Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Investigation of the petroleum geology and sequence stratigraphy in Melut Basin, South Sudan: a case study using well logs and basin modeling

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

Abstract

We investigated the sequence stratigraphy and the total petroleum system elements in the Adar oil field, Melut Basin. Also, we used the wireline logs to define the petrophysical parameters for the potential reservoirs and simulate the burial history and thermal maturity. Moreover, we calculated the TOC using the Passey “ΔLogR” technique and got preliminary evaluations of the total organic carbon in the basin. Based on analyzed sequence stratigraphy, three supercycle sets occurred in the Melut Basin; Upper ZUNI A, TEJAS A, and TEJAS B. The log-derived TOC values are 0.02–4.7wt.% (average 2.70 wt.%) for the Cretaceous dark shale of Melut Formation, while it ranges between 0.03 and 5.07 wt.% (average 3.42 wt.%) for the Upper Cretaceous Galhak Formation. The measured TOC for the thick shale interval (~ 3000 m) of the Lower Cretaceous Al-Gayger Formation is 2.08 wt.%. Meanwhile, the thermal model and Ro curve indicate that only the Lower Cretaceous Al-Gayger Formation and the Lower part of Galhak entered the oil peak generation. The expelled oil migrated up through the faults and has accumulated in the Paleogene reservoirs. The Paleogene Samma sandstones exhibit a net pay thickness of 31.05 m, characterized by average porosity of 13.5%, average permeability of 2525mD, and hydrocarbon saturation is 55.2%. While the net pay thickness of the Paleogene Yabus sandstones is 30.1 m, characterized by 14.7% average effective porosity, average permeability of 3546.1mD, and hydrocarbon saturation is 63.7%. This study provides a better understanding of the petroleum geology and sequence stratigraphy in Melut Basin.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abass AN, Hakimi MH, Lashin A, Yelwa NA, Nady MM (2022) Geochemistry of organic-rich shales in the Miocene Miadol Formation, Melut Rift Basin, South Sudan: implications for their organic matter input and oil/gas generation potentials. Arab J Geosci 15(1):1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Fattah TA, Rashed MA, Diab AI (2019) Reservoir compartmentalization phenomenon for lower Safa Reservoir, Obaiyed Gas Field, North Western Desert Egypt. Arab J Geosci 12(22):1–3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adam AE (2011) Sequence stratigraphy of the Samma, Yabus, and Adar formations (PALEOCENE-OLIGOCENE), Agordeed Field, Melut Basin, Southeastern Sudan, Ph.D thesis, unpublished, University of Khartoum

  • Afife M, Littke R, Lashin A, All MA (2018) Petrophysical reservoir-rock properties and source-rock characterization of Abu Roash Formation in Wadi El-Rayan oil field, Western Desert Egypt. Arab J Geosci 11(14):1–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asgari Nezhad Y, Moradzadeh A (2021) Characterization of source quality based on petrophysical logs and seismic data—a case study from Western Australia. Arab J Geosci 14(13):1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Archie GE (1952) Classification of carbonate reservoir rocks and petrophysical considerations. AAPG Bull 36(2):278–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Autric A (1985) Resistivity, radioactivity, and sonic transit time logs to evaluate the organic content of low permeability rocks. The Log Analyst 26(03). Paper Number: SPWLA-1985-vXXVIn3a3

  • Avbovbo AA, Ayoola EO, Osahon GA (1986) Depositional and structural styles in Chad Basin of northeastern Nigeria. AAPG Bull 70(12):1787–1798

    Google Scholar 

  • Aziz H, Ehsan M, Ali A, Khan HK, Khan A (2020) Hydrocarbon source rock evaluation and quantification of organic richness from correlation of well logs and geochemical data: a case study from the sembar formation, Southern Indus Basin, Pakistan. J Nat Gas Sci Eng 81:103433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binks RM, Fairhead JD (1992) A plate tectonic setting for the Mesozoic rifts of Western and Central Africa. In: Ziegler PA (Ed.), Geodynamics of Rifting, Volume II. Case history studies on Rifts North and South America, Tectonophysics 213:141–151

