Western Desert Of Egypt Research Articles

Organic geochemical signals of Paleozoic rocks in the southern Tethys, Siwa basin, Egypt: Implications for source rock characterization and petroleum system

Paleozoic sedimentary succession research is valuable for better understanding the global petroleum province and future hydrocarbon reserves. Paleozoic rocks are the prime source of the enormous hydrocarbon fields in North Africa. Despite the Western Desert of Egypt being part of the North African Platforms and having similar depositional, tectonic, and diagenetic constraints, the hydrocarbon system for Paleozoic rocks in the Siwa Basin is indeed not characterized. Forty-five Paleozoic samples were collected from the Siwa Basin to evaluate the source rock characteristics using Rock-Eval pyrolysis, vitrinite reflectance, stable carbon isotopes, biomarkers, headspace gas, and palynofacies analyses. Additionally, the burial and thermal histories of these rocks were investigated by 1D basin modeling. The Paleozoic succession is represented by the Silurian (Basur Formation), Devonian (Zeitoun and Desouqy formations), and Carboniferous (Dhiffah Formation). The routine bulk geochemical analysis of the studied samples indicates poor to good source rock potential. The studied samples contain mostly kerogen type III with some kerogen type II, whereas the Carboniferous samples contain mostly kerogen type IV. The organic matter of the Devonian samples is suggested to have originated from marine and terrigenous sources, with a dominant upward terrigenous source. The lower part of the Devonian is deposited in more reduced marine conditions than the upper part. The organic matter is found to be mature, as indicated by Rr%, Tmax, and biomarker data. The composition of collected headspace gases in Paleozoic rocks suggests their thermogenic origin. Moreover, the similarity of the molecular composition between Paleozoic source rocks and crude oil in reservoir rocks supports the same hydrocarbon sources. Accordingly, the petroleum system in the Siwa Basin is based on active Paleozoic source rocks that charge and accumulate hydrocarbons in the sand reservoirs of the Desouqy Formation. The Paleozoic section entered the oil window in the Early Cretaceous (∼101 myr) based on its burial history. Thus, this study gives improved insights into the petroleum system in the Siwa Basin. Additionally, the Siwa Basin's lesser thickness and burial depth in comparison to other North African basins most likely contributed to its poor petroleum potential.

Application of Geoelectric Technique in Groundwater Protection of Quaternary Aquifer in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt

Qualitative and quantitative interpretations of the accessible geoelectrical resistivity data were conducted in the area located to the west of Nile Delta on both sides of the Cairo-Alexandria desert road, between latitudes 30.190816° and 30.745892° N and longitudes 29.797607° and 30.702070° E, in the northern Western Desert of Egypt. The study area is covered by thick sedimentary exposures ranging from the Miocene to the Quaternary period. Geological factors such as lithology and geological structures significantly influence the groundwater in the study area. The Quaternary, Pliocene, and Miocene eras make up the majority of strata in the study region that require water.
 The study conducted twenty-three vertical electrical resistivity soundings using the Schlumberger array to define the shallow subsurface geological inferences and investigate the possibilities of finding underground water accumulations and its contamination with clay lenses. The examination of the obtained electric resistivity values revealed the segmentation of the examined section into five geoelectrical units with lateral variations in thicknesses, lithologies, and features. The five geoelectrical units had different compositions, with the first surface unit consisting of silt clay and relatively high resistivity sands and gravels that have been altered laterally. After the surface unit, resistivity ranges from relatively modest to high. Intercalation of sand and clay occurs in the second unit, followed by lenses of relatively medium-resistance coarse sand and clay in the third and fourth units, possibly forming an aquifer, and finally relatively low-resistance sand and clay in the fifth unit.
 Due to the haphazard drilling of hundreds of water wells, significant hydrogeological and environmental issues, such as soil salinization, water head decline, and groundwater salinity deterioration, have occurred. These issues have attracted significant expenditures in the field of land reclamation, both on small and large-scale projects. The study area is divided into five main geoelectrical layers observed along this cross area, as follows:
 The first surface geoelectrical layer (layer A) is characterized by relatively high resistivity ranging from 8.21 to 595.3 Ohm.m. The thickness of this layer varies from 2.1 to 8.86 m. This layer represents the dry surface cover of the area and consists of gravel, sand, and silt clay.
 The second geoelectrical layer (layer B) represents the dry layer lying above the water-bearing formation. It generally consists of sand and clay intercalation. The resistivity of this layer varies from 3.49 to 91.18 Ohm.m, and the thickness of this layer ranges from 17.13 to 38.3 m.
 The third geoelectrical layer (layer C1) is the water-bearing formation that generally consists of coarse sand and clay. The resistivity of this layer varies from 4.41 to 37.5 Ohm.m, and the thickness ranges from 10.38 to 54 m.
 The fourth geoelectric layer (layer C2) represents the lower part of the water-bearing formation. It consists of clayey sand and clay. The resistivity of this layer varies from 1.83 to 30.1 Ohm.m, and the thickness ranges from 17.78 to 31.35 m.
 The last geoelectric layer (layer D) represents the lower layer of investigation, consisting mainly of clay. The resistivity of this layer is generally low, varying within a narrow range of 26.7-39.8 Ohm.m.
 Finally the current study highlights the necessity of conducting in-depth geomorphological assessment studies before developing new reclamation projects, in addition to soil and water assessment.

