Evolution of Miocene footwall-derived coarse-grained deltas, Gulf of Suez, Egypt: Implications for exploration

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)

OSTI ID:6558750

Gawthorpe, R L ^[1]; Hurst, J M; Sladen, C P ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Manchester (England)
2. BP Exploration, London (England)

The Miocene Abu Alaqa Group, exposed on the eastern side of the Gulf of Suez, contains a series of coarse-grained delta deposits located in the hanging wall of the northwest-trending East Margin fault zone. Seven major fan sequences have been identified. The first three fan sequences are aggradational and cover an area of less than 2 km{sup 2}. The sequences are dominated by pebble/boulder conglomerates, with predominantly sigmoidal, high-angle clinoforms (between 15 and 25{degree}) as much as 150 m high. These fan sequences represent talus cones and fan deltas, which were probably deposited during activity on the fault zone and are situated at transfer segments. The other four fan sequences are predominantly progradational, consisting of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic braid deltas with local reefs. They are less than 30 m high, have low-angle clinoforms (< 15{degree}), and cover an area as large as 30 km{sup 2}. These fan sequences were deposited during a phase of tectonic quiescence when sedimentary and eustatic mechanisms determined sand-body geometry. These fan deltas and braid deltas may form hydrocarbon traps in the subsurface and create localized reservoirs. The rapid facies change into basinal fines creates an excellent lateral stratigraphic seal, but vertical and lateral seals across the fault zone generally are not well developed. 8 figs.

• OSTI ID: 6558750
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Vol. 74:7; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
58 GEOSCIENCES
EGYPTIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
GULF OF SUEZ
EXPLORATION
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
TECTONICS
TERTIARY PERIOD
AFRICA
CENOZOIC ERA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MINERAL RESOURCES
RED SEA
RESOURCES
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
&amp; Exploration
580000 - Geosciences