Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

DOI 10.1007/s12517-010-0256-5

ORIGINAL PAPER

Sedimentological and depositional environment studies

of the Mauddud Formation, central and southern Iraq
Moutaz A. Al-Dabbas & Jassim A. Jassim &
Amanj I. Qaradaghi

Received: 26 June 2010 / Accepted: 29 November 2010 / Published online: 23 December 2010
# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2010

Abstract Nineteen subsurface sections and a large number

of thin sections of the Mauddud limestone (age Albian
Early Cenomanian) were studied to unravel the depositional
facies and environments. The allochems in the Mauddud
Formation are dominated by bioclasts (reach 23%) and
peloids (reach 60%), whereas intraclasts are less abundant
(reach 2.3%). The sedimentary microfacies of the Mauddud
Formation includes lime mudstone, wackestone, wackestonepackstone, packstone, packstonegrainstone, in addition to dolostone lithofacies and green shale lithofacies.
These microfacies have been deposited in shallow warm
marine environment of varying salinities and energy levels.
Cementation, neomorphism, dolomitization, compaction,
and dissolution are observed affecting variably both ground
mass and particles. The formation displays various extents
of dolomitization and is cemented by calcite and dolomite.
Dolomitization increases toward the north of the study area
and exhibits different textures. Similarly cementation shows
a variety of textures. In addition, authigenic minerals, such
as glauconite and pyrite, are scattered within the groundmass and along solution surfaces. The formation has
gradational contact with the underlying Nahr Umr Formation but is unconformably overlain by the Ahmadi
Formation, despite local conformity. Thus, the vertical
bioclast analysis indicates that the Mauddud Formation is
characterized by four major depositional cycles, which
control the distribution of reservoir quality as well as the
M. A. Al-Dabbas (*) : J. A. Jassim
College of Science, University of Baghdad,
Aljaderia, P.O. Box 47138, Baghdad, Iraq
e-mail: profaldabbas@yahoo.com
A. I. Qaradaghi
College of Science, University of Sulaimaniyah,
Sulaimaniyah, Iraq

patterns of calcite and dolomite, cement distribution.

Petrographical study shows that the fossil represents the
main Allchem, Peloids, whereas intraclasts come second in
abundance. Calcite (more than 50%) and dolomite (as
diagenetic products, range between 20% and 50%) are the
predominant mineral components of Mauddud Formation.
Fossils were studied as an environmental, age, and facial
boundary indicators. Five major depositional microfacies
are recognized. These depositional microfacies have been
subdivided according to their primary and diagenetic
constituents into ten submicrofacies. The determined four
major depositional cycles were representing normal sequential regression from base upward. The lateral analysis
shows the same regressive cycle and by using the
lithofacies association concepts to build the depositional
model of the Mauddud Formation environment.
Keywords Mauddud Formation . Diagenesis . Facies
analysis . Depositional environment

Introduction
The Mauddud Formation in central and southern Iraq is
composed predominantly of organic rich, dark-gray limestone with occasional intercalation of dolomitized limestone
and dolostone beds. The Mauddud Formation (age Albian
Early Cenomanian) is a subsurface, largely neomorphosed,
dolomitized limestone. It represents one of the widely
distributed oil-bearing formations in the Middle East,
especially in the Arabian Gulf.
In the type locality where the formation had been described
for the first time (where it takes its name from Ain Mauddud, a
locality near Dukhan, Qatar), it is of 55 m thickness consisting
of limestone rich in Orbitolina and Trocholina tests. In the

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northern Arabian Gulf especially in the Saudi Arabia

Kuwait border, the Mauddud Formation was found to
consist of a limestone ranging in thickness between averages
from 30.5 to 97.6 m. It is highly vuggy in the upper parts
and richly fossiliferous. In southern Iraq, the formation
represents marine calcarenitic limestone at its upper part,
grades downward to marly, dens and partly fossil-bearing
microcrystalline limestone in its lower part. Its thickness
reaches about 98.82 m (Ibrahim 1981; Mohammed 1996).
The Mauddud Formation is the most widespread lower
Cretaceous formation in Iraq and one of the important
carbonate reservoirs in middle and southern Iraq (Fig. 1). It
comprises frequently dolomitized organodetrital limestone.
The formation has gradational contact with the underlying
Nahr Umr Formation but is unconformably overlain by the
Ahmadi Formation, despite local conformity. The rock of
this formation divided to different microfacies units on the
basis of the identified fossils and their abundance, in
addition to the rock characters, such that they could reflect
either major or minor environmental conditions. The
AlbianEarly Cenomanian Mauddud Formation was a
terminal transgression phase and the formation represented
by neritic, shallower sometime shoal water limestone at its
base passing gradationally upward into deep water limestones. This depositional pattern was thus affected by the
tectonic instability throughout the depositional basin, where
oscillations of sea level provoked various changes in
bathymetry and consequently alteration of facies. Throughout the main phase and away from the ridge toward
southwest, the large fossil particles with sharp edges give
indication of a deposition near the bank site (Fig. 2). The
Mauddud Formation also outcrops in west Iraq along the
southeast flank of the hauran anticlinorium. At outcrop in
NE Iraq, the Qamchuqa Formation comprises organodetrital
and detrital and locally argillaceous limestones with
variable degrees of dolomitization. In south Iraq, the
Mauddud Formation comprises frequently dolomitized
organodetrital limestone (Jassim and Goff 2006). The
thickness of the Mauddud Formation varies according to
the location within the Mesopotamian Basin. It reaches a
thickness of about 347 m in Bd-1 at Badra East Iraq near
the Iranian border and thins or wedges out in the west and
south west, to reach less than 100 m thickness in Ratawi oil
field, Rt-4, Rt-5. The Mauddud Formation is the thickest in
the Badra and Ahdab fields (>300 m), in the East Baghdad
field (>220 m), in the Kumait, Abu Garib, Noor, and
Majnoon fields along the IraqIran border (200 m), while
it is the thickness in West Qurna (140 m), Halfaya (140 m),
Musaiyib (125 m), and Afaq (145 m; Fig. 1; Al-Sharhan
1995; Shubber 1986; Mohammed 1981; Bellen et al. 1959;
Buday 1980). Petrographically, fossils represent the main
allochems whereas peloids come second in abundance. Late
and early diagenetic processes were affected the formation

Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

at various stages such as neomorphism, cementation,

compaction, dolomitization, dissolution, and silicification.
The aim of this research is to study the microfacies and
the depositional environment of 19 boreholes central and
southern Iraq (Fig. 1), by studying the petrographical and
stratigraphic characteristics of the rock samples and to
indicate the depositional model of the Mauddud Formation
with their microfacies sequence relationship and nature for
the Mauddud depositional model construction.

Materials and methods

Nineteen subsurface sections were selected from the wells
of many oil fields in central and southern Iraq, including
East Baghdad: EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-11; Musaiyib:
Mu-1; Afaq: Aq-1; Badra: Bd-1; Noor: No-1; Ahdab: Ad-1
and Ad-2; Kumait: Kt-1; West Qurna: Wq-1 and Wq-3;
Ratawi: Rt-2, Rt-4, and Rt-5; Majnoon: Mj-11; Halfaya:
HF-2; and Abu Ghirab: AG-5 to determine and reconstruct
and the depositional environment of the Mauddud Formation (Fig. 1). For this purpose, more than 3,800 thin
sections (mostly core) were described and interpreted,
together with several hundred thin sections previously
prepared by the Iraq Oil Exploration Co., and were studied
petrographically by applying the modified Dunham (1962)
classification by Embry and Klovan (1972). X-ray diffraction analysis, to determine the mineral composition, was
applied to a number of samples.

Petrography of the Mauddud Formation

More than 3,800 thin sections were studied to identify the
micropetrographical facies, their main constituents, and the
diagenesis processes such as dolomitization, micritization,
neomorphism, compaction, cementation, and dissolution and
finally to indicate the nature of the microfacies. The results
revealed that the carbonate rocks of the Mauddud Formation
in central and southern Iraq are consisted mainly of calcite
(more than 50%) and dolomite (as diagenetic products, range
between 20% and 50%). Micrite and common various skeletal
grains such as foraminifera (of different sizes), echinodermal
plates, and the shells of mollusks are the predominant
components. Non-skeletal components are less common and
restricted mainly to peloids and intraclasts.
Skeletal grains
Different types of skeletal grains are distinguished (reach
23%). Benthonic foraminifera of various sizes are the most
common skeletal grains in the Mauddud Formation. Orbitolinids, which is represented by the genus Orbitolina, is a

Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

299

Fig. 1 Location map for the

studied boreholes of Mauddud
Formation (modified after
Shubber 1986 and Ibrahim
1981)

diagnostic large benthonic foraminifera, whereas Miliolids,

Nezzazata sp., Pseudocyclammina sp., Textularia sp., Valvulammina sp., Cuneolina sp., Trocholina sp., Dicyclina sp.,
Pseudolituonella sp., Lenticulina sp., and Discorbis sp. are
the dominant small benthonic foraminifera. Other forams
such as Praealveolina sp., Ovalveolina sp., and Cyclogyra
sp. are less abundant. These benthonic foraminifera were
particularly increasing in slope, lagoon, and intertidal
environments, with less abundance in shoal environments,
although some of them were destroyed due to dolomitization
and recrystallization making them difficult to identify.
Planktonic foraminifera are few to rare and represented by
few genera such as Hedbergella sp. and Hetrohelix sp. These
planktonic faunal assemblages are usually interpreted to
indicate a low-energy, open-marine, outer-shelf depositional
environment below wave base (Wilson 1975; Flugel 1982).

Other predominant bioclasts in the Mauddud Formation are

large and small fragments of mollusks, echinoderms which
represent the open sea life are indicated by either echinoids
or crinoids and existed as plates and spines, and algae are
less than mollusks and echinoderms and are represented by
Dasycladus and Permocalculus, encrusting algae and red
algae (green algae (Dasycladus), red algae (Permocalculus
sp.), and Calcispheres; Al-Karadaghi 2001).
Non-skeletal grains
The non-skeletal grains in the Mauddud Formation are less
diversified and represented by peloids (reach 60%) and less
abundant intraclasts (reach 2.3%). Peloids are the main
non-skeletal grains, circular to elliptical grains composed of
micrite and lacking the internal structure, which often show

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Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

Fig. 2 Albian paleogeography

map shows the depositional basin of Mauddud Formation (after
Jassim and Goff 2006)

signs of replacement by micrite due to the effects of

micritization process. They could be developed and created
by progressive micritization of bioclasts and/or due to
reworking of their particles that range in size from silt to
sand grade in agitated water. Peloids occur in packstones
and wackestones and are characteristic of shoal and subtidal
environments, respectively. Intraclasts are represented by
some skeletals and patches of limestone that had been
reworked and transported within the basin by currents
agitation, and they are usually weakly consolidated carbonate sediments that have been torn up and redeposited by
currents within the basin. They interpreted to be reworked
grains within the subtidal and intertidal environment arising
from current agitation and are less common than peloids.

studied boreholes. The micrite is generally neomorphosed

to microspar (range from 5 to 10 m) and pseudospar
(more than 10 m). The rate of micrite deposition between
particles reflects the degree of environmental agitation
suggested that one of the main processes for micrite
production is the disintegration of green algae, in addition
to the chemical precipitation at many ancient shallow
marine environments (Wilson 1975; Flugel 1982).
Spray calcite cement
Different types of spray calcite cements have been
recognized in the carbonates of the Mauddud formation
such as drusy, granular, syntaxial, and blocky cements.

Micrites
Depositional microfacies
Micrites represented by microcrystalline usually dark and
opaque (range from 1 to 4 m), rich with organic matter
and some pyrite with occurrence of iron oxide material
within various microfacies, are common in most of the

The Mauddud Formation carbonates were classified following Folks (1962; in Folk 1980) and Dunhams (1962)
(modified by Embry and Klovan 1972, revised by Wright

Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

301

1991) classification into mud- or grain-supported textural

types. It has been seen that the formation composed of
limestone, partly dolomitized, tends to be marly in some places.
In contrast, during this study, the Mauddud Formation is
divided into five principal microfacies units through all the
studied wells depending on the present fossils and
lithological characters as a basis for division. These five
principal microfacies include lime mudstone, wackestone,
wackestonepackstone, packstone, and packstonegrainstone, which are subdivided into ten submicrofacies. In
addition, a diagenetic dolostone and siliciclastic (green
shale) lithofacies are also recognized. The main factor
responsible in facies developments and their distribution is
relative sea level frequent fluctuations. It appears that each
of the selected wells characterized by definite microfacies
units may be of similar or different constituents. Each type
consisted of submicrofacies, as shown in Table 1 and
Fig. 2, and discussed in the following:

1. Lime mudstone microfacies

This microfacies occurs at various levels throughout the
studied sections (range between 20% and 25%). Micrite is
the main component, which is slightly effected by recrystallization and dolomitization processes. It is characterized
by the occurrence of fenestral porosity fabric reflecting the
deposition in quiet water environments or tidal flat areas.
This microfacies can be subdivided to two submicrofacies
as follows:
(a) Bioclastic lime mudstone submicrofacies
It is composed of dark-gray micrite, rich with argillaceous
and organic matters, pyritic in parts with some iron oxide.
Fine molluscan bioclasts are the main skeletal components
of this submicrofacies, but few benthonic foraminifera also
occur mostly, Miliolids in various proportions. In addition,
some detrital sand grains and disseminated subhedral to

Table 1 Primary and secondary microfacies for Mauddud Formation in the studied boreholes
Main microfacies
types

Code

Submicrofacies types

Boreholes

Lime mudstone

Bioclastic lime mudstone

Microbioclastic lime mudstone

Lime wackestone

Bioclastic lime wackestone

Foraminiferal lime wackestone

All
Mu-1, Rt-2, Rt-4, Rt-5, Wq-1, Wq-3, Mj-11, HF-2, Kt-1, No-1,
and AG-5
All
Bd-1, Ad-1, Ad-2, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-11, Wq-1, Wq-3, Kt-1,
AG-5, and Mu-1
Bd-1, EB-11, Rt-2, Rt-5, Mj-11, No-1, HF-2, Kt-1, AG-5, and
Aq-1
Bd-1, Ad-1, Ad-2, EB-11, Aq-1, Mu-1, Kt-1, and AG-5
Bd-1, Ad-1, Ad-2, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, Aq-1, Kt-1, AG-5, and
Mu-1

Orbitolina-rich lime wackestone

Lime wackestone
packstone

Lime packstone

Lime packstone
grainstone

W-P

P-G

Microbioclastic lime wackestone

Bioclastic lime wackestonepackstone
Planktonic fine bioclastic lime
wackestonepackstone
Red algal bioclastic lime wackestone
packstone
Foraminiferal lime
Wackestonepackstone

Bd-1, Aq-1, Ad-1, Ad-2, and EB-11

Orbitolina-rich lime wackestone

packstone
Bioclastic lime packstone
Peloidal lime packstone
Peloidal bioclastic lime packstone
Red algal bioclastic lime packstone

Ad-1, Ad-2, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-11, Rt-2, Rt-4, Rt-5, Wq-3,
and Mu-1
All
All
Bd-1, Mu-1, Aq-1, and Rt-5
Aq-1, Ad-1, and Ad-2

Microbioclastic lime packstone

Miliolids lime packstone
Foraminiferal lime packstone
Orbitolina-rich lime packstone

Bd-1, No-1, and Mj-11

Mu-1, Rt-4, and Rt-5
Bd-1, Ad-1, Ad-2, EB-11, and Rt-5
Bd-1, Ad-1, Ad-2, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-11, Aq-1, Rt-2, Rt-5,
and Mu-1
Mu-1, Bd-1, Aq-1, EB-2, and EB-11

