PETROLEUM SYSTEMS OF EGYPT
Integrated Surface and Subsurface Data for Reliable Comprehensive Basin Modeling
Subsurface Jurassic/Cretaceous/Tertiary rock units represent the main petroleum source and reservoir horizons of Egypt. Outcrop analogues of these subsurface units allow for detailed geological investigation where oil fields are geologically complex. These rock units are exposed along the coastal areas of the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea. Observations and interpretations derived from these outcrops are extrapolated into the subsurface.
The study compares selected outcrops to subsurface sections (based on our investigations). This multidisciplinary study involves stratigraphical, paleontological, structural, petrographical, petrophysical, geochemical, and basin modeling work. The project provides details of the stratigraphic status, age relationships, depositional setting and causes for potential as source and / or reservoir rocks in the subsurface of the Egyptian petroleum basins.
Several geological problems are described that have prevented a better understanding of the stratigraphy as well as other reservoir characteristics of these important sediments. Due to the shortage of representative rock samples these include several previously unknown key aspects of these limestones including dating, fossil zonation and the possibilities of large scale build-ups that include reefs or oolite shoals. The lateral and vertical variations also are documented.
The project deals with all geological and geochemical aspects related to the reservoir rocks, source rocks and crude oils; it is focused on aspects and techniques related to sequence stratigraphy, rock properties and diagenesis, the impact of discontinuity surfaces on reservoir compartmentalization, the relationship between fracturing, facies and reservoir diagenesis as well as the geochemical (biomarker) fingerprint technique.
Products:
* Designation of new hydrocarbon prospective horizons and/or areas as
additions to the petroleum map of Egypt.
* Enhancement of the exploration and development activities for the subsurface
reservoirs in Egypt.
* Compilation of outcrop data with subsurface data for the general model
for the petroleum systems of Egypt.
* Reduction of unnecessary expenses related to drilling and seismic processing
by relying on surface data where appropriate.
Project description:
The project combines the study of the lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy of the Jurassic/Cretaceous/Tertiary outcrops on both sides of the Gulf of Suez. The profiles have been selected to be the most complete and representative exposures of these economically important stratigraphic intervals.
A major part of this project is devoted to the sedimentological studies that include field observations, collection of representative samples, petrography including microscopic examination of thin-sections, SEM, grain size analysis for the clastic rocks and acid-insoluble residues for the carbonate rocks. Major and trace elements analysis and X-ray diffraction have also so been carried out.
Also provided are studies of the structural geology of the selected profiles, and geologic maps of the studied regions and several geologic cross-sections that infer the subsurface extension of the studied rock units and structures as well as elucidating the regional stress regime and the deformation history of such profiles.
Moreover, the hydrocarbon potentiality of the studied rock units is evaluated via comprehensive petrophysical analysis of the exposed reservoir rocks and geochemical investigations for the source rock outcrops.
Finally, crude oil samples from Egypt oil fields have been subjected
to complete geochemical characterization and correlation with each other
and to the different potential source rocks through detailed GC-MS fingerprints.
An essential part of the project involved comparison of these surface
profiles with detailed logs and cores of subsurface analogous formations
provided by the extensive drilling data.
Potential Application:
The project provides a better understanding of the petroleum system of
Egypt, which in turnshould enhance the exploration for Egypt crude oils.
The resultant integral study of the exposed reservoir and source rocks
of Egypt, and the correlation with their subsurface analogues, provides
a better insight into the following points:
* Better age determination and biozonation for these sediments.
* Comprehensive lateral correlation of the exposed sediments across Egypt
petroleum basins.
* Detailed identification of the major depositional settings of these
sediments including any large-scale reefs or buildups, which are difficult
to identify from the limited available cores or the small ditch cuttings
of the wells.
* Better understanding of the potentiality of the source rocks in the
outcropping Jurassic/Cretaceous/Tertiary sections and the origins of the
high organic contents of the source rocks of the Egypt petroleum basins.
* Lateral correlation of these source and reservoir rocks with their outcropped
analogues.
* Reservoir characterization of these rocks and the improved understanding
of the impact of the depositional setting as well as diagenesis on the
evolution and destruction of porosity in these sediments.
* The study can be further used for training on how to compile outcrop
data with subsurface data and build geological models.
* The study provides sufficient subsurface data for hydrocarbon reservoir
and source rocks evaluation. This will enhance reservoir development studies.
* The study will provide correlations between Egypt crude oils and their
source rocks. Adressing this could lead to grouping of such oils and constructing
hydrocarbon migration pathways.
* Many reservoir problems including reservoir bitumen, reservoir diagenesis
and reservoir continuity can be clarified via this integration of surface
and subsurface data.
* The problem of heterogeneity of the carbonate reservoirs (particularly
as a result of dolomitization) will be addressed through integration of
surface and subsurface data.
* The stratigraphic position of some reservoir and source horizons will
be accurately identified to facilitate their correlation with equivalents
in other adjacent countries.
Conclusion:
Stratigraphy: Identifies the stratigraphic rock units of the
study area and their lithofacies and biofacies.
Micropaleontology and Palynology: Investigates the age and the
paleoecology through characterization of the preserved fauna and flora.
Sedimentology: Determines facies characteristics, outlining depositional
models and determining the diagenetic history of the sedimentary rocks.
Structural Geology: Studies the structural elements that have
affected hydrocarbon entrapment
Hydrocarbon Potentiality Studies:
Evaluates the hydrocarbon potential of the exposed source rocks.
Characterizes potential reservoir rocks through:
Estimation of reservoir porosity, permeability and saturation prividing:
reservoir continuity, reservoir compartmentalization, and
reserve estimates.
Characterizes potential source rocks through: Source rock richness,
source rock quality, and source rock maturity
Models thermal maturity and oil migration pathways to plan and select
the prospective areas for exploration and development wells.
Geochemical characterization of Egypt crude oils.
Grouping Egypt crude oils into families and sub-families based on the
biomarker analysis and bulk features (e.g. API gravity, viscosity, gross
composition).
Correlates oil to source rock and oil to oil using the advanced fingerprint
technique (GC and GC/MS).
Modeling of petroleum systems using pre-designed software (e.g. PETROMODFE
or BASINMODE).
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