SPE 137894

Geological Overview of the Middle Cretaceous Mishrif Formation in

Abu Dhabi
Mohammed Al-Zaabi, Ahmed Taher, Ibrahim Azzam and Johan Witte/ Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Copyright 2010, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 1–4 November 2010.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract

An extensive play review was carried out of the Mishrif Formation in Abu Dhabi. The database existed of almost
3000 2D seismic lines and 28 3D seismic surveys, complemented by 450 wells, out of which 260 had reliable time-
depth data. The study resulted in Abu Dhabi-wide depth and thickness maps and a good overview of the Shilaif
basin development and Mishrif reservoir distribution.

The Mishrif Formation in Abu Dhabi comprises the progradational shelf margin facies which is a time equivalent of
the corresponding Shilaif basinal facies. The Mishrif development in the UAE is strongly asymmetric.

The western Mishrif platform sediments are characterized by stacked clinoforms comprising clean, high-energy
carbonates. Rudist reefs and grainstone shoals along the successive shelf edges, which form those clinoforms,
generally have good reservoir properties. Similar favorable reservoir characteristics can also be found in isolated
platforms and grainstone beds which are locally well developed in lagoonal settings found behind the shelf edges.

In the east, the Mishrif is generally much thinner and is characterized by more differentiated, coarsening and
shoaling-upwards sequences, each grading from fine basinal wackestone to medium/coarse-grained shallow
marine packstone. This indicates sedimentation on a shallowing depositional slope. This slope lithofacies is made
up of dark-colored, very fine- to fine-grained, well sorted, bioclastic packstones, grading into lighter colored,
medium-grained, unsorted, bioclastic packstones to grainstones. High-quality reservoir facies occur only near the
prograding shelf edges and over salt domes from which build-ups may have nucleated.

Kerogen carbon isotope values and GC-MS fingerprints confirm that the Shilaif Formation is the source of the
Mishrif oils. The Shilaif Formation is immature over large parts of Abu Dhabi, notably the western offshore part of
the Emirate. In the deeper salt-withdrawal basins such as the West Bu Hasa and Falaha synclines the source
rock is oil-mature and also in the Oman Mountain foreland basin, grading to gas mature further towards the east.
In most of the mature Shilaif kitchens, oil generation commenced during Miocene times, in the southern offshore
part of Dubai it may have started as early as the Early Oligocene.

The Mishrif Play prospectivity evaluation will guide future appraisal drilling and will serve as a basis for further
exploration activities related to conventional and unconventional trapping styles in the Formation.
2 SPE 137894

Introduction

The Mishrif play is defined here as Late Cretaceous, post-Nahr Umr reservoirs with hydrocarbons sourced from the
Shilaif Formation.

The Mishrif development in the UAE is strongly asymmetric. In the west, the Mishrif Formation is thick (1400’) and
consists of clean, monotonous pelletoidal grainstone shoals, large shelf-edge complexes and local “backreef”
build-ups.

In the east, it is generally much thinner (notable exception is 800’) and is dominated by more differentiated, mud-
supported slope and lagoonal sediments. In the east, high-quality reservoir facies occur only near the prograding
shelf edges and over salt domes from which build-ups may have nucleated.

The Shilaif source rock is dark-brown to black, fine-grained, argillaceous and bituminous limestone(Fig. 1) and
forms moderately rich to very rich source rock with the highest TOC concentrations in the Shilaif-1 and-3
sequences (Azzam & Taher, 1993). The basal Shilaif-1 sequence, which occurs throughout Abu Dhabi, is
particularly rich. The Shilaif source rock is oil-prone and TOCs are typically 1-6%, but locally up to 15%.

Period Epoch Stage Age [Ma] Abu Dhabi Dubai Northern Emirates & Oman Group
60
TT

Umm Er Radhuma Pabdeh Hasa

PC Danian
Simsima
Maastrichtian 70
Local erosion in NW Oman

Aruma
Late Cretaceous

Campanian
80 Halul Ilam Fiqa
Muti
Santonian
CRETACEOUS

Coniacian Laffan
Turonian 90
Ruwaydha Tuwayil
Wasia-Aruma
Mishrif Mishrif Break
Cenomanian Shilaif Natih A-E

Wasia
Mauddud Natih F-G
Early Cretaceous

100
Albian Nahr Umr

110
Aptian

Thamama
Shuaiba

Barremian Kharaib
120

Figure 1. Time-rock synopsis.

