Jaju, M. M.

Matenco, L.

Nader, F. H.

Roure, F.

Arabian Journal of Geosciences

English

Marwan Jaju

Fadi Henri Nader

François Roure

Liviu Matenco

Crossref

Optimal Aquifers and Reservoirs for CCS and EOR in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: An Overview

Aberdeen University Research

Optimal aquifers and reservoirs for CCS and EOR in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : An overview

An overview on the tectono-stratigraphic framework of the Arabian plate indicates obvious differences between two distinct areas: the hydrocarbon-prolific sector and non-hydrocarbon-prolific sector. These differences resulted from the interplay of a variety of factors; some of which are related to the paleo-geographic configuration (eustatic sea level fluctuations, climatic conditions, and salt Basins), others to differential subsidence (burial) and structural inversions. During the Paleozoic, the regional compression was caused by far field effects of the Hercynian orogeny. This led to major folded structures in central and eastern Saudi Arabia (e.g. Ghawar anticline). During the Mesozoic, the most important tectonic factor was the stretching of the crust (extension), accompanied with the increase in temperature, resulting in an increase of the accommodation space, and thicker sedimentary successions. Regional unconformities are mostly found where folded structures are dominant, and they acted as a carrier systems for the accumulation of hydrocarbon and groundwater. A good understanding of the stratigraphy and tectonic evolution is, thus, required to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) and to design efficiently enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in both sectors. Oil and gas reservoirs offer geologic storage potential as well as the economic opportunity of better production through CO2-EOR. The world greatest hydrocarbon reservoirs mainly consist of Jurassic carbonate rocks, and are located around the Arabian Basin (including the eastern KSA and the Arabian Gulf). The Cretaceous reservoirs, which mainly consist of calcarenite and dolomite, are located around the Gotnia salt Basin (northeast of KSA). Depleted oil and gas fields, which generally have proven as geologic traps, reservoirs and seals, are ideal sites for storage of injected CO2. Each potential site for CO2-EOR or CCS should be evaluated for its potential storage with respect to the containment properties, and to ensure that conditions for safe and effective long term storage are present. The secured deep underground storage of CO2 implies appropriate geologic rock formations with suitable reservoir rocks, traps, and impermeable caprocks. Proposed targets for CCS, in the non-hydrocarbon-prolific sector, are Kharij super-aquifer (Triassic), Az-Zulfi aquifer (Middle Jurassic), Layla aquifer (Late Jurassic), and Wasia aquifer (Middle Cretaceous). Proposed targets for EOR are Safaniya oil field (Middle Cretaceous) (Safaniya, Wara and Khafji reservoirs), Manifa oil field (Las, Safaniya and Khafji reservoirs) (Late Jurassic), and Khuff reservoir (Late Permian-Early Triassic) in central to eastern KSA

Utrecht University Repository

Optimal aquifers and reservoirs for CCS and EOR in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: an overview

M. M. Jaju

F. H. Nader

F. Roure

L. Matenco

International audienceAn overview on the tectono-stratigraphic frameworkof the Arabian plate indicates obvious differences betweentwo distinct areas: the hydrocarbon-prolific sector andnon-hydrocarbon-prolific sector. These differences resultedfrom the interplay of a variety of factors; some of which arerelated to the paleo-geographic configuration (eustatic sea levelfluctuations, climatic conditions, and salt Basins), others todifferential subsidence (burial) and structural inversions.During the Paleozoic, the regional compression was causedby far field effects of the Hercynian orogeny. This led to majorfolded structures in central and eastern Saudi Arabia (e.g.Ghawar anticline). During the Mesozoic, the most importanttectonic factor was the stretching of the crust (extension), accompaniedwith the increase in temperature, resulting in anincrease of the accommodation space, and thicker sedimentarysuccessions. Regional unconformities are mostly found wherefolded structures are dominant, and they acted as a carriersystems for the accumulation of hydrocarbon and groundwater.A good understanding of the stratigraphy and tectonicevolution is, thus, required to develop carbon capture andstorage (CCS) and to design efficiently enhanced oil recovery(EOR) in both sectors. Oil and gas reservoirs offer geologicstorage potential as well as the economic opportunity of betterproduction through CO2-EOR. The world greatest hydrocarbonreservoirs mainly consist of Jurassic carbonate rocks, andare located around the Arabian Basin (including the easternKSA and the Arabian Gulf). The Cretaceous reservoirs, whichmainly consist of calcarenite and dolomite, are located aroundthe Gotnia salt Basin (northeast of KSA). Depleted oil and gasfields, which generally have proven as geologic traps, reservoirsand seals, are ideal sites for storage of injected CO2.Each potential site for CO2-EOR or CCS should be evaluatedfor its potential storage with respect to the containment properties,and to ensure that conditions for safe and effective longterm storage are present. The secured deep underground storageof CO2 implies appropriate geologic rock formations withsuitable reservoir rocks, traps, and impermeable caprocks.Proposed targets for CCS, in the non-hydrocarbon-prolificsector, are Kharij super-aquifer (Triassic), Az-Zulfi aquifer(Middle Jurassic), Layla aquifer (Late Jurassic), and Wasiaaquifer (Middle Cretaceous). Proposed targets for EOR areSafaniya oil field (Middle Cretaceous) (Safaniya, Wara andKhafji reservoirs), Manifa oil field (Las, Safaniya and Khafjireservoirs) (Late Jurassic), and Khuff reservoir (Late Permian-Early Triassic) in central to eastern KSA

Optimal aquifers and reservoirs for CCS and EOR in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia : An overview

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Crossref

Aberdeen University Research

Utrecht University Repository

Crossref

HAL: Hyper Article en Ligne

NARCIS

Archive Ouverte en Sciences de l'Information et de la Communication