Paleozoic of Arabia Project 2011-2013
This project will expand previous CASP research on the Paleozoic succession of North Africa by extending the study of Silurian source rocks and Paleozoic stratigraphy onto the Arabian Plate. The project will focus on the sedimentology, provenance, diagenetic history and tectonic evolution of the Paleozoic succession of Iraq using samples from both outcrops and wells, but research into Silurian source rocks will also extend into both Turkey and Jordan.
Main Objectives
- To undertake a multidisciplinary study investigating the relationship between high TOC and high uranium content in Silurian "Hot Shales".
- To investigate the provenance, petrography and diagenetic history of sandstones from the Khabour (Ordovician), Akkas (Silurian) and Pirispiki (Devonian) formations in order to provide insights into evolving sediment source regions, drainage networks, depositional environments and reservoir properties.
- To study the source potential of shales from the Khabour and Pirispiki formations.
- To produce a revised biostratigraphic framework for the lower Paleozoic of Iraq.
- To produce a balanced and restored structural cross-section through Paleozoic outcrops in northern Iraq.
- To undertake petrographic analysis, geochemistry and, if possible, dating of samples from the volcanic rocks of the Chalki Formation to confirm their age and investigate whether there was southward subduction beneath the northern margin of Gondwana during the Late Paleozoic.
Project length: 24 months from December 2011.
Contact: James Howard
Reports Issued in this Project
- Petrography and whole rock geochemistry of the Ordovician Khabour Formation in the Akkas-1 well and the Khabour Section Ref: CASP.PZA2011-13.3
- Whole rock geochemistry, mineralogy and source potential of the Silurian Akkas Formation in the Akkas-1 well, western Iraq Ref: CASP.PZA2011-13.2
- A Transect across the Iraqi Taurus Mountains and the Paleozoic Succession of the Khabour section, Chia Zinnar, Northern Iraq. Preliminary Field Report Ref: CASP.PZA2011-13.1
