Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.18, No.3, pp. 245- 266, 1995

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

SUPERPOSED DEFORMATION IN THE NORTHERN SUEZ RIFT, EGYPT: RELEVANCE TO HYDROCARBONS EXPLORATION

A.R. Moustafa* and M.H. Khalil**

* Dept. of Geology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Present address: Department of Geology, University of Kuwait, Box 5969, Safat 13060, Kuwait.

** Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company, Box 2400, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Detailed subsurface studies of the northern part of the Suez Rift and adjacent areas indicate the superposition of two different episodes of deformation. During the earlier (Late Cretaceous) phase of deformation, folds with NE-SW oriented axes were formed in northern Egypt as a result of convergence between Africa and Eurasia and the closure of the Neotethys. During the later (early Miocene) deformation, NW-oriented normal faults were formed as a result of the opening of the Suez Rift.