SHALE OIL AND GAS PROSPECTIVITY OF THE NORTHERN WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT

Abstract

Since the first hydrocarbon discovery in the Western Desert in 1969, several papers were published focusing on the conventional petroleum system elements. The entire stratigraphic section was studied to define the source rocks, seals and reservoirs. The present work focuses on screening the available dataset and re-using the geological information to assess the possible unconventional hydrocarbon resources. Geochemical analyses of the hydrocarbon rich stratigraphic intervals could lead to define and rank the shale oil and gas plays in terms of their presence, type, quality and lateral extension. Both major source rocks(Abu Roash and Khatatba formations) went through many geological and geochemical studies that proved their efficiency and ability to produce oil, gas, and condensate in different localities based on their maturation, total organic content, hydrogen index and kerogen type. Preliminary screening of the stratigraphy and geochemistry of the Western Desert source rocks indicated the shale gas and oil potential of the Abu Roash source rock in the Abu Gharadig Basin. The parameters required to assess the shale oil/gas plays are depth, thickness, lithological content, total organic content and maturation. In this paper, the available geochemical data were collected, screened and plotted to indicate the possible unconventional hydrocarbon plays.