1887
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Petroleum Geoscience
  4. Volume 26, Issue 3
  5. Article
Volume 26, Issue 3
  • ISSN: 1354-0793
  • E-ISSN:

Abstract

The early Miocene Wadi Waqb carbonate in the Midyan Peninsula, NE Red Sea is of great interest not only because of its importance as an archive of one of the few pre-salt synrift carbonate platforms in the world, but also as a major hydrocarbon reservoir. Despite this importance, little is known about the diagenesis and heterogeneity of this succession. This study uses petrographical, elemental chemistry, stable isotope (δC and δO) and clumped isotope (Δ) analyses to decipher the controlling processes behind the formation of various diagenetic products, especially dolomite, from two locations (Wadi Waqb and Ad-Dubaybah) that have experienced different diagenetic histories. Petrographically, the dolomites in both locations are similar, and characterized by euhedral to subhedral crystals (50–200 µm) and fabric-preserving dolomite textures. Clumped isotope analysis suggests that slightly elevated temperatures were recorded in the Ad-Dubaybah location (up to 49°C), whereas the Wadi Waqb location shows a sea-surface temperature of 30°C. These temperature differences, coupled with distinct δO values, can be used to infer the chemistry of the fluids involved in the dolomitization processes, with fluids at the Wadi Waqb location displaying much higher δO values (up to +4‰) compared to those at the Ad Dubaybah location (up to −3‰). Two different dolomitization models are proposed for the two sites: a seepage reflux, evaporative seawater mechanism at the Wadi Waqb location; and a fault-controlled, modified seawater mechanism at the Ad-Dubaybah location. At Ad-Dubaybah, seawater was modified through interaction with the immature basal sandstone aquifer, the Al-Wajh Formation. The spatial distribution of the dolostone bodies formed at these two locations also supports the models proposed here: with the Wadi Waqb location exhibiting massive dolostone bodies, while the dolostone bodies in the Ad-Dubaybah location are mostly clustered along the slope and platform margin. Porosity is highest in the slope sediments due to the interplay between higher precursor porosity, the grain size of the original limestone and dolomitization. Ultimately, this study provides insights into the prediction of carbonate diagenesis in an active tectonic basin and the resultant porosity distribution of a pre-salt carbonate reservoir system.

© 2019 The Author(s). Published by The Geological Society of London for GSL and EAGE. All rights reserved
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1144/petgeo2018-125
2019-11-08
2024-04-26

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1144/petgeo2018-125
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Aharon, P., Socki, R.A. & Chan, L.
    1987. Dolomitization of atolls by sea water convection flow: Test of a hypothesis at Niue, South Pacific. Journal of Geology, 95, 187–203, https://doi.org/10.1086/629119
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Aissaoui, D.M., Coniglio, M., James, N.P. & Purser, B.H.
    1986. Diagenesis of a Miocene reef-platform: Jebel Abu Shaar, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. In: Schroeder, J.H. & Purser, B.H. (eds) Reef Diagenesis. Springer, Berlin, 112–131.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Bate, R.H.
    1999. Non-marine ostracod assemblages of the Pre-Salt rift basins of West Africa and their role in sequence stratigraphy. In: Cameron, N.R., Bate, R.H. & Clure, V.S. (eds) 1999. The Oil and Gas Habitats of the South Atlantic. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 153, 283–292, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.153.01.17
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Bathurst, R.G.C.
    1966. Boring algae, micrite envelopes and lithification of molluscan biosparites. Geological Journal, 5, 15–32, https://doi.org/10.1002/gj.3350050104
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Beydoun, Z.R. & Sikander, A.H.
    1992. The Red Sea–Gulf of Aden: re-assessment of hydrocarbon potential. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 9, 474–485, https://doi.org/10.1016/0264-8172(92)90060-R
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Bosence, D.
    2005. A genetic classification of carbonate platforms based on their basinal and tectonic settings in the Cenozoic. Sedimentary Geology, 175, 49–72, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2004.12.030
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Bosworth, W. & Mcclay, K.
    2001. Structural and stratigraphic evolution of the Gulf of Suez rift, Egypt: a synthesis. Mémoires du Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, 186, 567–606.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Brand, U. & Veizer, J.
    1980. Chemical diagenesis of a multicomponent carbonate system – 1. Trace elements. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 50, 1219–1236, https://doi.org/10.1306/212F7BB7-2B24-11D7-8648000102C1865D
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Brice, S.E. & Pardo, G.
