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PETROLEUM POTENTIAL OF

WADI AL SIRHAN BASIN, JORDAN

Geology, Seismic, Basin Analysis and Remaining Prospects

Target Exploration

PO Box 50536, Arad, Kingdom of Bahrain

Tel. +973 36 71 97 96

m.casey@targetexploration.com

www.targetexploration.com

SUMMARY

Al-Sirhan area in southeast Jordan is studied, in the present thesis, for its hydrocarbon potentiality. The study area covers about 11600 Km² and was a target for petroleum exploration by several petroleum companies till 1991. One well (WS-3) is studied in details for the different petroleum aspects and then correlated with three other wells (WS-2, WS-4, and WS-10) that cover nearly all of the study area.

Stratigraphy, petrography, diagenesis, and depositional environment are studied for each formation in well WS-3. Also, petrophysical studies including porosity, permeability, water saturation, and hydrocarbon saturation are done using wire line logs for candidate reservoirs within the area. Sequence stratigraphy technique is used to divide the stratigraphic succession within the study area and to locate possible source and reservoir rocks. Total organic carbon analysis is done for two candidate source intervals within Al-Sirhan area. Seismic investigation is also done using seventeen seismic sections that cover almost the central and eastern part of the area. Closures, reserves, and proposed migration pathways of hydrocarbons are studied in order to assess the hydrocarbon potentiality of the study area..

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Subject	Page No.
Table of contents………………………………………………..	II
List of tables…………………………………………………….	VII
List of Figures………….……………………...………………..	IX
Execative Summary………………………………………….	XIII

Chapter one: Introduction……..………………………………...	1
1.1 Location……………………………………………………..	4
1.2 Petroleum exploration; an overview………………………...	8
1.3 Hydrocarbon indications in Jordan.......................................	9
1.3.1 Oil seepages…………………………………………...	9
1.3.2 Asphalt………………………………………………...	10
1.3.3 Source Rock………………………………………………….	10
1.4 Previous work………………………………………………	12
1.5 Aims of study………………………………………………	15

Chapter two: Regional geology and tectonic setting........………	16
2.1 Regional geology……………………………………………	16
2.1.1 Precambrian…………………………………………...	16
2.1.2 Palaeozoic……………………………………………..	18
2.1.3 Mesozoic and Cenozoic………………………………	22
2.2 Tectonic setting……………………………………………..	24
2.3 Geological setting of Sirhan Area…………………………..	29

Chapter three: Methodology…………………………………….	38
3.1 Petrography……..…………………………………………..	38
3.2 X-ray diffraction……..……………………………………...	38
3.3 Petrophysics…………………………………………………	40
3.4 Total organic carbon………………………………………...	41

