Seismic Data Interpretation of the Upper Cretaceous Succession in the Karama SW Oil Field, Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

The northern part of the Western Desert seems to have passed through different phases of deformations in the late Cretaceous, post-middle Eocene and middle Miocene and the subsurface data indicated an early Mesozoic phase of normal faulting resulting of the tectonic evolution of the northern Western Desert where several hydrocarbon fields has been. Geophysical information in the form of seismic and well logging data are used to understand the structural elements, tectonic setting and stratigraphy of the upper Cretaceous rock units (Bahariya and Abu Roash Formations) in the Karama SW oil field, northern part of the Western Desert. The interpretation of the available seismic data led to the identification of the reflectors under investigation as well as to map and determine the structural elements on the tops of the evaluated lithostratigraphic units. 3D Seismic lines were used to construct four depth structure contour maps on the top of Abu Roash "C", Abu Roash "E", Abu Roash "G" and Upper Bahariya Formations reflecting the occurrence of major normal faults in various directions (mainly NW-SE) forming four way structural traps in shallow reservoirs in down thrown side from major fault and also there way dip closure.