    1980. Hydrocarbon occurrences in nonmarine, pre-salt sequence of Cabinda, Angola. AAPG Bulletin, 64, 681, https://doi.org/10.1306/2F918B80-16CE-11D7-8645000102C1865D
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Cole, G.A., Abu-Ali, M.A. et al.
    1995. Petroleum geochemistry of the Midyan and Jaizan basins of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 12, 597–614, https://doi.org/10.1016/0264-8172(95)98087-L
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Coniglio, M., James, N.P. & Aissoui, D.M.
    1988. Dolomitization of Miocene carbonates, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 58, 100–119, https://doi.org/10.1306/212F8D28-2B24-11D7-8648000102C1865D
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Czerniakowski, L.A., Lohmann, K.C. & Wilson, J.L.
    1984. Closed-system marine burial diagenesis: isotopic data from the Austin Chalk and its components. Sedimentology, 31, 863–877, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3091.1984.tb00892.x
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Davies, G.R. & Smith, L.B., Jr.
    2006. Structurally controlled hydrothermal dolomite reservoir facies: An overview. AAPG Bulletin, 90, 1641–1690, https://doi.org/10.1306/05220605164
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Davison, I.
    2007. Geology and tectonics of the South Atlantic Brazilian salt basins.In: Ries, A.C., Butler, R.W.H. & Graham, R.H. (eds) 2007. Deformation of the Continental Crust. The Legacy of Mike Coward. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 272, 345–359, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2007.272.01.18
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Dennis, K.J. & Schrag, D.P.
    2010. Clumped isotope thermometry of carbonatites as an indicator of diagenetic alteration. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 74, 4110–4122, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2010.04.005
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Dennis, K.J., Affek, H.P., Passey, B.H., Schrag, D.P. & Eiler, J.M.
    2011. Defining an absolute reference frame for ‘clumped'isotope studies of CO2 . Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 75, 7117–7131, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2011.09.025
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Dickson, J.A.D.
    1966. Carbonate identification and genesis as revealed by staining. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 36, 441–505, https://doi.org/10.1306/74D714F6-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Flügel, E.
    2004. Microfacies of Carbonate Rocks: Analysis, Interpretation and Application. Springer, Berlin.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Gomes, P.O., Kilsdonk, B., Minken, J., Grow, T. & Barragan, R.
    2009. The outer high of the Santos Basin, Southern São Paulo Plateau, Brazil: pre-salt exploration outbreak, paleogeographic setting, and evolution of the syn-rift structures. Search and Discovery Article 10193 presented at theAAPG International Conference and Exhibition, 26–29 October 2008, Cape Town, South Africa.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Hendry, J.P., Gregg, J.M., Shelton, K.L., Somerville, I.D. & Crowley, S.F.
    2015. Origin, characteristics and distribution of fault-related and fracture-related dolomitization: Insights from Mississippian carbonates, Isle of Man. Sedimentology, 62, 717–752, https://doi.org/10.1111/sed.12160
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Herlinger, R., Zambonato, E.E. & De Ros, L.F.
    2017. Influence of diagenesis on the quality of Lower Cretaceous pre-salt lacustrine carbonate reservoirs from northern Campos Basin, offshore Brazil. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 87, 1285–1313, https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2017.70
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Hodgson, N.A., Farnsworth, J. & Fraser, A.J.
    1992. Salt-related tectonics, sedimentation and hydrocarbon plays in the Central Graben, North Sea, UKCS. In: Hardman, R.F.P. (ed.) 1992. Exploration Britain: Geological Insights for the Next Decade. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 67, 31–63, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1992.067.01.03
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Hollis, C., Bastesen, E. et al.
    2017. Fault-controlled dolomitization in a rift basin. Geology, 45, 219–222, https://doi.org/10.1130/G38s394.1
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Horita, J.
    2014. Oxygen and carbon isotope fractionation in the system dolomite–water–CO2 to elevated temperatures. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 129, 111–124, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2013.12.027
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Hughes, G.W.
    2014. Micropalaeontology and palaeoenvironments of the Miocene Wadi Waqb carbonate of the northern Saudi Arabian Red Sea. GeoArabia, 19, 59–108.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Hughes, G.W. & Johnson, R.S.
    2005. Lithostratigraphy of the Red Sea Region. GeoArabia, 10, 49–126.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Huntington, K.W., Eiler, J.M. et al.
