A new deeper channel system predicted using seismic attributes in scarab gas field, west delta deep marine concession, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract The west Delta deep marine (WDDM) concession is one of the most gas-producing provinces in Egypt, due to its widely distributed channel systems. This paper aims to illustrate the role of seismic attributes analysis to improve tracing of subtle stratigraphic features , such as shallow fluvial channel systems. The study is carried out in Scarab gas field, located in the WDDM area, which embodies deep marine slope channels. Two vertically overlapped channels, channel-1 and channel-2 (of Pliocene age), are considered the chief channels constituting reservoirs of this area. The methodology implemented here is to analyze the available seismic data volume, using the spectral decomposition and root mean square (RMS) attributes, to highlight the occurrence and extension of channel features on the stratigraphic surface of interest and within a certain time interval slice. These subtle features are difficult to investigate using traditional amplitude seismic data. The use of spectral decomposition tool and root mean square attribute is proved to help identify and highlight the channels and bright spot features, which indicate the gas accumulation. In addition, faults are easily recognized using these attributes. Below the total depths of the present wells, a new deeper channel is expected to be apparent below channel-2 (below the total depths of wells Dc) and to the west of channel-16 at the time slice −2460\xa0ms (about −2035 m depth). The major part of this channel is meandering and trends from south to north where it is wider to the north forming an area of a bright spot. This channel may be filled with gas-prone sand, as deduced by the used seismic attributes. This expectation is proposed depending on the high similarity between the characteristics of the used seismic attributes of the drilled channels (1 and 2) and that of the anticipated ones. More detailed studies and drilling to a depth of approximately −2000 m at a proposed well, located about 1\xa0km to the north of well Dc, are recommended for exploration of the detected channel.