Rift offsets, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Conference · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · AAPG Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5794154

Patton, T L; Nelson, R A

Structure and stratigraphic mapping in the northern half of the Gulf of Suez (GOS) documents two en echelon, rift-parallel (Clysmic trend) rift segments. The segments are right stepping and share a zone of overlap, which extends southward from the southern border of the Wadi Araba structure on the western shore of the gulf to the north end of the Abu Durba block on the east side of the gulf. The spatial relationship of the two segments defines the central GOS rift offset, and the structural depression linking the segments in the area of overlap forms a rift-offset zone. Another potential rift offset, though less well constrained, also with a north-south trend may be present south of Gebel Zeit. This rift and the central GOS rift offset provide a model for the opening of the GOS in which north-south rift-offset zones link Clysmic-trending rift segments, imparting a regional zig-zag pattern to the initial rift configuration. Recognition of offset zones and their associated fault fabrics is essential for effective exploration of rift basins. For example, the alignment of producing fields and elongation directions of individual fields in the central GOS offset are anomalous relative to those of other producing trends in the Gulf.

• Research Organization: Gulf of Suez Petroleum Co., Cairo (Egypt)
• OSTI ID: 5794154
• Report Number(s): CONF-880301-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 72:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
AFRICA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EGYPTIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GULF OF SUEZ
MINERAL RESOURCES
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RED SEA
RESOURCES
RIFT ZONES
SEAS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
STRATIGRAPHY
SURFACE WATERS