Onshore structures are dominantly of Late Cetaceous age, except in the Al Ain fold-and-thrust belt where mid to
late Tertiary deformation is strong. Offshore structures generally have a longer, more continuous, salt-related
growth history, commonly with a clear Jurassic growth event, a strong late Cretaceous event, and ongoing Tertiary
growth.

Migration of Shilaif-sourced oil may have locally started in the latest Cretaceous under the very thick Fiqa Foreland
Basin, but is more generally of mid Tertiary age to Recent.

Structuration History

Late Cretaceous Event (First Alpine Orogeny)

The Late Cretaceous structural event is the main phase of folding and to a lesser degree faulting in both the
offshore and onshore areas of Abu Dhabi. The event is most likely associated with closure of the Neo-Tethys and
thrust emplacement of the Hawasina and Semail nappes in the Oman Mountains. For the Mishrif Play, the most
important effect of this deformation phase is the regional down-to-the-west tilting resulting in a Mishrif thickness of
up to 1400 ft in the west of Abu Dhabi versus some 300-800 ft in the east. Another effect is the Wasia-Aruma
SPE 137894 3

Break (Fig. 1) which is an indication for the uplift of the eastern platform that took place during and after deposition
of the Mishrif, removing the entire interval between the middle of the Laffan shale and the Nahr Umr.

Zagros Mountain Orogeny (Middle-Late Tertiary)

The second Alpine deformation event occurred in the Middle- to Late Tertiary, probably in response to
compressional deformation phases in Zagros and the North Oman Mountains. It had very limited effect on
structures in onshore Abu Dhabi, except that it caused the fold-and-thrust belt in the eastern onshore. In offshore
Abu Dhabi salt cored structures increased in vertical relief due to progressive salt movement. Other structures in
Abu Dhabi were affected by the continued northeastward tilting of the Oman Mountains during this time. This tilting
had a negative effect on low relief structures in the area, which effectively facilitated hydrocarbon re-migration, out
of the existing structures.

Reservoir Development

Nahr Umr
A major, Albian regression resulted in deposition of the clastic Nahr Umr Formation (Lower Wasia Group). The
Nahr Umr Formation consists mostly of shales, although several limestone marker beds are developed near its top.
Its more proximal equivalent, the Burgan Formation sandstones are well developed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The thickest Nahr Umr is developed in the east and to the NE (with maximum thickness of 810’). This is offset from
the later Shilaif Basin, and as such does not support the notion that differential compaction of the Nahr Umr shales
resulted in the initial platform bathymetry differentiation that controlled the location of the early Mishrif shelf edges.

The Nahr Umr Formation has been eroded by the basal Umm Er Radhama in the Mender-Lekhwair area.
Everywhere else in the Abu Dhabi emirate, it is at least 250’ thick and more generally over 500’ in thickness.

The significance of the Nahr Umr (thick shales) in the context of the Mishrif play is that it effectively shields the
post-Nahr Umr sediments from charge from any pre-Nahr Umr source rocks. As such, it is the ultimate seat seal for
the Mishrif play. Only in North Oman, near the large reverse faults of the Natih Field, is equivalent Natih oil found in
the Shuaiba Formation (Terken, 1999).

Mauddud
After the Late Albian regression, carbonate sedimentation is re-established with the Mauddud Formation extending
over large parts of the Arabian shelf. The Mauddud Formation conformably overlies the Nahr Umr Formation. It is
composed of very light grey to light brownish grey, firm to moderately hard limestones with thin units of dark grey
shale. This shale is locally greenish grey to reddish brown and often occurs in the middle of the formation,
corresponding to characteristic high gamma ray values between the low gamma values of the limestones occurring
above and below.

The upper boundary with the Shilaif Formation is thought to be conformable and is marked by sharp downhole
decrease in gamma ray values and a slight increase in sonic velocities.

Overall, the formation thins from east to west, from 210’ in southeastern Abu Dhabi to 18’ in west. It has been
eroded by the basal Umm Er Radhuma in the Mender-Lekhwair area.

In the Shilaif Basin area, expulsion from the Shilaif source rock may be downwards, into the Mauddud Formation.
Unfortunately, reservoir properties are generally poor to moderate.

