been traditionally characterized as a mixed river-dominated and
tide-dominated delta that is presently prograding (e.g. Galloway, 1975; Allen and Chambers, 1998) and is commonly used as
an analog to interpret subsurface reservoirs. However, a recent quantitative study demonstrates that the delta is presently in a
transgressive phase (Salahuddin and Lambiase, 2013). Its distributaries are filling with sediment accompanied by relatively
minor reworking of pre-transgression sediment. Quantitative hydrodynamic and sedimentologic data indicate that sediment
flooring the distributaries is progressively finer downstream, which generates a fining-upward distributary-fill succession that
also becomes more marine upward as transgression continues. Similar fining-upward distributary-fill successions that become
more marine upward are relatively common in outcrops of the paleo-Mahakam Delta.

The depositional mechanism is a progressive decrease in current speed, sediment transport capacity and competence as
ongoing relative sea level rise continually reduces water surface slope in the distributaries that, coupled with high sediment
supply rates, fills accommodation with progressively finer, fluvially-derived sediment. Water surface slope decreases until the
distributary becomes inefficient and avulses near the delta apex, causing back-stepping lobe switching. Very low wave energy
in the receiving basin, plus rapid subsidence and burial, limits marine reworking to the uppermost pre-transgression strata.
This preserves the pre-transgression, progradational distributary and inter-distributary morphology as well as the distributary-
fill successions. Sandy back-filled distributary successions are somewhat thinner and closer together in the upper delta plain
than in the lower delta plain. As these sands fill the topographically low distributaries, they are laterally adjacent to slightly
older, pre-transgression progradational strata. In contrast, inter-distributary areas are developing relatively thin, sandstones
directly above pre-transgression progradational strata and separated from it by a transgressive erosional surface generated by
marine reworking. Wave-dominant shoreline sandstones occupy equivalent stratigraphic positions in paleo-Mahakam Delta
outcrops, where they are the first marine strata in transgressive successions.

The three dimensional geometry of the sandstones within a transgressive succession is expected to be complex and highly
dependent on the pre-transgression delta morphology. The back-filled distributary sandstones are sinuous and oriented quasi-
perpendicular to the shoreline while the transgressive shoreline sandstones are shoreline-parallel with a lateral extent that is
determined by the distributary spacing. Ongoing transgressive lobe switching means that the back-filled distributary
successions are not exactly contemporaneous and that they probably have highly variable thicknesses and lateral extent.

Recognition of distributary-fill sandstones can be problematic, especially where thin transgressive successions occur within
sequences that are strongly progradational. Distributary-fill sandstones and fluvial point bar deposits fine upward over
comparable thicknesses, which makes it nearly impossible to distinguish them on wireline data. The geometry and total
volume of distributary-fill sandstone reservoirs is highly variable and determined by the number, size and three-dimensional
connectivity of the distributaries. In addition, sandstone thickness is controlled by avulsion so there is no relationship between
thickness and channel width in distributary-fill sandstones. Transgressive shoreline sandstones can be misinterpreted as fining-
upward fluvial successions when they occur within sequences dominated by progradation. Their lateral extent is controlled by
the pre-transgression delta morphology and width and thickness are a function of relative sea level history and wave energy.
Although generally thin, transgressive shoreline sandstones can increase reservoir volume and connectivity significantly
wherever they immediately overlie older sandstones.

Selected References

Allen, G.P., and J.L.C. Chambers, 1998, Sedimentation in the modern and Miocene Mahakam Delta: Jakarta, Indonesian
Petroleum Association, 236 p.

Galloway, W.E., 1975, Process framework for describing the morphologic and stratigraphic evolution of the deltaic
depositional systems: in M.L. Broussard, ed., Deltas, Models for Exploration: Houston, Houston Geological Society, p. 87-98.
Nirsal, N., 2010, Facies distribution and stratigraphic development in the paleo-Mahakam Delta, Indonesia: Master of Science
thesis, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, 83 p.

Riadi, R.S., 2013, Depositional environments and stratigraphic development of the Grand Taman Sari Circuit outcrop: an
analogue for transgressive Mahakam Delta successions: Master of Science thesis, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok,
Thailand, 81 p.

