Structural evolution of JG and JD fields, Abu Gharadig basin, Western Desert, Egypt, and its impact on hydrocarbon exploration

Abstract

The Abu Gharadig basin in the Western Desert (NW Egypt) is a mature hydrocarbon province with over 95% of the oil and gas fields in the Upper Cretaceous reservoirs. JG and JD fields are producing fields; JG is producing from the Jurassic reservoirs, while the JD field is producing from the shallower Tertiary reservoir. Both fields lie on the footwall of the main bounding fault of Abu Gharadig basin trending E–W and NW–SE. Four dry wells have been drilled into the deeper Jurassic reservoir, and this paper will try to figure out the possible reasons for the failure of Jurassic reservoir in JD compared to JG field 2002. Two main geological cross sections have been created. The first cross section ties the JD field to the Abu Gharadig basin and the second one ties the JG field to same depocenter. The restoration has been carried out using 2D Move (Midland Valley software) to restore the two sections to their original tectonic status. Since the Eocene–Miocene is the common time for the hydrocarbon expulsion in Abu Gharadig basin, both JG and JD traps were formed at that time. The restoration clearly showed the juxtaposition of the Jurassic reservoirs against Abu Roash and Khoman (shale, limestone and chalk) in JG. In contrary, the Jurassic reservoir is juxtaposed with Kharita and Alam El Bueb (Sandstone) in JD. Fault juxtaposition has been carried out also and concluded the juxtaposition of Abu Roash F member and Masajid flip East of JD well so no chance of Abu Roash F member charging JD.