Peloidal lime packstonegrainstone

Bd-1, Ad-1, Ad-2, and Mu-1

Bd-1, Ad-1, Ad-2, EB-3, EB-4
Rt-5, Wq-1, Wq-3, Mj-11, No-1, HF-2, Kt-1, and AG-5

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euhedral rhombs of dolomite also occur; occasionally

dolomite is found concentrated around stylolitic structures.
(b) Microbioclastic lime mudstone submicrofacies
Microbioclastics are the main components of this submicrofacies, but planktonic foraminifera also occur, mostly
Hetrohelix sp., Hedbergella sp., and Calcispheres, with
ostracods as well as argillaceous materials and pyrite
crystals. This submicrofacies was well observed in Mu-1,
and it is a characteristic of deep to moderately deep marine
environments.
2. Lime wackestone microfacies
Diversified assemblages of benthonic foraminifera together with few planktonic foraminifera, echinodermal
plates, molluscan shell fragments, and algal debris are the
main skeletal components of this microfacies. This microfacies is ranging between 50% and 55%. Depending on
these components, the following submicrofacies have been
recognized:
(a) Bioclastic lime wackestone submicrofacies
This submicrofacies is dominated by echinodermal plates,
molluscan shell fragments, especially rudist and algal debris
of various sizes. Benthonic foraminifera such as Miliolids,
Nezzazata sp., and Textularia sp., with some Orbitolina sp.,
also occur. Occasionally some argillaceous materials with
detrital sand grains in proportion of 35% and hydrocarbon
oil stain were observed at various levels. Dolomitization
commonly affected this submicrofacies causing textural
alteration to dolomitized bioclastic wackestone. This submicrofacies is typical of shallow open marine environments.
(b) Foraminiferal lime wackestone submicrofacies
Diversified assemblages of benthonic foraminifera such as
Miliolids sp., Nezzazata sp., Textularia sp., Dicyclina sp.,
Pseudolituonella sp., Pseudocyclammina sp., and some
Ovalveolina sp., occur in this submicrofacies, with proportions up to 50% and rooted in micritic groundmass. Limited
algal debris and pelecypods shell fragments were also
occur. Detrital sands comprise between 2% and 4% of the
lithology. Dolomitization, cementation, neomorphism, and
micritization are the main diagenetic processes effecting
various particles as well as micritic groundmass. This
submicrofacies is typical representative of quiet shallow
open marine environments.

Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

micrite. Some peloids and detrital sand grains occur in

smaller proportions. Dolomitization, neomorphism, micritization, dissolution (enhancing porosity and reach to 10
15%), and stylolitization are the main diagenetic processes
effecting various particles and micritic groundmass. This
submicrofacies is typical representative for open marine
environments of circulation conditions.
(d) Microbioclastic lime wackestone submicrofacies
It is characterized by high content of microbioclasts which
are associated with limited numbers of some planktonic
foraminifera such as Hedbergella sp., Hetrohelix sp.,
Pithonella, and Calcispheres with rare small benthonic
foraminifera. In addition to argillaceous materials, pyrite
crystals and organic matters were also occurring within the
micritic groundmass but in few proportions. This submicrofacies is typical representative for deep to moderately
deep marine environment.
3. Lime wackestonepackstone microfacies
It represents one of the common microfacies in the
Mauddud Formation. Benthic foraminifera (such as Miliolids, Textularia, and Nezzazata), algae debris, small
mollusks fragments, echinoderms, and limited numbers
of planktonic foraminifera were the main components occur
in this microfacies in proportions up to about 50%. The
microfacies are typical of lagoons (Flugel 1982) or
restricted subtidal zones with warm shallow waters. This
microfacies can be subdivided to five submicrofacies as
follows:
(a) Bioclastic lime wackestonepackstone submicrofacies
This submicrofacies is principally dominated by a
specific type of bioclasts of various sizes such as
pelecypods, echinodermal plates, and calcareous algae in
association with benthonic foraminifera as Orbitolina sp.,
Miliolids sp., Nezzazata sp., and Textularia sp. In addition
to few peloids and some pyrite crystal also occurs
embedded in highly argillaceous micritic groundmass.
This submicrofacies had been affected at various levels by
dolomitization forming scattered rhombs of fine to medium
size dolomite within the micrite. Dissolution process creating
vuggy and moldic porosity and stylolitization process also
occurs. It is interpreted to indicate a shallow water environment with a relatively moderate energy.

(c) Orbitolina-rich lime wackestone submicrofacies

(b) Planktonic fine bioclastic lime wackestonepackstone

submicrofacies

This submicrofacies is characterized by high content of

large benthonic foraminifera of the family Orbitolinidae
especially different species of Orbitolina with limited
echinodermal plates, pelecypods shell fragments, and algal
debris which found rooted in dark highly argillaceous

Fine to very fine numerous bioclasts of pelecypods,

echinodermal plates, algal debris with few undefined
microbioclasts and some planktonic foraminifera such as
Hedbergella sp. and Hetrohelix sp., with Calcispheres and
small benthonic foraminifera of Rotalidea (Discorbis sp.),

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are the main constituents of this submicrofacies. Dark,

reworked, worn, and coated relatively small Orbitolinids,
limited peloids with pyrite crystals, were distributed within
highly argillaceous micritic groundmass. Its micritic matrix
contains scattered fine detrital sand or silt grains. This
submicrofacies is typical representative for deep to moderately deep marine environment.
(c) Red algal bioclastic lime wackestonepackstone
submicrofacies
This submicrofacies is principally composed of abundant
calcareous red algae mainly Permocalculus sp., with
dasycladacean debris and bioclasts of pelecypods, echinodermal plates, and limited numbers of planktonic foraminifera. It is a representative of a shallow marine
environment with open circulation.