3D Geological Modeling for Characterizing the Bahariya Formation and Abu Roash G Dolomite Unit, Horus Field, North Western Desert, Egypt

The Horus field is considered one of the most important hydrocarbon producers within the Alamein basin, Western Desert of Egypt. This area was affected by different tectonic movements throughout geological history. The re-evaluation and characterization of the Horus area, especially its main reservoirs of Lower Bahariya, middle Bahariya, upper Bahariya, and AR/G Dolomite units, because of its low production of oil tend (only 1100 BBD). Despite this, the Alamein basin is large and very rich in hydrocarbon. This study depends on the interpretation of thirty 2D seismic lines in addition to open-hole logs in the form of Resistivity, SP, GR, Density, Neutron, and Sonic logs for the five studied wells in order to delineate the subsurface structure and reservoir petrophysical characteristics of the Horus field. The data is tried to the formation tops and seismic lines by using synthetic seismograms. The main surfaces were mapped to proceed with the further static modeling. The work flow of the 3D geological modeling in the Horus area for characterization of the Bahariya Formation and AR/G Dolomite Unit. The processes that were carried out during the construction of the geological structure in the study area respectively, fault modeling, pillar gridding, skeleton grid, horizon modeling, zonation, and layering, and then distributed the facies and petrophysical parameters (Vsh, Sw and Φe) in this model. The main objective of this study is to delineate the seismic phenomena for structural, petrophysical, and facies modelling of the Bahariya Formation (Lower, Middle, and Upper) and AR/G Dolomite unit. The depth structure contour map on top of the Bahariya formation and the AR/G Dolomite unit indicated that the Horus area affected by NW-SE and WNW-ESE faults related to the lower Cretaceous. The study discussed the possibility of new structural traps that benefit in increasing the production of the area. All the results were consistent and confirmed that the Bahariya Formation and AR/G Dolomite are excellent reservoirs. Integrating multidisciplinary methods of seismic interpretation, static modeling, property modeling and well log analysis to design 3D structural and property models, helped predict new exploratory promising areas and structural traps to increase in production and the reserves in the study area, also decreasing the uncertainty of hydrocarbon exploration.

Soil Salinity Assessing and Mapping Using Several Statistical and Distribution Techniques in Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems, Egypt

