Print this pageSequence Stratigraphy and Reservoir Architecture of the Burgan and Mauddud Formations (Lower Cretaceous), Kuwait
Christian J. Strohmenger1, Penny E. Patterson2, Ghaida Al-Sahlan3, John C. Mitchell1,
Howard R. Feldman1, Timothy M. Demko4, Robert W. Wellner2, Patrick J. Lehmann1,
G. Glen McCrimmon5, Robert W. Broomhall1, and Neama Al-Ajmi3
1 ExxonMobil Exploration Company (EMEC), Houston, TX
2 ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company (URC), Houston, TX
3 Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), Ahmadi, Kuwait
4 University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN
5 Hibernia Management and Development Company, St. John's, NF
A new sequence-stratigraphic framework is proposed for the Burgan and Mauddud formations (Albian) of Kuwait, based on the integration of core, well-log, and biostratigraphic data, as well as seismic interpretation from giant oil fields of Kuwait.
The Lower Cretaceous Burgan and Mauddud formations together form two third-order composite sequences, the older of which constitutes the lowstand, transgressive, and highstand sequence sets of the Burgan Formation. This third-order composite sequence is subdivided into fifteen, high-frequency, depositional sequences, which are characterized by tidal-influenced, marginal-marine deposits in northeast Kuwait that grade into fluvial-dominated, continental deposits to the southwest. The second, younger third-order composite sequence consists of the lowstand sequence set of the uppermost Burgan Formation and the transgressive and highstand sequence sets of the overlying Mauddud Formation. This composite sequence is sand-prone and mud-prone in southern and southwestern Kuwait and is carbonate-prone in northern and northeastern Kuwait.
The Mauddud transgressive and highstand sequence sets are subdivided into eight, high-frequency, depositional sequences. The lower Mauddud transgressive sequence set displays a lateral change in lithology from limestone in northern Kuwait to siliciclastic deposits in southern and southwestern Kuwait. The traditional lithostratigraphic Burgan-Mauddud contact is time-transgressive. The upper Mauddud highstand sequence set is carbonate-prone and thins south- and southwestward due to depositional thinning. Significant post-depositional erosion occurs at the contact with the overlying Cenomanian Wara Shale.
The proposed sequence-stratigraphic framework and the incorporation of a depositional facies scheme tied to the sequence-stratigraphic architecture allow for an improved prediction of reservoir and seal facies distribution as well as reservoir quality away from well control.