Shilaif
Subsequent to deposition of the Mauddud Formation, the Arabian platform started to differentiate again with the
development of the intra-platform Shilaif Basin (Fig. 4). Whereas the lowermost units of the Shilaif Formation are
still deposited over large areas, later units are only developed in basinal facies in the Shilaif Basin, whereas their
platform equivalents are in the Mishrif facies.
4 SPE 137894

The Shilaif Formation has been deposited in a relatively deep, low-energy, open-marine basinal environment, as
suggested by their fine grain size, their wackestone texture and their dominant planktonic biota. The presence of
organic material suggests poor oxygenation in a restricted basin, even though bioturbation may indicate better
oxygenation in shallower positions.

The Shilaif thickness ( Fig. 3) varies from thinnest in the NW offshore (100-200’) to thickest over the onshore fields
(>800’).

The Shilaif Formation consists of dark, bituminous, fine-grained wackestones to packstones with abundant
planktonic foraminifera (Hedbergellid) and calcispheres (Oligostegina/Pithonella). It is finely laminated (planar &
horsetail laminations). The matrix consists of bituminous carbonate mud. Phosphate debris, pyrite and dolomite
rhombs and, occasionally, glauconitic grains occur. It is normally severely bioturbated and intensely stylolitized.

The Shilaif Formation contains a number of discrete sequences, each sequence grading from calcipheres within a
clean microcrystalline calcareous matrix upwards into more pelagic foraminifera within a darker, bituminous
mudstone to wackestone matrix.

2920000
8 0 0 .0 0

.0 0
2900000 00 0
10 0.0
90 0.0 0

30 .0 0
2880000 200
700.00
900

11
00
2860000 1200.0 0.0
.0 0
1 0 0 0 .0

0
.00 00
60 0.0 0
400 50 0.

2840000
80 0.00

2S-1
0

2820000 1100.00
20
100.00

2800000
0 .0

12
00
0

. 00
2780000
23000 0 .0 0
.0 0

2760000 Thickness, ft
0

2740000 1730
11 0 0.0
.00 0

00.00
70900 0.0

13 00
0.
.00

2720000 20 1600
12 00

0 0
BX-1 10 1500
0.0
10
10 00

2700000 0
50600

0.

1400
8 0 0.0.00

00
.0 0
0.0 0.00

2680000 1300
4 00
0

0
0 .0

2660000
1200
10

1100
2640000 1000
1500.00 300.00
14 00 .00

200.00
900
1300.0 0

2620000
00 1100.00

800
7.00009 00.00

2600000
0

700
.00
1 2 0 0 .0

2580000 600
50 0.0

500
10 800.00

2560000
60

400
00.0

300
40

2540000
0
0.0

200
0

2520000
km 100.00
200.00
100
300
2500000 .00 0
2480000

2460000

2440000
0 50 100 150 200
130000 170000 210000 250000 290000 330000 370000 410000 45000 490000 530000 570000 610000 650000 690000 730000 770000 810000

Figure 2. Mishrif thickness map

SPE 137894 5

2920000

2900000
300
200.0

. 00
2880000
0

20
2860000

200.00
0.
300.0

00
200.00
2840000
0

2820000 I

00
2800000

0.
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40
2780000
600.0
300.00

2760000 Thickness, ft
0
.00

2740000 1148
1100
400

2720000
20 BX-1 1000
0.0
200.00

400.00

600.0
2700000 0
900
2680000
300 0
. 00 800
2660000

2640000
700
600.00

2620000 600
0
0

30
700.0

500
400.0

800

2600000 0. 0
0.0
00

0
0 .0
.0 0

70

2580000 0 50 400
0.0
60
2560000 0 400.00 300
0 .0
50 20
0.0
2540000 .00 0 200
50000
00

0. 0.300
0.

0
60

2520000 4 20 00 100
800.00 .0 0
2500000 0
2480000

2460000

2440000
0 50 100 150 200
130000 170000 210000 250000 290000 330000 370000 410000 450000 490000 530000 570000 610000 650000 690000 730000 770000 810000

km

Figure 3. Shilaif thickness map

6 SPE 137894

Tethys
margin Maximum
Mishrif Shelf Shilaif
Basin Tethys Flooding
Arabian Ocean
Shield

Natih Shelf

Huqf
High

Mishrif Shilaif
Basin
Highstand
Shelf

Natih
Shelf

Shilaif
Emerged Basin Lowstand
Mishrif Shelf

Emerged
Natih
Shelf

Arabian Mishrif Shilaif Mishrif Tethys Tethys

Shield Shelf Basin Platforms Margin Ocean

West East
Figure 4. Mishrif/Shilaif paleo-geography.
SPE 137894 7

Mishrif

The Mishrif development in the UAE is strongly asymmetric (Figs. 4 & 5). In the west, the Mishrif Formation is thick
(1400’) and consists of clean, monotonous pelletoidal grainstone shoals, large shelf-edge complexes and local
“backreef” build-ups.

