The Pamir orogen forms the northwest prolongation of the Tibetan plateau. The most important surf... more The Pamir orogen forms the northwest prolongation of the Tibetan plateau. The most important surficial structure bounding the northern and northwestern margin is the Main Pamir Thrust (MPT); however, despite the importance of the structure, surprisingly little is known about the displacement history of the fault. Together with the younger, foreland-oriented Pamir Frontal thrust system (PFT), displacement estimates range from 50 to over 300 km. The larger estimates are based on the estimated Cenozoic northward indentation of the Pamir with respect to Tibet as well as the length of the intracontinental Pamir seismic zone. However, recent work suggests that some of the indentation predates the Cenozoic or is related to an original Paleozoic embayed paleogeography and other studies have suggested that the seismic zone is not related to intracontinental subduction. Shortening estimates in the hanging walls of the MPT and PFT suggest more modest amounts: between 30 and 75 km in the north,...
The Precambrian carbonates of the Khyber Formation are evaluated in terms of their petrographic, ... more The Precambrian carbonates of the Khyber Formation are evaluated in terms of their petrographic, geochemical and physico-mechanical properties for assessing their suitability as an aggregate source both in asphalt and concrete works. The Khyber Formation is extensively exposed in the eastern and central parts of the district Khyber, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The limestone units of the Khyber Formation dominantly comprise calcite (CaCO3 ;94-98%) with minor to trace concentration of dolomite, undeformed quartz and ores. The limestone of the Khyber Formation is classified as Algal laminated micritic mudstone. It is light to dark-grey, hard, compact, and thin to medium bedded and at places thick-bedded. The algal stromatolites and laminations are common. The stylolites, calcite-filled veins and neomorphism are the common diagenetic modifications in these carbonates. The limestone of the Khyber Formation is composed of 54.72-58.4 wt. % CaO3, 0.5-0.9 wt. % MgO and based on a 0.02-0.22 wt. % com...
The ‘axial thickening’, a morphological character of certain Eocene orthophragminids refers to th... more The ‘axial thickening’, a morphological character of certain Eocene orthophragminids refers to the thickening of the equatorial and/or lateral layers in axial directions forming radial external structures, namely the ribs. The occurrence of ribs is considered to be a diagnostic specific character of the orthophragminids in the peri-Mediterranean region and Europe (western Tethys). In the Bartonian orthophragminids of the Indian subcontinent we observe a new type of axial thickening that we name ‘bulges’. The bulges are semi-rounded to rounded, localized structures on the test surface formed solely by the greater development of lateral chamberlets. These specimens, with trybliolepidine to umbilicolepidine type embryon configuration, co-occur with ribbed discocyclinids having completely different internal features. We also record another type of axial thickening of the lateral layers in notably small omphaloid tests that are characterized by a thick umbo, deeply depressed at the cente...
Priabonian ‘Pellatispira-beds’ of the Drazinda Formation in Sulaiman Range, Pakistan, contain rar... more Priabonian ‘Pellatispira-beds’ of the Drazinda Formation in Sulaiman Range, Pakistan, contain rare calcarinids displaying similar morphological traits known from Pliocene–Recent Baculogypsina (Sacco, 1893). These specimens possess a biconvex-lenticular test with 5–8 spines characterized by anastomosing canals. The small, poorly observed protoconch is followed by a series of low trochospiral chambers, which are followed by a cyclical arrangement of chambers, producing lateral chamberlets on both test sides. The lateral sides of the test are pierced by piles of almost uniform size. Spines arise from the initial spiral part and enlarge with growth. The shape, number, and size of lateral chambers are characteristic of the genus Baculogypsina, which extends the range of this genus into the late Eocene. We have assigned these previously undescribed specimens as Baculogypsina sulaimanensis n. sp. Occurring sporadically, the new taxon is associated with Heterostegina indusensis, Silvestriel...