Chapter four: Petrography, diagenesis, and reservoir properties.	44
4.1 Precambrian rocks…………………………………………..	46
4.1.1 Precambrian volcanics………………………………...	46
4.1.2 Umm Ghaddah Formation…………………………….	48
4.1.2.1 Mineral composition……………………………...	48
4.1.2.2 Diagenesis………………………………………..	50
4.1.2.3 Clay mineralogy………………………………….	51
4.1.2.4 Porosity…………………………………………..	51
4.1.2.5 Provenance and tectonic setting………………….	53
4.2 Paleozoic rocks…………………………………………….	54
4.2.1 Cambrian Salib Formation……………………………	54
4.2.1.1 Mineral composition……………………………...	54
4.2.1.2 Diagenesis………………………………………..	55
4.2.1.3 Clay mineralogy………………………………….	56
4.2.1.4 Porosity…………………………………………..	56
4.2.1.5 Provenance and tectonic setting………………….	56
4.2.2 Burj Formation……………..…………………………	57
4.2.2.1 Tayan Member…………………………………...	57
4.2.2.2 Numayri Member………………………………..	59
4.2.2.3 Hanneh Member………………………………….	65
4.2.2.4 Source rock potentiality.………...………………..	66
4.2.2.5 Proposed migration model…….………………….	68
4.2.2.6 Provenance and tectonic setting………………….	68
4.2.3 Quweira and Umm Ishrin Formations………………	69
4.2.3.1 Mineral composition……………………………..	71
4.2.3.2 Diagenesis………………………………………..	72
4.2.3.3 Clay mineralogy………………………………….	73
4.2.3.4 Porosity…………………………………………..	73
4.2.3.5 Proposed migration model……………………….	73
4.2.3.6 Provenance and tectonic setting………………….	74
4.2.4 Disi Formation………….……………………………..	74
4.2.4.1 Mineral composition……………………………..	75
4.2.4.2 Diagenesis………………………………………..	75
4.2.4.3 Clay mineralogy………………………………….	76
4.2.4.4 Porosity…………………………………………..	76
4.2.4.5 Provenance and tectonic setting ...……………….	76
4.2.5 Umm Sahm Formation………….……………………	77
4.2.5.1 Mineral composition……………………………..	77
4.2.5.2 Diagenesis………………………………………..	79
4.2.5.3 Clay mineralogy………………………………….	79
4.2.5.4 Porosity…………………………………………..	79
4.2.5.5 Provenance and tectonic setting ...……………….	79
4.2.6 Hiswa Formation………..……….……………………	80
4.2.6.1 Mineral composition……………………………..	80
4.2.6.2 Diagenesis………………………………………..	82
4.2.6.3 Clay mineralogy………………………………….	82
4.2.6.4 Depositional environment and source potentiality.	82
4.2.7 Umm Tarifa Formation………………..………………	83
4.2.7.1 Mineral composition……………………………..	85
4.2.7.2 Diagenesis………………………………………..	85
4.2.7.3 Clay mineralogy………………………………….	86
4.2.7.4 Porosity and source evaluation…………………..	86
4.2.7.5 Proposed migration model……………………….	86
4.2.7.6 Provenance and tectonic setting………………….	88
4.2.8 Batra Formation……………………………………….	89
4.2.8.1 Depositional environment and source evaluation...	89
4.2.9 Alna Formation……………………………………….	91
4.2.9.1 Mineral composition……………………………...	92
4.2.9.2 Diagenesis………………………………………..	93
4.2.9.3 Clay mineralogy………………………………….	93
4.2.9.4 Porosity………………………………………….	93
4.2.9.5 Proposed migration model……………………….	94
4.2.9.6 Provenance and tectonic setting………………….	94
4.3 Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks………………………………	94
4.3.1 Kurnub sandstone……………………………………..	95
4.3.1.1 Mineral composition……………………………...	95
4.3.1.2 Diagenesis………………………………………..	95
4.3.1.3 Clay mineralogy………………………………….	97
4.3.1.4 Provenance and tectonic setting………………….	97
4.3.2 Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene…………………….	97

Chapter five: Sequence stratigraphy………….…………………	100
5.1 Stratigraphic sequences……………………………………..	100
5.1.1 Sequence 1……………………………………………	101
5.1.1.1 Lowstand systems tract…………………………..	101
5.1.1.2 Transgressive systems tract………………………	103
5.1.1.3 Highstand systems tract…………………………..	104
5.1.2 Sequence 2……………………………………………	105
5.1.2.1 Transgressive systems tract………………………	105
5.1.2.2 Highstand systems tract…………………………..	107
5.1.3 Sequence 3……………………………………………	108
5.1.3.1 Lowstand systems tract…………………………..	108
5.1.3.2 Transgressive and highstand systems tract……….	108
5.1.4 Sequence 4……………………………………………	110
5.1.4.1 Lowstand systems tract…………………………..	110
5.1.4.2 Transgressive and highstand systems tract……….	111
5.1.5 Sequence 5……………………………………………	111
5.1.5.1 Lowstand systems tract…………………………..	113
5.1.5.2 Transgressive and highstand systems tract……….	113
5.1.6 Sequence 6……………………………………………	114
5.1.6.1 Transgressive and highstand systems tract……….	114
5.1.7 Sequence 7……………………………………………	115
5.1.7.1 Transgressive systems tract………………………	115
5.1.7.2 Highstand systems tract…………………………..	117
5.1.8 Sequence 8……………………………………………	117
5.1.8.1 Transgressive systems tract………………………	118
5.1.8.2 Highstand systems tract…………………………..	118
5.1.9 Sequence 9……………………………………………	119
5.1.9.1 Lowstand systems tract…………………………..	119
5.1.9.2 Transgressive systems tract………………………	120
5.1.9.3 Highstand systems tract…………………………..	120
5.1.10 Sequence 10…………………………………………	121
5.1.10.1 Transgressive systems tract……….....…………	122
5.1.10.2 Highstand systems tract………………..………..	122
5.2 Eustasy versus tectonics………………………………..	123

