Radiogenic heat production in Rudeis Formation, Lower Miocene, Belayim marine oil field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Abstract

This study describes radiogenic heat production (RHP) estimated from two sets of well logging data recorded in Rudeis Formation, Belayim marine oil field. Subsurface total count gamma-ray (GR) data were recorded in nine wells, seven of which possessed spectrometric data (eU, eTh, and K). The data show that RHP estimated from GR logs (ABR) varies from 0.13 to 1.73 µW/m3, with an average of 0.7 µW/m3 and a standard deviation of 0.26 µW/m3. In addition, 72.9% of RHP values fall within the range of 0.6–1.0 µW/m3. RHP estimated from the concentrations of radioactive elements (AR) vary from 0.13 to 2.1 µW/m3, with an average 0.71 µW/m3 and a standard deviation of 0.38 µW/m3. 50% of these RHP values fall within the range of 0.6–1.0 µW/m3. Cross-correlation of ABR and AR calculations yielded a moderate fit of 0.75. The three-dimensional (3D)-slicing of the reservoir shows that the northern and north-western parts of the study area have higher RHP compared to other parts. The estimated RHP can produce enough heat which has an effect on the hydrocarbon potential in Rudeis Formation.