Seismic delineation and well logging evaluation for albian Kharita Formation, South West Qarun (SWQ) field, Gindi Basin, Egypt

Abstract

The present work focuses on the integration between seismic and well log interpretations for evaluating the sandstone of Albian Kharita Formation in the southwest Qarun Field, Gindi Basin, Western Desert, Egypt. The applied methods in the present work include; seismic interpretation for the Kharita Formation and mapping its corresponding seismic horizon over the study area. This step has been followed by qualitative and quantitative well logging data interpretations for the entire sandstone of the Kharita Formation within South West Qarun Field. The time structure map on top of the Kharita Formation in the study area within the Gindi Basin has revealed NE-SW trending anticline plunge toward the NE. This anticline bounded and intersected by two NE-SW reverse faults. This compressional feature was formed during the Late Cretaceous tectonic inversion which resulted as a response to the NW movement of the African Plate relative to Laurasia Plate. The interpreted anticline probably creates a structural closure for hydrocarbon accumulation in the study area. Through qualitative and quantitative interpretation of the well log data, the sandstones of the Kharita Formation in the southwest Qarun Field display good reservoir characteristics with high potential for oil production in its uppermost part (zone I) with net pay thickness equals 36 ft. This reservoir possesses shale volume lower than 11%, low water saturation values varies between 18 and 46%, effective porosity ranges between 10 and 14%, low Bulk Volume of Water (BVW) < 0.05, irreducible water saturation varies between 16 and 22%, and permeability varies between 6 and 56 MD. Since the water saturation values in the zone I are below the critical water saturation (Scw = 47%), it is expected that the whole zone will transmit hydrocarbon at valuable rate.