Depth structural mapping of syn and pre-rift rock units of southeast Ghara at southern end of Gulf of Suez

Abstract

The interpretation of seismic data in the Gulf of Suez area for identifying and imaging pre-Miocene horizons is problematic due to the influence of thick evaporites near the surface. Consequently, this paper sheds light on the imaging of shallow and deep structure complexity of southeast Ghara based on an integrated analysis of seismic and aeromagnetic data. The analysis strategy included in-depth structural mapping of syn and pre-rift formations. The results indicate that the Miocene and pre-Miocene structure complexities are related to southwest-dipping blocks controlled by major listric faults associated with dip-slip faults. These structures are considered the main cause of forming the tilted faulted blocks in the study area, with a trend NNW to NW and many cross faults in ENE and NE in the study area with NNW to NW trends and many cross faults in the ENE and NE directions. One of these tilted faulted blocks forms the main horst structure trend in the Ghara area. The depth structure maps show that the depths of formations increase gradually westward and decrease eastward. The sub-basins in the western part exhibit an average thickness of 5029 m and are bounded by a salt ridge in the southeast and the uplifted offshore basement in the northwest. The lowermost portions of the Miocene formations and the pre-rift strata thickness are identified by mapping the basement and the base of the Rudeis Formation, which exhibit an average thickness of 549 m. The structure complexity analysis shows probable locations to entrap and accumulate hydrocarbons. The interpretation suggests that the up-thrown side of the interpreted normal faults show promising locations for hydrocarbon accumulations, especially along the central to southern, and northern portions of the Ghara study area.