Oasis lands in Egypt are commonly described as salty soils; therefore, waterlogging and higher soil salinity are major obstacles to sustainable agricultural development. This study aims to map and assess soil salinization at El-Farafra Oasis in the Egypt Western Desert based on salinity indices, Imaging Spectroscopy (IS), and statistical techniques. The regression model was developed to test the relationship between the electrical conductivity (ECe) of 70 surface soil samples and seven salinity indices (SI 1, SI 2, SI 5, SI 6, SI 7, SI 8, and SI 9) to produce soil salinity maps depending on Landsat-8 (OLI) images. The investigations of soil salinization and salinity indices were validated in a studied area based on 30 soil samples; the obtained results represented that all salinity indices have shown satisfactory correlations between ECe values for each soil sample site and salinity indices, except for the SI 5 index that present non-significant correlations with R2 value of 0.2688. The SI 8 index shows a higher negative significant correlation with ECe and an R2 value of 0.6356. There is a significant positive correlation at the (p < 0.01) level between SI 9 and ECe (r = 0.514), a non-significant correlation at the (p < 0.05) level between soil ECe and SI 1 index (r = 0.495), and the best-verified salinity index was for SI 7 that has a low estimated RMSE error of 8.58. Finally, the highest standard error (R2) was represented as ECe (dS m−1) with an R2 of 0.881, and the lowest one was SI 9 with an R2 of 0.428, according to Tukey’s test analysis. Therefore, observing and investigating soil salinity are essential requirements for appropriate natural resource management plans in the future.

Evaluation and Prediction of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation Using an Integrated Water Quality Indices, Machine Learning Models and GIS Approaches: A Representative Case Study

Agriculture has significantly aided in meeting the food needs of growing population. In addition, it has boosted economic development in irrigated regions. In this study, an assessment of the groundwater (GW) quality for agricultural land was carried out in El Kharga Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt. Several irrigation water quality indices (IWQIs) and geographic information systems (GIS) were used for the modeling development. Two machine learning (ML) models (i.e., adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and support vector machine (SVM)) were developed for the prediction of eight IWQIs, including the irrigation water quality index (IWQI), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), potential salinity (PS), residual sodium carbonate index (RSC), and Kelley index (KI). The physicochemical parameters included T°, pH, EC, TDS, K+, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−, CO32−, and NO3−, and they were measured in 140 GW wells. The hydrochemical facies of the GW resources were of Ca-Mg-SO4, mixed Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4, Na-Cl, Ca-Mg-HCO3, and mixed Na-Ca-HCO3 types, which revealed silicate weathering, dissolution of gypsum/calcite/dolomite/ halite, rock–water interactions, and reverse ion exchange processes. The IWQI, SAR, KI, and PS showed that the majority of the GW samples were categorized for irrigation purposes into no restriction (67.85%), excellent (100%), good (57.85%), and excellent to good (65.71%), respectively. Moreover, the majority of the selected samples were categorized as excellent to good and safe for irrigation according to the SSP and RSC. The performance of the simulation models was evaluated based on several prediction skills criteria, which revealed that the ANFIS model and SVM model were capable of simulating the IWQIs with reasonable accuracy for both training “determination coefficient (R2)” (R2 = 0.99 and 0.97) and testing (R2 = 0.97 and 0.76). The presented models’ promising accuracy illustrates their potential for use in IWQI prediction. The findings indicate the potential for ML methods of geographically dispersed hydrogeochemical data, such as ANFIS and SVM, to be used for assessing the GW quality for irrigation. The proposed methodological approach offers a useful tool for identifying the crucial hydrogeochemical components for GW evolution assessment and mitigation measures related to GW management in arid and semi-arid environments.

Assessment of the geosites and geodiversity in the prospective geopark in Siwa in the Western Desert of Egypt

Egypt is one of the oldest nations in the world and one of the “cradles of civilizations.” A variety of 30 heritages within the geodiversity show a great link between intangible and tangible heritages. The Siwa Oasis in Egypt's western desert is a good example to see this relationship which helps to promote geotourism and other initiatives to increase geo-awareness of the region's significance. The Siwa Oasis has rich geodiversity with over 150 remarkable geosites and has great potential in developing into a geopark. 15 representative geosites in this aspiring geopark have been evaluated based on the criteria put forth by Brilha in 2016 and the geosites assessment methodology (GAM) proposed by Vujicic et al. in 2011. The objective of this paper is to analyze and assess these 15 geosites in a comparative analysis for a better understanding of their potential and uniqueness. It also proposes an integrated methodology to highlight the importance of geodiversity, geoconservation, and geotourism when assessing geosites.

