Hydraulic fracturing as unconventional production potential for the organic-rich carbonate reservoir rocks in the Abu El Gharadig Field, north western Desert (Egypt): Evidence from combined organic geochemical, petrophysical and bulk kinetics modeling results

Abstract

This paper systematically analyzes the organic geochemical, petrophysical, and petrographical properties combined with bulk kinetics modeling of the Abu Roash (F) organic-rich carbonate rocks in the Abu El Gharadig Field. The Abu Roash (F) carbonate-rich samples exhibit high organic content with total organic matter (TOC) values up to 3.04 wt%, and mainly Type II kerogen, with a slight gradient to Type II/III and III kerogens, reaching good to very good oil generation potential. This finding of hydrogen-rich kerogen and oil generation potential was also demonstrated by the abundance of fluorescent alginite, amorphous organic matter (AOM), and bituminite organic matter (OM) as established via ultra violet (UV) light microscopy. The maturity indicators demonstrate that most of the examined Abu Roash (F) carbonate-rich samples from the studied wells, with a deep burial depth of more than 3000 m, are thermally mature, thus defining an early mature to moderate-mature stage. The kinetic models suggest that the Abu Roash (F) carbonate-rich rocks in the deepest burial depth, with calculated vitrinite reflectance (%VRo) values in the range of 0.72–0.83 %, have reached kerogen transformation ratio (TR) in the range of 10–55 %, indicating a high probability of oil production. This finding is confirmed by the presence of the oil crossover in these rocks with an oil saturation index (OSI) of more than 100 mg HC/ g rock. The Abu Roash (F) organic-rich carbonates are intractable rocks as implied by low porosities (up to 2.33 %) and poor permeability in the range of 0.0017–0.0039 mD. The pores in these rocks have a wide range in size, including interparticle, fracture, and organic matter (OM) pores, as recognized in the thin section and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The development of these pore types and their quality is mainly controlled by high mineralogical brittleness (i.e., carbonates) together with the high OM inputs. Based on the above characteristics, the Abu Roash (F) carbonate-rich rocks in the Abu El Gharadig Field are a candidate for unconventional tight oil reservoir potential, which typically require a form of hydraulic fracturing for possible oil production at deeper burial depths.