In the east, it is generally much thinner (notable exception is 800’) and is dominated by more differentiated, mud-
supported slope and lagoonal sediments (Fig. 2). In the east, high-quality reservoir facies occur only near the
prograding shelf edges and over salt domes from which build-ups may have nucleated.

It is unclear what has caused the extra accommodation space in the west. The tilt of the substratum may have
been due to an incipient peripheral bulge in front of the Oman nappes (supposedly post-dating Mishrif deposition),
or due to intra-plate buckling.

Western Mishrif Shilaif Eastern Mishrif

Laffan
90
Seq IV Ruwaydha
94 lagoon
Seq III Mishrif seq 3
Back-shoal
91.5 Ma Shoal
95.5
biostrome
Seq II Mishrif seq 2
slope
96.5
Tuwayil
Mishrif seq1
Seq I
Shilaif

98 Ma
Ages after Haq (1988) Datum: Top Mauddud
SB
Late transgression to highstand
MFS
Lowstand to early transgression
SB

Figure 5. Schematic cross-section showing the sequence stratigraphy of the Upper Wasia Group.

On the Western Mishrif Platform, coalescing shoals/biostromes (Droste & Steenwinkel, 2004) are superimposed on
three large prograding/aggrading sequences, whereas on the Eastern Mishrif Platform, linearly prograding facies
belts (Burchette & Britton, 1985) interfere with reef complexes nucleated above salt-cored highs.

Plate-tectonic reconstructions suggest that the UAE area was just south of the equator during the
Cenomanian/Turonian, with trade winds likely from the ESE. This may have further enhanced the asymmetry of the
Mishrif development in Abu Dhabi. The western Mishrif shelf edge is relatively steep, whereas the eastern Mishrif
shelf edge has a wide zone of reworked slope sediments. Present-day shelf edge geometries show similar
geometries, with the windward shelf edge normally characterised by nutrient-rich waters which result in relatively
steep, aggrading communities, whereas the leeward shelf edge is characterized by a low-energy, less nutrient-rich
environment, which results in a more gentle slope dominated by sediment transport from the platform.

The western Mishrif platform sediments are characterized by clean, monotonous carbonates (mainly mud-
supported in interior Oman, more grain-supported in western Abu Dhabi).
Rudist reefs and grainstone shoals along the successive shelf edges of the sequences of the western Mishrif have
good reservoir properties. Isolated platforms and grainstone beds are also developed well behind the shelf edges
in what is an occasionally a lagoonal setting, and also have good porosity and permeability values. These high-
energy, porous shoals are commonly stacked in clinoforms.

Even with a high porosity cut-off, most of the Mishrif sequence classifies as net reservoir, with the best potential
occurring at the platform margins where shoals/buildups are best developed. Net to gross values on the platform
8 SPE 137894

range from 0.5 to 0.8 and at the platform margin can exceed 0.8. Net average porosity values generally exceed
20% and locally, associated with shoals or buildups, can exceed 24%. Permeabilities generally range between 1
and 20 mD.

The eastern Mishrif is characterized by more differentiated, coarsening and shoaling-upwards sequences, each
grading from fine basinal wackestone to medium/coarse-grained shallow marine packstone. This indicates a
sedimentation on a shallowing depositional slope.

This slope lithofacies is made of dark-colored, very fine to fine-grained, well sorted bioclastic packstones grading
into lighter colored, medium-grained, unsorted bioclastic packstones to grainstones. This upper bioclastic debris is
made of rudist, echinoderm, gastropod and ostracod fragments. Calcispheres and rare pelagic foraminifera are
only seen in the toesets.

The relatively coarse-grained upper parts of the carbonate sequences are commonly meteorically leached under
exposure/karst surfaces. Subaerial exposure and meteoric diagenesis during the Turonian (the major, Base Laffan
unconformity) have produced good quality reservoir.

The reservoir characteristics of the slope lithofacies are poor to good:

• Average porosity of the lower to middle slope is 5 -15% and permeability 0.1 - 1 mD.
• Average porosity of the upper slope is 15 - 20% and permeability 1 - 5 mD with peak values around 10 mD.

