Skip to main content
Log in

New insights on interpretation of velocity anomalies in the offshore Nile Delta basin, Egypt

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several issues associated with existing velocity models and their anomalies affecting the petroleum geology of the offshore Nile Delta basin are described. The paper aims to present velocity and pressure variations and their associated pitfalls in the deeper Nile Delta, where the ambiguities exist in the interpretation of depth structures, especially in between sea bottom and Oligocene sequences. Different conceptualized geological, velocity, and seismic models are generated. We make use of data cubes to generate data views for geological interpretation. The connectivity is established between velocity anomalies and corresponding seismic times, ascertaining that the depth structures have geological implications. The visualization of representative schematic data views of velocity anomalies facilitates the interpretation of new knowledge and the connectivity between seismic and geological models. The velocity attributes significantly influence the seismic data interpretation in the offshore Nile Delta basin and have an impact on the overall cycle of the exploration and production entities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abu Shadi F (2002) Egypt Delta systems from Oligocene to recent a dynamic response to structural events, MOC 2002. Alex, Egypt http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/documents/abstracts/cairo2002/all%20abstracts.htm?q=%2Btext%3Agas

  • Andreoletti C, Bienati N, Capponi G, Cibin P, Bellucci N (2010) Nile Delta geological model enhancement through geology aided seismic imaging, (Eni E&P), MOC, Alex, Egypt

  • Ashcroft W (2011) A petroleum Geologist's guide to seismic reflection, Wiley, p. 176. UK

  • Azzam S (1994) An integrated seismo-facies and seismo-tectonic study of the Nile Delta of Egypt, PHD. Ain Shams University, Egypt

    Google Scholar 

  • Barakat MKA (2010) Modern geophysical techniques for constructing a 3D geological model on the Nile Delta, Egypt, PhD Dissertation, Institute of Exploration Geology, Technical University, Berlin, Germany

  • Barsoum K (2002) Gas chimneys in the Nile Delta slope and gas fields occurrence, MOC 2002. Alex, Egypt

    Google Scholar 

  • Barsoum K, Aiolf C, Dalla S, Kamal M (1998) Evaluation and hydrocarbon occurrence in the Plio-Pleistocene succession of the Egyptian Mediterranean margin. Examples from the Nile Delta basin, 14th Exploration and Production Conference, V1. p. 212-221

  • Barton NR (2006) Rock quality, seismic velocity, attenuation and anisotropy. Taylor & Francis ltd, UK, p 610

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cameron M, Fomel S, Sethian J (2008) Time-to-depth conversion and seismic velocity estimation using time-migration velocity, Geophysics, 73, no. 5, VE205-VE210, (2008)

  • El Barkouky A (2004) Some Neocene stratigraphic aspects of the Nile Delta. MOC, Egypt. Exploration and production conference, MOC 2004, Alex., Egypt

  • El Barkouky A, Helal M (2002) Some Neogene stratigraphic aspects of the Nile Delta. Mediterranean Offshore Conference (MOC, 2002), Alexandria, Egypt, 7–9 (April 2002):35pp

  • Elbosraty MA, Saher A, Hanafy S, Hemdan H (2008) The hydrocarbon potentials of offshore Mediterranean North Sinai, Egypt, MOC, Egypt

  • Elbra T, Karlqvist R, Lassila I, Hæggström E, Pesonen LJ (2011) Laboratory measurements of the seismic velocities and other petrophysical properties of the Outokumpu deep drill core samples, eastern Finland, Geophysical Journal International, Volume 184, Issue 1, 1 January 2011, Pages 405–415, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04845.x

  • El-Heiny I, Enani H (1996) Regional stratigraphic interpretation pattern of Neogene sediments, northern Nile Delta. - Egypt.13th exploration and production conference, EGPC, Cairo, Egypt, pp. 270-290

  • Gadallah MR, Fisher R (2008) Exploration Geophysics, Springer Science & Business Media, 20 Oct 2008 - Science - 266 pages

  • Ghaly AI, Khalil AE, Mahmoud AA (2008) Stratigraphic analysis and petroleum exploration. Nile Delta, Egypt. https://www.academia.edu/3620020/Stratigraphic_Analysis_and_Petroleum_Exploration_Offshore_Nile_Delta

    Google Scholar 

  • Grechka V, Tsvankin I, Cohen JK (1997) Generalized dix equation and analytic treatment of normal-moveout velocity for anisotropic media, 59th EAGE Conference, Geneva

  • Gruffeille JP, Guillaume P, Lambaré G, Ladegaard H, Spedding A, Fattah A (2010) Exploring Oligocene targets using multi-azimuth acquisitions: application of non-linear slope tomography, 72nd EAGE Conference & Exhibition incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2010 Barcelona, Spain

  • Hanafy S, Nimmagadda SL, Mahmoud SE, Hemdan K (2014) New insights on interpretation of seismic attributes in the Nile Delta basin for analyzing Pliocene geological characteristics, MOC 2015, Cairo, Egypt

