Abstract
Masjed-i-Soleiman (MIS) is situated in the northern part of the Dezful embayment, which is in the Zagros fold–thrust belt with high seismic activities. MIS faces a shallow buried anticline, formed by the shallowest oilfield with a thick gas cap. The cap rocks of this oilfield are highly fractured, which has resulted in leakages from the gas cap. In this paper, we have used remote sensing techniques and image interpretation for the identification of the Niayesh, Lahbari, Andika and MIS fault zones in the studied area. Further, the study exploited seismic potential mapping using the remote sensing techniques. The relationships between the structural controls and localized gas leakage are assessed within the GIS environment. Additionally, field observation data corroborated that the leakages (and seepages) are smashed within the intersection of Niayesh and MIS fault zone, which belongs to the high fractured hinge zone of the MIS anticline. As a result, the reactivation of these active faults may cause large earthquakes with a maximum magnitude of between 6.23 < Ms < 7.05 (Richter scale) and maximum horizontal acceleration 0.26 < a < 0.55 g. Finally, the authors concluded that this anticipated earthquake may cause large scale fracturing of cap rocks, releasing a large volume of H2S gas from the uppermost layer of the reservoir.
Highlights
The Zagros Orogenic Belt of Iran is one of the most prolific petroliferous areas, approximating 12%of the proven global oil reserves
The following steps have been attempted in this research: (a) image processing and field investigations for distinguishing outcropped lithology and extracting structural features such as. faults and lineaments, (b) investigation of Recent Fault activities by seismotectonics assessment, (c) digitizing of underground contour map (UGC) and preparation of 3D-Sketch showing the relationship between the subsurface and surface structures
This research paper discusses the oilfield and gas leakages that have occurred during the last decades due to the tectonics and seismic activities
Summary
The Zagros Orogenic Belt of Iran is one of the most prolific petroliferous areas, approximating 12%of the proven global oil reserves. In the folded belt of the Zagros Mountains, a sequence of Precambrian to Pliocene shelf sediments is deposited with a thickness of 12 km This has undergone folding from the Miocene to more recent times [2]. Most of these sections (6,000–7,000 m), which form the Cambrian to Miocene rocks, represent a single structural lithological unit popularly known as the Competent group [2]. It is bounded by the detachment zones (above) and evaporite deposits (below)
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