Egypt

To identify and delineate the major basin controlling structures, place them within a regional tectonic evolution, realise the effects of fault reactivation and outline various hydrocarbon plays.

Detailed;

Geology - To outline major zones of extension, defining the dominant fault systems (transtensive, listric etc.) and their controls (usually stable basement blocks).

Terrain evaluation - To aid in the identification of subtle surface structures, drainage regimes, dune type and location, and playa and sabkha distribution were mapped.

Exploration activity - To locate previous seismic programmes, wells and access routes. This aided the planning of future magnetic and seismic surveys.

Geology and Prospectivity:

Egypt has been affected by Pan African, Hercynian, Atlantic and Syrian Arc tectonism, the later events often reactivating the older structures. Basin development has been controlled by the distribution of tectonically stable blocks, such as the Uweinat-Aswan arch, with the greatest subsidence occurring in the Carboniferous and Cretaceous/Tertiary.

Various petroleum regimes exist onshore: In the south plays are associated with Palaeozoic clastics and carbonates. In the north plays are dominantly Cretaceous/Tertiary. Several good quality sources and reservoir rocks exist throughout Egypt. Offshore plays are divided into the Red Sea and Mediterranean regions.

Data available for integration:

NPA's non-exclusive 'Egypt - A Hydrocarbon Evaluation', Tectosat Africa and Arabia studies, Tectosat study of the Gulf of Suez and EGPT's regional geological and bouguer gravity maps. Various regional seismic lines.

Methods and Products:

The geological, terrain and exploration appraisals of the imagery were produced as clear film overlays as well as single sheet composites. They are also supplied as multi-stationed compatible files on CD or tape.

For each detailed area a digital database composed of the clients magnetic, seismic and well data is built-up enabling cross-reference with NPA's interpretations and, ultimately, the targeting of future follow-up structures.

Benefits and Results:

NPA now has an extensive and highly detailed database of the geology of Egypt, outlining the major basins, basement highs and their tectonic controls. Consequently, NPA are able to assess the tectonic evolution of the basins present with respect to the type of extension they have undergone and the tectonic episode the extension is associated with.

In frontier areas such as the Eastern Desert NPA have delineated and described many new faults, thus leading to a revision of the structural evolution of the region and the outlining of new potential hydrocarbon plays.

Innovation:

innovation

Cost:

Mega Regional;	$0.01 per sq.km.
Study Area;	$0.4 per sq.km.

Future Developments:

N/A