Decoding of seismic data for complex stratigraphic traps revealing by seismic attributes analogy in Yidma/Alamein concession area Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Sandstone channels are one of the best stratigraphic traps for hydrocarbon accumulation, and their depositional and composition make them difficult to detect on ordinary seismic data, especially in structurally affected onshore areas like the Western Desert of Egypt. The Western Desert of Egypt has many hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs of various compositions like carbonates and sandstones with high production rates, and thus the Western Desert of Egypt is recognized as a hot spot for oil and gas exploration. One of the important reservoirs in the Lower Cretaceous “the Aptian sand” produced around 285 MBBLS cumulative oil of 22° API and still produces 102 BOPD. This reservoir has a channel-type depositional environment, and the dimensions of this channel could be resolved by good quality 3D seismic data in the moderately deep basins as the basins become deeper, the detection of the channel becomes increasingly challenging. This study aims to delineate the geometry of this reservoir and reveal the exposure from the Aptian sand channel in the Alamein area using the seismic attributes analogy on the re-processed 3D seismic data to determine the best drilling location for increasing the production from this reservoir. In this context, the relative acoustic impedance (RAI), iso-frequency components, and sweetness stratigraphic attribute analyses were conducted on the optimized seismic data and attested as important as they resolved the stratigraphic geological mystery in the structurally affected study area. These attribute analyses revealed the exposure from the distinctive meander channel of the Aptian sand for the first time in the study area nearby the producing Alamein field, where this channel was hard to be distinguished by the ordinary seismic interpretation methods and there is no drilled well penetrated the detected channel’s body. Upon the results, the conclusion and recommendation summaries to intensify the efforts to test the productivity of the detected channel to increase the production from this motivating reservoir by drilling a new well targeting the best structural locations of the channel body.

3D petroleum reservoir modelling using seismic and well‐log data to assess hydrocarbon potential in Abu Roash (G) Member, Karama Oil Field, North‐Western Desert, Egypt

“…Different authors used seismic and petrophysical data to study the reservoirs and improve their production, such as (Abu El‐Ata et al, 2023; Barakat et al, 2022; Barakat et al, 2021; Barakat et al, 2019; El‐Nikhely et al, 2022). Fundamental to seismic interpretation is the well‐to‐seismic tie method, which establishes a time‐dependent relationship between subsurface measurements collected at a wellbore and seismic data.…”

3D geological and petrophysical modeling of Alam El-Bueib Formation using well logs and seismic data in Matruh Field, northwestern Egypt

“…The converted structure depth maps and the structure-model intersections show that in the current study, both the anticline fold and faults play a crucial role in creating AEB Fm structural traps in the Matruh Basin. An analogous study on the Alamein Field by 62 came to the conclusion that structures in the studied area had a significant impact on the development of the reservoir rock's thickness and trap formation. The structure identification of the Alamein Field shows that the basin inversion associated with the rifting of the Alamein area caused the abrupt increase in thickness of the AEB Fm.…”

Estimating Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Content and Porosity of the Ranikot Formation in the Central Indus Basin, Pakistan, Using Seismic Inversion and Well Log Analysis

“…Combining the two datasets can give one a more accurate picture of the TOC content in a given geological formation. The initial dataset used in this study consisted of 3D seismic data that had been processed for the purpose of interpreting the subsurface structures [28]. Seismic interpretation is a valuable tool for identifying subsurface structures, fault types, and trends in the Mehar Block on the eastern side of the Kirthar Fold Belt.…”