Sequence stratigraphy of the petroliferous Dariyan Formation （Aptian） in Qeshm Island and offshore （southern Iran）

After sea level rises during the Early Cretaceous, upper parts of the Khami Group sediments （Fahliyan, Gadvan, and Dariyan Formations） deposited over Jurassic sediments. The Lower Cretaceous （Aptian） Dariyan Formation （equivalent to the Shu＇aiba Formation and Hawar Member of the Arabian Plate） carbonates, which have hydrocarbon reservoir potential, form the uppermost portion of the Khami Group that unconformably overlays the Gadvan Formation and was unconformably covered by the Kazhdumi Formation and Burgan sandstones. Detailed paleontological, sedimentological, and well log analysis were performed on seven wells from Qeshm Island and offshore in order to analyze the sequence stratigraphy of this interval and correlate with other studies of the Dariyan Formation in this region. According to this study, the Dariyan Formation contains 14 carbonate lithofacies, which deposited on a ramp system that deepened in both directions （NE-wells 5, 6 and SWIwells 1, 2）. Sequence stratigraphy led to recognition of 5 Aptian third-order sequences toward the Bab Basin （SW-well 1） and 4 Aptian third-order sequences toward Qeshm Island （NE-wells 5 and 6） so these areas show higher gamma on the gamma ray logs and probably have higher source rock potential. Other wells （wells 2-4 and 7） mainly deposited in shallower ramp systems and contain 3 Aptian third-order sequences. On the other hand, rudstone and boundstone lithofacies of studied wells have higher reservoir potential and were deposited during Apt 3 and Apt 4 sequences of the Arabian Plate. The Dariyan Formation in Qeshm Island （well 6） and adjacent well （well 5） was deposited in an intrashelf basin that should be classified as a new intrashelf basin in future Aptian paleogeographic maps. We interpret that salt-related differential subsidence, crustal warping, and reactivation of basement faults of the Arabian Plate boundary were responsible for the creation of the intrashelf basin in the Qeshm area.