Tuwayil
Following the highstand deposition of the Mishrif Formation, sea level in the Turonian fell with lowstand deposition
of the Tuwayil Formation (Fig. 6). Silici-clastic sediments filled much of the remaining basinal accommodation
space in the preceding Shilaif Basin (Goudket et al., 1992). The limited variation in thickness of the overlying Lower
Argillaceous Unit of the Ruwaydha Formation at platform and basin locations suggests that the Shilaif Basin was
finally filled at the end of Tuwayil sedimentation.

Figure 6. Tuwayil Formation in overall lowstand geometry.

The influx of siliciclastic sediments occurred in response to uplift and erosion of the Arabian Shield hinterland to the
south and west of Abu Dhabi following loading & nappe emplacement in Oman to the east (intra-plate buckling?).
Reactivation of deep-seated basement structures in the Southwest may have created local depocenter ( Fig. 9).

Initially, limited carbonate sedimentation at the Mishrif margin occurred and a platform margin wedge developed
coincident with the deposition of basinal shales and argillaceous limestones (Tuwayil Lower Unit; Fig. 7).

Sedimentation exceeded subsidence resulting in shallowing of the basin and the deposition of relatively clean
shallow water carbonates (Tuwayil Middle Unit).

Subsequently, restricted highstand conditions developed and a marked change in depositional style occurred with
the deposition of siliciclastic sediments of the Tuwayil Upper Clastics Unit (Tuwayil sandstone). These deposits
represent the final fill of the Shilaif basin.
SPE 137894 9

Subsequently, restricted highstand conditions developed and a marked change in depositional style occurred with
the deposition of siliciclastic sediments of the Tuwayil Upper Clastics Unit (Tuwayil sandstone). These deposits
represent the final fill of the Shilaif basin.

GR DEPTH NEUTRON SEDIMENTARY

DESCRIPTION UNITS
D E P T H FT. BRT

0 100
(FT. BRT) 320 1920
STRUCTURE LITHOLOGY
FORMATION

LITHOLOGY
6950

UNITS
GR SONIC
0 100 140 40

SAND UNITS
LAFFAN

6800 7000

6844
SB 90 1 SANDSTONE , fine to
RUWAYDHA

medium grain laminated,

HST slightly calcareous,

UPPER
SAND
interbedded with siltstone
6920 (91.5 Ma) and shale.
MFS 2

CORE
(COMMON PLANT DEBRI)
TST

UPPER UNIT
(SLUMPING) HCS
3
7000 Siderite / Phosphate
7050
UPPER UNIT

SHALE, Silty
CORE

LOWER
SAND
SANDSTONE, very fine
4 grain, wave rippled.
(SLUMPING) HCS
CORE Siltstone
CORE

~
MIDDLE UNIT
TUWAYIL

~ Shale fissile, Silty

~
7200 ~
LSW 7100
LOWER UNIT

Slope
Fan

7357 SHALE & MUDSTONE,

SB 94
locally calcareous and
CORE

MIDDLE UNIT
burrowed, bioturbated in
SHILAIF

7400 part argillaceous, pyritic,

Py
W/P Py lime Wackestone /
HST Packstone.
7150

Drg. No. 12212C-9A

Figure 7. Sequence stratigraphy and nomenclature of sandstone units.

The depositional environment of the Tuwayil sandstone is interpreted to be shallow marine, subtidal, and exhibit
typical wave/storm-dominated shoreface deposits (Azzam, 1994). Tidal ripples, cross-bedding (hummocky cross-
stratification) and bioturbation (Fig. 8) suggest a shoreface environment. Their preservation may suggest
deposition associated with storm conditions. The clean and coarse sandstones possibly suggest a tidal channel.

Correlative thin shales, rarely with minor sandstone, occur as thin transgressive sheet over the Mishrif Platform,
separating the Mishrif and Ruwaydha formations.
10 SPE 137894

Well Y

Well X Well X Well Y Well Y Well Y Well X

Figure 8. Tuwayil clastics sedimentary features from cores.

Sediments of the Tuwayil Clastic Unit consist of interbedded very fine to fine grained sandstones with laminated,
shallow marine shales. With a porosity cut-off of 12%, net-to-gross values for the Tuwayil Clastic Unit range
between 0.2 and 0.4. Average porosity values over the net reservoir commonly exceed 16% with local highs of
26%. Locally, however, the sandstones are extensively ferroan-calcite cemented and in these cases reservoir
potential is considered to be very poor.

