Subsurface Fluid Flow Feature as Hydrocarbon Indicator in the Alamein Basin, Onshore Egypt; Seismic Attribute Perspective

Abstract

The interpretation of subsurface fluid flow features in seismic reflection data is a key part of identifying the presence of hydrocarbon and active petroleum systems. Currently, this kind of study is mainly conducted utilizing offshore seismic reflection data with very limited cases utilizing onshore seismic reflection data. In addition, the Alamein basin is an area of prolific study in onshore Egypt, with most related studies concentrating on basin analysis and reservoir characterization. Therefore, in our study we aimed to make practical and effective use of onshore seismic reflection data with seismic attribute analysis to describe seismic facies, delineating and interpreting subsurface fluid flow features. The relatively vertical V-shaped and pipe or concave-up-shaped features with distorted reflections inside them are revealed through the analysis of variance, sweetness, chaos, instantaneous frequency and the RMS amplitude of seismic attributes. These subsurface fluid flow features are a product of mature source rock that migrates hydrocarbon vertically through faults (especially deep-seated faults) and fracture systems (fault and fracture-related subsurface fluid flow features). The classification scheme presented in our study could be implemented in the onshore case worldwide.

Keywords

• subsurface fluid flow
• seismic attribute
• hydrocarbon indicator
• Alamein
• Egypt