The Nature of Pre-Miocene and Miocene Sediments in the Offshore Northern Part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Abstract

The present study deals with subsurface geology pre-Miocene and Miocene rock units penetrated in the extremely northern offshore Gulf of Suez area. Throughout the pre-Miocene and Miocene, changes in the tectonic pattern, depositional environment, and sediment types indicate different magnitudes and tectonic instability. Based on the available seven dry subsurface composite well logs (GS 9-1, Darag 17-1, GS 24-1, X 80-1, GS 56-1, Fina Z 80-1A, and GS78-1 wells) besides dipmeter logs, 39 stratigraphic maps (isopach and facies maps) are constructed to show thickness variations, facies changes, and paleogeology of Jurassic (Massajid Formation), Lower Cretaceous (Nubia Formation), Upper Cretaceous (Raha, Abu Qada, Wata, Matulla, and Sudr formations), Lower Miocene (Nukhul, Rudeis, and Kareem formations), and Middle Miocene (Belayim, South Gharib, and Zeit formations) times. Moreover, two cross sections are constructed to show thickness and lateral variations in facies changes and tectonics affecting the area at that time. Despite this, the study area has suitable conditions for hydrocarbon generation and accumulation, the seven wells drilled in the study area are considered to be dry or nonproductive. They are considered to be dry or not productive due to tilting of strata to the SW direction, absence of cap rocks (evaporites and salts) and shale in most parts of the study area (especially in the extremely northern parts), and affecting the area by a large numbers of normal faults due to active and continuous tectonic events on the Gulf of Suez area. These reasons may be aided to the migration of hydrocarbons from the area to outside and to the adjacent oil fields.