Basin Analysis and Hydrocarbon Potentialities of the Darag-Lagia Basins, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

By

Adel Fawzy Douban¹, Ahmed M. Abu Khadra², Mohamed Darwish Salem², Mounier Hosney El Azabi²

(1) Sipetrol International SA, Cairo Branch, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt (2) Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

 Basin analysis evaluation of the Gulf of Suez rift basin and its reservoir quality, source rock distribution, geothermal gradient, maturation history and hydrocarbon potential are attempted. The investigation was attempted in order to show the reservoir lithology, distribution, quality and porosity; source rock distribution, organic richness, type and maturity; geothermal gradient maps, burial/maturation history models; sealing rock; timing of hydrocarbon generation, migration pathways and entrapment style. The present hydrocarbon occurrences in the northern part of the Gulf of Suez was reviewed with an assessment of the potential reserves and the hydrocarbon potentialities of the study area as well as the areas for future exploration activities.

The area subdivided according to the proposed hydrocarbon migration trends into two major clusters. The northern cluster includes, Darag and Nebwi basins generally dip southwesterly and the southern cluster includes, Lagia basin generally dips northeasterly. The proven recoverable reserves in; Sudr, Matarma, Asl and North Darag fields cumulatively are 0.119 BOEB, while the ultimate recoverable reserves in Darag and Nebwi basins are 1.204 BOEB, which is ten times the proven reserves. The ultimate recoverable reserves in Lagia basin are 1.479 BOEB. Structural or stratigraphic traps, which exists along the migration path should be expected full to the spill point and might be considered for future exploration. Five prospective areas have been identified over the northern Gulf of Suez area, which are: Area I - North Darag, Area II - South Darag, Area III - Nebwi, Area IV - Ras Lagia and Zaafarana and Area V - West Lagia.