Chapter six: SEISMIC INTERPRETATION…………………...	125
6.1 Seismic data…………………………………………………	125
6.2 Seismic work description…………………………………...	127
6.2.1 Tying logs to seismic lines……………………………	127
6.2.2 Tracing reflectors and generating maps………………	127
6.2.3 Target reflectors……………………………………….	128
6.3 Seismic data interpretation………………………………….	129
6.3.1 Precambrian rocks…………………………………….	134
6.3.2 Salib Formation……………………………………….	134
6.3.3 Hiswa Formation……………………………………...	135
6.3.4 Umm Tarifa Formation………………………………..	137
6.3.5 Batra Formation……………………………………….	138
6.3.6 Alna Formation……………………………………….	139
6.4 Time and depth maps……………………………………….	139
6.4.1 TWT structure map for the top of Salib Formation…..	139
6.4.2 3-D depth map for the top of Salib Formation………..	140
6.4.3 TWT structure map for the top of Hiswa Formation….	141
6.4.4 3-D depth map for the top of Hiswa Formation………	143
6.4.5 TWT map for the top of Umm Tarifa Formation……..	143
6.4.6 3-D depth map for the top of Umm Tarifa Formation...	143
6.4.7 TWT structure map for the top of Alna Formation…...	146
6.4.8 3-D depth map for the top of Alna Formation………...	149
6.5 Al-Sirhan Basin evolution…………………………………..	149
6.5.1 Cratonization of the Arabian Shield…………………..	149
6.5.2 Najd Fault cycle...……………………………………..	150
6.5.3 Nubian cycle I…………………………………………	153
6.5.4 Nubian cycle II and Hoggar cycle..…………………..	154
6.5.5 Nubian cycle III……………………………………….	155
6.5.6 Hercynian cycle……………………………………….	155
6.5.7 Jurhom and Neotethys cycles……………..…………..	156
6.5.8 Arabian Plate cycle……………………………………	157

Chapter seven: HYDROCARBON PROSPECTIVITY………..	158
7.1 The Cambrian play system………………………………….	158
7.1.1 Source rock…………………………………………..	158
7.1.2 Source rock maturity………………………………….	159
7.1.3 Reservoir rock………………………………………..	163
7.1.4 Seal rock………………………………………………	167
7.1.5 Trap styles..…………………………………………..	167
7.1.5.1 Traps related to tensional faults…………………..	167
7.1.5.2 Traps related to compactional anticlines…………	169
7.1.6 Closures………………………………………………	171
7.1.6.1 Closure 1…………………………………………	171
7.1.6.2 Closure 2…………………………………………	171
7.1.6.3 Closure 3…………………………………………	174
7.1.6.4 Closure 4…………………………………………	174
7.1.6.5 Closure 5…………………………………………	175
7.1.6.6 Closure 6…………………………………………	175
7.1.6.7 Closures 7, 8, and 9.…………………………..…	178
7.1.6.8 Closures shown only on seismic sections.………	178
7.1.6.9 Other fault accompanied closures.………….……	179
7.1.7 Reserve calculations……………………..……………	179
7.2 The Ordovician-Silurian play system….……………………	181
7.2.1 Source rock…………………………………………..	181
7.2.2 Source rock maturity………………………………….	184
7.2.3 Reservoir rock………………………………………..	186
7.2.4 Seal rock………………………………………………	187
7.2.5 Trap styles..…………………………………………..	187
7.2.6 Closures……………………………………………….	188
7.2.6.1 Closure 1…………………………………………	188
7.2.6.2 Closure 2…………………………………………	188
7.2.6.3 Closure 3…………………………………………	189
7.2.6.4 Closure 4…………………………………………	190
7.2.6.5 Closure 5…………………………………………	190
7.2.6.6 Closure only within seismic sections.……………	191
7.2.7 Reserve calculations……………………..……………	192
7.3 The Silurian play system…………..………………………..	192
7.3.1 Source rock…………………………………………..	192
7.3.2 Source rock maturity………………………………….	194
7.3.3 Reservoir rock………………………………………..	194
7.3.4 Seal rock………………………………………………	195
7.3.5 Trap styles..…………………………………………..	195
7.3.6 Closures……………………………………………….	195