Automated Settings of Overcurrent Relays Considering Transformer Phase Shift and Distributed Generators Using Gorilla Troops Optimizer

The relative protective devices are cascaded in a proper sequence with a proper min/max coordination time margin (CTM) to minimize the outage area of the network in case of fault condition. This manuscript addresses a new methodology based on the gorilla troops optimizer (GTO) to produce the best automated settings for overcurrent relays. In the GTO, the exploration and exploitation phases are realized using five methodologies. Three of them are used in the exploration phase and the other two in the exploitation phase. In the exploration phase, all gorillas are considered as candidate solutions and the best one is considered as the silverback gorilla. Then again, the exploitation phase comprises two steps: (i) the first one is the follow of silverback gorilla, and (ii) the second one is the competition for adult females. The latter mentioned offers an added advantage to the GTO framework to move forward steadily to global minima and to avoid trapping into local minima. Two test cases under numerous scenarios are demonstrated comprising an isolated real distribution network with distributed generations for the Agiba Petroleum company which is in the Western Desert of Egypt. The relay coordination problem is adapted as an optimization problem subject to a set of predefined constraints which is solved using the GTO including fixed and varied inverse IEC curves, in which the practical constraints including transformer phase shift and other scenarios for min/max fault conditions are dealt with. In due course, this current effort aims at proving the best strategy for achieving the smoothest coordination of overcurrent relays (OCRs), with the least obtained value of CTMs for the studied cases being established via the automated relay settings. At last, it can be pointed out that the GTO successfully dealt with this problem and was able to produce competitive answers compared to other competitors.

Planning for groundwater management using visual MODFLOW model and multi-criteria decision analysis, West–West Minya, Egypt

This study presents a planning model to assist decision-makers in implementing proposed sustainable development policies based on the government's development schemes. It focuses on the exploitation of groundwater from the Eocene aquifer in the West–West Minya region in the Western Desert of Egypt as one of the new development areas. The visual MODFLOW model is applied to serve as a base model for the study area's local modeling and assess the impact of operating scenarios on the groundwater aquifer. An optimal scenario for groundwater sustainability is achieved by considering the water meter consumption in the newly reclaimed area with a value of 6 m3/d for each acre to irrigate 3953.68 acres; the maximum drawdown of about 60 m is formed after 9700 days of simulation. The GIS multi-criteria analysis model is used to assess the impact of groundwater deficiency as a result of reclamation. Results of the groundwater model are merged as input layers in multi-criteria decision analysis, which include groundwater salinity, groundwater levels, aquifer transmissivity, and aquifer storativity. The prospective groundwater zones are categorized into most suitable (1584 km2, 9.9%), suitable (4592 km2, 28.7%), good (4784 km2, 29.9%), moderate (1488 km2, 9.3%), and unsuitable (3552 km2, 22.2%). It is recommended to optimize levels of groundwater withdrawal from the current or future drilling wells to achieve a balance between the use and the protection of water potential.

Late Campanian Climatic-Continental Weathering Assessment and Its Influence on Source Rocks Deposition in Southern Tethys, Egypt

Climatic variability and silicate weathering are remarkable features throughout the Late Cretaceous period. Late Campanian black shale is considered the most significant silicate source rock in the southern Tethys. Here, we used mineralogical and geochemical data to evaluate the continental weathering intensity and climatic changes as well as their impact on the deposition of the Late Campanian black shale in the Western Desert of Egypt. The studied black shale has a relatively high concentration of Al, Fe, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ga, Co, Cr, and V when compared to the average Post-Archean Australian Shales (PAAS). The studied samples have elevated values of Ga/Rb, and low values of Rb/Sr, Sr/Cu, and K2O/Al2O3, supporting the deposition of Late Campanian shale under warm/humid conditions. Furthermore, the average chemical index of alteration (CIA, 78.6%), chemical index of weathering (CIW; 83.8%), C-value (1.26), Fe/Mn (408), and Mg/Ca (1.54) reveal the predominance of warm/humid climate. The chemical weathering proxies (CIA, CIW, PIA, LnAl2O3/Na2O) and ACNK diagram imply that the Late Campanian samples were exposed to a moderate grade of chemical alteration. The deposition of black shale occurred under high seawater salinity conditions based on Sr/Ba (Avg = 3.6). Additionally, the weathering indices are well correlated with paleoclimatic proxies, suggesting that weathering intensity is strongly affected by paleoclimate. However, chemical weathering during the Late Campanian has a weak influence on oceanic nutrient fluxes. No substantial impact of the paleoclimate during the deposition of Late Campanian black shale on water salinity was reported.

