East Kalimantan Geology
Numerous Tertiary, hydrocarbon bearing basins occur around the periphery of Borneo (Hutchison, 1989). A large portion of East Kalimantan is covered by the Kutei Basin. The Kutei Basin is the largest (160000 square kilometres) and deepest (12000 to 14000 metres) Tertiary basin in Indonesia.
Formations of the Kutei Basin are essentially a succession of eastward prograding deltas. The stratigraphic succession around the tenement area is summarised in below Tables. Formations developed within the tenement area are highlighted in yellow.
Stratigraphy of the Samarinda Quadrangle
Age
Formation
Lithology
Thickness
Upper Middle Miocene
Balikpapan Formation (Tmbp)
Alternating quartz sandstone, silty claystone and shale with intercalations of marl, limestone and coal. Deposited in a littoral to shallow marine environment. Conformably overlies the Paulua Balang Formation.
800 m
Middle Miocene
Paulau Balang Formation (Tmpb)
Alternating quartz sandstone, sandstone and claystone with intercalations of coal seams. Deposited in a shallow sublittoral environment. Conformably overlies the Bebuluh Formation.
900 m
Early Miocene
Bebulu Formation (Tmbl)
Limestone with intercalations of claystone and marl. Shallow marine environment.
Late Oligocene to Middle Miocene
Pamaluan Formation (Tomp)
Claystone and shale intercalated with marl, sandstone and limestone. Deposited in deep sea environment.
1500 - 2500 m
Early Eocene
Kuaro Formation (Tek)
Sandstone and conglomerate. Intercalations of coal, shale, marl and limestone. Shallow marine environment.
700 m
Late Cretaceous
Haruyan Group (Kvh)
Lava, breccia and tuff. Lava basaltic.
Early Cretaceous
Pintap Formation (Ksp)
Flysch deposits. Alternating sandstone, claystone, siltstone, shale, limestone and basaltic lavas. Deposited in arc trench gap area.
<1500 m
Jurrasic
Ultramafic Complex (Ju)
Serpentinites and harzburgites
Within the region the Tanjung, Kuaro, Pamaluan, Paulua Balang, Warukin and Balikpapan Formations are coal bearing. Based on calorific value and sulphur content, the best quality coal is found in the older Tanjungand KuaroFormation.
The Balikpapan coal formation is a rich coal deposit located in Indonesia, known for its high calorific value and low sulfur content. In comparison to other coal formations, it is considered a high-quality coal resource due to its low ash and moisture content, making it desirable for export. Balikpapan coal is primarily used in power generation and industrial applications due to its favorable combustion properties.
Peat is an early stage in the formation of coal, a type of sedimentary rock. As plant material accumulates in waterlogged, oxygen-poor environments, it undergoes chemical and physical changes over time to eventually form peat. With further compaction and heating, peat can then transform into lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, and finally anthracite coal.
Coal bed formation in Antarctica is possible through the accumulation and burial of plant material in swamps during ancient warm periods in the Earth's history. Over millions of years, the plant material undergoes compaction and chemical changes, forming peat and eventually coal. Antarctica has a history of relatively warm climates in the past, allowing for the formation of these coal beds that we see today.
The four stages of coal formation are peat, lignite, bituminous, and anthracite. Peat is the first stage and is partially decomposed plant material. As the peat is buried and compressed, it transforms into lignite, then bituminous coal, and finally anthracite, which is the most carbon-rich and hardest form of coal.
Peat is the first stage in the formation of coal. It is partially decayed plant material that accumulates in waterlogged environments. Over time, with burial and pressure, peat can transform into different types of coal such as lignite, bituminous, and anthracite.
The leading theory for the formation of fossil fuels is that they were formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals buried deep underground over millions of years. The heat and pressure from the Earth's crust caused these organic materials to decompose and transform into coal, oil, and natural gas.
The effect of a future Pangaea on the formation of coal will be that of a marked increase as continents collide against each other.
The lack of significant coal formation in Australia is due to several factors, including the country's geological history, climate conditions, and absence of extensive swamps and forests during periods when coal formation occurred in other continents. Australia's unique tectonic evolution and geological processes also played a role in limiting coal formation compared to other regions.
The correct sequence of coal formation is peat, lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. Peat is the earliest stage of coal formation and gradually transforms into these other types through increasing pressure and heat over millions of years. Anthracite is the highest rank of coal and is the result of the most intense heat and pressure during formation.
The five steps of coal formation are: Peat formation: Plant material accumulates in wet environments. Lignite formation: Compression and heat turn peat into lignite, a soft coal. Sub-bituminous coal formation: Further compression and heat transform lignite into sub-bituminous coal. Bituminous coal formation: Continued heat and pressure convert sub-bituminous coal into bituminous coal, a higher quality coal. Anthracite coal formation: The highest level of metamorphism forms anthracite coal, a very high-quality and hard coal.
The first stage of coal formation is peat formation. Peat forms from partially decayed plant matter in waterlogged conditions where oxygen is scarce. Over time, the peat is buried and subjected to heat and pressure, eventually transforming into coal.
Anthracite.
Coal is usually piled up in a coal bin at the bottom of a coal chute.
In the formation of coal, peat has the lowest carbon content among the stages. Peat is the first stage in coal formation and is composed mainly of partially decayed plant matter.
Coal formation is largely a result of the accumulation and compression of organic matter from plants in swampy environments over millions of years. The process involves the burial and transformation of this organic material due to pressure and heat, resulting in the formation of coal.
Hematite is not a stage of coal formation. It is actually a mineral that is a major source of iron ore. The stages of coal formation are peat, lignite, bituminous coal, and anthracite.
Peat formation: Plant material accumulates in waterlogged environments, where decomposition is slowed, forming peat. Lignite formation: Over time, peat is buried and compacted, increasing pressure and temperature, transforming it into lignite, a low-grade coal. Bituminous coal formation: Further burial and compaction of lignite results in higher pressure and temperature, forming bituminous coal, a higher-grade coal. Anthracite formation: With increased heat and pressure, bituminous coal can undergo further metamorphism, producing anthracite, the highest-grade coal.
The first step of coal formation is the accumulation of plant material in a swampy environment. As plants die, they accumulate in layers and start to decay. Over time, the plant material undergoes chemical and physical changes, eventually transforming into peat.