Source rock evaluation and petroleum system modeling of the East Beni Suef Basin, north Eastern Desert, Egypt. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tawfik, Ahmed Y.; Ondrak, R.; Winterleitner, G.; Mutti, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of African earth sciences. Volume 193(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Source rock evaluation -- Kerogen petrography -- Basin modeling -- Sensitivity analysis -- Beni suef basin -- Egypt; Earth sciences -- Africa -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Middle East -- Periodicals; Geology -- Africa -- Periodicals; Geology -- Middle East -- Periodicals; Sciences de la terre -- Afrique -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Moyen-Orient -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Afrique -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Moyen-Orient -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geology; Africa; Middle East; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 556.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2022.104575
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-343X

Abstract

Abstract: This study deals with the East Beni Suef Basin (Eastern Desert, Egypt) and aims to evaluate the source-generative potential, reconstruct the burial and thermal history, examine the most influential parameters on thermal maturity modeling, and improve on the models already published for the West Beni Suef to ultimately formulate a complete picture of the whole basin evolution. Source rock evaluation was carried out based on TOC, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and visual kerogen petrography analyses. Three kerogen types (II, II/III, and III) are distinguished in the East Beni Suef Basin, where the Abu Roash "F" Member acts as the main source rock with good to excellent source potential, oil-prone mainly type II kerogen, and immature to marginal maturity levels. The burial history shows four depositional and erosional phases linked with the tectonic evolution of the basin. A hiatus (due to erosion or non-deposition) has occurred during the Late Eocene-Oligocene in the East Beni Suef Basin, while the West Beni Suef Basin has continued subsiding. Sedimentation began later (Middle to Late Albian) with lower rates in the East Beni Suef Basin compared with the West Beni Suef Basin (Early Albian). The Abu Roash "F" source rock exists in the early oil window with a present-day transformation ratio of about 19% and 21% in the East and West Beni Suef Basin, respectively, while the Lower Kharita source rock, which is only recorded in the West Beni Suef Basin, has reached the late oil window with a present-day transformation ratio of about 70%. The magnitude of erosion and heat flow have proportional and mutual effects on thermal maturity. We present three possible scenarios of basin modeling in the East Beni Suef Basin concerning the erosion from the Apollonia and Dabaa formations. Results of this work can serve as a basis for subsequent 2D and/or 3D basin modeling, which are highly recommended to further investigate the petroleum system evolution of the Beni Suef Basin. Highlights: Three kerogen types (II, II/III, and III) are defined in the East Beni Suef Basin. Abu Roash "F" Member is the main source rock and exists in the early oil window. Four tectonic episodes can be inferred from the reconstructed burial history. Sedimentation onset and rates differ across both sides of the Beni Suef Basin. Erosion and heat flow have proportional and mutual effects on thermal maturity.