Integrating Geodynamics and Structural Restoration to Understand Tilted Contacts in the Jurassic Reservoirs of North Kuwait

Many hydrocarbon fields across the Middle East have been identified as having tilted or stepped contacts, with common explanations including (but not limited to) hydro-dynamic effects, fault compartmentalization, and post-emplacement tilting or folding (e.g., Stenger et al, 2003 ). North Kuwait is no exception, with N to NE dips recorded in reservoirs from Jurassic through to Tertiary age. The magnitude of the dip varies, with a maximum value of 3° observed in the Jurassic Najmah formation (Although the mean value is approximately 0.8°–1°), compared to values of <0.3° in Tertiary formations. Here we examine the mechanism(s) which result in the tilting, specifically for the Jurassic gas reservoirs.