Salahuddin, and J.J. Lambiase, 2013, Sediment dynamics and depositional systems of the Mahakam Delta, Indonesia: ongoing
delta abandonment on a tide-dominated coast: Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 83, p. 503-521.
 The Mahakam Delta
• Long regarded as a progradational mixed tide- and fluvial-dominated delta
• Mean tidal range is 1.2 m
• River floods are damped by the Kutei Lakes upstream of the delta
• Wave energy is fetch limited, mean wave height is 0.6 m

500 km

Bo rn eo

10 km
 Lithofacies and Bathymetry

subaqueous
supratidal delta plain
mostly Nypa, not mangrove delta
medium sand front
fine sand
muddy fine sand
mud
peat upper
delta plain lower
delta plain
pro-delta

drowned
delta plain

abandoned distributaries
converted to estuaries

maximum extent approximately N

of progradation 5 m of subsidence
and approximate 10 km
paleo-shoreline
drowned interdistributary
distributaries remnants

(after Salahuddin Husein 2008)

 Marine Organisms
landward limit of
benthic marine
organisms

(after Salahuddin Husein 2008)

 Bedload Sediment Transport

N
10 km
medium sand
fine sand
muddy fine sand
mud
peat
ebb sand transport
flood sand transport

(after Salahuddin Husein 2008)

 Present-Day Offshore Aggradation

• Site survey line on the drowned delta plain

• Mud on the seafloor

flooding modern
surface aggradation

pre-modern
progradation

10 m
500 m

(after Cibaj 2007)

 Distributary Evolution

transgressive
lowstand early transgression avulsion
abandonment

mangrove mangrove
growth growth
mangrove mangrove
growth growth

sediment
bypass

suspended
mud

tidal
suspended
scouring
mud
tidal
scouring
 Transgressive Back-Stepping

• The delta has fluvially active (red), partially abandoned (green)

and abandoned (blue) areas
• Lobe-switching forced by avulsion of distributaries as water
surface slope decreases during transgression
• Generates a back-stepping delta

N
10 km
 Bedload Transport Rates

28.1 (.250)

2.0 (.250)
9.2 (.250)

0.9 (.250)
• Transport rate
0.5 (.212)
decreases seaward
• Grain size 0.0 (.150) 13.5 (.090)
decreases seaward
1.7 (.090)
• No river-derived
sand reaches the
sea coast
bedload transport median grain
rate (103 m3/yr)
28.1 (.250) size (mm)

(Salahuddin and Lambiase 2013)

 Sedimentary Processes
• Bedload transport rate and grain size decrease seaward
• Landward bedload transport in the lower distributaries
• Sand is being stored onshore, filling the distributaries
• Suspended sediment is transported seaward
• The tidal prism lifts fresh water out of the distributaries
• Waves strip off vegetation but cannot rework sand body geometry
supratidal
mostly Nypa, not mangrove
medium sand
fine sand
muddy fine sand
mud
peat

N
10 km
 Stratigraphic Succession
10 10
10 A B C
tide-dominated estuarine mud offshore mud
distributary
sharp sharp
contact contact
transitional
5 contact 5 5 shoreline sand

tide-influenced tide-dominated sharp

distributary contact
distributary sharp
contact
erosional shoreline sand
0 contact
pre-transgression 0 0

peat bioturbation B A C
mud current ripples
muddy sand cross-bedding
sand parallel lamination
flaser bedding lag deposit

(after Salahuddin Husein 2008)

 Composite Stratigraphic Succession
25

offshore
• Two types of transgressive
sands are being deposited 20

• Fining-upward and
shoreline shoreline
increasingly marine upward sand
distributary-fill 15

• Mixed wave- and tide-

influenced shoreline sands estuary
10

tide-dominated
peat
mud distributary-fill
muddy sand
sand 5 distributary
flaser bedding
bioturbation
current ripples tide-influenced
cross-bedding
parallel lamination 0 erosional
contact
lag deposit pre-transgression
Distribution of Transgressive Sands

A
A’

B
B’

A A’

pre-transgression

10 m
distributary
progradational
fill
succession
5 km

B B’

estuarine
shoreline transgressive
mud
sand unconformity
 Sand Body Geometry

A B C

D’

present day continued transgression

early transgression

D post-transgression progradational succession D’

C
B

A
estuarine
distributary offshore mud
fill shoreline mud

10 m
sand

pre-transgression progradational succession

5 km

mud
sand
Paleo-Mahakam Delta Outcrops

Balikpapan Fm.
Samarinda, Indonesia

Mahakam
Delta

10 km
 Stadion Utama Kaltim

erosional
distributary
base
5m

sandstone interbedded thin sand andmud cross-bedding (after Nadia Nirsal 2010)
pebbly sandstone parallel lamination flaser bedding
mudstone current ripple cross-lamination bioturbation
5m

sandstone interbedded thin sand andmud cross-bedding (after Nadia Nirsal 2010)
pebbly sandstone parallel lamination flaser bedding
mudstone current ripple cross-lamination bioturbation
5m

