The occurrence and origin of oil in offshore Abu Dhabi
Offshore Abu Dhabi, an area of some 30000 sq. kms. (11,600 sq. miles) is one of the richest oil-bearing areas in the world. The oil occurs primarily in the Upper Jurassic carbonates of the Arab Formation and in the limestones of the Lower Cretaceous Thamama Group. Minor oil accumulations occur in the Middle Cretaceous Mishrif Formation and oil and gas/condensate in the Middle Jurassic Araej Formation. Geographically, the occurrence of oil in the Arab and Thamama appears to be controlled by the Hith Formation seal, immediately overlying the Arab Formation and the featheredge of which runs N-S in the centre of the area. Thus, oil in the Arab Formation occurs only in western offshore Abu Dhabi where the Hith is present, whilst the most important Thamama oil accumulations either straddle the Hith Edge or occur to east of it. There are however, Thamama oil fields to the west of the Hith edge. Two primary source rocks have been identified: the Upper Jurassic Diyab Formation consisting of argillaceous limestone occurring in source facies in western offshore Abu Dhabi and considered to have sourced both the Arab and the Thamama oils and probably also the hydrocarbons of the Araej, and the Middle Cretaceous Shilaif Formation which sourced the oil in the Mishrif.
- Research Organization:
- Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Co
- OSTI ID:
- 5163963
- Journal Information:
- Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE13696; ISSN SEAPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
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03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ASIA
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
GAS CONDENSATE FIELDS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
HYDROCARBONS
JURASSIC PERIOD
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
OFFSHORE SITES
OIL FIELDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORIGIN
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
SOURCE ROCKS
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES