Geology of Bekenu Area with the Emphasis of Black Shale Properties

The study concerns on the potential of Setap Shale as shale gas potential. The main objective of
this study is to identify the geological and geochemistry aspect of the Setap Shale rock present in
the Sarawak basin on its potential as shale gas producer. A total of six core samples had been
collected at different depths of a well in Sarawak to study the potential of the shales. Through
core description, thin section and XRay Diffraction analysis the results showed that the rock
samples are proven to be shale obtained from continental-marine settings, and samples are
interpreted from reducing and oxidizing environment. This study is to focus more on the potential
of the shale. The Geochemistry analysis Total of Carbon, results that Setap Shale has very low
potential as Shale Gas resource.
The results obtained are displayed in the Polar and Hill plot illustrating the shale gas nonpotential,
which the results are below the minimum line boundaries. Besides, collecting samples
from the surface area, the outcrop had been visited in Beluru-Baling Road, however pure samples
is difficult to obtain. Therefore, Setap Shale Formation is near continental setting, further study
should be done on other Sarawak formation with deep marine setting and previously known for its
oil potential. Further investigation should be done to evaluate the potential of Setap Shale by
taking outcrop samples and compare the geochemistry results to further clarify Setap Shale to
have very low potential as shale gas source.