Biogenic and Thermogenic Hydrocarbon Potential of the South Levant Basin and Eastern Nile Delta, Offshore Egypt

Abstract

Summary Edison E&P and Beicip-Franlab carried out a petroleum system analysis honoring recent 3D seismic interpretation and regional knowledge in a large area around the Edison's operated license North Thekah Offshore (NTO), Egypt. The objective was to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential and the petroleum system efficiency of the area for derisking Plays and Prospects, through a 3D basin modeling approach accounting for biogenic and thermogenic hydrocarbons generation and charge. The methodology comprises a macroscopic modeling of microbial gas generation within a compositional kinetic scheme accounting for biogenic and thermogenic HC generation in function of thermal stress. Crustal heat-flow evolution with synchronous burial history and pore pressure regimes were simulated through geological time in order to identify favorable conditions for biogenic gas generation and preservation (heating rates ~7 to 18 °C/Ma). Simulated thermal and pressure variations during Messinian crisis had a significant impact on source rock expulsion timing and HC fluid migration and charge. HC expulsion and migration modeling evidences three (3) main Plays charged by local sources: 1) Lower/Late Oligocene biogenic to thermogenic source, charging Lower Miocene-Late Oligocene reservoirs and Cretaceous shallow water carbonates (locally liquid-rich thermogenic condensates), 2) Middle/Upper Miocene biogenic gas source, charging Middle/Upper Miocene reservoirs, 3) Pliocene biogenic gas source charging Plio-Pleistocene reservoirs.