Chapter eight: Geohistory analysis……………………………...	196
8.1 Sediment accumulation rates……………………..…………	196
8.2 Eroded thickness at the Late Palaeozoic unconformity…..…	199
8.3 Subsidence history………………………………………….	203
8.3.1 Step one: Sediment accumulation…………………….	203
8.3.2 Step two: Decompaction……………………………..	203
8.3.3 Step three: Paleobathymetry…………………………..	206
8.4 Calculating tectonic subsidence……………………….........	210
8.5 Interpretation………………………………………………..	211
8.3.1 Time span 550 to 508 My…………………………….	212
8.3.2 Time span 508 to 494 My…………………………….	213
8.3.3 Time span 494 to 483 My…………………………….	213
8.3.4 Time span 483 to 420 My…………………………….	214
8.3.5 Time span 420 to 125 My…………………………….	215
8.6 Geohistory analysis using software FLEXDECOMP…....…	216

Discussion……………………………………………………….	222
Conclusions…………………………………………………….	225
Recommendations………………………………………………	229
Plates……………………………………………………………	230
References………………………………………………………	243
Arabic abstract………………………………………………….	251

LIST OF TABLES

Table No.	Table title	Page No.
1.1	Wadi Sirhan Wells Data (modified after Andrews et al., 1991 and NRA, 2004).	7
2.1	Lithostratigraphy of the Paleozoic rocks in Jordan (Abed 2000).	20
3.1	Distribution of core and cutting samples with depth in well WS-3.	39
3.2	Rock matrix values for the major types of rocks that are used in the petrophysical calculations.	42
4.1	TOC values for samples from the Burj Formation in well WS-3.	67
4.2	TOC values for samples from the Hiswa Formation in well WS-3.	84
7.1	Crystallinity index (CI), sharpness ratio (SR), and equivalent vitrinite reflectance for samples from Burj Formation.	162
7.2	Closures of the Cambrian play system and its oil reserves.	182
7.3	Crystallinity index (CI), sharpness ration (SR), and equivalent vitrinite reflectance values for samples from Batra and Hiswa Formations.	185
7.4	Closures of the Ordovician-Silurian play system and its oil reserves.	193
8.1	Thickness and sediment-accumulation rates for all the formations in wells WS-2, WS-3, WS-4, and WS-10.	198
8.2	Age of the beginning of erosion and eroded thicknesses at the Hercynian Orogeny in all studied wells (after Guidish et al., 1985).	201
8.3	Idealized initial porosity and lithology constant for different lithologies.	207

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No.	Figure title	Page No.
1.1	Location map illustrating position of Al-Sirhan Area in Jordan.	2
1.2	Map of Jordan showing the nine petroleum blocks.	3
1.3	Arial photo illustrating the Azraq - Sirhan Area in Jordan.	5
1.4	Well locations in the Sirhan Area.	6
2.1	The Najd Rift System Before 570 Ma prior to the initiation of the Najd Strike Slip System (modified after Knort, 2001).	17
2.2	Pre-Hercynian distribution of the Paleozoic rocks in the surface And subsurface of Jordan (Modified after Lutfi Abu Saad 2005).	23
2.3	Location of Jordan relative to he Arabian Plate and Arabian Nubian Shield (modified after Coleman 1973).	25
2.4	Columnar section of Basement, Salib, and Burj Formations in well WS-3 (modified after Paleoservices 1987).	31
2.5	Columnar section of Um Ishrin, Disi, Um Sahm, and Hiswa Formations in well WS-3 (modified after Paleoservices 1987).	32
2.6	Columnar section of Dubaydib, Mudawwara, Khushsha Formations in well WS-3 (modified after Paleoservices 1987).	34
2.7	Columnar section of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Formations in well WS-3 (modified after Paleoservices 1987).	36
4.1	Triangle plots used in classifying Al-Sirhan sandstones.	45
4.2	Lava flows extending for a wide area in Al-Sirhan basin, line S-39.	47
4.3	Columnar section of Basement, Umm Ghaddah, and Salib Formations in well WS-3.	49
4.4	Representative XRD traces of the clay fraction from Umm Ghaddah Formation (depth 4215 m) in well WS-3.	52

