Geophysical studies around abu gharadig basin, North Western desert, Egypt

Abstract

The current study aims to determine the basement configuration and basement-related structural elements of the Abu Gharadig basin.: We delineated subsurface features that affect the configuration of reservoirs in the study area using an integrated interpretation of potential field and seismic reflection data. The study area lies in the North-Western Desert of Egypt to the east of the Qattara Depression, between latitudes 29° 00’ and 30° 00’ N and longitudes 28° 00’ and 30° 00’ E. Gravity data interpretation delineates shallow features, with NNE-SSW as the major trend and NW-SE as the minor trend. Given that the Euler structural index is approximately zero, these trends probably represent major faults with steep dips and large throws, which juxtapose considerable thicknesses of rocks with contrasting magnetization. On the other hand, the most common tectonic trends prevailing in the deeper levels are the NEN-SWS and NW-SE as the major trends and ENE-WSW as a minor trend. At the same time, the dominant tectonic trend from the Euler solution is NNW-SSE as a major trend and NNE -SSW and WNW-ESE as minor trends. The interpretation of magnetic data indicates the study area dissect by different trends where the trends of shallow features are NNW-SSE as a major trend and E-W as a minor trend. On the other hand, the most common tectonic trends prevailing in the deeper levels are the NNE-SSW and WNW-ESE as major trends and E-W, ENE-WSW, NEN-SWS, and NWN-SES as minor trends. At the same time, the dominant tectonic trend from the Euler solution is N-S as a major trend and NW-SE and NE-SW as minor trends. In the study area, the depth to the top of the basement rocks ranges from 1731.7 m to more than 4736.6 m. Main faults only affect the Lower and Upper Cretaceous sequences, according to seismic interpretation, and appear to be in two trends, the NW-SE and NWN-SES. These structural trends affect the configuration of oil reservoirs in the study area. The study area contains valuable reservoirs according to boreholes drilled in the stud area.