The controlling factors of the spatio-temporal distribution of the upper Barremian to the upper Albian sedimentary succession in the Zagros folded belt, SW Iran

[Display omitted] •Initiation of the Kazhdumi intrashelf basin started during the late Barremian.•Drowning of the Dariyan carbonate platform happened in the latest early Aptian.•Paleohighs re-activation evidenced from the early Aptian time.•More exploration potential expects in the Aptian-Albian sediments of Dezful Embayment.•Stratigraphic traps are predicted in the upper Barremian to the upper Albian sedimentary succession. The current study highlights the controlling factors of the spatio-temporal distribution of the upper Barremian to the upper Albian sedimentary succession which comprises a petroleum system in the Zagros folded belt, SW Iran. Combination of field surveys, seismic data (2D and 3D lines), cores and petrographic investigations, wireline logs, paleologs, as well as sequence stratigraphy analysis led to identification of four third-order depositional sequences. Sequence stratigraphy analysis delineates interaction of several factors in which controlled the spatio-temporal distribution of lithofacies. Interaction of an inherited paleotopography, regional tectonic activity together with reactivation of paleohighs, sea level fluctuations, climatic changes, and siliciclastic influx accompanied by nutrient levels played dominant role. Creation of the Kazhdumi intrashelf basin started during the late Barremian in the Dezful Embayment, which is much older than previously thought the late early Aptian. From petroleum geology point of view, our findings are expected to bring more opportunities for hydrocarbon exploration and production in the upper Barremian to the upper Albian deposits in the Dezful Embayment and Abadan Plain. Lateral and vertical lithological changes together with clinoform geometries and progradation associated with forced regressive wedges have provided suitable conditions for stratigraphic traps/plays in the study area.