  • Bou-Hamdan KF (2022a) Applications of nanomaterials in the oil and gas industry. In Handbook of Research on Green Synthesis and Applications of Nanomaterials (pp. 173–198)

  • Bou-Hamdan KF (2022b) A 3D Semianalytical model for simulating the proppant stresses and embedment in fractured reservoir rocks. J Porous Media 25(6)

  • Bou-Hamdan KF, Abbas AH (2021) Utilizing ultrasonic waves in the investigation of contact stresses, areas, and embedment of spheres in manufactured materials replicating proppants and brittle rocks. Arab J Sci Eng 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-06409-6

  • Boulila S, Laskar J, Haq BU, Galbrun B, Hara N (2018) Long-term cyclicities in Phanerozoic sea-level sedimentary record and their potential drivers. Global Planet Change 165:128–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Browne SE, Fairhead JD (1983) Gravity study of the Central Africa Rift System: a model of continental disruption. 1. The Ngaoundere and Abu Gabra Rifts. Tectonophysics 94:187–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cannon S (2015) Petrophysics: a practical guide. John Wiley and Sons

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Catuneanu O (2006) Principles of sequence stratigraphy. Elsevier

    Google Scholar 

  • China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) (2016) Unpublished internal oil production report of Adar oil field, Melut Basin, South Sudan. p 68

  • Diab AI, Khalil HM (2021) Quantitative assessment of the tight gas reservoirs in the Obaiyed field, Shushan Basin, NW Egypt. NRIAG J Astron Geophys 10(1):320–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dou L, Cheng D, Li M, Xiao K, Shi B, Li Z (2008) Unusual high acidity oils from the great palogue field, melut basin Sudan. Organic Geochem 39(2):210–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dou L, Xiao K, Cheng D, Shi B, Li Z (2007) Petroleum geology of the Melut basin and the great Palogue field Sudan. Mar Pet Geol 24(3):129–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dou L (2005) Formation mechanism and model of oil and gas accumulations in the Melut Basin, Sudan. Bull Mineral Petrol Geochem 24(1):50–57 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Elatrash AM, Abdelwahhab MA, Wanas HA, El-Naggar SI, Elshayeb HM (2021) Well log-aided source rock potential, basin modeling, and seismic attributes: petroleum geology case study of Pliocene discovery at South Mansoura Area (Nile Delta). Arab J Geosci 14(10):1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis DV, Singer JM (2007) Well logging for earth scientists, vol 692. Springer, Dordrecht

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Elsawi AA, Schrank E (2008) Upper cretaceous to neogene palynology of the Melut Basin South Sudan. Palynology 32(1):101e129

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairhead JD (1986) Geophysical controls on sedimentation within the African rift systems. In: Frostick LE, Renaut RW (Eds.), Sedimentation in the African Rifts. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 25:19–27

  • Genik G (1993) Petroleum geology of cretaceous-tertiary rift basins in Niger, Chad, and Central African Republic. AAPG Bull 77(8):1405–1434

    Google Scholar 

  • Giedt NR (1990) Unity Field—Sudan, Muglad rift basin, Upper Nile Province. In: Beaumont EA, Foster NH (Eds.), Structural Traps III: Tectonic Fold and Fault Traps: American Association of Petroleum Geology Bulletin Treatise of Petroleum Geology Atlas of Oil and Gas Fields 177–197

  • Gong YL, Wang LS, Liu SW, Guo LZ, Cai JG (2003) Distribution characteristics of geotemperature field in Jiyang depression, Shandong North China. Chin J Geophys 46(5):652–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guiraud R, Bosworth W (1997) Senanion basin inversion and rejuvenation of rifting in Africa and Arabia: synthesis and implications to plate-scale tectonics. Tectonophysics 282:39–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hakimi MH, Abas AN, Hadad YT, Al Faifi HJ, Kinawy M, Lashin A (2021) Bulk pyrolysis and biomarker fingerprints of Late Cretaceous Galhak Shale Formation in the northern Melut Basin, Sudan: implications on lacustrine oil-source rock. Arabian Journal of Geosciences. 14(6), 1–7.Haq BU (2014) Cretaceous eustasy revisited. Global Planet Change 113:44–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq BU (2014) Cretaceous eustasy revisited. Global Planet Change 1(113):44–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardenbol JA, Thierry J, Farley MB, Jacquin T, De Graciansky PC, Vail PR (1998) Mesozoic and Cenozoic sequence chronostratigraphic framework of European basins. SEPM Society for Sedimentary Geology, Special Publication 60:3–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Hood A, Gutjahr CCM, Heacock RL (1975) Organic metamorphism and the generation of petroleum. AAPG Bull 59(6):986–996