  • Hanafy S, Nimmagadda SL, Mahmoud SE, Walid M, Farhood K (2016) Regional integrated interpretation of the hydrocarbon prospectivity of the Nile Delta, Offshore Egypt, Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Springer International, ISSN 1866–7511, Volume 9, Number 5, DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2387-9, 1–18

  • Hemdan K, Barasi M (2002) The Oligocene hydrocarbon potential: a challenging opportunity for the exploratory activity in the Eastern Mediterranean Offshore., Egypt. MOC 2002, Alex, Egypt

  • Kamel H, Eita T, Sarhan M (1998) Nile Delta hydrocarbon potentialities. - 14th exploration and production Conf., EGPC, Cairo, pp. 485-503

  • Keshta S, Metwalli FI, Al Arabi HS (2014) Analysis of petroleum system for exploration and risk reduction in Abu Madi/El Qar'a gas field, Nile Delta, Egypt, search and discovery article #20253

  • Lin P, Peng S, Zhao J, Cui X, Du W (2018) A new scheme for velocity analysis and imaging of diffractions, Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, Volume 15, Issue 3, 1 June 2018, Pages 1084–1093, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-2140/aaa986

  • Nashaat M (1998) Abnormally high formation pressure and seal impacts on hydrocarbon accumulations in the Nile Delta and North Sinai basins. Egypt- AAPG Memoir 70:161–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Nashaat M (2000) The petroleum system from source to trap in the Nile Delta and North Sinai offshore basins, Egypt, implications of overpressure on hydrocarbon accumulations.- Mediterranean Offshore Conference, Moc 2008, Alex. Egypt, 10 p

  • Nashaat M, Carlin S, Bagnoli G, Moussa A (1996) The pre-Messinian over pressure study in the Nile Delta area. A supporting methodology for understanding hydrocarbon accumulation, 13thExploration and production conference. V. 1:193–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Nashaat M, Aiolf C, Dalla S, Kamal M (1998) Evaluation and hydrocarbon occurrence in the Plio-Pleistocene succession of the Egyptian Mediterranean margin, examples from the Nile Delta basin, 14thExploration and Production Conference, V. 1, p. 193–202

  • Pandey AK, Ravendra Kumar R, Shukla M, Negi A, Tandon AK (2013) Seismic velocity model building: an aid for better understanding of sub-surface – a case study from Cambay basin, India, 10th Biennial International Conference & Exposition, SPG, Kochi 2013, India

  • Pointer T, Colnard O, Hemdan S (2008) Pore pressure from seismic velocity prediction in El Manzala offshore, Egypt, MOC 2008. Alex, Egypt

    Google Scholar 

  • Qadrouh AN, Carcione JM, Botelho MAB, Harith ZZT (2014) Salim, AM (2014) on optimal NMO and generalised dix equations for velocity determination and depth conversion. J Appl Geophys 101:136–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rider MH (2002) The geological interpretation of well logs (2nd Ed). Whittles Publishing, Caithness

    Google Scholar 

  • Riding R (2000) Microbial carbonates: the geological record of calcified bacterial-algal mats and biofilms. Sedimentology 47:179–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sain K, Kaila KL (1996) Direct calculation of interval velocities and layer thicknesses from seismic wide-angle reflection times, Geophic J Int (1996) 125, 30–38

  • Samuel A, Kneller B, Raslan S, Sharp A, Parsons C (2003) Prolific deep-marine slope channels of the Nile Delta, Egypt, AAPG Bulletin, v. 87, no. 4 (April 2003), pp. 541–560

  • Selley RC (1998) Elements of petroleum geology, 2nd edn. Academic Press, New York, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Talaat A, Khalil AE, Nini C (2008) AVO response in the Nile Delta central sub-basin. Neogene Succession, Egypt https://www.academia.edu/2539457/AVO_RESPONSE_IN_THE_NILE_DELTA_CENTRAL_SUB-BASIN_NEOGENE_SUCCESSION_EGYPT

  • Veeken PH (2007) Seismic stratigraphy, basin analysis and reservoir characterization, vol 37: 509 pp. Elsevier, Oxford, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitfield PJ, Woods RT, Manning T, Baptise D (2009) Multi-azimuthal QC for velocity model building – a Nile Delta case study, 71st EAGE conference and exhibition – Amsterdam. The, Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigger S, Bailey J (1997) Ha’py field, a Pliocene bright spot example from the Nile Delta, Egypt: The Leading Edge, p.1827-1829

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shastri L. Nimmagadda.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Narasimman Sundararajan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hanafy, S., Nimmagadda, S.L., Mahmoud, S.E. et al. New insights on interpretation of velocity anomalies in the offshore Nile Delta basin, Egypt. Arab J Geosci 13, 542 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05524-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05524-2

Keywords

Navigation