Geophysical assessment for the gas-bearing sandstones of the Pliocene Kafr El-Sheikh Formation in Tao Field, Offshore Nile Delta Basin, Egypt

Abstract

The primary objective of this investigation is to conduct a petrophysical evaluation of the gas potential within the sandstones of the Pliocene Kafr El-Sheikh Formation (KSF) located in the Tao Field, offshore Nile Delta Basin (NDB). The analysis relies on nineteen seismic sections and wireline logs obtained from two deviated drilled wells, namely Tao-6 and Tao-8 wells. The seismic examination reveals the presence of several distinctive bright spots within the KSF. These bright spots represent favorable gas-bearing reservoirs in the study area. The examination of the well logging data indicates positive petrophysical indicators throughout the sandstones of the KSF in both Tao-6 and Tao-8 wells, suggesting their potential as gas reservoirs. In the Tao-8 well, two notable pay intervals (Zone A & Zone B) were observed, displaying significant net pay vertical thickness varying between 57 m (in Zone A) and 60 m (in Zone B), effective porosity ranging from 34% to 37%, minimal shale content between 10% to 15%, low water saturation varying from 2% to 10%, high hydrocarbon saturation ranging from 90% to 98% and low bulk volume of water varying between 1% and 4%. Meanwhile, the interpreted reservoir zone in the Tao-6 well (Zone C) is 6 m thick and exhibits average effective porosity of 25%, low shale content of 20%, low water saturation of 3%, hydrocarbon saturation of 97% and low bulk volume of water of 1%. The identified reservoir intervals within the Tao-6 and Tao-8 wells signify gas potential in the sandstones of the KSF in the offshore NDB, providing valuable insights for future gas exploration, especially in the neighboring regions of the study area.