Publications

Pulau Balang Formation is exposed in outcrop at Loajanan, East Kalimantan. Pulau Balang sandstones are known as good reservoirs in Kutai Basin.This study combines field observations and laboratory analyses. The field survey was accomplished by measuring 200m section of Palaran outcrop. It comprises interbedded sandstones and shales intercalated by thin coal seams and carbonaceous shale layers. There are six facies identified in this outcrop, i.e. deltaic distributary channel, tidal flat, tidal bar, tidal channel, distributary mouth bar, and delta front. There are multiple fining upward successions, locally coarsening and thickening upwards. The base is characterized by interbedded sandstones and carbonaceous shales. The sandstones are bright, coarse to medium grained with many vertical burrows, cross-bedding structures, paleo-current shows NW-SE direction, dominant components are quartz grains, carbonaceous material, and iron oxide. The shales are dark gray, carbonaceous material, and have thin coal seams. Observed fossils are benthic foraminifera, Haplophragmoides compressa and Milimine sp., indicating upper delta plain environment. Based on observations of this section, Palaran outcrop sediments were deposited in deltaic to shallow marine environment. This purpose of this paper is to provide detailed facies descriptions of the Palaran outcrop as an understanding of reservoir characteristics for consideration in hydrocarbon production. This study investigates structure and stratigraphy as determined from field observations and laboratory analyses.