Reservoir modeling of heterogeneities, structures, and petrophysical properties of the Berenice Oil Field: Implications for sustainable management and CO2 storage in the North Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

This study evaluates the CO₂ storage potential of the Berenice Oil Field in Egypt's Western Desert using integrated 3D geological and petrophysical modeling. The analysis focuses on the Alam El Bueib AEB-3E formation, a high-quality reservoir with porosity values of 14–16 %, permeability between 10 and 500 mD, and a thick Alamein Dolomite caprock (>100 m), ensuring robust sealing. Seismic interpretation identified structural traps, including tilted fault blocks and horsts, with ENE-WSW and ESE-WNW fault trends forming secure containment structures. Reservoir thickness increases toward the central field, enhancing CO₂ storage capacity. The novelty of this study lies in its application of integrated 3D geological and petrophysical modeling to assess CO₂ sequestration in a previously underexplored region of Egypt's Western Desert. Petrophysical modeling integrated well log data to evaluate porosity, permeability, shale volume, and water saturation. Spatial analyses using Petrel software identified the central and northwestern regions as optimal storage zones, offering a novel framework for selecting CO₂ storage sites based on a combination of structural and petrophysical factors. CO₂ storage capacity estimates range from 12.4 million tons (P10) to 146.5 million tons (P90), with a mean of 45.3 million tons. Structural and petrophysical evidence confirms the reservoir's suitability for CCS, addressing key challenges such as caprock integrity and fault stability. By integrating advanced 3D modeling, this study provides a comprehensive, region-specific assessment of the field's storage potential, contributing to Egypt's climate mitigation strategies. These findings validate the use of depleted oil and gas reservoirs (DOGR) for CO₂ sequestration and offer a replicable framework for assessing similar reservoirs globally.