Geophysical and hydrocarbon prospect evaluation of Nukhul Formation at Rabeh East oil field, Southern Gulf of Suez Basin, Egypt

Abstract

Nukhul Formation is one of the primary oil reservoirs in the Gulf of Suez Basin. Rabeh East is an oil producer field located at the southern border of the Gulf of Suez. The present work deals with the geophysical investigation of Nukhul Formation in Rabeh East field using seismic lines and well log data of four wells, namely RE-8, RE-22, RE-25 and Nageh-1. The interpreted seismic profiles display that the RE-8 Well is the only well drilled within the up-thrown side of a significant horst fault block bounded by two normal faults. However, the other wells penetrated the downthrown side. The qualitative interpretation of the well logging data for RE-8 Well delineated two intervals have good petrophysical parameters and ability to store and produce oil. These zones locate between depths 5411.5 and 5424 ft (zone I) and between 5451 and 5459.5 ft (zone II). The calculated petrophysical parameters for zone I display water saturation (22–44%), shale volume (10–23%), total porosity (18–23%), effective porosity (12–20%) and bulk volume of water (0.04–0.06). Zone II exhibits water saturation (13–45%), shale volume (10–30%), total porosity (18–24%), effective porosity (11–20%) and bulk volume of water (0.03–0.05). This analysis reflects excellent petrophysical characteristics for the sandstones of Nukhul Formation in Rabeh East oil field for producing oil if the wells drilled in a suitable structural closure.