Depositional Environment and the Trapping Mechanism for the Gas and Condensate in the Messinian Level III sequence Abu Madi Formation, Nile Delta, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, El-Mansoura, Egypt

Abstract

The Abu Madi Level III Messinian sequence is interpreted to have been deposited as valley-fill sediments within a pre-existing paleo-valley during a regressive-transgressive sedimentary cycle. The valley was most likely created during the Messinian salinity crisis, which happened because of the closure of the marine passages between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Core photos, FMI images, well logs and composite logs were used to identify the depositional environment and petroleum system in the study area. From the cored photos and image logs, the river system feeding sand into the Mediterranean was a sand-dominated braided river. The channels making up the braided system were on average 150 feet wide. Following the regression, the valley was flooded, and the over-bank deposits took over. Reservoirs in the fluvial section are very clean and well-sorted. Their shape is elongated, parallel to the paleo-flow and most likely interconnected over the entire width of the fluvial tract. Reservoirs in the over-bank section have a higher shale content compared to the fluvial system. The shape of these reservoirs is most likely restricted sheet-like parallel to the valley system confining boundaries. Condensate is stratigraphically trapped in the fluvial section, which is pinching out into floodplain deposits. Gas is mainly structurally trapped in the floodplain and fluvial reservoirs.

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History

  • Receive Date: 27 March 2023
  • Revise Date: 09 April 2023
  • Accept Date: 10 April 2023

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