Structural Controls on Hydrocarbon Prospectively of the Carbonate Build Up Reservoir: A Case Study Ras Fanar Oil Field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Abdelhak, Khalaf A.¹; Souror, Nasser A.¹; Saleh, Wegdan A.¹
(1) Suez Oil Company, Cairo, Egypt.

The Middle Miocene carbonate build up (Nullipore) represents the main producing reservoir in Ras Gharib, Shoab Gharib and Ras Fanar Oil Fields of Gulf of Suez rift basin.

The regional structural framwork and set up of this carbonate platform within the three fields was initially established using a vintage 2D dataset. The present work presents a refined model based on 3D seismic interpretation and field work from three diemensionally exposed Miocene synrift platform along the uplifted margins of the Gulf of Suez rift.

According to the resultant model, structural shaping of the concerning rotated rift block and its carbonate platform was initially formulated due to the two major NNW-trending faults of SW-dipping (Gharib and Araba Rift Coastal Faults) during the Oligocene time. In early phase of the half graben development; East Gharib Fault of southwest reversal dip polarity was active as a counter fault producing a horst block. This was indicated by the symmetry of synrift sediments (Gharandal Group) within west Belayim basin. Continuous basinal subsidence was associated with differential uplifting and erosion of the horst block. At Baleyim time (Middle Miocene), linkage of different faults segments decorated the top surface of nullipore which controlled the lateral and vertical facies variation within the carbonate builds up. A distinct ENE-trending transfer zone was distinghuished within the cental part of Ras Fanar Field. This was reflected by offsetting and displacement decreasing of the master NNW-trending faults and preservation of different Nullipore reservoir units. According to this model more prospects can be added within the carbonate platform further north of the present production activity.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90135©2011 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Milan, Italy, 23-26 October 2011.