Bio- and Sequence Stratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous – Palaeogene rocks, East Bahariya Concession, Western Desert, Egypt
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Published:
Mar 11, 2012
Keywords:
Planktonic foraminifera, Calcareous nannofossil, Upper Cretaceous, Palaeogene, seismic interpretation, sequence stratigraphy, Bahariya, Egypt
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Abstract
This work deals with the plankton stratigraphy of the subsurface Upper Cretaceous-Palaeogene succession of theEast Bahariya Concession based on planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils. The examination of the cuttings from five wells: AQSA-1X, KARMA-E-1X, KARMA-3X, KARMA-NW-1X and KARMA-NW-5X is biostratigraphically evaluated. It is possible to identify the planktonic foraminifera as well as the calcareous nannofossil biozones. The analyses of calcareous nannofossils revealed the presence of several hiatuses. Information obtained from well data such as seismic facies analysis for the studied area has enabled classification of the Upper Cretaceous Palaeogene succession into five major 2nd order depositional sequences, separated by four major depositional sequence boundaries (SB1, SB2, SB3 and SB4). The Upper Cretaceous-Palaeogene succession in the East Bahariya is dividedinto 17 systems tracts. These systems tracts are: 7 System tracts of probable Cenomanian age, (the sequence stratigraphic framework as well as the cycles and system tracts of the Cenomanian Bahariya Formation match well with thoseof CATUNEANUet al., 2006); 4 System tracts of Turonianage, 2 System tracts of Campanian-Maastrichtian ageand 4 System tracts of Eocene age.
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References
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Abdel Hamid, M. L. (1985).- Contribution to the Geology of Upper Cretaceous with special emphasis on Turonian- Senonian sedimentation patterns and hydrocarbon potentials in the Abu Gharadig Area, North Western Desert. Ph.D. Thesis, Cario University, 189 p.
Abdel Khalek, M. L., El Sharkawi, M. A., Darwish, M., Hagras, M. and Sehim, A. (1989).- Structural history of Abu Roash district, Western Desert, Egypt, Journal of African Earth Sciences, v. 9, No 3/4, pp 435-443.
Armentrout, J. M. and Clement, J. F. (1990).- Biostratigraphic calibration of depositional cycles: a case study in High Island-Galveston-East Breaks, offshore Texas. In: Sequence stratigraphy as an exploration Tool, concepts and practices in the Gulf Coast: SEPM, Gulf Coast Section, Eleventh Annual Research Conference, Program with Abstracts, p. 21-51.
Awad, G. M. (1984).- Habitat of oil in Abu Gharadig and Faiyum Basins, Western Desert, Egypt. Bulletin American Association Petroleum Geology, 68, 564-513.
Barakat, M. G., Darwish, M. and Abdel Hamid, M. L.1984. Detection and Delineation of Reservoir Potential within Abu Roash Formation, East Abu Gharadig Area, North Western Desert, Egypt. Abstracts of papers presented at the twenty-second Ann.,Meet., Geol. Soc. of Egypt, pp. I.
Barakat, M.G., Darwish, M. and Abdel Hamid, M.L. (1987).- Hydrocarbon source rock evaluation of Upper Cretaceous “Abu Roash Formation” east Abu Gharadig area; north Western Desert, Egypt. MERC, Ain Shams University, Earth Science, Series, 1, pp. 120-150.
Bayoumi, A. I. and Lotfy, H. I. (1989).- Modes of structural evolution of Abu Gharadig Basin, Journal of African Earth Sciences, V.. 9, No. 2, pp. 273-287.
Bayoumi, A. I., Darwish, Y. A., and Lotfy, H. I. (1987).- Acoustic characteristics of the Abu Gharadig Basin sediments, Journal of African Earth Sciences, v. 6, No. 4, pp. 399-405.
Bayoumi, T. (1994).- Synsedimentary tectonics and the distribution of Turonian sandstone reservoir, Abu Gharadig Basin, Western Desert, Egypt. Proc. Of EGPC, 12th Petrol. Exploration & Production Conference, Cairo, Egypt, v. 1, pp. 368-387
Bayoumi, T. (1996).- The influence of interaction of depositional environment and synsedimentary tectonics on the development of some Late Cretaceous source rocks, Abu Gharadig bash, Western Desert, Egypt. Proc. EGPC 13th Petroleum Exploration & Production Conference, Cairo, II, pp. 475-496.
Berggren, W.A. & Pearson,P.N. (2006): Tropical to subtropical planktonic foraminiferal zonation of the Eocene and the Oligocene. – Cushman Found. Spec.Publ., 41: 29-40.
Blow, W. H., (1979): The Cenozoic Globigerinida: A Study of the Morphology, Taxonomy, Evolutionary Relationships and the Stratigraphical Distribution of some Globigerinida (mainly Globigerinacea), 3 vols: Leiden, E. J. Brill, 1413 p.
Bolli, H.M., (1957b): Planktonic foraminifera from the Oligocene – Miocene Cipero and Lengua Formations of Trinidad, B.W.I. In: Loeblich, A.R et al., 1957. Studies in Foraminifera, U.S. Natural Museum Bulletin 215, pp. 97–123.
Bronnimann, P and Stradner, H.(1960): Die Foraminiferen - und Discoasteridenzonen von Kuba und ihre interkontinentale Correlation.Erdoel-Z.,76,364-369.
Bukry, D. and Bramlette, M. N., 1970: Coccolith age determinations, leg 3, Deep Sea Drilling Project. Init. Rept. DSDP., v.3, p. 589-611.
Bukry, D., 1973a: Coccolith stratigraphy, Leg 10-Deep Sea Drilling Project. Init. Rept. DSDP., v. 10, pp. 385- 604.
Bukry, D., 1973b: Low latitude coccolith biostratigraphic zonation. Init. Rept. DSDP, v. 15, pp. 685-703.
Catuneanu, O., 2006.- Principles of Sequence Stratigraphy, first ed. Elsevier, Amsterdam. 375 p.
Darwish M., Abu Khadrah A. M., Abdel Hamid M. L., and Hamed T. A. (1994).- Sedimentology, environment conditions and hydrocarbon habitat of the Bahariya Formation, central Abu Gharadig Basin, Western Desert, Egypt. proc. of E. G. P. C. 12th Petrol. Exploration & Production Conference, Cairo, Egypt, 1994, v. 1, p. 429-449.
EGPC (1992).- Western Desert Oil and Gas Fields (A Comprehensive Overview). EGPC, 11th Exploration Conference, Cairo, Egypt, p. 431.
El Bassyouny, A.A. (1970).- Geology of the area between Gara El Hamra of Ball-Qur Lyons and Ghard El Moharrik, and its correlation with El Harra area, Bahariya Oasis, Egypt, Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, Cairo University. 180 p.
El-Azhary, A. (2007): Evaluation of the Petroleum Source Potential of the Khoman Formation in the Abu Gharadig Basin, M.Sc., Thesis, Cairo Univ., Petroleum Geochemistry.
Emery, D., and Myers, K. J. (1996).- Sequence Stratigraphy. Oxford, U. K., Blackwell, p. 297.
Ghanem, M. F. (1985).- Subsurface Geology of the Cretaceous sediments in the North Western Desert of Egypt and its hydrocarbon potentialities. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. of Sci., Cairo Univ., 131 p.
Harpe de la 1883: Monographie der in Ägypten und der libyschen wüste von kommenden Nummuliten.-Paleontographica 30 (n.s.), pp. 155–216 (Pl. 30–35).
Hay, W. W., Mohler, H. P., Roth, P. H. Schmidt, R. R. & Boudreaux, J. E. (1967): Calcareous nannoplankton zonation of the Cenozoic of the Gulf Coast and Caribbean-Antillean area, and transoceanic correlation. Trans. Gulf Coast Assoc. geol. Soc., 17: 428-80.
Hay, W.W., (1967): Calcareous nannoplankton zone of the Cenozoic of the Gulf Coast and Caribbe an-Antillean Area and transoceanic correlation: Trans. Gulf Coast Assoc. Geol. Soc., 17.
Hay, W.W., Mohler, H. P., Roth, P. H. Schmidt, R. R. and Boundreaux, J. E. (1966).- Calcareous nannoplankton zonation of the Cenozoic of the Coast and Caribbean-Antillean area and transoceanic correlation. Trans.Gulf Coast. Assoc. Geol. Soc., v. 17, pp. 428-80.
Hewaidy, A.A., El-Azabi, M.H. and Farouk, S. (2006).- Facies Associations and Sequence Stratigraphy of The Upper Cretaceous-Lower Eocene Succession In The Farafra Oasis, Internat. Conf. Geol. Arab World (GAW8), Cairo Univ., Giza, Egypt, 2006, pp. 569-599.
ISSAWI, B., FRANCIS, M.H., YOUSSEF, E.A.A., and OSMAN, R.A., 2009: The
Phanerozoic Geology of Egypt: A Geodynamic Approach, Second Edition, Special Publication 81,: Ministry of Petroleum, The Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority, Cairo, 589 p.
Issawi, B., Hinnawi, M., Francis, M., Mazhar, A., 1999: The Phanerozoic geology of Egypt: a geodynamic approach. Geological Survey of Egypt Special Publication, Cairo. 462 p.
Lüning, S., Adamson and K., Craig, J. (2004).- Frasnian organic-rich shales in North Africa: regional distribution and depositional model. In: T.J. Arthur, D.S. Macgregor, N. Cameron, (Eds.), Petroleum Systems and Emerging Technologies in African Exploration and Production, Geological Society (London) Special Publication, 207.
Mark A. Pasley, Gabe Artigas, and Osama Nassef, and Joe Comisky (2009).- Depositional Facies Control on Reservoir Characteristics in the Middle and Lower Abu Roash “G” Sandstones, Western Desert, Egypt. AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa
Martini, E. (1971).- Standard Tertiary and Quaternary calcareous nannoplankton zonation, in: Farinacci, A. (ed), Proc. II Planktonic Conf. Roma, v. 2, pp. 739-785.
Norton (1967).- Rock- stratigraphic nomenclatures of the Western Desert. Egypt. Egyptian Petroleum Corporation, 557p.
Nummedal, D. and Swift, D.J.P. (1987).- Transgressive stratigraphy at sequence bounding unconformities. In: Nummedal et al. (Eds), Sea Level Fluctuations and Coastal Evolution, SEPM Special Publication No. 41, San Francisco, pp. 241–260.
Okada, H. and Bukry, D. (1980).- Supplementary modification and introduction of code numbers to the low latitude coccolith biostratigraphic zonation (Bukry, 1973, 1975). Marine Micropaleont., v. 5, pp. 321-325.
OSMAN, R.A., 2003: Contribution to the stratigraphy of El Arag depression, North Western Desert, Egypt. Sedimentology of Egypt, 11: 157-167.
Perch-Nielsen, K. (1972).- Remarks on Late Cretaceous to Pleistocene coccoliths from the North Atlantic. Initial Rep. Deep Sea Drill. Proj., 12, pp.1003-1069
Perch-Nielsen, K., 1985a: Mesozoic calcareous nannofossils, in: Bolli, H. M., Saunders, J. B. and Perch-Nielsen, K. (eds), Plankton Stratigraphy. Cambridge Univ. Press, pp. 329-4
Schaffer, B. L. (1987).- The potential of calcareous nannofossils for recognizing Plio-Pleistocene climatic cycles and sequence boundaries on the shelf: Gulf Coast Section SEPM Foundation, Eighth Annual Research Conference, pp. 142-145.
Tawadros, E.E. (2001). Geology of Egypt and Libya. Balkema, Rotterdam: 468 p.
Van Wagoner, J.C., Posamentier, H.W., Mitchum, R.M., Vail, P.R., Sarg, J.F., Loutit, T.S. and Hardenbol J. (1988).- An overview of the fundamentals of sequence stratigraphy and key definitions. In: Wilgus, C.K., Hastings, B.S., Kendall, C.G.St.C., Posamentier, H., Ross, C.A., Van Wagoner, J. (Eds.), Sea- Level Changes: An Integrated Approach. Special Publication Society. Eocene Paleontology. Mineral. 42, 39–45.
Abdel Aal and Moustafa, A.R. (1988).- Structural framework in Abu El Gharadig Basin, Western Desert, Egypt. EGPC, 9th Exploration Conference, Cairo, Egypt, 16p.
Abdel Hamid, M. L. (1985).- Contribution to the Geology of Upper Cretaceous with special emphasis on Turonian- Senonian sedimentation patterns and hydrocarbon potentials in the Abu Gharadig Area, North Western Desert. Ph.D. Thesis, Cario University, 189 p.
Abdel Khalek, M. L., El Sharkawi, M. A., Darwish, M., Hagras, M. and Sehim, A. (1989).- Structural history of Abu Roash district, Western Desert, Egypt, Journal of African Earth Sciences, v. 9, No 3/4, pp 435-443.
Armentrout, J. M. and Clement, J. F. (1990).- Biostratigraphic calibration of depositional cycles: a case study in High Island-Galveston-East Breaks, offshore Texas. In: Sequence stratigraphy as an exploration Tool, concepts and practices in the Gulf Coast: SEPM, Gulf Coast Section, Eleventh Annual Research Conference, Program with Abstracts, p. 21-51.
Awad, G. M. (1984).- Habitat of oil in Abu Gharadig and Faiyum Basins, Western Desert, Egypt. Bulletin American Association Petroleum Geology, 68, 564-513.
Barakat, M. G., Darwish, M. and Abdel Hamid, M. L.1984. Detection and Delineation of Reservoir Potential within Abu Roash Formation, East Abu Gharadig Area, North Western Desert, Egypt. Abstracts of papers presented at the twenty-second Ann.,Meet., Geol. Soc. of Egypt, pp. I.
Barakat, M.G., Darwish, M. and Abdel Hamid, M.L. (1987).- Hydrocarbon source rock evaluation of Upper Cretaceous “Abu Roash Formation” east Abu Gharadig area; north Western Desert, Egypt. MERC, Ain Shams University, Earth Science, Series, 1, pp. 120-150.
Bayoumi, A. I. and Lotfy, H. I. (1989).- Modes of structural evolution of Abu Gharadig Basin, Journal of African Earth Sciences, V.. 9, No. 2, pp. 273-287.
Bayoumi, A. I., Darwish, Y. A., and Lotfy, H. I. (1987).- Acoustic characteristics of the Abu Gharadig Basin sediments, Journal of African Earth Sciences, v. 6, No. 4, pp. 399-405.
Bayoumi, T. (1994).- Synsedimentary tectonics and the distribution of Turonian sandstone reservoir, Abu Gharadig Basin, Western Desert, Egypt. Proc. Of EGPC, 12th Petrol. Exploration & Production Conference, Cairo, Egypt, v. 1, pp. 368-387
Bayoumi, T. (1996).- The influence of interaction of depositional environment and synsedimentary tectonics on the development of some Late Cretaceous source rocks, Abu Gharadig bash, Western Desert, Egypt. Proc. EGPC 13th Petroleum Exploration & Production Conference, Cairo, II, pp. 475-496.
Berggren, W.A. & Pearson,P.N. (2006): Tropical to subtropical planktonic foraminiferal zonation of the Eocene and the Oligocene. – Cushman Found. Spec.Publ., 41: 29-40.
Blow, W. H., (1979): The Cenozoic Globigerinida: A Study of the Morphology, Taxonomy, Evolutionary Relationships and the Stratigraphical Distribution of some Globigerinida (mainly Globigerinacea), 3 vols: Leiden, E. J. Brill, 1413 p.
Bolli, H.M., (1957b): Planktonic foraminifera from the Oligocene – Miocene Cipero and Lengua Formations of Trinidad, B.W.I. In: Loeblich, A.R et al., 1957. Studies in Foraminifera, U.S. Natural Museum Bulletin 215, pp. 97–123.
Bronnimann, P and Stradner, H.(1960): Die Foraminiferen - und Discoasteridenzonen von Kuba und ihre interkontinentale Correlation.Erdoel-Z.,76,364-369.
Bukry, D. and Bramlette, M. N., 1970: Coccolith age determinations, leg 3, Deep Sea Drilling Project. Init. Rept. DSDP., v.3, p. 589-611.
Bukry, D., 1973a: Coccolith stratigraphy, Leg 10-Deep Sea Drilling Project. Init. Rept. DSDP., v. 10, pp. 385- 604.
Bukry, D., 1973b: Low latitude coccolith biostratigraphic zonation. Init. Rept. DSDP, v. 15, pp. 685-703.
Catuneanu, O., 2006.- Principles of Sequence Stratigraphy, first ed. Elsevier, Amsterdam. 375 p.
Darwish M., Abu Khadrah A. M., Abdel Hamid M. L., and Hamed T. A. (1994).- Sedimentology, environment conditions and hydrocarbon habitat of the Bahariya Formation, central Abu Gharadig Basin, Western Desert, Egypt. proc. of E. G. P. C. 12th Petrol. Exploration & Production Conference, Cairo, Egypt, 1994, v. 1, p. 429-449.
EGPC (1992).- Western Desert Oil and Gas Fields (A Comprehensive Overview). EGPC, 11th Exploration Conference, Cairo, Egypt, p. 431.
El Bassyouny, A.A. (1970).- Geology of the area between Gara El Hamra of Ball-Qur Lyons and Ghard El Moharrik, and its correlation with El Harra area, Bahariya Oasis, Egypt, Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, Cairo University. 180 p.
El-Azhary, A. (2007): Evaluation of the Petroleum Source Potential of the Khoman Formation in the Abu Gharadig Basin, M.Sc., Thesis, Cairo Univ., Petroleum Geochemistry.
Emery, D., and Myers, K. J. (1996).- Sequence Stratigraphy. Oxford, U. K., Blackwell, p. 297.
Ghanem, M. F. (1985).- Subsurface Geology of the Cretaceous sediments in the North Western Desert of Egypt and its hydrocarbon potentialities. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. of Sci., Cairo Univ., 131 p.
Harpe de la 1883: Monographie der in Ägypten und der libyschen wüste von kommenden Nummuliten.-Paleontographica 30 (n.s.), pp. 155–216 (Pl. 30–35).
Hay, W. W., Mohler, H. P., Roth, P. H. Schmidt, R. R. & Boudreaux, J. E. (1967): Calcareous nannoplankton zonation of the Cenozoic of the Gulf Coast and Caribbean-Antillean area, and transoceanic correlation. Trans. Gulf Coast Assoc. geol. Soc., 17: 428-80.
Hay, W.W., (1967): Calcareous nannoplankton zone of the Cenozoic of the Gulf Coast and Caribbe an-Antillean Area and transoceanic correlation: Trans. Gulf Coast Assoc. Geol. Soc., 17.
Hay, W.W., Mohler, H. P., Roth, P. H. Schmidt, R. R. and Boundreaux, J. E. (1966).- Calcareous nannoplankton zonation of the Cenozoic of the Coast and Caribbean-Antillean area and transoceanic correlation. Trans.Gulf Coast. Assoc. Geol. Soc., v. 17, pp. 428-80.
