Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy North Darag Block, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

By

 Walter W. Wornardt¹, Robert Mitchum¹, Peter R. Vail²

(1) Micro-Strat Inc, Houston, TX (2) Rice University, Houston, TX

 In order to determine the hydrocarbon potential of the North Darag Block, Gulf of Suez, Egypt a Seismic Sequence Stratigraphic regional project was completed to determine the chronostratigraphic Seismic Sequence Stratigraphic Framework of the Darag Block, northern part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt.

The project included the Seismic Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis and loop-tying of fourteen 2-D seismic lines using seven reference wells as tie points.

The sediments range in age from Early Carboniferous to late Tertiary, late Miocene and were correlated to Global Cycle Chart of Hardenbol et al., 1998. The paleoenvironment ranges from upper bathyal to terrestrial 500-0 meters. Six 2nd order depositional sequences were recognized in the Paleozoic. In the Jurassic seven 3rd order depositional sequences were recognized; twelve in the Cretaceous; and fourteen in the Miocene.

The Paleozoic sediments were penetrated in the western and northern area. Jurassic and early Miocene Nukhul age potential reservoir rocks were recognized in all 7 wells. The overall general pattern in the early and middle Miocene sequences in the project area reflects a definite expansion in a southwest and southeast direction.

The transgressive systems tract and highstand systems tract were recognized in sequences of pre Miocene age. Whereas, post Cretaceous sequences usually consists of lowstand systems tract, transgressive systems tract and highstand systems tract.