303

Bioclastics of various sizes are the main components of

this submicrofacies with moderate occurrence of peloids
and benthic foraminifera such as Orbitolina sp., Nezzazata
sp., and Valvulammina sp., dolomitization, cementation,
neomorphism, cementation, dissolution, and stylolitization
are the main diagenetic processes effecting both grain
particles and micritic groundmass at various levels. Occasionally, dolomitization has an extensive effect causing to
change part of this submicrofacies to be considered as
dolomitized bioclastic lime packstone. It is interpreted to
indicate a shallow open marine environment.
(b) Peloidal lime packstone submicrofacies

Diversified assemblage of benthonic foraminifera is

the main constituents of this microfacies in proportion up
to about 5560% of the lithology, such as Miliolids,
Textularids, Nezzazata sp., Pseudocyclammina sp., and
Cuneolina sp.; bioclasts of pelecypods and algal debris
also occur. Neomorphism, cementation, and dissolution
are the main diagenetic processes affecting this submicrofacies. It is interpreted to indicate a shallow open
marine environment.

This submicrofacies is very common microfacies in the

studied succession. It is composed of well-sorted peloids,
which have been formed by algal activities or by rolling of
both particles and micritic patches by wave action before
their deposition. Bioclasts of echinoids, pelecypods, algal
debris, and a quite common assemblage of benthonic
foraminifera, such as Orbitolina sp., Miliolids, and Textularids, also occur as the main skeletal components of this
microfacies. Detrital sand grains comprise not more than 3
5% of lithology also observed in this submicrofacies. It has
been severally affected by neomorphism and dissolution
processes as various levels. This submicrofacies is interpreted to be of inner-shelf deposits of a moderate to high
agitation.

(e)

(c) Peloidal bioclastic lime packstone submicrofacies

(d) Foraminiferal lime wackestonepackstone submicrofacies

Orbitolina-rich lime wackestonepackstone

submicrofacies

The whole skeletals of various species of Orbitolina are

the main skeletal components of this submicrofacies
embedded in dark partially argillaceous micrite, in association with limited numbers of other benthonic foraminifera
such as Pseudocyclammina sp. and Valvulammina sp., as
well as some pelecypods fragments, echinodermal plates,
algal debris, and few peloids. Compaction, neomorphism,
cementation, dolomitization, and stylolitization are the main
diagenetic processes effecting various grains and micritic
groundmass. It is interpreted to indicate a warm shallow
open marine environment of normal salinity.
4. Lime packstone microfacies
It represents one of the most common microfacies in the
Mauddud Formation (range between 8% and 10%). This
microfacies is principally composed of peloids of various
sizes. Bioclasts, algal debris, and numerous benthic
foraminifera were the main constituents of this microfacies.
This microfacies is interpreted to indicate shoals and
subtidal zones with moderate agitation. It can be subdivided
to eight distinctive submicrofacies as follows:
(a) Bioclastic lime packstone submicrofacies

This submicrofacies is dominated by fine bioclasts of

pelecypods, echinodermal plates, and other skeletal fragments while peloids are also very common but in fewer
amounts than bioclasts. Benthonic foraminifera such as
Orbitolina sp. and Textularids also occur. Very few
proportions of planktonic foraminifera were observed
embedded in micritic groundmass. Detrital sand grains
comprise not more than 2% to 3% of lithology also
observed in this submicrofacies. Neomorphism, dolomitization, and dissolution processes are the main diagenetic
processes affecting this submicrofacies. This submicrofacies is interpreted to be of fore slope deposits.
(d) Red algal bioclastic lime packstone submicrofacies
This submicrofacies has been identified in the upper part
of well Ad-1. It is principally composed of abundant
calcareous red algae debris mainly Permocalculus sp.,
which are associated with other bioclasts such as molluscan
shell fragments and echinodermal plates, with rolled
Orbitolina sp., rotalids, and Trocholina sp., benthonic
foraminifera as well as rare species of planktonic foraminifera and Calcispheres. Dissolution process is severally
affecting this submicrofacies resulting to different types of
pores as moldic, vuggy, interparticles, and intraparticles

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types of porosity. It is a representative of a shallow open

marine environment.
(e) Microbioclastic lime packstone submicrofacies
This submicrofacies is identified in the middle part of well
Bd-1, and it consists of microbioclasts with some planktonic
foraminifera and Calcispheres. Some of pyrite is present as
disseminated grains within the dark-gray micritic groundmass
or filling chambers of planktonic foraminifera. Dissolution
process is severally affecting this submicrofacies resulting to
different types of pores as moldic, vuggy, interparticles, and
intraparticles types of porosity that reach 810%. It is a
representative of moderately deep marine environment.
(f) Miliolids lime packstone submicrofacies
This submicrofacies is principally dominated by different types of Miliolids sp., in association with diversified
assemblage of benthonic foraminifera as Nezzazata sp.,
Cuneolina sp., Pseudolituonella sp., Ovalveolina sp., and
Textularia sp. Bioclasts of various sizes such as pelecypods,
echinodermal plates, and calcareous algal debris with up to
5% detrital sand grains also occur imbedded in dark
argillaceous micrite.
Both micritic groundmass and skeletal frameworks have
been affected at different levels by neomorphism and
dolomitization processes. This submicrofacies was observed
in well Mu-1, which is a representative of warm shallow
water, open to restricted circulation marine environment.
(g) Foraminiferal lime packstone submicrofacies
This submicrofacies is represented diversified assemblage
of benthonic foraminifera as Miliolids sp., Nezzazata sp.,
Cuneolina sp., Pseudolituonella sp., Valvulammina sp., and
Textularia sp., with molluscan shell fragments and with some
peloids. These particles were mostly neomorphosed and
occasionally worn or coated by a dark micritic envelopes. It
is a representative of a shallow open marine environment.
(h) Orbitolina-rich lime packstone submicrofacies
This submicrofacies is represented by diversified species
of the family Orbitolinidae that distributed in dark
argillaceous, highly stylolitic micrite, with some peloids,
molluscan shell fragments, echinodermal plates, and assemblage of some small and large benthonic foraminifera.
Most of the observed fauna were worn or coated by a dark
micritic envelope due to moderate to extensive wave
agitation. Compaction, dolomitization, cementation, anhydritization, and dissolution processes are the main diagenetic processes affecting this submicrofacies. It is a
representative of a typical shallow warm water marine
environment of normal salinity.
5. Lime packstonegrainstone microfacies

Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

It represents the less common microfacies in the studied

successions (range between 5% and 8%). Only one
submicrofacies has been identified: peloidal lime packstonegrainstone submicrofacies. Rounded and moderately
to well-sorted peloids are the abundant component of this
submicrofacies, which are associated with other skeletal
grains as worn and coated benthonic foraminifera (as
Miliolids sp., Orbitolina sp., and Pseudolituonella sp.,),
with molluscan shell fragments and with some bioclasts of
molluscan shell fragments, echinodermal plates, and algal
debris. Cementation, neomorphism, and silicification processes are the main diagenetic processes affecting this
submicrofacies. It is a representative of a very shallow
high-energy environment of normal salinity and good
circulation.
Moreover, two lithofacies were observed in some studied
sections, these are:
1. Dolostone lithofacies
Dolostone of this facies is of a post-depositional origin
which reflects a diagenetic facies where calcite grains have
been altered to medium-coarse (occasionally fine) rhombs
of dolomite by the effect of dolomitization process (range
between 14% and 18%). These dolomite rhombs had
completely destroyed and obliterated the rocks textures,
and only relics of some particles were recognized. It
represents one of the most common microfacies in the
Mauddud Formation through approximately all the studied
boreholes and forming thick to thin beds of dolostone. This
facies is highly porous with moldic, vuggy, interparticles,
and intraparticles types of porosity, which acts as an
excellent hydrocarbon bearing beds (reservoirs). Other
characteristic features of this microfacies are the presence
of detrital sand grains and pyrite crystals as subordinate
grains.
2. Green shale lithofacies
This facies represents siliciclastic sediments, which interbedded with the carbonate beds of the Mauddud formation.
It is not very common in the studied successions, and it has
been observed in well Mu-1. It is composed mainly of
green-colored shell beds with high contents of organic
matters and scattered fine euhedral rhombs of dolomite. It
reflects a deposition in quiet deep marine environment.

Diagenetic processes
Carbonates of the Mauddud Formation have been affected by
both early- and late-stage diagenesis. The most important
diagenetic processes in Mauddud Formation are micritization,
cementation, neomorphism, dolomitization, compaction, dissolution, silicification, and anhydritization (Fig. 3). Mud-

Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

305

Fig. 3 Representative types of

diagenetic processes and stylolitization in wells, Ad-1, Bd-1,
EB-2, and EB-11, Afaq, Badra,
and East Baghdad oil fields

stones and wackestone were principally altered by marine

phreatic and later diagenetic processes. Diagenetic features
in these microfacies include occasional pyrite crystal and
borings in benthonic foraminifera, in addition to the rare
occurrence of calcite cement filling skeletal grains. Cloudycentered, clear-rimmed dolomite rhombs and stylolites
indicate later, burial diagenetic processes.

Diagenetic features in the bioclastic wackestones, packstones, and grainstones indicate early and surface alteration in
the meteoric phreatic and mixing zones. The dolomite rhombs
in the wackestone and mudstones indicate mixing zone
diagenesis in intertidal flats, and the small size of the dolomite
crystal may support their brackish-water origin (Badiozamani
et al. 1977). Syntaxial overgrowths on echinoderm plates and

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Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

Fig. 4 Representative types of

porosity in wells, Aq-1, Bd-1,
EB-2, and EB-11, Afaq, Badra,
and East Baghdad oil fields

equant calcite cements are interpreted to be products of local

meteoric phreatic diagenesis .The development of moldic,
vuggy, and channel porosity, particularly in packstones and
grainstones, indicate a similar diagenetic environment. These
processes are described briefly below.
Compaction Mauddud Formation carbonates have been
affected greatly by compaction causing a gradual reduction

in the pore volume and stylolites formation as results of

pressure solution. Different types of stylolites occur
commonly throughout the Mauddud Formation carbonates
and at various sizes from microstylolite to stylolites of
several centimeters in length. Irregular stylolites, low peak,
and irregular sets (banded) have been recognized (Fig. 3).
Stylolites in both mud- and grain-supported microfacies
took the form of horse-tail and irregular anastomosing sets.

Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

Table 2 Diagenetic paragenesis

of the Mauddud Formation,
from petrographic study in the
studied boreholes

307

Diagenetic environments

Diagenetic processes

Diagenetic fabrics

Diagenetic stages
Early

Marine phreatic
Mixing zone
Meteoric phreatic zone

Vadose zone
Burial

Micritization
Cementation
Dolomitization
Leaching
Neomorphism
Cementation
Dissolution
Compaction
Pressure solution
Burial cementation
Silicification
Anhydritization
Dolomitization
Authigenic

Clay minerals, iron minerals, organic matters, and insoluble

residue from limestone dissolution in addition to the
extensive occurrence of dolomite rhombs were observed
to be concentrated on and along the stylolites surfaces,
indicating late diagenetic origin. Pore and vugs are usually
formed after stylolitization and dissolution of dolostone.
Dolomitization The limestone beds of the Mauddud Formation have been affected by dolomitization process at
various degrees. The fine grain size of the rhombs indicates
their early diagenetic origin, whereas larger dolomitic
crystals of clear-rimmed, cloudy-centered types were
formed during later diagenesis (Sibley and Gregg 1987).
Scattered, fine-grained dolomite rhombs occur within the
mud-supported microfacies and are often concentrated
along stylolite surfaces (Fig. 3). The fine grain size of the
rhombs and their occurrence within the mud-supported
facies indicates their early- diagenetic origin, particularly
those present within intertidal mudstone. The coarser
dolomite crystals sizes are formed during later dolomitization process but before stylolitization. Dolomitization has
highly enhanced the reservoir quality of most the microfacies, particularly with the formation secondary intercrystalline micropores within muddy microfacies. Four different
dolostone textures have been recognized and classified
depending on crystal size distribution and crystal boundary
shape (planar and non-planar) using the classification of
Sibley and Gregg (1987). The relative abundance of various
dolomite types has been estimated based on thin section
examinations. The recognized dolomite textures are planars (subhedral) dolomite, planar-s (subhedraleuhedral) dolomite, planar-e (euhedral) dolomite, and non-planar dolo-

Micritic envelope
Syntaxial cement
Dolomite
Leaching skeletal grains

Syntaxial cement
Drusy cement
Pores and Vugs

Stylolites
Blocky and granular
Quartz
Anhydrite
Pyrite and glauconite

Middle

Late

mite. The most common dolomite textures in the Mauddud

Formation are the planar-s (subhedral) and planar-s (e)
(subhedraleuhedral) dolomite; however, more than one
type can be observed in the same sample.
Neomorphism Mauddud Formation carbonates have been
affected by neomorphism, which commonly affected the
groundmass and particles. Micrite is often recrystallized
aggrading to microspar or pseudospar. It also affects the
skeletal grains such as molluscan shell fragments, foraminifera, and other skeletal grains leading to the inversion of
aragonitic skeletal fragments to calcite by the presence of
solution. In shallow marine environments, the neomorphism process intensifies greatly by the solution under
higher temperature and pressure conditions (Flugel 1982).
Cementation Cementation has been an effective diagenetic
process in various microfacies filling intergranular and
intragranular pores, cavities, fissure, and fractures and led
to occlusion of primary porosity in Mauddud Formation
carbonates.
Many types of cements have been recognized: (1)
micrite cement, (2) overgrowth cement, (3) displacement
cement, (4) granular cements, (5) druzy mosaic cements,
(6) syntaxial rim cement, and (7) blocky cement. These
cements are believed to be of later diagenetic origin,
although the mosaic cement and the syntaxial rim cement
may have formed during two or more phases.
Micritization It is the most common process affecting the
skeletal fragments in the bioclastic packstones and bioclastic wackestones microfacies in the Mauddud Formation.

308

Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

Fig. 5 Representative of general lithology, facies distributions,

interpretation of depositional environments with major and minor
sea level changes of the Mauddud Formation with the vertical and

lateral variations: a along Bd-1, Ad-1, and Mu-1 and b along Aq-1,
EB-2, EB-4, and EB-11 (after Al-Karadaghi 2001)

In a stagnant marine phreatic zone, the micritization process

is affected greatly by blue-green algae or fungi (Longman
1980). Micritization is an early diagenetic process, and
micritized skeletal grains are very common in facies of the
Mauddud Formation and effecting preferentially benthonic
foraminifera especially Orbitolinids and Miliolids.

was studied in the Mauddud microfacies according to Lucia

(1995) classification (Fig. 4). The porosity may reach more
than 13% to 24%; also, the results indicated that:

Dissolution This process act to destroy the internal structures for the skeletal grains to leave the micritic envelope to
form the moldic porosity or vuggy porosity. The porosity

1. Interparticle porosity was distinguished and divided to

grain-dominated fabric and mud-dominated fabric.
2. Vuge porosity was existed depending on vugs interconnection; the vuggy pore spaces are divided into two groups:
(a) Separate vugs: represent interconnecting only through
the interparticle pore network. This type occurred

Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

309

Fig. 5 (continued)

commonly in the Mauddud Formation and represented

by different types such as moldic, interfossils, and
intragranular microporosity.
(b) Touching vugs: vugs in direct contact and has been
observed in this study represented by cavernous type
and fenestral type.