The Tuwayil sandstones are a prime exploration target, because they are:
• generally porous and permeable;
• in close proximity to mature Shilaif source rocks;
• laterally and vertically sealed by interbedded Tuwayil shales and the overlying argillaceous limestones of the
lowermost argillaceous unit of the Ruwaydha Formation.

Furthermore, it is probable that an updip pinch-out of the sandstones occurs to the north, east and west (onlapping
against the Mishrif platform margin in the west and possibly onlapping against the Huwaila-Bu Hasa High in the
east) creating potential for stratigraphic traps (Fig. 9).

On the other hand, the poor connectivity of the reservoirs may have prevented migration of hydrocarbons into
some of the reservoirs. Also, carbonate-cementation has locally reduced porosity and connectivity.
SPE 137894 11

Figure 9. Thickness map of Tuwayil Clastics.

Ruwaydha
The Ruwaydha Formation overlies the Tuwayil in central and western Abu Dhabi. It is largely absent in eastern
Abu Dhabi, most likely because of uplift-related non-deposition. The Ruwaydha Formation is characterized by a
platform facies association in western Abu Dhabi and by a basinal facies association in central Abu Dhabi (largely
over the Shilaif Basin):

1) Clear, shallow water conditions prevailed on the western platform area with good water circulation and low
terrigenous clay input. High-energy peloidal shoals were deposited at the platform margin where wave
activity affected the platform surface. Lower energy bioclastic wackestones, packstones and mudstones with
normal marine biota were deposited in the platform interior.

2) Deeper water conditions prevailed in central Abu Dhabi. Bioclastic lime-wackestone containing planktonic
foraminifera and calcispheres were deposited in clear water relatively free of terrigenous clays, with normal
marine water circulation. Towards the end of Ruwaydha sedimentation, an influx of terrigenous clays
occurred, possibly associated with deepening of the environment and confined to the basinal area. This unit
was deposited in relatively deep water, low energy conditions probably below normal wave base.

No Ruwaydha equivalent is recognized in the eastern shelf, although (Pascoe at al. 1994) describe fine- to
medium-grained, chalky, skeletal wackestones, lime mudstones and some fine skeletal packstones deposited
between emergent structures. Here, intraformational sealing is possible, where highstand shoals overlie lowstand
dysoxic platform lagoon wackestones, mudstones and shales.

Porosity in the platform carbonates of the Ruwaydha is good. Applying a relatively high porosity cut-off of 18% (a
dominant micropore system), yields net-to-gross values exceeding 0.6 with net average porosities between 20%
and 26%.

The basal argillaceous limestones of the Ruwaydha can provide a seal to the Tuwayil sandstones and to the
western Mishrif platform margin.

The thickest Ruwaydha occurs in west Abu Dhabi where it is 600’ thick. The basinal facies is considerably less
thick, around 50-150’. A second depocentre is developed in the Falaha Syncline, with thicknesses between 300
and 400’. The overall thinning to the east may be associated with uplift in the east due to the incipient peripheral
bulge in front of the Oman nappes.

Laffan
The end of the Wasia Group is characterized by widespread sub-aerial exposure, major meteoric influx and local
denudation (Pascoe et al., 1994). The Laffan lowstand deposits are only deposited over the Shilaif basin area and
12 SPE 137894

the western parts of Abu Dhabi, whereas the low-energy, sub-tidal siliciclastic and carbonate sediments of the
subsequent highstand deposits represent drowning of the platform and form a laterally extensive top seal.

The Laffan Formation (Coniacian) is normally a dark grey-brown to black shale, occasionally interbedded with
dense limestones. It is thickest in SW Abu Dhabi where it is up to 450’. Its deposition is synchronous to the early
stage of the first Alpine event and it consequently thins towards the east over the postulated peripheral bulge. Over
the eastern Mishrif margin, it thins from 50’ in Abu Dhabi to zero in eastern offshore Dubai.

The Laffan Formation provides the regional top seal to the Mishrif Formation in the east while it is the seal for the
Ruwaydha Formation in the west (Fig. 1).

Source Rock Distribution, Maturity & Migration

Distribution and Properties

Geochemical studies have indicated that the Shilaif Formation is the most likely source rock for oil discovered in
the Mishrif and younger formations in Abu Dhabi. The depocentre of the Shilaif Formation is in the intrashelf Shilaif
Basin, which was (partially) enclosed by its time-equivalent Mishrif shelfal facies deposits, restricting water
circulation and resulting in anoxic conditions.

