3D Geological Modeling for Characterizing the Bahariya Formation and Abu Roash G Dolomite Unit, Horus Field, North Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

The Horus field is considered one of the most important hydrocarbon producers within the Alamein basin, Western Desert of Egypt. This area was affected by different tectonic movements throughout geological history. The re-evaluation and characterization of the Horus area, especially its main reservoirs of Lower Bahariya, middle Bahariya, upper Bahariya, and AR/G Dolomite units, because of its low production of oil tend (only 1100 BBD). Despite this, the Alamein basin is large and very rich in hydrocarbon. This study depends on the interpretation of thirty 2D seismic lines in addition to open-hole logs in the form of Resistivity, SP, GR, Density, Neutron, and Sonic logs for the five studied wells in order to delineate the subsurface structure and reservoir petrophysical characteristics of the Horus field. The data is tried to the formation tops and seismic lines by using synthetic seismograms. The main surfaces were mapped to proceed with the further static modeling. The work flow of the 3D geological modeling in the Horus area for characterization of the Bahariya Formation and AR/G Dolomite Unit. The processes that were carried out during the construction of the geological structure in the study area respectively, fault modeling, pillar gridding, skeleton grid, horizon modeling, zonation, and layering, and then distributed the facies and petrophysical parameters (Vsh, Sw and Φe) in this model. The main objective of this study is to delineate the seismic phenomena for structural, petrophysical, and facies modelling of the Bahariya Formation (Lower, Middle, and Upper) and AR/G Dolomite unit. The depth structure contour map on top of the Bahariya formation and the AR/G Dolomite unit indicated that the Horus area affected by NW-SE and WNW-ESE faults related to the lower Cretaceous. The study discussed the possibility of new structural traps that benefit in increasing the production of the area. All the results were consistent and confirmed that the Bahariya Formation and AR/G Dolomite are excellent reservoirs. Integrating multidisciplinary methods of seismic interpretation, static modeling, property modeling and well log analysis to design 3D structural and property models, helped predict new exploratory promising areas and structural traps to increase in production and the reserves in the study area, also decreasing the uncertainty of hydrocarbon exploration.