Geophysical study to the role of salt in creating buzurgan oilfield structure, southeast of Iraq

Abstract EN

This paper is an attempt to study the relation between the creation of Buzurgan oilfield structures and the role of salt in forming these structures.

The study depends on the available surface geophysical data, namely; seismic reflection, gravity and magnetic data.

Seismic reflection profiles show clearly how the salt of Al-Fatha Formation (evaporite) plays a clear role in creating the relatively shallow anticlinal structures of Buzurgan oilfield, in addition to the effect of the lateral stresses resulted from the collision between Arabian and Iranian plates.

Gravity and magnetic data interpretations indicate that there are similar probable anticlinal structures may occur in deeper formations due to the effect of Gotnia and Hormuz salt, where these salts are piercing upward by buoyant forces resulting from the density contrast between these formations and the heavier rocks above them.

Depth of the basement rocks are found to be ranged between 11.7 to 12.4 Km measured from gravity and magnetic data respectively.