TOC % TOC %
0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 2 3 4 5

Seq. 3

Mishrif SHILAIF
Seq. 2

Well 1

Well 4
Well 3
Seq. 1

Well 2

Mishrif Shelf Shilaif Basin

Figure 10. Maturity map of the Shilaif source rock.

In this Shilaif Basin area, the net source thickness can reach 400’ with average TOC values of 3% (Fig. 10). The
Shilaif thickness and richness gradually decrease towards the Mishrif shelfal area, where upper Shilaif source
rocks grade into time-equivalent Mishrif shelf facies carbonates.

The lowermost Shilaif section (Sequence 1), on the other hand, is present over almost all Abu Dhabi.
SPE 137894 13

Highest TOC values are found in Shilaif Sequences 1 and 3, equivalent to Oman’s Natih E and B source rocks
respectively. Both intervals contain type I/II type source rocks. TOC values can locally reach 15%. Particularly the
Lower Shilaif in the centre of the Shilaif Basin contains excellent source rocks that can produce more than 40
kg/ton. Productivity gradually decreases towards the Mishrif shelf margin areas because of thinning and shallowing
upward of the facies.

Maturation
Figure 11 gives a first indication of present-day maturity of the Shilaif source rocks. It shows the onset of oil
generation at the 100°C (= 2.3 km = 7456’) and the onset of expulsion at the 130°C (= 3.2 km = 10,439’) isotherms
(assuming a constant geothermal gradient of 1.85°F/100ft (= 1.02°C/100ft = 33°C/km) and a surface temperature
of 25°C (= 77°F).

Immature Oil Generation

Onset Oil Generation Late Oil Generation
Early Oil Generation Gas Generation

Figure 11. Maturity map of the Shilaif source rock.

Subtle improvements are possible when incorporating the general increase of geothermal gradients from
1.5°F/100’ in the north to 2.34°F/100’ in the south. Unfortunately, both geothermal gradients and kinetic parameters
of the Shilaif source rocks are poorly constrained. Figure 11 shows maturation boundaries based on Time-
Temperature Index (TTI) values using an average geothermal gradients of 1.85°F/100’ (Azzam& Taher, 1993).

It illustrates how maturity ranges from immature in the west to the gas generation window in the east. It also shows
the Shilaif in present-day peak oil generation in the West Bu Hasa and Falahaa Synclines and in some of the
western salt-withdrawal synclines, notably the two synclines directly east and west of Hair Dalma.

Migration
From most of the mature Shilaif kitchens, oil generation commenced during Miocene times. In the southern
offshore part of Dubai it may have started as early as the Early Oligocene (BP, 1983). This major phase of oil
generation was associated with the very rapid sedimentation in the Ras Al Khaimah Trough during the Oligo-
Miocene. Under the very thick Fiqa Foreland Basin (Al Ain fold-and-thrust belt), migration of Shilaif-sourced oil may
have even started during the latest Cretaceous. The other kitchens (onshore and western synclines) are still at the
early stage of generation or have just entered the charge phase of generation. This has some major implications
for exploration:
14 SPE 137894

1. There is no need for detailed backstripping; most migration routes can be mapped from present-day depth
maps. Still, we show the Base Laffan (Top Wasia) paleo-depth maps at Top Simsima, Top Rus and Top
Dammam times).
2. The contrast between porosities in water-legs and oil-legs will be relatively small. This is because the oil-leg
has suffered the same porosity-destruction processes as the water-leg. Consequently, there is little scope
for direct hydrocarbon indicators (DHI) on seismic: there will be no structurally conformable seismic
anomalies, which, when mapped out in other, deeper plays, suggest porosity preservation by early
hydrocarbon charge.
3. Traps may be more likely full-to-spill than when charge was to predate trap growth.

Prospectivity

PLAY RISKS

Below we will first discuss three individual play risk maps, for
1) Regional Top Seal Effectiveness/Retention
2) Potential Reservoir Facies
3) Source Rock Presence & Maturity

Then we will convolve the three individual play probability maps into one composite play risk map (Fig. 15).

1) The probability of Regional Top Seal Effectiveness/Retention is the probability of occurrence of a regional top
seal, i.e. a rock unit that can seal a hydrocarbon accumulation of minimal size. On this map we risk the presence of
an effective Laffan top seal (Fig. 12). Also indicated on the map is the possibility that failure of the Laffan top seal
may result in charging of the Halul reservoirs. Fault sealing, lateral sealing and local breaching of the Laffan top
seal by faults are not risked here.