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu JY, Huang DF, Xu S, Gan K, Xue SH, Ying F (1991) The bases of nonmarine petroleum geology in China. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing, China, p 186 (in Chinese)

  • Imam AM (2012) Regional sequence stratigraphy, structural analysis and tectonic evolution of Melut and Central Muglad Basins of Sudan, Ph.D. thesis, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, Sudan, p 375 (Unpublished)

  • Ince ES, Barthelmes F, Reißland S, Elger K, Förste C, Flechtner F, Schuh H (2019) ICGEM–15 years of successful collection and distribution of global gravitational models, associated services, and future plans. Earth Syst Sci Data 11(2):647–674

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kadkhodaie A, Rezaee R (2017) Intelligent sequence stratigraphy through a wavelet-based decomposition of well log data. J Nat Gas Sci Eng 40:38–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin W, Buqing S, Zhongsheng S, Fengyun Z, Hong M (2019) Sedimentary characteristics of Paleogene Yabus Formation in shallow-water delta in the northern sag of the Melut Basin South Sudan. China Pet Explor 24(6):721

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahgoub MI, Padmanabhan E, Abdullatif OM (2016) Sedimentological reservoir characteristics of the Paleocene fluvial/lacustrine Yabus sandstone, Melut Basin Sudan. J African Earth Sci 123:75–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McHargue TR, Heidrick TL, Livingston JK (1992) Tectonostratigraphic development of the interior Sudan rifts, Central Africa. Tectonophysics 213:187–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer B, Nederlof M (1984) Identification of source rocks on wireline logs by density/resistivity and sonic transit time/resistivity cross plots. AAPG Bull 68(2):121–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Millegan PS (1990) Aspects of the interpretation of Mesozoic rift basins in Northern Sudan using potential‐fields data, SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 1990. January 1990, 605–607. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1890277

  • Mohamed AY, Whiteman AJ, Archer SG, Bowden SA (2016) Thermal modeling of the Melut basin Sudan and South Sudan: implications for hydrocarbon generation and migration. Mar Pet Geol 77:746–762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ning Z, Xia G, Zhongmin C, Jiangqin H, Guangya Z (2018) High resolution sequence stratigraphy correlation and sedimentary model of braided rivers: a case on Paleogene Palogue Oilfield, South Sudan. In E3S Web of Conferences, EDP Sciences. 53:03024. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20185303024

  • Osman HMA (2015) Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of Paleocene Samma, Yabus, and Adar Formations in Rawat Basin. Sudan, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Saudi Arabia), White Nile State

    Google Scholar 

  • Passey QR, Creaney S, Kulla JB, Moretti FJ, Stroud JD (1990) A practical model for organic richness from porosity and resistivity logs. AAPG Bull 74(12):1777–1794

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu NS, Su XG, Li ZY, Zhang J, Liu ZQ, Li Z, Zhang LY (2007) The Cenozoic tectono-thermal evolution of depressions along both sides of mid-segment of Tancheng-Lujiang Fault Zone East China. Chinese J Geophys 50(5):1309–1320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlumberger (1998) Cased hole log interpretation principles/applications, Schlumberger wireline and testing, Houston, Texas 77252–2175. p 203

  • Schlumberger (1974) Log interpretation, volume II-applications. Schlumberger Educational Services, New York, pp 116

  • Schmoker JW, Hester TC (1983) Organic carbon in Bakken formation, United States portion of Williston basin. AAPG Bull 67(12):2165–2174

