A new vision for hydrocarbon trapping of Alam El-Bueib Formation in Aman oil field using Fault seal analysis technique, northern Western Desert, Egypt.

Abstract

This study aims to overcome the problem of unexpected hydrocarbon non-potentiality detected in Alam El-Bueib (AEB) member in Aman field. To achieve this objective, the structural framework and petrophysical analysis of the studied interval is carried out using seismic and well log data, respectively, then using the fault-seal analysis technique to assess the availability of the main fault dissecting AEB Formation to trap hydrocarbons. Structure depth contour maps and 3D structural model are constructed for illustrating the main structural features to assign and evaluate the most promising locations of closures favorable for hydrocarbon trapping. AEB III-E shows a general dipping to the northwest and south, constituting a horst fault-block dipping to the northwest. These structural settings are mostly three-way dipping and occasionally four-way dipping closures and accomplish the conditions for trapping of hydrocarbons. AEB III-E sandstone shows a porosity of 14 % to 16 % and water saturation near to 100 %, as reported by JASMIN-1X (J-1X) well. Fault seal analysis revealed that the main fault dissecting AEB Formation near J-1X well represents a leakage zone for hydrocarbon movability and its un-trapping in the location around the well. Finally, due to the good quality of AEB Formation in the study area ant its surroundings, a prospects prediction routine is carried out to search for other prospects. Two prospects are predicted which may be more favorable for hydrocarbon trapping.