Subsurface Imaging of the Fatha Formation Utilizing 3D Seismic Data in Chia Surkh Area, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Abstract

The current study aims to detect subsurface geologic features using 3D dense sampling seismic data in the Fatha Formation, in the Chia Surkh area, Kurdistan Region,Iraq. A3D cube seismic data covering 75 Km2 were used to image the Fatha Formation subsurface geologic structures. The seismic data and appropriate information were gathered from Pet Oil Company with the permission of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Region, Iraq. A cube of seismic data was used to image the three units of the Fatha Formation. In this study, forty seismic sections with the direction of NE-SW and 30 crossline sections of NW-SE direction were used. The map shows the existence of several features such as a three-way dip closure elongated NW-SE and extended through the whole study area. The reflector three of the Fatha isochron map shows TWT ranging from 890 ms to 1720 ms. The depth map of Fatha unit 1 Formation, shows depth with seismic reference datum ranging from 838 m to 2334 m. The study concluded the existence of several structural features; a major anticline trending with Zagros belt trend, and three longitudinal systematic reverse faults on the southwest side of the anticline, leading to the possibility for which the area is considered as a prospective oil reservoir, might work as a good trap, an anticline, evaporites work as a seal and limestone rocks as a reservoir.