The study of isolated orthophragminid tests at the type-locality of Discocyclina ranikotensis Dav... more The study of isolated orthophragminid tests at the type-locality of Discocyclina ranikotensis Davies from the Patala Formation in Thal area (Upper Indus Basin, NW Pakistan) revealed new associations of genera Discocyclina Gümbel, and Orbitoclypeus Silvestri, not yet reported from eastern Tethys. We demonstrate that D. ranikotensis Davies, the species identity of which has been a subject of controversy in earlier works, is a valid species endemic at least to the Indo-Pakistan region. D. ranikotensis is associated with Discocyclina archiaci (Schlumberger), and very sparse Orbitoclypeus schopeni (Checchia-Rispoli), both species being key taxa for orthophragminid zonation in peri-Mediterranean Tethys. We have also identified a few discocyclinid specimens suggesting possible connection to western Tethys species D. fortisi, and a few specimens showing affinity to D. dispansa. The assemblages of orthophragminids suggest orthophragminid zone (OZ) 3 according to western Tethyan zonation scheme. The occurrence of D. archiaci extends the geographical distribution of this taxon to eastern Tethys, which hitherto was only known from peri-Mediterranean region. The typical western Tethyan asterocyclinids, nemkovellids and ribbed orbitoclypeids, first appearing at or around Paleocene/Eocene boundary (OZ 1B/2, SBZ4/5), have not been identified.
The Eocene reservoirs of the Qadirpur field, Central Indus Basin are investigated petrophysically... more The Eocene reservoirs of the Qadirpur field, Central Indus Basin are investigated petrophysically for their detailed reservoir characterization. The assorted petrophysical parameters determined include; true resistivity, shale volume, total porosity, effective porosity, density and neutron porosities, water and hydrocarbon saturation, bulk volume of water, lithology, gas effect, P-wave velocity and irreducible water saturation. The Eocene reservoirs are excellent with high effective porosity and hydrocarbon saturation, among these the Sui Upper Limestone in overall is a poor reservoir, though it has some hydrocarbon rich and much permeable intervals with a much better net-pay. The thickness of the reservoirs zones ranges from 20-130 m. These reservoirs are gas producing carbonates with almost irreducible water saturation and will produce water free hydrocarbons. The lower value of moveable hydrocarbon index shows that the hydrocarbons are moveable spontaneously to the well bore. The...
The Pamir orogen forms the northwest prolongation of the Tibetan plateau. The most important surf... more The Pamir orogen forms the northwest prolongation of the Tibetan plateau. The most important surficial structure bounding the northern and northwestern margin is the Main Pamir Thrust (MPT); however, despite the importance of the structure, surprisingly little is known about the displacement history of the fault. Together with the younger, foreland-oriented Pamir Frontal thrust system (PFT), displacement estimates range from 50 to over 300 km. The larger estimates are based on the estimated Cenozoic northward indentation of the Pamir with respect to Tibet as well as the length of the intracontinental Pamir seismic zone. However, recent work suggests that some of the indentation predates the Cenozoic or is related to an original Paleozoic embayed paleogeography and other studies have suggested that the seismic zone is not related to intracontinental subduction. Shortening estimates in the hanging walls of the MPT and PFT suggest more modest amounts: between 30 and 75 km in the north,...
The Precambrian carbonates of the Khyber Formation are evaluated in terms of their petrographic, ... more The Precambrian carbonates of the Khyber Formation are evaluated in terms of their petrographic, geochemical and physico-mechanical properties for assessing their suitability as an aggregate source both in asphalt and concrete works. The Khyber Formation is extensively exposed in the eastern and central parts of the district Khyber, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The limestone units of the Khyber Formation dominantly comprise calcite (CaCO3 ;94-98%) with minor to trace concentration of dolomite, undeformed quartz and ores. The limestone of the Khyber Formation is classified as Algal laminated micritic mudstone. It is light to dark-grey, hard, compact, and thin to medium bedded and at places thick-bedded. The algal stromatolites and laminations are common. The stylolites, calcite-filled veins and neomorphism are the common diagenetic modifications in these carbonates. The limestone of the Khyber Formation is composed of 54.72-58.4 wt. % CaO3, 0.5-0.9 wt. % MgO and based on a 0.02-0.22 wt. % com...
