The Nile Delta is considered among the most prolific hydrocarbon-bearing prospects in Africa and worldwide. It is primarily known for its huge gas reserves and production from both onshore and offshore fields. However, a question has been raised about the potential of the Nile Delta as an oil-prospective zone: Is it possible to produce oil? Due to these reservoirs’ deep depths and location in the metagenetic gas zone, they are rarely recognized for oil/condensate production. Only two localized fields are known as oil/condensate producers: El Tamad and West Dikirnis Fields. The current review outlines the main litho-stratigraphy, petrophysical features, and structural settings. These two fields are studied in detail to delineate their structural setting and reservoir properties. Integration between seismic, well logging, and petrography was applied to study the main producing reservoirs in these fields: the Middle Miocene Sidi Salem Formation and the Upper Miocene Qawasim and Abu Madi formations. Sand lenses, tongues, and channels acting as stratigraphic traps within thick shale sequences primarily represent these reservoirs. However, structural closures, such as three-way dip closures, anticlines, and horsts, are also present. Despite the scarcity of oil traps in the Nile Delta, this review highlights their potential exploration on top of anticlines, horsts, and uplifted structures. This concept is also considered for the various exploration activities in the deltas, especially the fluvially dominated deltas.

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Is the Nile Delta Prolific for Oil Exploration Prospects?

  • Bassem S. Nabawy

摘要

The Nile Delta is considered among the most prolific hydrocarbon-bearing prospects in Africa and worldwide. It is primarily known for its huge gas reserves and production from both onshore and offshore fields. However, a question has been raised about the potential of the Nile Delta as an oil-prospective zone: Is it possible to produce oil? Due to these reservoirs’ deep depths and location in the metagenetic gas zone, they are rarely recognized for oil/condensate production. Only two localized fields are known as oil/condensate producers: El Tamad and West Dikirnis Fields. The current review outlines the main litho-stratigraphy, petrophysical features, and structural settings. These two fields are studied in detail to delineate their structural setting and reservoir properties. Integration between seismic, well logging, and petrography was applied to study the main producing reservoirs in these fields: the Middle Miocene Sidi Salem Formation and the Upper Miocene Qawasim and Abu Madi formations. Sand lenses, tongues, and channels acting as stratigraphic traps within thick shale sequences primarily represent these reservoirs. However, structural closures, such as three-way dip closures, anticlines, and horsts, are also present. Despite the scarcity of oil traps in the Nile Delta, this review highlights their potential exploration on top of anticlines, horsts, and uplifted structures. This concept is also considered for the various exploration activities in the deltas, especially the fluvially dominated deltas.