Abstract: Petroleum Systems in the Northern Gulf of Suez, Egypt

SHAHIN, AHMED NABIL

Three petroleum systems were recognized in the northern part of the Gulf of Suez. The Khatatba-Nukhul (!) petroleum system covers about 700 km², with recoverable reserves of 0.112 BBO, proven in the fields of Sudr, Matarma, and Asl and the North Darag-1 discovery, cumulatively. The system can be classified "known (!)" since carbon isotope and molecular biomarker data indicate that Mid Jurassic Khatatba Formation (Fm) forms the main source. Thermal maturation history suggests that oil was generated some 20 to 10 million years before present (mybp). The principal oil-reservoir rock is the lower Miocene Nukhul Fm. The traps are combination fault-controlled stratigraphic traps. The essential elements of the system (source, reservoir, seal, and overburden rocks) were deposited and the critical processes (generation, migration, trap formation, and accumulation) extended in time from Mid Jurassic (170 ma) to present. Based on mass balance, about 1.2 BBO might be recoverable; about ten times the proven reserves.

The Matulla-Nubia (!) petroleum system occupies an area of 1700 km² to the south from the Khatatba-Nukhul system. The system encompasses the fields of October, Ras Badran, Abu Rudeis, Sidri, and Fieran. The principal source is the lower Senonian Matulla Fm.

A third system, Matulla-Rudeis (.), exists northwest of the Matulla-Nubia (!) system, where Lagia basin charged Warda Field (100 million barrels recoverable), and the EE, FF, GG, and HH discoveries. Both Matulla-Nubia (!) and Matulla-Rudeis (.) systems contain recoverable reserves of 1.565 BBO, mostly hosted by October Field. The mass balance resulted in 8.4 BBO recoverable reserves, about seven times the proven reserves.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90942©1997 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria