Integrated Approach of Exploration Tools Using Seismic Data, Facies Analysis, Source Rock Maturation Modelling and Hydrocarbon Formation and Expulsion Defining the Petroleum Systems in Iraq

Analysis of ten east-west and two north-south regional seismic transects across the whole of Iraq using Kingdom programme involving more than 150 seismic lines showed at least two phases of folding separated by angular unconformities influencing the Palaeozoic sequence. Extensional phases followed; one during the Triassic, the other one during the late Cretaceous influencing the Mesozoic sequence along the eastern parts and the Zagros folded belts. These two extensional phases are very well imaged by the seismic data. Further, compression phases followed; the first one during the early Tertiary and the other during the late Miocene-Pliocene. These resulted in a positive basin and structure inversion. The positively inverted structures were interpreted using the Kingdom programme. Data from deep wells were incorporated in the interpretation using time, interval time, velocity, thickness and depth maps were generated from different parts of Iraq. The results showed very detailed picture of the geometry of the major and minor structures. Pre folding restoration and flattening of some horizons allowed the construction of the spatial configuration of the sedimentary basin through time. Isopach and facies maps were produced for each Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary cycle.