Seismic interpretation and hydrocarbon assessment of the post-rift Cenomanian Bahariya reservoir, Beni Suef Basin, Egypt

Abstract The geophysical interpretations for a collection of high-quality 2D seismic data plus well logging data for six drilled wells exposed the structural controls and the hydrocarbon potentiality of the Beni Suef Basin, north Western Desert, Egypt. The created structural map on the top of the Early Cenomanian Bahariya Formation (the significant oil reserve in north Western Desert), exhibits a series of NW–SE normal faults as well as a master ENE strike-slip major fault. The extensional faults formed horst structures while the strike-slip fault created a negative flower structure in the central part of the study area. These structural features represent the main petroleum traps within Beni Suef Basin. The reservoir quality was assessed through the petrophysical analysis of the Bahariya Formation in wells; Azhar A2, Azhar E-2X, Azhar E3, Yusif-4X, Fayoum-2X and Beni Suef W-1X. This analysis proved that the Lower Bahariya unit has better reservoir quality than the Upper Bahariya reservoir, with shale volume less than 10%; effective porosity between 10 and 20%, water saturation between 25 and 75% and total pay thickness between 11 and 88 ft. The obtained results encourage drilling more exploratory wells in Beni Suef Basin to enhance the productivity from the sandstones of the Lower Bahariya reservoir.