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmoker JW, Hester TC (1989) Oil generation inferred from formation resistivity—Bakken formation, Williston Basin, North Dakota. Report by U.S. Geological Survey, Montana, North Dakota

  • Schull TJ (1988) Rift basins of interior Sudan: petroleum exploration and discovery. AAPG Bull 72(10):1128–1142

    Google Scholar 

  • Shalaby MR, Jumat N, Lai D, Malik O (2019) Integrated TOC prediction and source rock characterization using machine learning, well logs and geochemical analysis: case study from the Jurassic source rocks in Shams Field, NW Desert Egypt. J Pet Sci Eng 176:369–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Wei P, Wang L, Xue L, Pang W, Chen B, Ma L, Shi J, Zhao Y (2021) Formation of the stratigraphic hydrocarbon accumulations of the Upper Yabus Formation in the Northern Sub-basin of the Melut Basin, South Sudan. J Afr Earth Sc 177:104166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney JJ, Burnham AK (1990) Evaluation of a simple model of vitrinite reflectance based on chemical kinetics. AAPG Bull 74(10):1559–1570

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiab D, Donaldson EC (1996) Petrophysics: theory and practice of measuring reservoir rock and fluid transport properties. Gulf Professional Publishing, p 918

  • Vail PR, Mitchum Jr RM, Thompson III S (1977) Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level: Part 4. Global cycles of relative changes of sea level.: Section 2. Application of seismic reflection configuration to stratigraphic interpretation, Am Assoc Petr Geol Mem 26:83–97

  • Wang X, Xie R, Wang T, Liu R, Shao L (2021) Total organic carbon content prediction of source rocks with conventional well log data based on regression committee machine. Arab J Geosci 14(15):1–1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Wu W, Chen T, Dong X, Wang G (2019) An improved neural network for TOC, S1 and S2 estimation based on conventional well logs. J Petrol Sci Eng 176:664–678

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyllie MRJ, Gregory AR, Gardner GH (1958) An experimental investigation of the factors affecting elastic wave velocities in porous media. Geophysics 23:495–493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyllie MRJ, Rose WD (1950) Some theoretical considerations related to the quantitative evaluation of the physical characteristics of reservoir rock from electric log data. Trans AIME 189:105–118

  • Xiaoguang T, Zhiqiang X, Buqing S, Lirong D, Kunye X (2006) Petroleum geologic property and reservoir-forming pattern of Melut Basin in Sudan. Acta Petrolei Sinica 27(2):1

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao W, Shi Z, Li S, Chen B, Luo X, Pang W (2020) Petroleum geological characteristics and hydrocarbon accumulation patterns in the Melut Basin South Sudan. Arab J Geosci 13(21):1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao L, Qiu G, Anderson CW, Meng B, Wang D, Shang L, Yan H, Feng X (2016) Mercury methylation in rice paddies and its possible controlling factors in the Hg mining area, Guizhou province Southwest China. Environ Pollut 215:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhongsheng S, Luo X, Huiyun N, Guolin W, Bintao C, Weiwei H, Lun M (2017) Accumulation conditions of far-source lithologic reservoirs and exploration strategy in Melut Basin Central Africa. China Pet Explor 22(6):87

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are deeply indebted to the Ministry of Petroleum and the Petroleum Authority of South Sudan for supplying us with the data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Juba University, Juba, South Sudan

    Kwacijowk John Tipo

  2. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Moharam Bey, Alexandria, 21511, Egypt

    Tharwat Abdel-Fattah, Mohamed Shaaban & Ahmed Ibrahim Diab

Authors
  1. Kwacijowk John Tipo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tharwat Abdel-Fattah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohamed Shaaban
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ahmed Ibrahim Diab
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmed Ibrahim Diab.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Santanu Banerjee

This manuscript has not been published and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tipo, K.J., Abdel-Fattah, T., Shaaban, M. et al. Investigation of the petroleum geology and sequence stratigraphy in Melut Basin, South Sudan: a case study using well logs and basin modeling. Arab J Geosci 15, 1447 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10719-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10719-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation