Cenomanian/Turonian oceanic anoxic event 2 in October oil field, central Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Abstract

Gulf of Suez is one of the world most prolific Cretaceous and Miocene oil provinces in Egypt. In this basin the Late Cenomanian/Early Turonian organic rich limestone and shale sediments are referred to oceanic anoxic event 2 (OAE2). Two oil-cored wells (GS 197-2 and OCT-A8) have encountered the Late Cenomanian/Early Turonian Abu Qada Formation in October Field, central part of Gulf of Suez. The aim of this work is to pick the global Cenomanian/Turonian anoxic boundary in the subsurface sediments within the Gulf of Suez basin. Consequently, the core samples of the studied wells have been investigated in order to recognize the lithofacies, biostratigraphy, geochemistry and isotope content of upper Raha, Abu Qada and lower Wata formations. The microfacies association of anoxic middle to outer shelf marine were recognized. In addition, remarkable turnover and significant change in biostratigraphy and ichnological diversity and abundance were confirmed the abrupt change in oxidation and nutrition the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary. The recorded positive δ13C excursion (1.8‰) matched with maximum TOC value encountered to mark OAE2 as well as source rock maturity and potentiality of Abu Qada Formation. The neighboring exposed section of Abu Qada Formation in Gabal Nezzazat show similar isotopic and biostratigraphic characteristics that recorded in the studied wells. This work define the Cenomanian-Turonian OAE2 as material based chronostratigraphic surface boundary in Nezzazat Group from surface to subsurface integrated data to improve sequence stratigraphic interpretation of the heterogeneous Upper Cretaceous shallow marine reservoirs in Gulf of Suez.