Gas-generative potential for the post-Messinian megasequence of Nile Delta Basin: a case study of Tao Field, North Sinai Concession, Egypt

The main aim of the article is to evaluate the gas potentiality for the post-Messinian megasequence in TAO Field, North Sinai Concession, offshore Nile Delta Basin. The detailed petrophysical analysis for three deviated wells in the study area (Tao-3 ST1 Well, Tao-5 STA Well and Tao-7 Well) revealed that the Pliocene Kafr El-Sheikh Formation includes eleven gas-bearing zones. These zones were named: A, B, C in Tao-3 ST1 Well and D, E, F in Tao-5 STA Well. In Tao-7 Well, the interesting zones are named G, H, I, J and K. All of these sandy intervals are relatively shallow in depth and differ in thickness between 4 and 56 m. These zones are characterized by shale volume (10%), total porosity (30-40%), effective porosity (30-35%), gas saturation (50-90%), high effective permeability to gas and low permeability to water. The seismic data displayed that listric faults and the associated rollover folds have an important role in forming structural traps for the examined gas-bearing zones in Tao Field and its surroundings. This work revealed that the success rate in discovering new gas prospects within the Pliocene-Pleistocene succession at North Sinai Concession is very high.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the gas potential in the post-Messinian megasequence in TAO Field, confirming the presence of multiple gas-bearing zones in the Pliocene Kafr El-Sheikh Formation. Seismic data indicated that listric faults and rollover folds play a key role in forming structural traps for the gas-bearing zones.