AAPG Bulletin, V. 83 (1999), No. 12

AAPG FOUNDATION PRATT CONFERENCE: PETROLEUM PROVINCES, 21st CENTURY
January 12-15, 2000
San Diego, California

JEREMY C. GOFF, BP-Amoco, Sunbury on Thames, UK

Abstract: New Frontiers for Hydrocarbon Production from Iraq

Oil discoveries at Kirkuk and Qaiyarah based on surface geology/seeps (1927), and at Zubair and Rumaila (1949-1953) based on early seismic, established Iraq's northern and southern oil provinces. Focus on field development (1954-1961), and disputed exploration rights (1961-1967) delayed their intensive exploration. Exploration between 1969 and 1988 increased oil reserves to 100 billion barrels but the Iraq-Iran War of the 1980's and the sanctions of the 1990's have restricted exploration activity. Less than 200 exploration wells have been drilled within an area of almost 500,000 sq km. Potential remains to extend the productive area of the established Cretaceous and Tertiary play fairways, and for discoveries in emerging plays in Jurassic, Triassic and Palaeozoic petroleum systems.

Middle Jurassic to Lower Berriasian and Albian source rocks have charged stacked reservoirs comprising Aptian/Albian sandstones, and diverse platform carbonates of Valanginian, Cenomanian to Early Turonian, Campanian, Late Eocene to Oligocene, and Early to Mid-Miocene age. Major structural growth occurred in Mid- to Late Cretaceous and Late Miocene to Pleistocene time. Jurassic source rocks have charged time equivalent platform margin carbonates and fractured basinal limestones sealed by Upper Jurassic evaporites in the Gotnia Basin. Middle to Upper Triassic limestones have sourced Triassic platform carbonates sealed by anhydrites and tight limestones. Silurian oil source rocks in Western Iraq may have charged Lower Palaeozoic and Upper Carboniferous/Lower Permian sandstones, and Upper Permian platform carbonates and shoreline sandstones.

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