Structural Analysis of the Rosetta Fault, Offshore Nile Delta, Egypt

Abstract

The study area is located in the offshore part of the Nile Delta, 50 km northeast of Alexandria. It covers an area of about 3260 km2. The main objectives of the study includes studying the structural analysis of the Rosetta Fault which is a major fault system affecting the study area, studying the structural setting of the area, understanding the structural architecture and tectonic evolution of the study area through identifying and describing different fault geometries as well as other structural elements present in the area, determining the different phases of structural deformation and their relation to the hydrocarbon potential of the area, and constructing a 3D structural model of the structures affecting the area of study. The data used in this study includes a good dataset of 3D seismic data and the data of three wells (Memphis-1, Mars-1, and Mina-1). The study wells were chosen on the basis of deep penetrations of thick stratigraphic section in the area of study andhaving full log suites (LWD and wireline logs). The methodology which has been followed in this study started includes literature review of the geological setting of the area, detailed structural mapping using 3D seismic data volumes and well data, constructing structural maps and cross sections, generating seismic attribute maps such as variance attribute, applying 2D structural restoration workflow for key seismic sections to validate the structural interpretation and define the deformational history of the area, and integratingthe mapped horizons and faults in a 3D structural model. The stratigraphy of the area comprises most of the stratigraphic units down to the Cretaceous penetrated in the high structure (upthrown side of the Rosetta Fault) by Memphis-1 well. The youngest rock unit is represented by the Bilqas/Mit Ghamr