Sedimentology and stratigraphic evolution of fluvial–tidal transition reservoirs: an outcrop analog for the hydrocarbon-bearing Bahariya Formation, Western Desert, Egypt

ABSTRACT The deposits of the tidal–fluvial transition zone are one of the most significant and complicated components of marginal marine systems. Sedimentological studies of these deposits are necessary due to their heterogeneous nature, which is controlled by competing tidal and fluvial parameters. Outcrop studies are required to understand the architecture, sedimentology, and evolution of tidal–fluvial deposits. The Cenomanian upper unit of the Bahariya Formation in the northern part of the Western Desert of Egypt is a tide-dominated fluvio-estuarine deposit sourced from crystalline basement and Early Cretaceous siliciclastic sedimentary rocks that lie to the southeast and south. Based on sedimentary facies analysis and paleocurrent data, the upper Bahariya Formation is composed of six main architectural elements: 1) river-dominated, tide-influenced point bar, 2) tide-dominated, river-influenced point bar, 3) floodplain, 4) crevasse splay, 5) crevasse channel, and 6) mud plug. These elements are stacked in a multistory tidal–fluvial channel complex and associated depositional elements. The reconstructed paleochannels trend from southeast to northwest, and migrated to the east and southeast. The relative contribution of fluvial processes decreased upwards through the stacked stories, with a corresponding increase in the contribution of tidal processes that were associated with transgression. An understanding of the architecture and sedimentology of the tidal–fluvial transition from outcrop successions allows the improved characterization of tidal–fluvial point-bar reservoirs and associated elements.

Proposing a Wetland-Based Economic Approach for Wastewater Treatment in Arid Regions as an Alternative Irrigation Water Source

Point and nonpoint wastewater sources have a detrimental, negative effect on agriculture, soil, surface, and groundwater supplies. In this research, a wastewater treatment system made up of a sedimentation tank, a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSSF-CW), a vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland (VF-CW), and a storage tank was proposed, designed, and cost estimated. Small populations in underdeveloped nations with dry and semi-arid climates can use the treatment system as an affordable construction, maintenance, and operational solution for wastewater treatment. The system will protect agricultural lands and groundwater from pollution. The system can service 6000 capita and has a wastewater discharge of 780 m3/d in the developing arid region in El-Moghra Oasis western desert of Egypt, where the 1.5 million acres used for the land reclamation project based on groundwater irrigation. The relaxed tanks in a series model based on the areal loading rates and background pollutants concentrations (P-K-C*) was utilized to size the HSSF and VF-CWs. The results indicated that the HSSF-CW design treatment surface area was 2375 m2, and the hydraulic surface loading (q) and hydraulic retention time (RT) were 0.33 m/d and 0.55 d, respectively, and utilizing Phragmites australis and Papyrus for the biological treatment. The expected overall cumulative removal efficiencies were 96.7, 70, and 100% for the biological oxygen demand (BOD), total phosphors (TP), and fecal coliforms (FC), respectively. The VF-CW indicates that there was a 2193 m2 design treatment surface area, q = 0.36 m/d, and RT of 0.63 d. The expected BOD, TP, and FC removal efficiencies were 75, 33.3, and 92.7%, respectively. In order to simplify the design stages and the cost estimation, design and investment cost curves were established for a population range from 500 to 9000. The total monthly water loss due to evapotranspiration for the HSSF and VF-CWs indicates a range from 3.7 to 8.5%, respectively. The total investment cost analysis for the proposed system corresponding to 780 m3/d wastewater discharge of indicates a total investment cost of EUR 146,804 and EUR 24.46/per-capita equivalent (P.E). This approach can be used by decision makers in the Mediterranean region and Middle Eastern countries to improve the water quality using social and economic criteria, leading to the effective implementation of ecological restoration projects as a low-cost treatment system and adding a nonconventional water source that can be used in irrigation.

