oa Hydrocarbon Prospectivity of the Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous Makhul Formation in North and Northwestern Kuwait

The Makhul Formation is the lowermost sequence of Tammama Group in Kuwait sub-basin, deposited during late Tithonian to early Beriasian age. The formation is dominantly argillaceous mudstone with packstone and rare wackestone. In the northern parts of Kuwait the lower Makhul is depicted in the 2D/3D seismic as prograding reflection package, downlaping onto the Hith Formation top. The upper Makhul section has parallel to sub-parallel reflection pattern in the area. The acoustic impedance of the lower Makhul is very low, comparable to shale impedance and grading to relatively higher impedance towards top. That the tight reservoirs of the Makhul Formation have hydrocarbon potential is proven. Fractures are present in the Makhul rocks as seen in the available core data and image logs. They may play vital role for the sustainable production from these unconventional reservoirs. 3D Seismic based high resolution edge mapping has brought out near evenly spaced sub-vertical discontinuities. The wells that have intersected discontinuities gave high gas readings in the mud log. Low frequency anomalies could be indicators of hydrocarbon/fractures. The challenge is to understand the trapping mechanism and geomechanical properties and to identify ‘sweet spots’ for commercial success.