Granier B., Busnardo R. & Pittet B. (2009).- New data on the Hawar, Shu'aiba, Bab, and Sabsab regional stages of the Lower Cretaceous in the United Arab Emirates and in Oman. In: Grosheny D. & Granier B. (convs.), Les corrélations plate-forme/bassin.- Volume des Résumés, École des Mines de Paris, November 30th - December 1st, p. 15-17 (abstract). If you look for more recent publications you will find some slight changes (e.g., the TST of Shu'aiba is ascribed to the Furcata Zone of the "lower Aptian", i.e., the uppermost ammonite zone of the Bedoulian sensu gallico).

1. New data on the Hawar, Shu'aiba, Bab, and SabsabNew data on the Hawar, Shu'aiba, Bab, and Sabsab
regional stagesregional stages
of the Lower Cretaceousof the Lower Cretaceous
in the United Arab Emirates and in Omanin the United Arab Emirates and in Oman
Bruno GranierBruno Granier11
, Robert Busnardo, Robert Busnardo22
, Bernard Pittet, Bernard Pittet33
1 _ Université Européenne de Bretagne, Brest (France);1 _ Université Européenne de Bretagne, Brest (France);
Université de Brest; CNRS; IUEM; Domaines Océaniques UMR 6538, 6 Avenue Le Gorgeu, CS 93837, F-Université de Brest; CNRS; IUEM; Domaines Océaniques UMR 6538, 6 Avenue Le Gorgeu, CS 93837, F-
29238 Brest Cedex 3 (France);29238 Brest Cedex 3 (France);
addresse postale : Département des Sciences de la Terre et de l'Univers, UFR des Sciences etaddresse postale : Département des Sciences de la Terre et de l'Univers, UFR des Sciences et
Techniques, Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO), 6 avenue Le Gorgeu - CS 93837, F-29238Techniques, Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO), 6 avenue Le Gorgeu - CS 93837, F-29238
Brest Cedex 3 (France)Brest Cedex 3 (France)
e-mail : bruno.granier@univ-brest.fre-mail : bruno.granier@univ-brest.fr
2 _2 _ 13 ch. du Méruzin, 69370 Saint Didier au Mont d'or (France)13 ch. du Méruzin, 69370 Saint Didier au Mont d'or (France)
e-mail :e-mail : robert.busnardo@wanadoo.fr (France)robert.busnardo@wanadoo.fr (France)
3 _ Université de Lyon 1, Département des Sciences de la Terre; UMR 5125 PaléoEnvironnements et3 _ Université de Lyon 1, Département des Sciences de la Terre; UMR 5125 PaléoEnvironnements et
Paléobio­Sphère, CNRS; Campus de la Doua, 21-43 Avenue du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69622Paléobio­Sphère, CNRS; Campus de la Doua, 21-43 Avenue du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69622
Villeurbanne Cedex (France)Villeurbanne Cedex (France)

2. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
The boundaries ofThe boundaries of
most regionalmost regional
stages of thestages of the
Kahmah and WasiaKahmah and Wasia
regional seriesregional series
have been recentlyhave been recently
revised.revised.
Regional stagesRegional stages

3. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
Regional stagesRegional stages

4. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
Psittacism*Psittacism*
The boundaries of most regional stages ofThe boundaries of most regional stages of
the Kahmah and Wasia regional seriesthe Kahmah and Wasia regional series
have been recently revised.have been recently revised.
However some authors (most of themHowever some authors (most of them
employees of the oil industry oremployees of the oil industry or
service companies) persist inservice companies) persist in
duplicating either wrong or obsoleteduplicating either wrong or obsolete
information and unsupportedinformation and unsupported
interpretations derived therefrom.interpretations derived therefrom.
* répétition méchanique de mots et de phrases* répétition méchanique de mots et de phrases

5. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
Wheeler diagram

6. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
HawarHawar
In the ADMA offshore field 'A', the base ofIn the ADMA offshore field 'A', the base of
the Hawar, the oldest of the four unitsthe Hawar, the oldest of the four units
discussed here, is a karstified surface:discussed here, is a karstified surface:
vugs found in the uppermost level ofvugs found in the uppermost level of
the underlying Kharaib are due to thethe underlying Kharaib are due to the
subaerial dissolution of formerlysubaerial dissolution of formerly
aragonitic rudist shells and arearagonitic rudist shells and are
partially filled with sediment.partially filled with sediment.

7. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
HawarHawar
In the ADMA reference well, the HawarIn the ADMA reference well, the Hawar
sequence is 25' thick: most of it is thesequence is 25' thick: most of it is the
TST while the uppermost 2.5', a shalyTST while the uppermost 2.5', a shaly
interval, represents the HST.interval, represents the HST.
Keystone vugs at the base of the TST areKeystone vugs at the base of the TST are
indicative of a beach deposit;indicative of a beach deposit;
the remainder of the systems tractthe remainder of the systems tract
consists predominantly of offshoreconsists predominantly of offshore
carbonate-sand deposits withcarbonate-sand deposits with
abundantabundant PalorbitolinaPalorbitolina
(including(including P.P. cf.cf. ultimaultima).).

8. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
HawarHawar
Choffatella decipiensChoffatella decipiens, a foraminifer that, a foraminifer that
after Early Barremian times became aafter Early Barremian times became a
marker of deeper-watermarker of deeper-water
environments, is found in the upperenvironments, is found in the upper
half of the systems tract.half of the systems tract.
Consequently both facies and fossilConsequently both facies and fossil
assemblages record a deepening ofassemblages record a deepening of
the succession.the succession.
The maximum flooding surface is thoughtThe maximum flooding surface is thought
to be just above a glauconiticto be just above a glauconitic
packstone bed.packstone bed.

9. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
HawarHawar
In Oman, at Wadi Bani Kharus, the HawarIn Oman, at Wadi Bani Kharus, the Hawar
interval is 25 meters (82') thickinterval is 25 meters (82') thick
((i.ei.e., it is more than triple that of the., it is more than triple that of the
equivalent section in the ADMA well).equivalent section in the ADMA well).
With respect to paleogeographical settingsWith respect to paleogeographical settings
this Omani locality was considered bethis Omani locality was considered be
have been sited in a sea shallowerhave been sited in a sea shallower
than that over the Emirati oil fieldthan that over the Emirati oil field
(which is in the earlier "Kharaib 2"(which is in the earlier "Kharaib 2"
and the later "Bab" basins).and the later "Bab" basins).

10. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
HawarHawar
While revising a set ofWhile revising a set of
thin sections fromthin sections from
Wadi Bani Kharus,Wadi Bani Kharus,
one of us (B.G.)one of us (B.G.)
foundfound ChoffatellaChoffatella
decipiensdecipiens ......

11. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
HawarHawar
While revising a set ofWhile revising a set of
thin sections fromthin sections from
Wadi Bani Kharus,Wadi Bani Kharus,
one of us (B.G.)one of us (B.G.)
foundfound ChoffatellaChoffatella
decipiensdecipiens in thein the
lowermost 5lowermost 5
meters of the unit.meters of the unit.

12. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
HawarHawar
Consequently this level recordsConsequently this level records
the deeper-water facies ofthe deeper-water facies of
an interval spanning notan interval spanning not
only the Hawaronly the Hawar
BUT also the next term inBUT also the next term in
the succession, thethe succession, the
Shu'aiba.Shu'aiba.
We suggest that in the OmaniWe suggest that in the Omani
outcrop the maximumoutcrop the maximum
flooding surface of theflooding surface of the
Hawar sequence is at aboutHawar sequence is at about
the 5 meter level in a marlythe 5 meter level in a marly
layer with the highestlayer with the highest
shaliness.shaliness.

13. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
HawarHawar
"The upper limit of the Hawar Formation"The upper limit of the Hawar Formation
is coincident with an abrupt change inis coincident with an abrupt change in
sedimentation from the uppermostsedimentation from the uppermost
shale (characteristic of open-marineshale (characteristic of open-marine
environments and deposited belowenvironments and deposited below
storm-wave base) to very shallow-storm-wave base) to very shallow-
water carbonates (with a richwater carbonates (with a rich
photophylic algal associationphotophylic algal association
characteristic of shallow protectedcharacteristic of shallow protected
environments). As does the lowerenvironments). As does the lower
boundary, the upper one records aboundary, the upper one records a
forced regression: the fall in sea levelforced regression: the fall in sea level
can be estimated to have been 40can be estimated to have been 40
meters or more" (Granier, 2008).meters or more" (Granier, 2008).

14. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
HawarHawar
To date most other authors have notTo date most other authors have not
recognized the existence of this majorrecognized the existence of this major
sequence boundary.sequence boundary.

15. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
HawarHawar
These finds confute theThese finds confute the
sequential interpretationssequential interpretations
of authors who considerof authors who consider
the Hawar to comprisethe Hawar to comprise
the entire TST or be thethe entire TST or be the
lower part of the TST of alower part of the TST of a
higher scale sequencehigher scale sequence
that extends into thethat extends into the
Shu'aiba.Shu'aiba.

16. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
In field 'A', offshore Abu Dhabi, theIn field 'A', offshore Abu Dhabi, the
Shua'iba succession begins with aShua'iba succession begins with a
facies characteristic of protectedfacies characteristic of protected
shallow-water with aragoniticshallow-water with aragonitic
'calcareous algae', such as'calcareous algae', such as ClypeinaClypeina
ummshaifensisummshaifensis,, Gyroporella lukicaeGyroporella lukicae,,
Cylindroporella lyrataCylindroporella lyrata,, etcetc. and. and
foraminifers, such asforaminifers, such as VoloshinoidesVoloshinoides
murgensimurgensi..

17. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
It is succeeded by a set of facies thatIt is succeeded by a set of facies that
containcontain Choffatella decipiensChoffatella decipiens,,
Epistominids and planktonicEpistominids and planktonic
foraminifers, all confirming the overallforaminifers, all confirming the overall
deepening-upward trend of thedeepening-upward trend of the
remainder of the section, a 60' thickremainder of the section, a 60' thick
interval representing the TST of theinterval representing the TST of the
Shu'aiba sequence.Shu'aiba sequence.

18. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
Two ammonite-rich subnodularTwo ammonite-rich subnodular
beds that represent thebeds that represent the
highly condensed HST (less than 3' thick)highly condensed HST (less than 3' thick)
end the sequence.end the sequence.
Ammonites of the generaAmmonites of the genera ChelonicerasCheloniceras,,
•• GargasicerasGargasiceras andand ## PseudohaplocerasPseudohaploceras
indicate a Gargasian (middle Aptian) ageindicate a Gargasian (middle Aptian) age
for this HST.for this HST.
••
##

19. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
In Oman, in wells Dhulaima-5 and Yibal-In Oman, in wells Dhulaima-5 and Yibal-
201, the record by Witt & Gökgag201, the record by Witt & Gökgag
(1994) of(1994) of OrbitolinaOrbitolina ((MesorbitolinaMesorbitolina))
parvaparva from correlative shallow-waterfrom correlative shallow-water
facies provide additional evidence forfacies provide additional evidence for
disdisregarding the assignment of aregarding the assignment of a
Bedoulian (Early Aptian) age to theseBedoulian (Early Aptian) age to these
strata.strata.

20. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
BabBab
Still in field 'A' the Bab interval beginsStill in field 'A' the Bab interval begins
and ends with dark-coloredand ends with dark-colored
organic-rich chalks (respectivelyorganic-rich chalks (respectively
~25' and ~20' thick).~25' and ~20' thick).
• The upper interval preceds theThe upper interval preceds the
transgressive shaly facies of thetransgressive shaly facies of the
Sabsab / Nahr Umr,Sabsab / Nahr Umr,
• the lower interval rests on thethe lower interval rests on the
condensed section of thecondensed section of the
Shu'aiba.Shu'aiba.
Both episodes of anoxic sedimentationBoth episodes of anoxic sedimentation
were probably caused by eustaticwere probably caused by eustatic
isolation of the "Bab" intrashelfisolation of the "Bab" intrashelf
basin.basin.

21. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr

22. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
BabBab
Depending on their locations, surroundingDepending on their locations, surrounding
contemporaneous carbonate plaformscontemporaneous carbonate plaforms
record either one or two falls inrecord either one or two falls in
relative sea-level.relative sea-level.
Between these LST episodes a rise in sea-Between these LST episodes a rise in sea-
level (TST + HST) led to a temporarylevel (TST + HST) led to a temporary
interruption of anoxia and to theinterruption of anoxia and to the
sedimentation of beige chalk faciessedimentation of beige chalk facies
(the main constituent of these chalks(the main constituent of these chalks
is nannoconids).is nannoconids).

23. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
BabBab
The lower LST facies yieldsThe lower LST facies yields ColombicerasColombiceras
species although the remainder of thespecies although the remainder of the
Bab includes representatives of theBab includes representatives of the
generagenera ChelonicerasCheloniceras, •, • EpichelonicerasEpicheloniceras
andand PseudohaplocerasPseudohaploceras..
• • •• • •

24. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
SabsabSabsab
The Sabsab records a main transgressiveThe Sabsab records a main transgressive
event at the base of the Nahr Umrevent at the base of the Nahr Umr
shales.shales.
This unit caps both the Shu'aiba and theThis unit caps both the Shu'aiba and the
Bab carbonate platforms and is aBab carbonate platforms and is a
major seal for lower "mid-Cretaceous"major seal for lower "mid-Cretaceous"
oil reservoirs in the area.oil reservoirs in the area.

25. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
SabsabSabsab
The record ofThe record of OrbitolinaOrbitolina
((MesorbitolinaMesorbitolina)) texanatexana
(Roemer) by Witt &(Roemer) by Witt &
Gökgag (1994) fromGökgag (1994) from
shallow-water faciesshallow-water facies
in wells Lekhwair-87in wells Lekhwair-87
and 69 should beand 69 should be
takentaken cum grano saliscum grano salis
for they were foundfor they were found
not more than 2 mnot more than 2 m
below the top of theirbelow the top of their
so-called Shu'aiba.so-called Shu'aiba.

26. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
SabsabSabsab
This interval could haveThis interval could have
been deposited abovebeen deposited above
the subaerial surfacethe subaerial surface
of the exposedof the exposed
Shu'aiba andShu'aiba and
representrepresent
sedimentation thatsedimentation that
took place after atook place after a
significant hiatus andsignificant hiatus and
including a period ofincluding a period of
time equivalent to thetime equivalent to the
Sabsab.Sabsab.

27. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
Summary (1/3)Summary (1/3)
With respect to stratonomy, both theWith respect to stratonomy, both the
Hawar and the Shu'aiba sequencesHawar and the Shu'aiba sequences
in field 'A' are highly asymetrical:in field 'A' are highly asymetrical:
thick TST and thin HST; at Wadithick TST and thin HST; at Wadi
Bani Kharus, the Hawar isBani Kharus, the Hawar is
asymetrical but the pattern is theasymetrical but the pattern is the
reverse: a thin TST and a thick HST.reverse: a thin TST and a thick HST.

28. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
Summary (2/3)Summary (2/3)
With respect to the calibration of theseWith respect to the calibration of these
regional stages in the internationalregional stages in the international
stratigraphic chart, the model ofstratigraphic chart, the model of
correlation presented here providescorrelation presented here provides
the best available to date:the best available to date:
• the Bab is Gargasian in age,the Bab is Gargasian in age,
• the Hawar is Bedoulian in age.the Hawar is Bedoulian in age.
The transition from Bedoulian toThe transition from Bedoulian to
Gargasian probably takes place duringGargasian probably takes place during
the TST of the Shu’aiba sequence.the TST of the Shu’aiba sequence.

29. BabBab
KharaibKharaib
HawarHawar
Shu'aibaShu'aiba
(Sabsab)(Sabsab)
Nahr UmrNahr Umr
Summary (3/3)Summary (3/3)
The beginning of the Nahr UmrThe beginning of the Nahr Umr
transgressiontransgression
(its first TST corresponding to the(its first TST corresponding to the
Sabsab) isSabsab) is
GargasianGargasian (middle Aptian(middle Aptian sensusensu
gallicogallico = early Late Aptian= early Late Aptian sensusensu
anglicoanglico) in age, not Clansayesian (late) in age, not Clansayesian (late
AptianAptian sensu gallicosensu gallico = late Late= late Late
AptianAptian sensu anglicosensu anglico), nor is it Albian.), nor is it Albian.