Deep heat source detection using the magnetotelluric method and geothermal assessment of the Farafra Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

Nonrenewable hydrocarbon energy sources provide the bulk of Egypt's energy. However, the nation needs to diversify its energy portfolio and use conventional and renewable energy in tandem to ensure its long-term economic growth; therefore, harvesting untapped geothermal resources might help Egypt meet its energy needs in a sustainable and effective manner. The Farafra Oasis is located in the midst of Egypt's Western Desert and has been selected as the focal point for sustainable long-term development in the Western Desert.Using a magnetotelluric (MT) survey, a deep exploration of the Farafra region has been conducted to explore the underlying geological state and, as a result, explain the origin of several thermal wells around the oasis. None of the prior studies reached the necessary depths to offer information on the surface of deep igneous rocks, which may be the source of heat in the study area. Two field excursions were conducted to measure 19 stations along a line crossing the Farafra Oasis and extending more than 130 km. The MT instrument measured periods greater than 1000 s to gather low-frequency data with great efficiency.On the basis of 2D inversion of MT data, a mathematical model of the Farafra region's geothermal system was built to visualize and characterize the heat sources underneath the Farafra Oasis. It was shown that the existence of a high-temperature pluton at considerable depth is the primary cause of the temperature rise in the aquifer under the Farafra Oasis, as the water mass builds up on top of plutonic rocks and flows upwards via fractures and faults.

Analysis and Typology of prehistoric ‘female representations’ in the rock art of the Chufu region, Egyptian Western Desert

De nombreux témoins géologiques, environnementaux et archéologiques dans le Désert occidental égyptien indiquent le rôle important que le désert a joué dans le développement des cultures nilotiques, en particulier à la fin de la préhistoire. Le processus a commencé avec l’assèchement du désert vers 5 000 avant notre ère et s’est achevé avec la création du premier État égyptien. La région de Chufu abrite un nombre incalculable de pétroglyphes, incluant les représentations anthropomorphes féminines qui forment un groupe extrêmement important et intriguant. Cet article explore ces motifs dans leur ensemble régional, en appliquant des analyses statistiques, spatiales, stylistiques et contextuelles.

Reservoir oil geochemistry in the northern Western Desert of Egypt – High-resolution mass spectrometry and stable carbon isotope characterization

Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) with negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI-N) and positive ion atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI-P), and compound-specific carbon isotope measurements together with conventional biomarker analyses were applied on 13 crude oil samples from Cretaceous reservoirs in the Shushan, Dahab/Mireir, and Abu Gharadig basins of the northern Western Desert of Egypt to identify their origin, maturity, alteration level, and petroleum relationships. Five oil families were identified, and the FT-ICR-MS data enabled a differentiation between crude oils with terrigenous, marine, and mixed organic matter input based on polar compounds. The dominance of acidic (ESI-N) and low-polarity (APPI-P) oxygen-containing compounds in the Shushan oils reflects land plant material input and oxic depositional conditions for their source rocks. The abundance of oxygen-containing compounds gradually decreases in the NE-Abu Gharadig and Dahab/Mireir oils (source rocks: mixed Type III/II organic matter (OM)) to reach minimum values in the marine-dominated Abu Gharadig oils. Based on compound-specific carbon isotopes and hydrocarbon biomarkers, the Shushan Basin hosts two different oil families from source rocks with Type III OM that likely reveal different thermal maturities and ages. The detected APPI-P aromatic hydrocarbons together with other molecular maturity ratios suggest a higher thermal maturity for the Shushan family A and Abu Gharadig oils than for oils of Shushan family B and from the Dahab/Mireir Basins, respectively.

Exploration of new hydrocarbon leads in the eastern flank of Abu Gharadig Basin, North Western Desert, Egypt

The present study aims to understand better the structural elements controlling the hydrocarbon potentiality and productivity for the upper Cretaceous reservoirs in the Eastern flank of the Abu Gharadig Basin in the Western Desert of Egypt. The major sandstone reservoirs in this area are found within Abu Roash “G” Member and Upper Bahariya Formation, characterized by lateral facies changes with major structure uncertainty and unleashed hydrocarbon potential. Therefore, we aimed to identify the lateral distribution of the studied reservoirs regionally in Abrar, Ferdaus, Ganna, Rawda, Sidra, and Rayan fields at the North Bahariya Concession and Aqsa and Yamma-SE fields at the East Bahariya Concession through integrated geological and geophysical studies for further exploration activities in this area. As a result, we produced regional depth contour maps covering most of the producing fields with the lateral distribution of hydrocarbon occurrences through the area. Moreover, the petrophysical parameter maps for the Middle and Lower Abu Roash “G” reservoirs, such as net pay thickness, shale volume, effective porosity, and hydrocarbon saturation are prepared to understand the hydrocarbon potentiality. This, in turn, allowed us to determine nine promising structural traps for future exploration with high certainty.

