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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 65 (1981)

Issue: 5. (May)

First Page: 964

Last Page: 964

Title: Seals for Major Middle East Fields: ABSTRACT

Author(s): R. J. Murris

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

The Middle Jurassic to Turonian sequence in the central part of the Arabo-Persian Gulf presents a concise and well-documented hydrocarbon habitat that demonstrates the controlling role of seal development and preservation in the spatial distribution of oil and gas accumulations.

Geochemical and geologic data indicate two source formations to be present within this sequence, the Upper Jurassic Hanifa, and the Aptian Shuaiba, where developed in intra-shelf restricted basinal facies. The terminal Jurassic Hith Anhydrite and the Albian Nahr Umr Shale are the two principal regional seals.

Hydrocarbon accumulations are concentrated in reservoirs located beneath the two regional seals. Where these are absent through non-deposition or are breached by faulting, oil has migrated upward and is now trapped beneath higher seals. Geochemical fingerprinting and maturation studies provide clues as to which source rock has generated the reservoir oils, and support the geologic inferences with regard to seal efficiency and its control on the distribution of accumulations.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists