Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.17,
No.4, pp. 373 -406, 1994
©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press,
Ltd.
STRATIGRAPHY OF THE MERGUI
BASIN, ANDAMAN SEA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
S. Polachan* and A. Racey**
* Department of Mineral Resources,
Mineral Fuels Division, Rama 6 Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
** 23 Fernlea, Whitehill,
Hampshire, GU35 9QQ, UK
Abstract
Nine formations from the Mergui Basin,
Andaman Sea, are described in detail: the Ranong, Yala, Payang,
Tai, Kantang, Surin, Trang, Thalang and Takua Pa Formations. Of
these, the Ranong, Yala, Tai, Surin and Thalang are described for
the first time, while the Payang, Kantang, Trang and Takua Pa are
redefined and formally described. The Mergui Basin is a
transtensional back-arc basin, which formed in the Oligocene due
to the onset of steady and increasingly oblique convergence
between the Indian and SE Asian Plates and the formation of
associated strike-slip faults. The geological history of the
Mergui Basin and surrounding areas is briefly summarised. Major
similarities between the Mergui Basin and the petroleum-rich
North Sumatra Basin are noted, and the petroleum potential of the
Mergui Basin is briefly assessed.