Identifying the hydrocarbon potential from seismic, geochemical, and wireline data of the Sallum intra-basin, North Western Desert of Egypt

ABSTRACT The current study's objectives are to identify the primary source rock's hydrocarbon potential and, using various approaches, examine the Sallum Concession's petroleum system, which lies in the extreme northwestern part of the Western Desert of Egypt. We integrated seismic, geochemical, and well logging data. As a result, the structure analysis indicates that the area is elevated topographic land, representing a high intra-basin about the surrounding Faghour, Matrouh, and Shushan basins. Therefore, the site is a significant concession with various source rocks; Khatatba (Safa member) and Alam El-Buieb (AEB-3A member) are the oil-prone source rocks of the northern and southern parts of the area with high TOC (up to 11.3%) and mid-mature stage (0.7-1.0% Ro) at depth below 8000 ft. On the other hand, the Paleozoic Desouqy, Zeitoun, and Shiffah formations, located below 12000 ft, are gas-prone source rocks with high organic contents (TOC 1.41-4.64%) and fair potential for gas generation and are currently in the mid-mature stage (0.7-1.0% Ro). We concluded that the concession's low oil production might result from a delay in Kerogen maturity and hydrocarbon migration. Finally, the East of Sallum concession is the only potential area because the wells in the west do not show reservoirs characteristics.

A new titanosaurian (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Quseir Formation of the Kharga Oasis, Egypt

ABSTRACT Dinosaur fossils from the latest Cretaceous (Campanian–Maastrichtian) of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula are rare. Most discoveries to date have consisted of limited fossils that have precluded detailed phylogenetic and paleobiogeographic interpretations. Fortunately, recent discoveries such as the informative Egyptian titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur Mansourasaurus shahinae are beginning to address these long-standing issues. Here we describe an associated partial postcranial skeleton of a new titanosaurian taxon from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Quseir Formation of the Kharga Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt. Consisting of five dorsal vertebrae and 12 appendicular elements, Igai semkhu gen. et sp. nov. constitutes one of the most informative dinosaurs yet recovered from the latest Cretaceous of Afro-Arabia. The relatively gracile limb bones and differences in the coracoid and metatarsal I preclude referral of the new specimen to Mansourasaurus. Both model-based Bayesian tip-dating and parsimony-based phylogenetic analyses support the affinities of Igai semkhu with other Late Cretaceous Afro-Eurasian titanosaurs (e.g., Mansourasaurus, Lirainosaurus astibiae, Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii), a conclusion supported by posterior dorsal vertebrae that lack a postzygodiapophyseal lamina, for example. Igai semkhu strengthens the hypothesis that northern Africa and Eurasia shared closely related terrestrial tetrapod faunas at the end of the Cretaceous and further differentiates this fauna from penecontemporaneous assemblages elsewhere in Africa, such as the Galula Formation in Tanzania, that exhibit more traditional Gondwanan assemblages. At present, the specific paleobiogeographic signal appears to vary between different dinosaur groups, suggesting that Afro-Arabian Cretaceous biotas may have experienced evolutionary and paleobiogeographic histories that were more complex than previously appreciated.

