IBRAHIM, M.W.,Target Exploration Consultants, Kensington, London, UK

Abstract: Hydrocarbon Exploration Potential of Iraq

Lithostratigraphic correlation of source, reservoir and sealing rocks within Iraq and surrounding territories was used to solve the stratigraphic nomenclature jigsaw of MPC, IPC, BPC, KPC, INOC, and OEC, identify hydrocarbon systems and delineate primary exploration play fairways of Iraq.

In the tectonically overprinted hydrocarbon systems of Iraq, this study identified:

1. Five primary exploration targets in the Palaeozoic rocks (Upper Ordovician, Lower Silurian, Devonian, Upper Permian, and Upper Carboniferous-Lower Permian).
2. Four primary exploration targets in the Triassic-Jurassic rocks (Triassic Kurra Chine-Mulussa, Lower Jurassic Butmah-Mus, and Middle Jurassic Sargelu-Muhaiwir, and Upper Jurassic Najmah).
3. Seven primary exploration targets in the Cretaceous rocks (Yamama-Ratawi, Zubair, Shuaiba, Nahr-Umr, Mauddud, Mishrif-Rumaila, and Aruma).
4. Three primary exploration targets in the Tertiary rocks (Eocene-Oligocene Kirkuk Group North, Kirkuk Group South, and Oligo-Miocene Ghar).

Fourteen of these exploration targets are within proven maturing, immature and frontier structural play fairways; however, none of the plays is mature. Several primary plays contain secondary proved and speculative plays. This puts the number of prospective targets at 25 formations overlapping with six oil provinces and in more than 350 prospects.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90923@1999 International Conference and Exhibition, Birmingham, England