    2009. Methods and limitations of ‘clumped’ CO2 isotope (Δ47) analysis by gas-source isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 44, 1318–1329, https://doi.org/10.1002/jms.1614
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Kim, S.T. & O'Neil, J.R.
    1997. Equilibrium and nonequilibrium oxygen isotope effects in synthetic carbonates. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 61, 3461–3475, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(97)00169-5
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Kluge, T., John, C.M., Jourdan, A.L., Davis, S. & Crawshaw, J.
    2015. Laboratory calibration of the calcium carbonate clumped isotope thermometer in the 25–250°C temperature range. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 157, 213–227, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2015.02.028
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Koeshidayatullah, A. & Al-Ramadan, K.
    2014. Unraveling cementation environment and patterns of Holocene beachrocks in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Aqaba: stable isotope approach. Geological Quarterly, 58, 207–216, https://doi.org/10.7306/gq.1144
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Koeshidayatullah, A., Al-Ramadan, K., Collier, R. & Hughes, G.W.
    2016. Variations in architecture and cyclicity in fault-bounded carbonate platforms: Early Miocene Red Sea Rift, NW Saudi Arabia. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 70, 77–92, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.10.017
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Lentini, M.R., Fraser, S.I., Sumner, H.S. & Davies, R.J.
    2010. Geodynamics of the central South Atlantic conjugate margins: implications for hydrocarbon potential. Petroleum Geoscience, 16, 217–229, https://doi.org/10.1144/1354-079309-909
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Lindquist, S.J
    . 1998. The Red Sea Basin Province: Sudr-Nubia(!) and Maqna(!) Petroleum Systems. United States Geological Survey Open-File Report, 99-50-A.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Machel, H.G.
    2004. Concepts and models of dolomitization: a critical reappraisal. In: Braithwaite, C.J.R., Rizzi, G. & Darke, G. (eds) 2004. The Geometry and Petrogenesis of Dolomite Hydrocarbon Reservoirs. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 235, 7–63, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2004.235.01.02
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Martín-Martín, J.D., Travé, A. et al.
    2015. Fault-controlled and stratabound dolostones in the Late Aptian–earliest Albian Benassal Formation (Maestrat Basin, E Spain): Petrology and geochemistry constrains. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 65, 83–102, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.03.019
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Moore, C.H.
    2001. Carbonate Reservoirs: Porosity Evolution and Diagenesis in a Sequence Stratigraphic Framework. Developments in Sedimentology, 55. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Moore, C.H. & Druckman, Y.
    1981. Burial diagenesis and porosity evolution, upper Jurassic Smackover, Arkansas and Louisiana. AAPG Bulletin, 65, 597–628, https://doi.org/10.1306/2F919995-16CE-11D7-8645000102C1865D
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Mougenot, D. & Al-Shakhis, A.A.
    1999. Depth imaging sub-salt structures: a case study in the Midyan Peninsula (Red Sea). GeoArabia, 4, 335–463.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Murray, S.T., Arienzo, M.M. & Swart, P.K.
    2016. Determining the Δ47 acid fractionation in dolomites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 174, 42–53, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2015.10.029
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Polis, S.R., Angelich, M.T. et al.
    2005. Preferential deposition and preservation of structurally-controlled synrift reservoirs: Northeast Red Sea and Gulf of Suez. GeoArabia, 10, 97–124.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Ren, M. & Jones, B.
    2017. Spatial variations in the stoichiometry and geochemistry of Miocene dolomite from Grand Cayman: Implications for the origin of island dolostone. Sedimentary Geology, 348, 69–93, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2016.12.001
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Ronchi, P., Gattolin, G., Frixa, A. & Margliulo, C.
    2016. West Africa lacustrine pre-salt carbonates: How interaction of tectonics and diagenesis produced different reservoir facies. Paper presented at theSPE/AAPG Africa Energy and Technology Conference, 5–7 December 2016, Nairobi City, Kenya.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Saller, A.
    1984. Petrologic and geochemical constraints on the origin of subsurface dolomite, Enewetak Atoll: an example of dolomitization by normal seawater.Geology, 12, 217–220, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1984)12<217:PAGCOT>2.0.CO;2
     [Google Scholar]
  44. Saller, A., Rushton, S., Buambua, L., Inman, K., McNeil, R. & Dickson, J.T.
    2016. Presalt stratigraphy and depositional systems in the Kwanza Basin, offshore Angola. AAPG Bulletin, 100, 1135–1164, https://doi.org/10.1306/02111615216
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Sharma, T. & Clayton, R.N.