sandstone interbedded thin sand andmud cross-bedding (after Nadia Nirsal 2010)
pebbly sandstone parallel lamination flaser bedding
mudstone current ripple cross-lamination bioturbation
5m

sandstone interbedded thin sand andmud cross-bedding (after Nadia Nirsal 2010)
pebbly sandstone parallel lamination flaser bedding
mudstone current ripple cross-lamination bioturbation
5m

sandstone interbedded thin sand andmud cross-bedding (after Nadia Nirsal 2010)
pebbly sandstone parallel lamination flaser bedding
mudstone current ripple cross-lamination bioturbation
5m

sandstone interbedded thin sand andmud cross-bedding (after Nadia Nirsal 2010)
pebbly sandstone parallel lamination flaser bedding
mudstone current ripple cross-lamination bioturbation
5m

sandstone interbedded thin sand andmud cross-bedding (after Nadia Nirsal 2010)
pebbly sandstone parallel lamination flaser bedding
mudstone current ripple cross-lamination bioturbation
5m

sandstone interbedded thin sand andmud cross-bedding (after Nadia Nirsal 2010)
pebbly sandstone parallel lamination flaser bedding
mudstone current ripple cross-lamination bioturbation
5m

sandstone interbedded thin sand andmud cross-bedding (after Nadia Nirsal 2010)
pebbly sandstone parallel lamination flaser bedding
mudstone current ripple cross-lamination bioturbation
 Stadion Utama Kaltim

• Fining-upward
succession

• Onlapping bed
geometry

•
5m

Increasingly marine
upward

• Distributary filled
during transgression
 Grand Taman Sari Circuit
NE SW

Lower Delta Plain

shoreline
paleo-shoreline sands

distributary fill

fluvial
channels
erosional
distributary
base
25 m

50 m

Upper Delta Plain

non-marine sandstone
transitional sandstone
marine sandstone
non-marine mudstone
marine mudstone (after Ridha Riadi 2013)
 Fluvial Sandstones
C stacked crevasse splays

C B

A rip-up clast channel lag B cross-bedded stacked channels

(after Ridha Riadi 2013)

 Grand Taman Sari Circuit
NE SW

Lower Delta Plain

shoreline
paleo-shoreline sands

distributary fill

fluvial
channels
erosional
distributary
base
25 m

50 m

Upper Delta Plain

non-marine sandstone
transitional sandstone
marine sandstone
non-marine mudstone
marine mudstone (after Ridha Riadi 2013)
 Distributary Fill Sandstones
C Ophiomorpha and Skolithos
C
B

A cross-bedding with organic B mud drapes and flasers

matter flasers

(after Ridha Riadi 2013)

 Grand Taman Sari Circuit
NE SW

Lower Delta Plain

shoreline
paleo-shoreline sands

distributary fill

fluvial
channels
erosional
distributary
base
25 m

50 m

Upper Delta Plain

non-marine sandstone
transitional sandstone
marine sandstone
non-marine mudstone
marine mudstone (after Ridha Riadi 2013)
 Shoreline Sands
C SCS and HCS

B A

A HCS and parallel lamination B Ophiomorpha and Skolithos

(after Ridha Riadi 2013)

Sand-Filled Distributaries

Bekapai Seismic
Baru River Slice

Water Depth
0 – 2m

2 – 5m

5 – 10 m

1 km
 Subsurface Transgressive Successions
• Relatively thin, aggradational units
• Common within major progradational successions

progradational

aggradational
 Reservoir Implications
• Distributary-fill and shoreline sandstones have very good
reservoir potential
• The thickness of distributary-fill sandstones is independent of
channel width
• Distributary-fill sands can connect with pre-transgression sands
• Shoreline sands are laterally extensive and can connect with
pre-transgression sands
• Sand body geometry is controlled by inherited topography
• Transgressive sandstones are typically 5 – 15 m thick and
therefore below seismic resolution
post-transgression progradational succession

estuarine
distributary offshore mud
fill shoreline mud

10 m
sand

pre-transgression progradational succession

5 km
 Conclusions

• The modern Mahakam Delta is in a transgressive phase

• It is depositing distributary-fill and shoreline sands with
very good reservoir potential
• Similar transgressive successions are common in
outcrop and in the subsurface
• Sand body geometry is controlled by inherited
topography
• The thickness of distributary-fill sandstones is
independent of channel width
 Acknowledgements

• Former students Nadia Nirsal and Ridha Riadi who

completed the outcrop studies

• PTTEP, Chevron Thailand, Total E&P Borneo and

Total Indonesia for financial support