Anhydritization and silicification These processes were less

common in Mauddud Formation. These processes are
generally reduced porosity and permeability. Anhydrite
has been found filling the irregularly shaped vugs,

intercrystalline, and interparticle pores. The source of

anhydrite may be the presence of sulfate, which partially
reduced to sulfide by bacteria or due to high evaporation
rate and high water salinities in shallow marine environments, while the main sources of silica in the Mauddud
Formation may be the supply of detrital sand grains from
the shore line and inorganically precipitated silica reaching
the ocean by silica rich river water.
Authigenic minerals Pyrite and glauconite are the main
recognized authigenic minerals in the studied boreholes.
Pyrite is commonly occurred in different lithologic units of

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Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

Fig. 6 Schematic block diagram representing the proposed

depositional model for the
microfacies of Mauddud Formation (note: the boreholes
locations are not according to
scale)

Mauddud Formation in various forms as framboids, single

euhedral crystals (isolated cube), and more commonly as
fine disseminated particles which give the sediments a
black color. Glauconite is one of the authigenic mineral,
chemically precipitated in marine sedimentary environments, and it can be used as an indicator of low
sedimentation rate, a useful feature for sequence stratigraphic analysis.
Paragenetic sequence of diagenesis The diagenetic processes of Mauddud Formation and their environments are
summarized and explained in Table 2. Carbonate of the
Mauddud Formation has been affected by early-, middle-,
and late-stage diagenesis. Several diagenetic fabrics have
been observed in microfacies of the Mauddud Formation,
which indicate different diagenetic stages as well as
different diagenetic environments.
Micrite envelopes and syntaxial rim cements indicate
early diagenetic stage in marine phreatic zone. The
dolomite rhombs were observed in the different facies
indicating middle and late diagenetic stages in mixing zone.
Leached skeletal grains with syntaxial overgrowths on
echinodermal plates and drusy calcite cement are interpreted to be products of meteoricphreatic diagenesis

(Evamy and Shearman 1965). The development of moldic

pores and vugs is indicating the vadose diagenesis.
Diagenetic features of burial diagenetic environment include occasional occurrence of pyrite and glauconite of
authigenic origin in addition to quartz and anhydrite.
Blocky and granular calcite cement with stylolites is the
major diagenetic features indicating later burial diagenetic
processes.

Depositional environments
The Mauddud Formation was deposited in an inner-shelf
and in an outer-shelf setting but dominated by shallow
inner-shelf environments, subdivided seaward into five
distinct depositional environments: semi-restricted (intertidal), open platform (subtidal), shoal, open moderately deep
(fore slope), and moderately deep platform. Moreover, four
major depositional cycles were determined representing
normal sequential regression from base upward, started
with a transgressive phase over a continental shelf and
terminated by a regressive phase. A local subsidence had
created a local basin that was observed such as around well

Arab J Geosci (2012) 5:297312

Mu-1. The isopach map of the Mauddud Formation gives a

clear picture about the deposition of the formation. Its
thickness increases eastward coincided more or less with
the structural culmination indicating structural development
within the basin during the deposition of the Mauddud
Formation. Generally, the rudists started by building small
reefs on the banks, but as shallowing progressed (or
tectonic emergence), more extensive biostroms were
formed (Fig. 1). The depositional model of Mauddud
Formation was constructed from the results of the microfacies studies, the relationship of the lithofacies association
with the environment of deposition. The results of the
vertical analysis indicate that the Mauddud Formation was
characterized by four regressive cycles (Fig. 5a, b). The
main one started with open platform to semi-restricted
environment which is the extinction of the Nahr Umr
Formation depositional environment then graduated to fore
slope environment that exchange places with the shoal
environment.
There was repetition of the main depositional cycle to
the second regressive depositional cycle which indicates the
high thickness in the studied boreholes. The lateral analysis
shows the same regressive cycle and by using the
lithofacies association concepts, the depositional model
was build of the Mauddud Formation environment from the
studied boreholes (Fig. 6).

311

deposition near the bank site (such as at the bottom of

Majnoon well-11, the biomicrite with black shale at base
rich in rotalids and rudist fragments). This may indicate a
ridge separating the Mauddud from deeper basin. On this
ridge, rudist bank thrived.
5. In Abu Ghirab well-5, the Orbitolina shallower facies
had almost disappeared. The reason for that could be
related to the increasing in the salinity. This leads that
there is shoal environment. The evidence for this
conclusion is the abundance of Miliolids.
Moreover, five distinct depositional environments have
been identified. The arrangements of these environments
from nearshore into deeper water conditions are semirestricted (intertidal), open platform (subtidal), shoal,
shallow open-moderately deep (fore slope), and moderately
deep platform, such results are in accordance with
Mohammed and Al-Sayyab (1993) and Jassim and Goff
(2006; Figs. 2 and 6). Four major depositional cycles were
determined. All the cycles exhibit normal sequential
regression from base upward. The upper part of the
formation represents the fall of the sea level and marking
the end of the regressive phase. The depositional cycles are
started with a transgressive phase over a continental shelf
and terminated by a regression phase. As a result, the upper
contact of the formation was represented by an erosion
surface separating it from the overlain Ahmadi Formation.

Conclusion
References
From the above-mentioned data, the following points may
be given as conclusion:
1. The Mauddud Formation is composed of limestone
partly dolomitized tends to be marly in some its parts,
and it has been indicated that the formation had been
deposited under various ecological conditions.
2. The planktonic foraminifera which represent a distinctive environment are found in different places of the
formation in the studied wells, such that they may
present in lower, middle, or even its upper part. This
means that there is a changing in the position of the
axis depositional basin in these various places or more
precisely they indicate fluctuation in the sea water. In
any case, the coast line is farther away from where the
plankton preserved in micritic rock is encountered.
3. The pelletal facies clearly appear in the lower part of the
first microfacies unit of the Ratawi well-5, and it is
represented by the deposition under shallow environment.
4. The rudist bank clearly appears in Abu Ghirab well-5 as a
distinctive facies unit. While in the remaining wells, the
rudist present as a particles of various sizes, but most of
them are of large size with sharp edges which means

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