Stratigraphic framework, sedimentology and structural setting of Miocene-Pliocene sediments of the Abu Qir area, offshore Nile delta

Conference · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · AAPG Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5840059

Ince, D M; Deibis, S; McSherry, A; Seymour, W P

The offshore Nile delta contains significant gas resources which are currently undergoing both production and appraisal in the Abu Qir field and adjacent areas. The principal reservoir occurs in sandstones of the upper Abu Madi Member (upper Miocene), but excellent potential reservoirs exist in the lower Abu Madi Member (upper Miocene), Sidi Salem (middle-upper Miocene), and Moghra (middle Miocene) Formations. Gas is trapped in fault-bounded anticlinal structures sealed by shales of the Pliocene Kafr el Sheikh Formation. Early wells in the Abu Qir field revealed an apparently simple stratigraphic picture. More recently, however, drilled wells have revealed a more complex stratigraphic situation. Integrated biostratigraphic and sedimentologic studies demonstrate the existence of a fault block or horst structure beneath part of the field, giving rise to the observed stratigraphic complexity. Such a structure was not visible on seismic data due to inhibited reflection quality beneath the overlying Messinian anhydrite but has since been demonstrated by reprocessing and reinterpreting seismic data. The presence of a structural style of this type provides a new concept for hydrocarbon exploration in the area. Reservoir sandstones of the Abu Madi, Sidi Salem, and Moghra Formations are interpreted as sediment gravity flow deposits whose distribution is strongly influenced by syndepositional tectonics. This interpretation, supported by microfossil assemblages, provides important constraints for both reservoir modeling and further exploration.

• Research Organization: Robertson Research International, Llandudno (England)
• OSTI ID: 5840059
• Report Number(s): CONF-8809346-
• Journal Information: AAPG Bull.; (United States), Vol. 72:8; Conference: Mediterranean Basins conference and exhibition, Nice, France, 25-28 Sep 1988
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
EGYPTIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
EXPLORATION
ANTICLINES
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
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OFFSHORE SITES
RESERVOIR ROCK
SOURCE ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY
TERTIARY PERIOD
AFRICA
CENOZOIC ERA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC AGES
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020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration