Search

This study provides an updated quantitative analysis and prospective paleoenvironment reconstruction of the Tut oilfield, Shushan Basin, North Egypt to evaluate the hydrocarbon reservoirs in space and times for further development plans and modeling in the Tethyan region. Two sporomorph interval zones (Classopollis brasiliensis and Afropollis jardinus), and one total foraminiferal Range Zone (Thomasinella punica) are proposed. Three palynofacies assemblages are differentiated using cluster analysis of the different palynofacies parameters. The paleoenvironmental conditions during the Cenomanian were reconstructed. Palynofacies assemblage I of the Baharyia Formation suggests a marginally dysoxic-oxic basin environment with a common occurrence of ostracods and terrestrial organic matter, while palynofacies assemblage II reflects the high abundance of dinoflagellate cysts, suggesting a suboxic-anoxic middle neritic environment. Palynofacies assemblage III of the upper part of the Abu Roash G Member represents a relatively deep water inner-middle neritic environment. Three 3rd order significant sequences separated by two hiatus surfaces (Ce3 and Ce4) are described and correlated with the global eustatic sea-level. The hydrocarbon evaluation results show that the samples from the Abu Roash G Member contain oil-prone material of kerogen type II, while the samples of the Baharyia Formation are characterized by kerogen type III (gas-prone). Spore coloration analysis reveals that the samples from the studied units are too immature to produce gas or oil and are ineffective as sources of hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing advanced seismic techniques for delineating hydrocarbon accumulations in HST (High Stand System Tract) turbidite channel of Kafr El-Sheikh (KS) formation (Pliocene Age) located in the western part of South Batra field (SBF), Nile Delta – Egypt is investigated. 3D seismic data and four well logs helped in studying the properties of the channel. Three wells encountered the central part of the channel and showed thicker reservoir thickness than the fourth well, which encountered the levee. The channel is characterized by high porosity (25–30%) and relatively low water saturation (27–50%). The structural map showed that the channel is dipping towards the NE–SW. AVO analysis, scaled Poisson’s ratio, post-stack seismic inversion, and seismic attributes confirmed the presence of Class III gas sand. Variance attribute helped in imaging the channel and faults. Maps generated from spectral decomposition showed that the dominant frequency is around 15 hertz. Results of integrating different techniques were consistent and successfully helped in determining the geometry of the channel, discriminating between different lithologies and fluids, in addition to delineating the sweet spots and recommended locations for drilling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following recent hydrocarbon exploration activity, a new study has been carried out with the goal of defining the high-resolution biochronologic sequence stratigraphy of the Oligocene section in the offshore Nile Delta. A total of 98 samples were selected from 2 wells: Burullus 1 Memphis and Petrobel 1 Habbar. The study is based on a high-resolution microfossil biochronology including benthic and planktonic foraminifera and nannofossils as well as facies analysis and wire-line log calibration to investigate the evolution of Oligocene gas-bearing sequences in the southeastern Mediterranean region. The planktonic-benthic ratio, foraminiferal diversity, and upper depth limit of benthic foraminiferal taxa as well as the abundance of calcareous nannoplankton help in interpreting the depositional paleoenvironments of the Oligocene succession as fluvial, shallow-marine, middle- to outer-shelf, and bathyal domains. Six sequences were identified, three of which are lower Oligocene (Rupelian) (RuSeql, RuSeq2, and RuSeq3), and the others are upper Oligocene (Chattian) (ChSeq4, ChSeq5, and ChSeq6). The sequence boundaries and flooding surfaces were correlated with the global eustatic sea-level models. Three major breaks--Eocene-Oligocene, lower-upper Oligocene, and upper Oligocene-lower Miocene boundaries--with intraformational breaks were well defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The early syn -rift marine deposits of the Gulf of Suez has an early Miocene age. • Our data contradict earlier interpretations of marine flooding as early as late Oligocene. • Acquitanian/Burdigalian and Burdigalian/Langhian boundaries are recorded within the succession. • New bioevents are regarded as reliable for age assignment in the Gulf of Suez. • The FO of Gs. subquadratus is a main event for the subdivision of Burdigalian. • The early Miocene fossil assemblage in the Suez rift has a Mediterranean affinity. The absence or rarity of some global marker taxa in the semi-restricted Suez rift basin has led to uncertainty with respect to the age of the early syn -rift deposits. To tackle this issue, high-resolution foraminiferal and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy was undertaken on sections in the Wadi Baba area at the eastern basin margin. Two planktic foraminiferal bioevents of early Miocene age are recognized: First Occurrences (FOs) of Globigerinoides subquadratus and Trilobatus sicanus. These bioevents define three zones/subzones: MMi2b, MMi2c-MMi3 and MMi4. Calcareous nannofossil analysis provided the basis for the definition of three zones: CNM4 to CNM6 based on FOs of Helicosphaera ampliaperta and Sphenolithus belemnos , and the first common occurrence of S. heteromorphus. Our results assign a new age estimate of late Aquitanian to early Burdigalian (<19.01 Ma) for the Nukhul Formation, and Burdigalian to early Langhian for the Rudeis Formation, with three possible hiatuses. Integration of benthic foraminiferal biofacies, lithofacies and nannofossil paleoecological markers reveals a broad range of paleoenvironments, from shoreface to upper bathyal. The Nukhul Formation was deposited in nearshore, nutrient-rich, well-oxygenated conditions. Deeper water environments of neritic to upper bathyal prevailed during the Rudeis Formation. Comparison with coeval deposits in the offshore area of the basin reveals significant paleoenvironmental variability during the Burdigalian associated with episodic subsidence along basinal faults. Climate-sensitive taxa and oxygen isotope data indicate a prevalence of warm paleoclimatic conditions. Our results suggest the