    1965. Measurement of O18O16 ratios of total oxygen of carbonates. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 29, 1347–1353, https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(65)90011-6
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Shinn, E.A. & Robbin, D.M.
    1983. Mechanical and chemical compaction in fine-grained shallow-water limestones. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 53, 595–618, https://doi.org/10.1306/212F8242-2B24-11D7-8648000102C1865D
     [Google Scholar]
  47. Sibley, D.F. & Gregg, J.M.
    1987. Classification of dolomite rock textures. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 57, 967–975, https://doi.org/10.1306/212F8CBA-2B24-11D7-8648000102C1865D
     [Google Scholar]
  48. Smith, T.M. & Dorobek, S.L.
    1993. Alteration of early-formed dolomite during shallow to deep burial: Mississippian Mission Canyon Formation, central to southwestern Montana. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 105, 1389–1399, https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1993)105<1389:AOEFDD>2.3.CO;2
     [Google Scholar]
  49. Stanley, S.M. & Hardie, L.A.
    1998. Secular oscillations in the carbonate mineralogy of reef-building and sediment-producing organisms driven by tectonically forced shifts in seawater chemistry. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 144, 3–19, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-0182(98)00109-6
     [Google Scholar]
  50. Staudigel, P.T., Murray, S., Dunham, D.P., Frank, T.D., Fielding, C.R. & Swart, P.K.
    2018. Cryogenic brines as diagenetic fluids: Reconstructing the diagenetic history of the Victoria Land Basin using clumped isotopes. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 224, 154–170, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2018.01.002
     [Google Scholar]
  51. Swart, P.K.
    2015. The geochemistry of carbonate diagenesis: The past, present and future. Sedimentology, 62, 1233–1304, https://doi.org/10.1111/sed.12205
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Swart, P.K. & Melim, L.A.
    2000. The origin of dolomites in Tertiary sediments from the margin of Great Bahama Bank. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 70, 738–748, https://doi.org/10.1306/2DC40934-0E47-11D7-8643000102C1865D
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Swart, P.K., Cantrell, D.L., Westphal, H., Handford, C.R. & Kendall, C.G.
    2005. Origin of dolomite in the Arab-D reservoir from the Ghawar Field, Saudi Arabia: evidence from petrographic and geochemical constraints. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 75, 476–491, https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2005.037
     [Google Scholar]
  54. Thompson, D.L., Stilwell, J.D. & Hall, M.
    2015. Lacustrine carbonate reservoirs from Early Cretaceous rift lakes of Western Gondwana: Pre-salt coquinas of Brazil and West Africa. Gondwana Research, 28, 26–51, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2014.12.005
     [Google Scholar]
  55. Tubbs, R.E., Aly Fouda, H.G., Afifi, A.M., Raterman, N.S., Hughes, G.W. & Fadolalkarem, Y.K.
    2014. Midyan Peninsula, northern Red Sea, Saudi Arabia: Seismic imaging and regional interpretation. GeoArabia, 19, 165–184.
     [Google Scholar]
  56. Vahrenkamp, V.C., Swart, P.K., Purser, B., Tucker, M. & Zenger, D.
    1994. Late Cenozoic dolomites of the Bahamas: metastable analogues for the genesis of ancient platform dolomites. In: Purser, B.H., Tucker, M.E. & Zenger, D.L. (eds) Dolomites: A Volume in Honour of Dolomieu. International Association of Sedimentologists Special Publications, 21, 133–153.
     [Google Scholar]
  57. Warren, J.
    2000. Dolomite: occurrence, evolution and economically important associations. Earth-Science Reviews, 52, 1–81, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-8252(00)00022-2
     [Google Scholar]
  58. Wheeler, C.W., Aharon, P. & Ferrell, R.E.
    1999. Successions of Late Cenozoic platform dolomites distinguished by texture, geochemistry, and crystal chemistry: Niue, South Pacific. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 69, 239–255, https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.69.239
     [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1144/petgeo2018-125
Loading
Impact of basin architecture on diagenesis and dolomitization in a fault-bounded carbonate platform: outcrop analogue of a pre-salt carbonate reservoir, Red Sea rift, NW Saudi Arabia
Petroleum Geoscience 26, 448 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1144/petgeo2018-125
/content/journals/10.1144/petgeo2018-125
/content/journals/10.1144/petgeo2018-125
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error