Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.18, No.3, pp. 309- 328, 1995

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

RESERVOIR POTENTIAL OF THE MAASTRICHTIAN PAB SANDSTONE
IN THE EASTERN SULAIMAN FOLD-BELT, PAKISTAN

M. Sultan* and M. Gipson, Jr.* +

* Department of Geological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.

+ deceased.

Abstract

The hard, resistant, generally cliff-forming Pab Sandstone Formation of Maastrichtian age is well exposed in parts of the eastern Sulaiman Fold-Belt. Thin-section, XRD and SEM studies of 66 samples from seven outcrops extending 200 km along strike were made in order to assess the reservoir quality of this formation. Petrographic studies indicated that the sandstones, classified as quartz arenites (locally subarkose), are texturally and mineralogically mature. The proportion of potassium feldspar varied from trace to 16%, and this mineral was confined to certain stratigraphic zones. Alteration of feldspars to clay minerals was common, particularly in the south of the study area. Plagioclase, heavy minerals, and lithic fragments were present in minor amounts.