Hewaidy, A.A., El-Azabi, M.H. and Farouk, S. (2006).- Facies Associations and Sequence Stratigraphy of The Upper Cretaceous-Lower Eocene Succession In The Farafra Oasis, Internat. Conf. Geol. Arab World (GAW8), Cairo Univ., Giza, Egypt, 2006, pp. 569-599.
ISSAWI, B., FRANCIS, M.H., YOUSSEF, E.A.A., and OSMAN, R.A., 2009: The
Phanerozoic Geology of Egypt: A Geodynamic Approach, Second Edition, Special Publication 81,: Ministry of Petroleum, The Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority, Cairo, 589 p.
Issawi, B., Hinnawi, M., Francis, M., Mazhar, A., 1999: The Phanerozoic geology of Egypt: a geodynamic approach. Geological Survey of Egypt Special Publication, Cairo. 462 p.
Lüning, S., Adamson and K., Craig, J. (2004).- Frasnian organic-rich shales in North Africa: regional distribution and depositional model. In: T.J. Arthur, D.S. Macgregor, N. Cameron, (Eds.), Petroleum Systems and Emerging Technologies in African Exploration and Production, Geological Society (London) Special Publication, 207.
Mark A. Pasley, Gabe Artigas, and Osama Nassef, and Joe Comisky (2009).- Depositional Facies Control on Reservoir Characteristics in the Middle and Lower Abu Roash “G” Sandstones, Western Desert, Egypt. AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa
Martini, E. (1971).- Standard Tertiary and Quaternary calcareous nannoplankton zonation, in: Farinacci, A. (ed), Proc. II Planktonic Conf. Roma, v. 2, pp. 739-785.
Norton (1967).- Rock- stratigraphic nomenclatures of the Western Desert. Egypt. Egyptian Petroleum Corporation, 557p.
Nummedal, D. and Swift, D.J.P. (1987).- Transgressive stratigraphy at sequence bounding unconformities. In: Nummedal et al. (Eds), Sea Level Fluctuations and Coastal Evolution, SEPM Special Publication No. 41, San Francisco, pp. 241–260.
Okada, H. and Bukry, D. (1980).- Supplementary modification and introduction of code numbers to the low latitude coccolith biostratigraphic zonation (Bukry, 1973, 1975). Marine Micropaleont., v. 5, pp. 321-325.
OSMAN, R.A., 2003: Contribution to the stratigraphy of El Arag depression, North Western Desert, Egypt. Sedimentology of Egypt, 11: 157-167.
Perch-Nielsen, K. (1972).- Remarks on Late Cretaceous to Pleistocene coccoliths from the North Atlantic. Initial Rep. Deep Sea Drill. Proj., 12, pp.1003-1069
Perch-Nielsen, K., 1985a: Mesozoic calcareous nannofossils, in: Bolli, H. M., Saunders, J. B. and Perch-Nielsen, K. (eds), Plankton Stratigraphy. Cambridge Univ. Press, pp. 329-4
Schaffer, B. L. (1987).- The potential of calcareous nannofossils for recognizing Plio-Pleistocene climatic cycles and sequence boundaries on the shelf: Gulf Coast Section SEPM Foundation, Eighth Annual Research Conference, pp. 142-145.
Tawadros, E.E. (2001). Geology of Egypt and Libya. Balkema, Rotterdam: 468 p.
Van Wagoner, J.C., Posamentier, H.W., Mitchum, R.M., Vail, P.R., Sarg, J.F., Loutit, T.S. and Hardenbol J. (1988).- An overview of the fundamentals of sequence stratigraphy and key definitions. In: Wilgus, C.K., Hastings, B.S., Kendall, C.G.St.C., Posamentier, H., Ross, C.A., Van Wagoner, J. (Eds.), Sea- Level Changes: An Integrated Approach. Special Publication Society. Eocene Paleontology. Mineral. 42, 39–45.