Abstract

The geology of Bangladesh is not yet adequately known and it suffers from too much generalization. The traditional purely lithologic correlation of the Neogene deltaic foredeep sequences right from Assam to southern Chittagong is unreliable and it is demonstrated that this longstanding problem can be resolved with the help of palynology. Similarly all the exposed fold structures of the eastern part of the country are not of single-phased (Post Dupi Tila Times) but each anticline has its own individual growth history since the Miocene.

Modern seismic in north-western Bangladesh has shown thick sedimentary rocks below the Eocene Sylhet Limestone and also the prograding delta sediments on the top of it.

Isotopes analyses of gases from Bangladesh gas fields and oil seepages of the Patharia Structure indicate the same marine source rock for both oil and gas and the overall increase of maturity towards the Surma Basin. Moreover, the isotope results of the gases indicate that all the gases are generated within the “oil window” of maturation. In terms of petroleum geology, the chances of striking oil in Bangladesh are much more favourable than before.