Figure No.	Figure title	Page No.
4.5	Columnar section of Burj Formation in Al-Sirhan Area, well WS-3.	58
4.6	Columnar section of Quweira, Umm Ishrin, and Disi Formations in Al-Sirhan Area, well WS-3.	70
4.7	Columnar section of Umm Sahm, Hiswa, and Dubaydib Formations in Al-Sirhan Area, well WS-3.	78
4.8	Distribution of the thickness of several formations within Al-Sirhan Basin.	81
4.9	Variation of porosity of Umm Tarifa Formation and TOC content of the lower hot shale of Batra Formation in Al-Sirhan Basin.	87
4.10	Columnar section of Batra and Alna Formations in well WS-3.	90
4.11	Columnar section of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic formations in well WS-3.	96
5.1	Detailed key surfaces, systems tracts, sequences, and parasequences of Umm Ghaddah, Salib, and Burj Formations in Al-Sirhan Area, well WS-3.	102
5.2	Sequence stratigraphic correlation of the Palaeozoic sequence in Al-Sirhan Area.	106
5.3	Detailed key surfaces, systems tracts, sequences, and parasequences of Quweira, Umm Ishrin, Disi, Umm Sahm, and Hiswa Formations in Al-Sirhan Area, well WS-3.	109
5.4	Sequence stratigraphic correlation of the Palaeozoic sequence in Al-Sirhan Area.	112
5.5	Detailed key surfaces, systems tracts, sequences, and parasequences of Umm Tarifa, Batra, and Alna Formations in Al-Sirhan Area, well WS-3.	116
6.1	Base map showing different seismic lines used in the study area.	126

Figure No.	Figure title	Page No.
6.2	Seismic line S-44 showing different interpreted reflectors, small horst structure closures, and different types of faults.	130
6.3	Seismic line S-45 showing different interpreted reflectors, with several closures including horst structures, broad compactional anticlines, and different types of faults.	131
6.4	Time structure map for the top of Salib Formation.	133
6.5	Seismic line S-61 showing different interpreted reflectors, general dipping trend of the strata towards northeast, downfaulted blocks of the Precambrian rocks overlain by increased thicknesses of Salib Formation, and small horst structure closures.	136
6.6	3-D depth maps for the top of Salib and Hiswa Formations showing main closures within Salib Formation.	142
6.7	Time structure map for the top of Hiswa Formation.	144
6.8	Time structure map for the top of Umm Tarifa Formation.	145
6.9	3-D depth maps for the top of Umm Tarifa and Alna Formations showing the proposed closures.	147
6.10	Time structure map for the top of Alna Formation.	148
6.11	Evolution of Al-Sirhan basin during the different depositional cycles.	151, 152
7.1	X-ray diffractograms showing different crystallinity indices measured for Burj, Hiswa, and Batra Formations.	161
7.2	Flow chart for the calculation of water saturation of the formation (Sw) and permeability (K).	164
7.3	Theoretical configuration of traps related to tensional faults within Sirhan Basin.	168
7.4	Theoretical configuration of traps related to tensional faults (horst structures) within Sirhan Basin.	170
7.5	Seismic line S-39 showing closure-1 and closur-10d within the top of Salib Formation and closure-1 and closure-6f within the top of Umm Tarifa Formation.	172

Figure No.	Figure title	Page No.
7.6	Seismic line S-62 showing closure-1 and closure-2 within the top of Salib and Umm Tarifa Formations.	173
7.7	Seismic line S-100 showing closur-5 within the top of Salib Formation and closure 6d within Umm Tarifa Formation.	176
7.8	Seismic line S-4 showing different interpreted reflectors and closure-5 in Salib Formation and 3 in Umm Tarifa Formation.	177
7.9	Flow chart for calculating oil reserves from wire line logs (after Asquith and Gibson, 1982).	180
8.1	Subsidence history curves for Wells WS-3 and WS-10.	204
8.2	Subsidence history curves for Wells WS-2 and WS-4.	205
8.3	Present thickness, initial thickness, and restored thickness for the stratigraphic units o wells WS-2 and WS-3.	208
8.4	Present thickness, initial thickness, and restored thickness for the stratigraphic units o wells WS-4 and WS-10.	209
8.5	Modeling the lithological evolution of Al-Sirhan Basin during the different time stages using software FLEXDECOMP.	217
8.6	Present thickness, initial thickness, and restored thickness for the stratigraphic units of wells WS-3 and WS-10 using software FLEXDECOMP.	220

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PO Box 50536, Arad, Kingdom of Bahrain

Tel. +973 36 71 97 96

m.casey@targetexploration.com

www.targetexploration.com