Journal of African Earth Sciences 139 (2018) 113e119

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Journal of African Earth Sciences

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2D seismic interpretation and characterization of the

HauterivianeEarly Barremian source rock in Al Baraka oil field,
Komombo Basin, Upper Egypt
Moamen Ali a, *, M. Darwish b, Mahmoud A. Essa a, A. Abdelhady c
a
Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt
b
Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
c
DEA Egypt, Cairo, Egypt

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Komombo Basin is located in Upper Egypt about 570 km southeast of Cairo; it is an asymmetrical half
graben and the first oil producing basin in Upper Egypt. The Six Hills Formation is of Early Cretaceous age
and subdivided into seven members from base to top (AeG); meanwhile the B member is of Hauterivian
Keywords: eEarly Barremian and it is the only source rock of Komombo Basin. Therefore, a detailed study of the SR
Komombo Basin should be carried out, which includes the determination of the main structural elements, thickness,
Al Baraka oil field
facies distribution and characterization of the B member SR which has not been conducted previously in
Seismic interpretation
the study area. Twenty 2D seismic lines were interpreted with three vertical seismic profiles (VSP) to
Six hills formation
Source rock evaluation
construct the depth structure-tectonic map on the top of the B member and to highlight the major
Egypt structural elements. The interpretation of depth structure contour map shows two main fault trends
directed towards the NW-SE and NE to ENE directions. The NW-SE trend is the dominant one, creating a
major half-graben system. Also the depth values range from
8400 ft at the depocenter in the eastern
part to
4800 ft at the shoulder of the basin in the northwestern part of the study area. Meanwhile the
Isopach contour map of the B member shows a variable thickness ranging between 300 ft to 750 ft. The
facies model shows that the B member SR is composed mainly of shale with some sandstone streaks.
The B member rock samples were collected from Al Baraka-1 and Al Baraka SE-1 in the eastern part of
Komombo Basin. The results indicate that the organic matter content (TOC) has mainly good to very good
(1e3.36 wt %), The B member samples have HI values in the range 157e365 (mg HC/g TOC) and
dominated by Type II/III kerogen, and is thus considered to be oil-gas prone based on Rock-Eval pyrolysis,
Tmax values between 442 and 456 C therefore interpreted to be mature for hydrocarbon generation.
Based on the measured vitrinite equivalent reflectance values, the B member SR samples have a range 0.7
e1.14%Ro, in the oil generation window.
© 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

1. Introduction and exploration history
Komombo concession area is located in Upper Egypt about
570 km southeast of Cairo and 65 km NNW of Aswan Town and
covers an area around 11, 446 km2. The area is well served by a
paved road to Cairo, Aswan and the Red Sea Coast and by air con-
nections through Aswan airport to Cairo (Fig.1). Komombo Basin is
one of a series of intracontinental rift basins straddling the River
Nile such as the Beni Suef and Assiut Basins (Bosworth et al., 2008);
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: momen.mohamed@science.au.edu.eg (M. Ali).
it is the first basin to be produced in Upper Egypt.
The first attention for the possibility of petroleum occurrence in
Upper Egypt was by Nagati (1986) who supposed the presence of
Aulacogene in Upper Egypt. In 1997 Repsol acquired 850 Km of 2D
seismic in addition to three exploration wells (Komombo-1,
Komombo-2 and Komombo-3) drilled that are located in a NW-SE
trending half-graben. The three wells had oil shows but were not of
commercial importance. In 2007 Centurion Energy/Danagas
discovered Al Baraka oil field and drilled Al Baraka-1well, it was
drilled to test the potential of Cretaceous reservoirs. Testing of the
Early Cretaceous produced 150 b/d of 37 API oil with wax content
similar to that of Sudan.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.12.010
1464-343X/© 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
114 M. Ali et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 139 (2018) 113e119

aeromagnetic data show large elongated structural lows, similar to

the size of Gulf of Suez or longer, which are fault controlled grabens
(Klitzsch, 1984; Wycisk, 1987; Meshref, 1990). These grabens were
defined as faulted rifts by Taha and Aziz (1998) (e.g. Komombo,
Nuqura and Kharit Basins). The re-evolution of these basins will
support better understanding of hydrocarbon potentialities in
these systems. Asking stated above the Komombo Basin is an
extensional rift basin of Early to Late Cretaceous age in southern
Egypt (Fig. 1). The Komombo Basin appears to be a half graben
(Fig. 2), probably developed in an extensional stress regime origi-
nated in Central and North Africa with the opening of South
Atlantic during the Early Cretaceous (Bosworth et al., 2008). The
main bounding fault of the Komombo Basin is located to the
northeast and trending NWeSE, while the subordinate faults are
mainly synthetic and have the same trend (Fig. 2). The basin con-
tains up to 4 km of strata, principally clastics (sandstone and shales)
with minor shelf carbonates in the upper part (Fig. 3). The cratonic
rift basins are formed by the stretching and faulting of continental
lithosphere (McKenzie, 1978; Wernicke, 1985; Nagati, 1986;
Rosendahl, 1987; Kusznir et al., 1991; Ziegler, 1992; Moustafa
et al., 2003; among other).

3. Stratigraphy
Fig. 1. Landsat map of Egypt showing the study area within Komombo Basin, Upper
Egypt. In the present study the Biostratigraphic interpretation proved
that the Komombo succession belongs to the Cretaceous (Val-
anginian-Maastrichtian age). No older age could be detected for the
The sedimentary section in Komombo area includes several
studied wells. Updated stratigraphic column for Komombo Basin
shale intervals. These shales are within; Hauterivian-Early Barre-
and Al Baraka oil field area is shown (Fig. 3). Two major inter-
mian, Aptian, Cenomanian, Turonian, Coniacian and Campanian.
formational stratigraphic breaks were detected in the studied
Among these shale intervals the HauterivianeEarly Barremian (B
successions, time gap period was recognized between Hauterivian
member of the Six Hills Formation) shale is considered the only
and Barremian around 3 million years and between Aptian and
source rock since it is the oldest thick shales deposited during the
Albian sequences of around 14 million years. In addition to the main
Early Cretaceous time on the entire area of the Komombo Basin
break represented by the time gap between the Pre-Cambrian
(Abdelhady, 2016). It is buried in deep depths (>8000 ft) in the
Basement and the Early Cretaceous sediments as non-deposition
troughs and had been affected by many tectonic phases. The Hau-
or major erosional phases and between the Cretaceous sequence
terivianeEarly Barremian source rock is considering being the main
and the overlying Paleocene sediments due to regional uplift event
contributing in the petroleum system in Komombo Basin. There-
on the area. Also these time gaps as unconformities between the
fore, a detailed study of the SR should be carried out, which in-
different sedimentary cycles (Abdelhady, 2016).
cludes the determination of the main structural elements,
The continental and transitional marine Cretaceous succession
thickness, facies distribution and characterization of the Hauter-
of the Komombo basin (SW Egypt) comprises from bottom to top,
ivianeEarly Barremian SR which have not been conducted previ-
the Six Hills, Abu Ballas, Sabayaa, Maghrabi, Taref, Qusier, Duwi and
ously in the study area.
Dakhla formations (Fig. 3). Fluvially dominated sedimentation
The aim of the present study is to integrated 2D seismic data and
started above the basement with the Six Hills Formation, of Early
wire-line logs of the selected wells to construct the B member SR
Cretaceous age, it is subdivided into seven members from base to
structure-tectonic map, Isopach contour map and 3D geological
top (AeG). The B member is of HauterivianeEarly Barremian (Abu
model and discusses the interpretation of the available geochem-
ical data to define and characterize the B member source rock of the
penetrated sediments in the study area and to delineate the main
zones of oil and gas generation where present. These aims have
been achieved by applying geochemical technique and thermal
maturity models.

2. Regional tectonic setting of Komombo Basin

Rift basins are primary targets for hydrocarbon exploration in

North and Central Africa rift basins mainly of Mesozoic age (Nagati,
1986; Meshref, 1990). Some of these cratonic rifts are filled with
sedimentary sequences ranging from non-marine lacustrine facies
to fully marine systems. It is obvious that the sedimentary patterns
of Jurassic to lower Tertiary sequences appear to have been influ-
enced by to main Tethyan tectonic forces; the sinistral shear during
late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous and the dextral shear during the
late Cretaceous to Paleocene (Smith, 1971). Fig. 2. Interpreted Geo-Seismic Cross Section for 05-01-Cf77-02 line, Based on the 2D
In the south Western Desert of Egypt bouguer gravity and Seismic Data of Komombo Basinal Area, Upper Egypt.
 M. Ali et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 139 (2018) 113e119
Fig. 3. Generalized stratigraphic chart for Al Baraka area (modified after Abdelhady,
2016).
El Ella, 2011) and it is the only source rock of Komombo Basin
(Abdelhady, 2016). The younger Abu Ballas Formation (Aptian)
represents highstand deposits and is composed of mudstones and
siltstones of shallow marine settings (Wycisk, 1987), it represents
the first transgression of a shallow epicontinental sea during the
Early Cretaceous (Boettcher, 1982). The second transgression is
represented by the Cenomanian Maghrabi Formation which over-
lies the fluvial Sabayaa Formation of Albian age. In the Kharga area,
the Maghrabi Formation is attributed to a mixed estuarine and
tidal-flat environment, the Turonian Taref Formation represents the
last important and thick fluvial succession within this period
(Hendriks, 1986).
4. Material and methods
The available seismic data sets will be used to achieve the goals
of the present study, including twenty 2D seismic lines, four wells
data and three vertical seismic profiles (VSP); these data were
provided by (GANOPE) (Fig. 4). Twelve of the seismic lines are
oriented in NW and NNW directions (Dip line) and the other eight
lines are oriented in the NE direction (Strike line). Three wells were
encountered the Precambrian Basement complex (AB-1, ABSE-1
and Kom-3 wells) but AB-5 well was stopped at depth 5200 ft at
the Upper Barremian sequence. Petrel Software 2013.2 was used to
interpret 2D seismic lines and well logging data. In order to eval-
uate the geochemical characteristics of the B member SR, 43 rock
samples were collected from Al Baraka-1 and Al Baraka SE-1 wells
which located in the eastern part of the study area.
115
Fig. 4. Base map showing 2D seismic lines and the location of the used wells.
5. Results and discussion
The B member top surface was picked in the study area and
create TWT contour map which was converted to depth structure
contour map by using vertical seismic profiles (VSP), the depth of
the top surface of the B member related to sea level was estimated
as well as Isopach contour map, 3D structure and facies models for
the B member surface were constructed. Also the B member rock
samples were analyzed for quantity, quality and maturity of the
organic matter by RockeEval pyrolysis.
5.1. Top B member (HauterivianeEarly Barremian) two way time
contour map
The time structural contour map on the top of the B member,
based on the 2D seismic data (Fig. 5), shows two main general fault
trends NW-SE and NE to ENE. The NW-SE trend is the dominant
one. On the other hand, the time of the B member increases on the
eastern part of the study area recoding the maximum value up to
1650 msec (structurally low). Moreover, the time decreases on the
western and northwestern parts of the study area, recording the
minimum value less than 930 msec (structurally high).
5.2. Top B member (HauterivianeEarly Barremian) depth structure
contour map
The B member SR is recorded at depth
7536 ft in Al Baraka-1
well and at depth
7680 ft in Al Baraka SE-1 well from the mean
sea level. However the depth values as deduced from the 2D
seismic section range from
8400 ft in the eastern corner that
represents the depocenter of Komombo Basin to
4800 ft in the
northwestern corner of the study area that represents the shoulder
of Komombo Basin. In Komombo-3 well the B member SR was not
recorded probably due to structural Paleo-highs (horst block) and
116 M. Ali et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 139 (2018) 113e119
Fig. 5. Top B member (Hauterivian-Early Barremian) TWT contour map.
AL Baraka-5 well was stopped at depth 5200 ft and not penetrated
the B member. The top of the B member depth structure contour
map shows the main fault systems (NW-SE and NE to ENE). The
NW-SE faults are the dominant on the top of the B member and in
the deeper levels (Fig. 6).
5.3. The B member SR isopach contour map
The Isopach contour map of the B member (Fig. 7) shows a
Fig. 6. Top B member (Hauterivian-Early Barremian) Depth structure contour map.
Fig. 7. Isopach contour map of the B member (Hauterivian-Early Barremian) SR.
variable thickness ranging between 300 ft to 750 ft. The maximum
thickness of the B member SR is encountered in the eastern part of
the study area, due to presence of the depocenter of the basin.
Meanwhile, it exhibits its minimum thickness in the western and
northwestern parts of the study area, due to presence of the
shoulder of the basin.
5.4. The B member source rock 3D structure modeling
The purpose of this part is to construct 3D model to better un-
derstand structural and facies distribution of the source in 3
dimensional patterns for the B member SR in Al Baraka oil field.
Fig. 8 shows that the main fault systems are (NW-SE and NE to
ENE). The NW-SE faults are the dominant one on the B member SR.
Also it is deposited in an area west of Komombo-3 well, however
we couldn't recognize the reflector of the B member on the 2D
seismic lines SW of Komombo-3 well. So we suppose that a mini-
basin was formed west of Komombo-3 well due to the growth
faults, this mini-basin contains a good source rock which repre-
sented by the B member and we could confirm that by drilling an
exploratory well to explore this area which surrounded by two
normal faults (graben).
5.5. Facies modeling
The challenge to construct facies model is to come up with a
reliable distribution of properties in the main source and reservoir
units. This was due to the limitations of the data available during
the different integration phases of the source unit of the study area.
In order to conduct a reliable property model distribution, the
facies modeling of the B member was done and is presented in this
section of the study. The facies model start with upscaled the facies
log for the study wells and using sequential simulation indicator in
Petrel software to model the facies (Fig. 9), sequential indicator
simulation, a method based on pixel, investigates the correlation of
geological variables at any two points in underground space with
 M. Ali et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 139 (2018) 113e119
Fig. 8. The B member (Hauterivian-Early Barremian) SR 3D structure modeling.
variation function. The rock facies distribution is delineated in 3D
space. Here “rock facies” refers to sandstone, siltstone or shale.
Fig. 9 shows that the B member SR is composed mainly of shale
with some sandstone streaks in the northern part of the study area.
This is consistent with (Selim, 2016) who recognized the deposi-
tional systems of Komombo Basin, and supposed that the B mem-
ber SR presented by Siliciclastic lacustrine system. According to
(Selim, 2016) the lacustrine deposits consist mainly of grey and
dark grey partly laminated, organic-rich mudstones (Fig. 10). This
kind of facies is very distinctive in the context of the B member of
the Six Hills Formation (Hauterivian-Early Barremian). The fossil
content lacks the marine fossils and is dominated by land-derived
miospores such as Imparadecispora apiverrucata and Cupressa-
cites oxycedroides, Inaperturopollenites sp., Classopollis sp., Cya-
thidites minor, Gleicheniidites senonicus, Cycadopites sp.,
Gleicheniidites sp., and Gleicheniidites delcourtii (Abu El Ella,
2011). The lack of the marine fossils and the fine-grained nature
of this association as well as dominance of land-derived miospores
suggest deposition from suspension in stagnant water, below the
depth of wave reworking of sand, in a lacustrine environment.
Greyish black shales and dark mudstones reflect anoxic and
Fig. 9. 3D Static model showing the facies distribution of the B member (Hauterivian-
Early Barremian) SR.
117
Fig. 10. Examples of the siliciclastic lacustrine facies of the B member (Hauterivian-
Early Barremian) at a well in Al Baraka oil field. a) Core photograph of the grey organic-
rich mudstone facies. b) Close-up view of F15 (Laminated shale). Notice the cemented
fractures (arrows) (Selim, 2016).
reducing water conditions.
6. Evaluation of the B member shale source rock
The evaluation of the present study includes the determination
of the quantity and quality of organic matter, hydrocarbon type (oil
or gas) and level of thermal maturity of source-rocks within the
Cretaceous sequence. In order to evaluate the geochemical char-
acteristics of the B member SR, 43 rock samples were collected
from Al Baraka-1 and Al Baraka SE-1 wells which located in the
eastern part of the study area.
6.1. Total organic richness (TOC)
The organic matter required for a sedimentary rock to act as a
source rock was discussed by many authors; of mentioned are
Waples (1979); Cornford (1984); Espitalie  et al. (1985) and Peters
(1986). Peters (1986) considered the weight percent (wt. %) of
0.5, 0.5e1, 1e2, and >2 to act as poor, fair, good, and very good
source rocks, respectively.
The analyzed samples of the B member source rock interval
from 8170 to 8480 ft in Al Baraka-1 well, the quantity of organic
matter in rocks can be evaluated by TOC and petroleum generation
potential (S1 þ S2). Fig. 11 summarizes the TOC and other RockeEval
data related to the B member source rock. The TOC of samples
ranges from 1.00 to 2.90 wt % which is consistent with good to very
good source rock potential for oil and gas generation at the present
Fig. 11. Idealized geochemical log of the B member (Hauterivian-Early Barremian) in
the well Al Baraka-1 showing total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock-Eval Data.
118 M. Ali et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 139 (2018) 113e119
level of thermal maturity (Peters and Cassa, 1994). The S1 and S2
peaks range between 0.12 and 0.95 (mg HC/g rock) and 2.28e9.22
(mg HC/g rock) respectively (2.404 < S1 þ S2 < 10.15) indicates fair
to very good source rock potential, Tissot and Welte (1984) sug-
gested that a petroleum generation potential (S1 þ S2) < 6 mg HC/g
rock indicates poor to fair source rock potential while the
S1 þ S2 > 6 corresponds to good and excellent source rock potential.
The average HI ranges from 157 to 365 (mg HC/g TOC), indicating
type II/III kerogen. The Oxygen Index values range from
(11.02e41.32 mg CO2/g TOC), as well as the B member in AB-1 has
productivity index range from (0.02e0.25) (Fig. 11).
The analyzed samples of the B member source rock interval
from 8200 to 8405 ft in Al Baraka SE-1 well (Fig. 12) indicates the
TOC of samples range from 1.14 to 3.36 wt%, whereas the samples
with good and very good source potential for oil and gas generation
at the present level of thermal maturity. The S1 and S2 peaks range
between 0.21 and 0.97 (mg HC/g rock) and 1.92e9.81 (mg HC/g
rock) respectively, (2.13 < S1 þ S2 < 10.78) indicates fair to very
good source rock potential. The average HI ranges from 168 to 292
(mg HC/g TOC), indicating type II/III. The Oxygen Index values range
from 34.23 to 94.74 (mg CO2/g TOC), as well as the B member in
ABSE-1 has productivity index (0.07e0.21) (Fig. 12). At the present
level of thermal maturity most of these rocks appear to have ca-
pacity to generate mainly oil with some gases as was concluded
from the hydrogen indices and TOC values.
6.2. Type of organic matter (kerogen)
Cornford (1984) classified kerogen types into three groups: a)
Oil-prone liptiniteeexinite components containing algal fragments,
spores, pollens, cuticles, resins, algal sapropel (marine origin) and
waxy sapropel (land origin) this component dominates type I and
type II kerogens. b) Gas prone component equivalent to vitrinite
type III, and contains lingo - cellulosic tissues derived mainly from
high land plants of terrestrial origin. c) Inertinite component (non-
hydrocarbon potential, type IV) derived mainly from woody ma-
terial altered by oxidation before burial in sediments. According to
(Dembicki, 2009) very few source rocks contain only one type of
kerogen. Most sediment contain mixtures of two or more kerogen
types, such as mixtures of Type I or II with Type III and mixtures of
Type I, II, or III with Type IV.
Kerogen type can be determined by HI, which is defined as (S2/
TOC) x 100 (Espitalie  et al., 1977; Tissot and Welte, 1984). An
HI > 600 (mg HC/g TOC) generally corresponds to Type I; Type II
kerogen is recognized by HI from 350 to 600; and an HI between 50
and 200 is indicative of kerogen Type III (gas prone) (Peters and
Cassa, 1994). Kerogen Type IV, with HI < 50 lacks any potential to
Fig. 12. Idealized geochemical log of the B member (Hauterivian-Early Barremian) in
the well Al Baraka SE-1 showing total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock-Eval Data.
generate hydrocarbons (Tissot and Welte, 1984). The B member
samples have HI values in the range 157e365 (mg HC/g TOC). The B
member is dominated by Type II/III kerogen, and is thus considered
to be oil-gas prone based on HI vs. Tmax plots (Fig. 13). As well as
the Van-Krevelen diagram (Van Krevelen, 1961) shows kerogen
types II/III for the B member samples (Fig. 14) which is consistent
with the RockeEval results. So from these plots diagrams the B
member source rock is type II/III kerogen and oil-gas prone.
6.3. Thermal maturation
The determination of thermal maturation of any source rock is
an essential requisite to evaluate its efficiency for generating hy-
drocarbons. Source rocks can be divided thermally into three types:
1) Immature source rock, which has not yet generated hydrocar-
bons. 2) Mature source rock, which has generated both oil and or
gas. 3) Over (or post) mature source rock, which has generated dry
gas. The thermal maturation parameters used in this study are
vitrinite reflectance and Tmax data.
Tissot and Welte (1984) used the Tmax data to discriminate the
top oil and gas window, range from 430  C to 470  C. Based on these
consensuses, most of the analyzed samples of the B member SR in
Al Baraka-1 and Al Baraka SE-1 wells are therefore interpreted to be
mature for hydrocarbon generation as shown in Figs. 11 and 12,
whereas the Tmax values are range from 442 to 456  C. According
to (Abdelhady, 2016) The oils of the B member source rock are
generated at a high thermal maturity (about 0.90% Ro equivalent)
from lacustrine shales containing mixed terrigenous and marine
organic matter deposited in a moderately oxidizing sedimentary
environment, based on the measured vitrinite equivalent reflec-
tance values, the B member SR samples have a range 0.7e1.14%Ro,
in the oil generation window (Figs. 11 and 12).
7. Conclusions
The top of the B member depth structure contour map shows
the main fault systems (NW-SE and NE to ENE). The NW-SE trend is
the dominant one, creating a major half-graben system. The depth
values of the B member SR range from
8400 ft at the depocenter
in the eastern corner to
4800 ft at the shoulder of the basin in the
northwestern corner of the study area. Meanwhile the Isopach
 et al. (1985)
Fig. 13. Tmax versus the Hydrogen Index (HI) cross plot after Espitalie
gives an overview of the thermal maturity and variation of organic matter quality
for the B member in Al Baraka-1 and Al Baraka SE-1 wells.
 M. Ali et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 139 (2018) 113e119
Fig. 14. Hydrogen index (HI) versus oxygen index (OI) and the locations of source rock
kerogen types after Van Krevelen (1961) for the B member in Al Baraka-1 and Al Baraka
SE-1wells. Indicate that most of the analyzed samples belong to type II/III.
contour map of the B member shows a variable thickness ranging
between 300 ft in the western and northwestern parts to 750 ft in
the eastern part of the study area. 3D geological model was con-
structed to better understand structural and facies distribution for
the B member source rock in 3 dimensional patterns in Al Baraka oil
field. Facies model shows that the B member SR is composed
mainly of shale with some sandstone streaks.
The results of the B member samples indicate that the organic
matter content (TOC) has mainly good to very good (1e3.36 wt %),
HI values range from 157 to 365 (mg HC/g TOC) and dominated by
Type II/III kerogen, and is thus considered to be oil-gas prone based
on HI vs Tmax and Van-Krevelen diagrams. Tmax values between
442 and 456 C therefore interpreted to be mature for hydrocar-
bon generation. Based on the measured vitrinite equivalent
reflectance values, the B member SR samples have a range
0.7e1.14%Ro, in the oil generation window.
Acknowledgments
The author is grateful to Ganope El Wadi Petroleum Holding
Company (GANOPE) for the permission to use their data and to
publish the manuscript.
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