Implementations core properties and Sedimentary facies on the reservoir quality of the Lower Cenomanian Upper Bahariya Member in East Abu El-Gharadig basin, Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

This study focuses on the sedimentary facies and petrophysical properties of the Lower Cenomanian Upper Bahariya member of the Bahariya Formation within the East Abu El-Gharadig Basin which belongs to the north Western Desert hydrocarbon province. The reservoir facies of interest in this study display a complex depositional setting, ranging from tidal flat “foreshore” to lower shoreface/shallow shelf systems. The goal is to understand these facies and establish correlations between cored and uncored intervals. The study utilizes a comprehensive workflow that combines geological data (electrical logs (Gamma-ray, resistivity, neutron, and density), core data analysis (Thin section (TS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)), and relevant previous studies) to create a detailed model of sedimentary facies cyclostratigraphy and petrophysical properties.A total of 25 core samples of Upper Bahariya member from two wells were analyzed, and the study considers the complexities caused by laminated sandstone bedding. The research is significant for reservoir characterization and hydrocarbon exploration in the region, as it improves our understanding of sedimentary facies and depositional environments. It identifies four 3rd order sedimentary cycles of Upper Bahariya member from base to top (BU1, BU2, BU3, and BU4) and subdivides the sandstone facies reservoirs into three groups, quartz arenite, quartz wacke, and laminated quartz wacke according to their reservoir qualities and porosity/permeability variations. These subdivisions were likely driven by the wide range of porosity due to the significant heterogeneity observed in the reservoir facies.Importantly, the study's petrophysical model is more accurate than solely relying on electrical logs. By integrating geological and petrophysical data, this research enhances reservoir characterization, which is vital for successful hydrocarbon exploration, development, and production efforts in the area.