Seismic interpretation of the Late Albian-Early Cenomanian Bahariya reservoirs of Burg El Arab oil field for tectonic evaluation: a case study from Western Desert, Egypt

The evolution of different rift basins has been investigated tectonically and stratigraphically for decades using different geological and geophysical techniques based on data collected from outcrops and subsurface sequences. The tectonic subsurface evaluation of the so-called Bahariya sequence of Burg El Arab (BEA) oil field (Western Desert, Egypt) was studied using eleven seismic profiles showing the structural framework of the BEA oil field. The Late Albian-Early Cenomanian Bahariya Formation was dissected by a series of normal fault system, trending in NW-SE and WNW-ESE directions. This system was created due to the Cretaceous-Early Tertiary tectonic deformations related to the Tethyan plate tectonics. These tectonics lead to the presence of a symmetrical anticlinal fold dissected by a set of normal faults that is clearly dipping towards SSE and extending along the direction of NNW-SSE. The results of the structural seismic interpretation of the BEA oil field indicated that there are two main tectonic deformations affecting the subsurface rocks of the Mesozoic: the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous rifting and Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary shortening deformation. Understanding and interpretation of such structural styles and tectonics are a key issue in hydrocarbon exploration and development in the study area.