Laffan shale thickness color Probability

< 20’ red 0.00 - 0.15 - 0.33
20 – 40’ orange 0.33 - 0.50 - 0.67
> 40’ green 0.67 - 0.85 - 1.00

Figure 12. Top seal risk.

SPE 137894 15

2) The probability of Potential Reservoir Facies is the probability of occurrence of a rock that contains porosity
capable of containing hydrocarbons within the regionally mapped extent of the play fairway. Here, we basically
risk deposition of reservoirs of Mishrif, Ruwaydha and Tuwayil (Fig. 13). Secondary processes, as compaction
and diagenesis/cementation, are not risked here.

Reservoir presence color Probability

Shilaif Basin, except thick Tuwayil red 0.00 - 0.15 - 0.33
Mishrif slope facies & Tuwayil Fm. > 300’ orange 0.33 - 0.50 - 0.67
Mishrif Platform area green 0.67 - 0.85 - 1.00

Figure 13. Reservoir risk.

16 SPE 137894

3) The probability of Source Rock Presence & Maturity is the probability of occurrence of a rock unit that has
generated and expelled oil and/or gas in sufficient quantity to form one or more accumulations within the play.
Given that the Shilaif source rock is present over the entire Abu Dhabi emirate, maturation is the main risk. As a
first approximation, we have assumed maximum temperatures in the Shilaif source rock at present-day, no oil
expulsion below 100°C (with a surface temperature of 27°C and a geothermal gradient of 33°C, this is at a
depth of 7456’), and effective expulsion above 125°C (10,000’). A slight modification was applied because of
the higher geothermal gradients in the SW. Detailed migration routes and relative timing of charge versus timing
of trap formation are not risked here (Fig. 14).

Present Temperature @ Base Shilaif color Probability

Shilaif < 100°C red 0.00 - 0.15 - 0.33
Shilaif < 110°C orange 0.33 - 0.50 - 0.67
Shilaif > 125°C green 0.67 - 0.85 - 1.00

Figure 14. Source rock and raturity risk.

SPE 137894 17

Then, in Figure 15, we have convolved the three individual play probability maps into one composite play risk
map1. Clearly, only the shelf edges are prospective. The western offshore area carries high charge risks, the Shilaif
basin carries high reservoir risk (except in the West Bu Hasa syncline where the Tuwayil sandstones are well-
developed), and the eastern area carries high top-seal risk.

Figure 15. All 3 Play Risks convolved, the so-called Composite Common Risk Segment (CCRS) map.

1
This is done by “multiplying the three above maps, using the bold values in the above probability ranges. Such a
composite play risk map is sometimes referred to as the Composite Common Risk Segment (CCRS) map. Clearly,
a (red) high-risk area on one of the three individual play-risk maps will remain high-risk on the composite risk map.
Equally, two moderate-risks will also yield a high risk on the composite map. Only three low-risk input values will
yield a low-risk value on the composite risk map.
18 SPE 137894

Conclusions

1. The Mishrif reservoir belongs to the Shilaif Petroleum System which includes the Mauddud, Mishrif, Tuwayil,
Ruwaydha, Halul and Simsima reservoirs.
2. The Mishrif development in the UAE is strongly asymmetric. In the west the Mishrif Formation is thick (1400’)
in the east, it is generally much thinner (notable exception 800’).
3. The Shilaif consists of argillaceous, dark-brown to black, bituminous, fine-grained wackestones to
packstones with abundant planktonic foraminifera and calcispheres. Shilaif thickness varies from thinnest in
the NW offshore (100-200’) to thickest over the onshore fields (>800’).
4. Highest TOC values are found in Shilaif sequences 1 and 3. Maturity ranges from immature in the west to
the gas generation window in the east. It also shows the Shilaif in present-day peak oil generation in the
West Bu Hasa and Falahaa Synclines
5. The Ruwaydha Formation overlies the Tuwayil in central and western Abu Dhabi. It is largely absent in
eastern Abu Dhabi, most likely because of uplift-related non-deposition
6. The Laffan Formation consists of dark grey-brown to black shales, occasionally interbedded with dense
limestones. The Laffan is the main seal for the Mishrif reservoir.
7. The composite play risk map clearly shows, only the shelf edges are prospective. The western offshore area
carries high charge risks, the Shilaif basin carries high reservoir risk (except in the West Bu Hasa syncline
where the Tuwayil sandstones are well-developed), and the eastern area carries high top-seal risk.

Acknowledgement
The authors wish to acknowledge ADNOC management for granting permission to present and publish this paper.

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