Geomatics-Based Modeling and Hydrochemical Analysis for Groundwater Quality Mapping in the Egyptian Western Desert: A Case Study of El-Dakhla Oasis

Groundwater is the single source of water in El-Dakhla Oasis, western desert, Egypt. The main objective of this study is an assessment of groundwater in the area for agriculture and drinking compared to Egyptian and World Health Organization criteria. Most the contamination of water in the study area comes from human and agricultural activities. Thirty soil profiles were studied in the area and we assessed soil quality. Seventy-four samples were taken from the area’s groundwater wells to assess the chemical characteristics of the groundwater. Moreover, the contamination of groundwater by farming and anthropogenic activities was assessed using a land use/land cover (LULC) map. Nine standard water criteria were determined to assess groundwater quality for agriculture. Furthermore, the resulting risk to human health and agricultural crops has been addressed. Therefore, the drinking quality of groundwater samples is graded as low as the hydrochemical study showed high TH, EC, TDS, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Fe2+ contents of 40.5%, 2.7%, 1.4%, 3.8%, 1.6%, 86.5%, and 100%, respectively. Human health is risked by drinking this water, which negatively affects hair, skin, and eyes, with greatest exposure to enteric pathogens. Using these criteria, the majority of groundwater samples cause harmful effects on soil types and are toxic to sensitive crops (vegetable crops). In conclusion, the output of this research is a map showing groundwater suitable for consumption and agriculture in El-Dakhla Oasis based on all indices using the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) model. Additionally, there was evidence of a linear relationship between soil quality and irrigation water quality (R2 = 0.90). This emphasis on tracking changes in soil/water quality was brought on by agricultural practices and environmental variables.

Palynomorph composition and palynofacies analysis of the Cenomanian Bahariya Formation in the north Western Desert of Egypt: Depositional palaeoenvironment and sequence stratigraphic implications

Abstract This study investigates the Bahariya Formation using 39 rock-cutting samples from the Abu Gharadig Basin in the north Western Desert, Egypt. An approach combining palynomorph composition and palynofacies analysis with lithological composition and geophysical gamma ray log values is used to assess biostratigraphic age constraints, prevalent depositional palaeoenvironments, and relative sea level changes. A moderately diverse assemblage comprised mainly of terrestrial palynomorphs versus minor content of marine palynomorphs is identified. Marker spore and pollen taxa are used to name three interval zones of early Cenomanian, and early-middle Cenomanian ages. Quantitative distribution of particulate organic matter using cluster analysis reveals two palynofacies assemblages: an older assemblage dominated by phytoclasts (mainly wood particles); and a younger assemblage characterised by moderate abundances of amorphous organic matter and phytoclasts. Palynofacies analysis suggests deposition of the Bahariya Formation in fluvio-deltaic to inner neritic shelf environments. Based on the pronounced stratigraphic variations in the particulate organic matter composition, including terrestrial:marine palynomorph ratio, lithological and gamma-ray log data, three complete transgressive-regressive sequences and one incomplete sequence and their systems tracts are defined. The transgressive-regressive trends reflect 3rd order sequences. Additionally, successive changes in relative sea level indicate a continuous rise at the topmost part of the succession.

Structural and petroleum system analysis using seismic data interpretation techniques to Upper Cretaceous rock units: A case study, West Abu-Sennan oil field, Northern Western Desert, Egypt

South West Abu-Sennan (SWS) area is located in the Abu-Gharadig basin, Northern Western Desert in Egypt. This area is characterized by being a multi-reservoir with a complex structure and reservoir architecture. Therefore, we analyzed several datasets and practices to assess the Upper Cretaceous rock unit's hydrocarbon potentiality by combining the unconventional (using seismic attributes) and conventional interpretation approaches, moreover, analyzing the petroleum system elements to uplift the hydrocarbon potentiality figure. The structural features of the SWS are characterized by northeast-southwest (NE-SW) axis-directed anticlinal forms that are dissected by northwest-southeast (NW-SE) trending faults. the axis of these anticlines is most probably curved due to the effect of the cross-cutting normal faults. Reference analysis of the well HF35/1 geochemical data, burial history, and source rock pyrolysis evaluation proved the maturity of Masajid and Khatatba (Jurassic time) source rock units and the ability to expel hydrocarbons of types 2 and 3 to the probable reservoirs. The structural analysis illustrates that the anticlines are dissected by NW-SE faults, and act as structural traps for the migrated hydrocarbon from the deep source rocks at the Jurassic levels. An event chart has been created to clarify the petroleum system story. The conducted workflow in this study can be utilized to better understand similar reservoirs in neighboring areas.