--> Hydrocarbon Exploration in SW Oman, Rub-Al-Khali Province, Block 66

AAPG Middle East Geoscience Technology Workshop, Integrated Emerging Exploration Concepts

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Hydrocarbon Exploration in SW Oman, Rub-Al-Khali Province, Block 66

Abstract

The study area is a large concession and formerly undrilled before MOL started the exploration activities in 2013. It is located in the Omani portion of the prolific Rub Al Khali basin of the Arabian Peninsula and an active exploration is running in the area by MOL Group including exploration drilling. A producing oilfield and two discoveries exist in close vicinity of the Block, proving the prospectivity of the main target formations. These fields are analogous to the prospects of the area in terms of hydrocarbon system and structure type. The target area lies to the NW of Ghudun-Khasfah high, which separates the Rub-Al-Khali from the Omani Salt Basin. Due to its position, hydrocarbon migration was expected from the Rub-Al-Khali basin and the possibility of migration from the Omani salt basin is very limited as the Ghudun-Khasfah High forms a barrier at the eastern side of the area. The primary target of the first two wells was to explore and test the Ordovician-Permian hydrocarbon system, including the reservoirs of Haushi Group (Gharif and Al Khlata formations) under the Permo-Triassic Khuff (seal) formation, while the secondary aim was to explore and test reservoirs of Safiq Group (Hasirah formation) which is below the Haushi group. These target reservoirs are separated by the basal part of the Sahmah formation (Silurian hot shale) being its source rock. Silurian source rock is considered here as the only proven source in the area and the presence of any other sources has very high risk. Both wells targeted fault bounded structures and although the two wells were dry but they proved four elements of the hydrocarbon system and pointed out that the fault sealing element of the drilled 3 way-dip closed traps was not working. This poster gives an insight to the new data obtained at the drilling of Maisoorah-1 and Husna-1 exploration wells, and a hint on the path forward.