development of a seaway connecting the Gulf of Suez with the Mediterranean during the early Miocene rather than Chattian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-resolution quantitative nannoplankton biostratigraphy has been established in four wells based on a total of 1241 subsurface samples to understand and improve hydrocarbon exploration and recovery in the offshore Nile Delta. Ninety-two nannofossil species were used to delineate stages/ages boundaries of the Miocene-Pleistocene succession and to construct the age-depth model. Empirical, semi-quantitative (Graphic Correlation), and quantitative (Unitary Associations 'UA') methods retained comparable results, suggesting that the data quality is a master variable in the biostratigraphic resolution of the studied sequence. The UA method retained a sequence of 22 UAs, which exceeded the empirical zones (15; CNM6-CNPL9 = NN4-NN19). However, these UAs were merged into 14 zones (UAZ) to enable correlation among sections. Age-depth models and the nannofossil abundance were used to estimate the sedimentation rates and identify the system tracts within the depositional cycles. The variation in sedimentation rate was attributed to the interplay between the sea level and Nile flooding, which controlled the terrigenous influx. Furthermore, the nannofossil diversity was linked to the sequence stratigraphic framework, where seven 3rd order sequences were identified and correlated with the Global Tethyan sequences. Moreover, the extinction rate has increased after the Messinian and is attributed to the Pliocene-Pleistocene sea-level highstand and invasion of deeper water rich in nutrients from the upwelling zone. • 92 nannofossil species in 1241 samples were quantitatively analyzed in four wells. • 15 biozones (CNM6 to CNPL9) in the Miocene-Pleistocene of the offshore Nile Delta. • Empirical zonation, Graphic Correlation, and Unitary Association retained comparable results. • Higher nannofossil diversity was associated with lower sedimentation rate and higher sea-level. • Extinction rate has increased after the Messinian due to invasion of deeper water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Abu Qada Formation is a reference interval for the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary event in the northeastern margin of Africa. In this paper, geochemical, biostratigraphical, and carbon isotope ratio studies are presented using high-resolution well data yielded from the Gulf of Suez, Egypt to evaluate the paleoenvironmental condition, sequence stratigraphy and source rock potential of the Upper Cenomanian/Lower Turonian Abu Qada Formation. A total of 12 core samples and 4 ditch cuttings were collected from OCT-A8St1 well in the October Oil Field for geochemical, palynological and calcareous nannoplankton analyses. Cyclostratigraphic analysis was prepared to characterize the electrofacies change along the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary interval including the Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2). The Predictive Error Filter Analysis (PEFA) patterns and Integrated Predictive Error Filter Analysis (INPEFA) curves found 3rd order cycle of the OAE2 within the global third-order cycle Ce5. A stable carbonate isotope analyses with total organic carbon (TOC) resulted in a remarkable positive excursion δ13C carb (3.67‰) associated with change in the TOC content. The quantitative analysis of calcareous nannofossils indicates the high productiveness of nannoplankton around the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary interval. The high abundance of the Discorhabdus genus proves the paleoenvironmental change during the OAE2 interval. The palynofacies interpretation indicates the lower part of Abu Qada Formation to be deposited in a slightly reducing conditions at the inner neritic setting, while the upper part of Abu Qada to lower part of Wata formations were deposited in deeper marine setting under anoxic conditions. These changes in the overall depositional conditions are documented by the remarkable change in palynofacies and organic carbon content (TOC). Dark gray shale and carbonate sediments are interpreted to be a good source rock potential by kerogen quantified palynofacies analysis indicating oil and gas prone producing materials (Kerogen types II and II/III). The best source rock quality is associated with the Abu Qada Formation's OAE2 record. These criteria allow us to identify the occurrence of OAE2 record in the Gulf of Suez petroleum province as a useful tool for high-resolution chronostratigraphic analysis. • The occurrence of OAE2 record in the Gulf of Suez petroleum province is identified as a useful tool for high-resolution chronostratigraphic analysis. • The upper part of Abu Qada to lower part of Wata formations were deposited in deeper marine setting under anoxic conditions. • The quantitative analysis of calcareous nannofossil indicates the high productiveness of nannoplankton around the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary interval. • The quantitative analysis of calcareous nannofossil indicates the high productiveness of nannoplankton around the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) defines a spectrum of proliferative disorders of trophoblastic epithelium of the placenta. Incidence, risk factors, and outcome may differ from one country to another., Objective: To describe incidence, patient characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcome of GTD at Mansoura University which is a referral center of Lower Egypt., Methods: An observational prospective study was conducted at the GTD Clinic of Mansoura University. The patients were recruited for 12 months from September 2015 to August 2016. The patients' characteristics, management, and outcome were reported., Results: We reported 71 clinically diagnosed GTD cases, 62 of them were histologically confirmed, 58 molar (33 CM and 25 PM) in addition to 4 initially presented GTN cases. Mean age of the studied cases was 26.22 years ± 9.30SD. Mean pre-evacuation hCG was 136170 m.i.u/ml ±175880 SD. Most of the cases diagnosed accidentally after abnormal sonographic findings (53.2%). Rate of progression of CM and PM to GTN was 24.2% and 8%, respectively., Conclusion: The incidence of molar pregnancy and GTN in our locality was estimated to be 13.1 and 3.2 per 1000 live births respectively. We found no significance between CM and PM regarding hCG level, time to hCG normalization, and progression rate to GTN., (© 2020 Zakaria A et al.)