The ‘axial thickening’, a morphological character of certain Eocene orthophragminids refers to th... more The ‘axial thickening’, a morphological character of certain Eocene orthophragminids refers to the thickening of the equatorial and/or lateral layers in axial directions forming radial external structures, namely the ribs. The occurrence of ribs is considered to be a diagnostic specific character of the orthophragminids in the peri-Mediterranean region and Europe (western Tethys). In the Bartonian orthophragminids of the Indian subcontinent we observe a new type of axial thickening that we name ‘bulges’. The bulges are semi-rounded to rounded, localized structures on the test surface formed solely by the greater development of lateral chamberlets. These specimens, with trybliolepidine to umbilicolepidine type embryon configuration, co-occur with ribbed discocyclinids having completely different internal features. We also record another type of axial thickening of the lateral layers in notably small omphaloid tests that are characterized by a thick umbo, deeply depressed at the cente...
Priabonian ‘Pellatispira-beds’ of the Drazinda Formation in Sulaiman Range, Pakistan, contain rar... more Priabonian ‘Pellatispira-beds’ of the Drazinda Formation in Sulaiman Range, Pakistan, contain rare calcarinids displaying similar morphological traits known from Pliocene–Recent Baculogypsina (Sacco, 1893). These specimens possess a biconvex-lenticular test with 5–8 spines characterized by anastomosing canals. The small, poorly observed protoconch is followed by a series of low trochospiral chambers, which are followed by a cyclical arrangement of chambers, producing lateral chamberlets on both test sides. The lateral sides of the test are pierced by piles of almost uniform size. Spines arise from the initial spiral part and enlarge with growth. The shape, number, and size of lateral chambers are characteristic of the genus Baculogypsina, which extends the range of this genus into the late Eocene. We have assigned these previously undescribed specimens as Baculogypsina sulaimanensis n. sp. Occurring sporadically, the new taxon is associated with Heterostegina indusensis, Silvestriel...
The study of isolated orthophragminid tests at the type-locality of Discocyclina ranikotensis Dav... more The study of isolated orthophragminid tests at the type-locality of Discocyclina ranikotensis Davies from the Patala Formation in Thal area (Upper Indus Basin, NW Pakistan) revealed new associations of genera Discocyclina Gümbel, and Orbitoclypeus Silvestri, not yet reported from eastern Tethys. We demonstrate that D. ranikotensis Davies, the species identity of which has been a subject of controversy in earlier works, is a valid species endemic at least to the Indo-Pakistan region. D. ranikotensis is associated with Discocyclina archiaci (Schlumberger), and very sparse Orbitoclypeus schopeni (Checchia-Rispoli), both species being key taxa for orthophragminid zonation in peri-Mediterranean Tethys. We have also identified a few discocyclinid specimens suggesting possible connection to western Tethys species D. fortisi, and a few specimens showing affinity to D. dispansa. The assemblages of orthophragminids suggest orthophragminid zone (OZ) 3 according to western Tethyan zonation scheme. The occurrence of D. archiaci extends the geographical distribution of this taxon to eastern Tethys, which hitherto was only known from peri-Mediterranean region. The typical western Tethyan asterocyclinids, nemkovellids and ribbed orbitoclypeids, first appearing at or around Paleocene/Eocene boundary (OZ 1B/2, SBZ4/5), have not been identified.
The Eocene reservoirs of the Qadirpur field, Central Indus Basin are investigated petrophysically... more The Eocene reservoirs of the Qadirpur field, Central Indus Basin are investigated petrophysically for their detailed reservoir characterization. The assorted petrophysical parameters determined include; true resistivity, shale volume, total porosity, effective porosity, density and neutron porosities, water and hydrocarbon saturation, bulk volume of water, lithology, gas effect, P-wave velocity and irreducible water saturation. The Eocene reservoirs are excellent with high effective porosity and hydrocarbon saturation, among these the Sui Upper Limestone in overall is a poor reservoir, though it has some hydrocarbon rich and much permeable intervals with a much better net-pay. The thickness of the reservoirs zones ranges from 20-130 m. These reservoirs are gas producing carbonates with almost irreducible water saturation and will produce water free hydrocarbons. The lower value of moveable hydrocarbon index shows that the hydrocarbons are moveable spontaneously to the well bore. The...
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