Chronostratigraphically based reservoir model for cenomanian carbonates, southeastern Iraq oilfields

Abstract EN

The Cenomanian-Turronian sedimentary succession in the south Iraq oil fields, including Ahmadi, Rumaila, Mishrif and Khasib formations have undergone into high-resolution reservoir-scale genetic sequence stratigraphic analysis.

Some oil-wells from Majnoon and West-Qurna oil fields were selected as a representative case for the regional sequence stratigraphic analysis.

The south Iraqi Albian-Cenomanian-Turronian succession of 2nd-order depositional super-sequence has been analyzed based on the Arabian Plate chronosequence stratigraphic context, properly distinguished by three main chrono-markers (The maximum flooding surface, MFS-K100 of the upper shale member of Nahr Umr Formation, MFS-K140 of the upper Mishrif carbonates, and MFS-K150 of the lower Khasib shale member).

Three 3rd-order genetic mega-sequences were embraced between the cited chrono-markers.

The markers have been considered as regional key-surfaces for the Late Albian-Cenomanian to Early Turonian and Late Turonian to Early Coniacian stratigraphy of the south Iraqi oil fields.

Eight 4th-order genetic meso-sequences (MS1 to MS8) have been established, comprising multiple 5th-order high-frequency (HF) lithofacies cycles, successively arranged in the mega-sequences without disturbance.

MFS-K135 (this study), MFS-K140, MFS-K150 and Seven successive regional chrono-markers [MFS-K120, MFS-K125 (this study), MFS-K130, and MFS-K160 of upper Khasib shale member] started from lower Ahmadi shale member, identify these meso-sequences.

Associated fifteen key-surfaces (K121, K122, K123, K124, K125, K126, K127, K128, K129, K131, K132, K133, K134, K141 & K142) have been described as well.

The meso-sequence 1 signifies Ahmadi lithofacies buildups, whereas ; the other meso-sequences represent Mishrif lithofacies buildups.

The Rumaila carbonates come across the first HST-unit of the meso-sequence 2.

The meso-sequence 8 represents the Khasib carbonate facies buildups.

The depositional super-sequence is terminated by type-1 sequence boundary SB-K150 at the top of the Mishrif Formation, created by maximum regression (MR).

The study declares 15 reservoir syn-layers and 9 non-reservoir layers; each is essentially characterized by HF-single-lithofacies-cycle and lateral continuity pattern.

This syn-layer model can be used as sequence steering technique for carbonates heterogeneity aspects, in the south Iraqi oil fields to control fluid dynamics in primary and secondary development projects.