Abstract The present work aims to provide a tectonostratigraphic model of the Miocene carbonate reservoirs accumulated in Bakr-Al-Hamd ridge to help unlock an estimated statistical yet-to-find over 10 MMbbl of oil.The structural ridge is located in the western central Gulf of Suez and the hydrocarbon exploration within this NE-dipping structural high began in 1951.The model integrated several interpreted 3-D seismic volumes and their attributes, a complete set of well-log data, borehole images, and the resultant extensional structures from the natural and physical models.
The structural model proposed the following: (1) a major gulf-parallel curved and faulted detachment between the two differentially strained sections of Miocene and Pre-Miocene sediments which were distinguished by seismic Cologne attributes and confirmed by borehole images, (2) the synthetic Gulf-parallel faults which represent footwall collapsing structural style of extensional faults, delineated Al Hamd Miocene Nullipore carbonate reservoir, (3) south-westward dislocation of the western gulf-parallel boundary fault of Al Hamd Nullipore facies and its allocation at the present-day shoreline, (4) three classification of the Miocene carbonate reef were interpreted; fringe reef in Bakr ridge, barrier reef in Al-Hamd, and patch reef in the intra-field.The achievements of the present study prompted exploration activity and two discoveries were announced in 2021 and 2022 in the vicinity of Bakr and Al-Hamd intra-fields.The recent discoveries penetrated more than 200 m of Miocene carbonate reef and dolomitic reservoirs accumulated on the detachment surface.
The present study workflow could be used in similar petroliferous rift basins to maximize Garnish Stations / Bar Caddies hydrocarbon resources, enhance production performance, and revive brownfields.