3D seismic modeling of the Amal oil field to evaluate CO2 storage potential in depleted reservoirs, Southern Gulf of Suez

Abstract The Amal Oil Field in the Southern Gulf of Suez presents significant potential for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This study integrates 3D geological modeling, seismic interpretation, and petrophysical analysis to assess the field’s suitability for CO2 sequestration. The structural analy...

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Main Authors: Mohammed Amer, Walid M. Mabrouk, Amr M. Eid, Ahmed Metwally
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03032-5
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author Mohammed Amer
Walid M. Mabrouk
Amr M. Eid
Ahmed Metwally
author_facet Mohammed Amer
Walid M. Mabrouk
Amr M. Eid
Ahmed Metwally
author_sort Mohammed Amer
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The Amal Oil Field in the Southern Gulf of Suez presents significant potential for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This study integrates 3D geological modeling, seismic interpretation, and petrophysical analysis to assess the field’s suitability for CO2 sequestration. The structural analysis identifies a primary horst block bounded by major normal faults, providing an effective structural trap for CO2 storage. Stratigraphic studies confirm the presence of robust sealing formations, including the Kareem shale and the evaporite-dominated Zeit and South Gharib Formations, ensuring long-term containment. Petrophysical evaluation of the Upper Rudies reservoir reveals favorable conditions for CO2 injection, characterized by low shale volume, moderately high effective porosity, low water saturation, and adequate permeability. Reservoir property modeling, conducted using sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS), a statistical method used to distribute reservoir properties, such as porosity and permeability, throughout the reservoir by generating multiple possible scenarios based on a Gaussian distribution model, demonstrates significant lateral and vertical heterogeneity, with the central horst block exhibiting the highest storage potential. Permeability distribution varies from 0.1 to 100 mD, with an average of 10 mD in key reservoir zones, further supporting its suitability for CO2 injection. CO2 storage capacity estimation, incorporating grid pore volumes, CO2 density, formation volume factor, and storage efficiency coefficient, suggests a storage potential ranging from 3.6 to 48.5 million tons. Spatial analysis highlights the central and northwestern regions as the most promising areas for injection due to higher porosity and net pay thickness. The Gulf of Suez boasts a unique geological setting, providing excellent structural traps for hydrocarbon and CO2 storage. Its well-developed infrastructure, including extensive pipelines, processing facilities, and existing wells, supports efficient CO2 transportation and injection, enhancing the feasibility of large-scale CO2 storage with minimal additional investment. The region’s strategic location also enhances its role in global trade and energy logistics. This study provides a comprehensive workflow for evaluating depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs for CCS applications, offering valuable insights for future CO2 sequestration projects in the Gulf of Suez, a region underexplored in CCS literature. The findings contribute to Egypt’s national carbon reduction initiatives and support global climate mitigation strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-ad932e0adffe4ef7b7589c41367dac3d2025-08-20T03:22:09ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-03032-53D seismic modeling of the Amal oil field to evaluate CO2 storage potential in depleted reservoirs, Southern Gulf of SuezMohammed Amer0Walid M. Mabrouk1Amr M. Eid2Ahmed Metwally3Geophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo UniversityGeophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo UniversityGeophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo UniversityGeophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo UniversityAbstract The Amal Oil Field in the Southern Gulf of Suez presents significant potential for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This study integrates 3D geological modeling, seismic interpretation, and petrophysical analysis to assess the field’s suitability for CO2 sequestration. The structural analysis identifies a primary horst block bounded by major normal faults, providing an effective structural trap for CO2 storage. Stratigraphic studies confirm the presence of robust sealing formations, including the Kareem shale and the evaporite-dominated Zeit and South Gharib Formations, ensuring long-term containment. Petrophysical evaluation of the Upper Rudies reservoir reveals favorable conditions for CO2 injection, characterized by low shale volume, moderately high effective porosity, low water saturation, and adequate permeability. Reservoir property modeling, conducted using sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS), a statistical method used to distribute reservoir properties, such as porosity and permeability, throughout the reservoir by generating multiple possible scenarios based on a Gaussian distribution model, demonstrates significant lateral and vertical heterogeneity, with the central horst block exhibiting the highest storage potential. Permeability distribution varies from 0.1 to 100 mD, with an average of 10 mD in key reservoir zones, further supporting its suitability for CO2 injection. CO2 storage capacity estimation, incorporating grid pore volumes, CO2 density, formation volume factor, and storage efficiency coefficient, suggests a storage potential ranging from 3.6 to 48.5 million tons. Spatial analysis highlights the central and northwestern regions as the most promising areas for injection due to higher porosity and net pay thickness. The Gulf of Suez boasts a unique geological setting, providing excellent structural traps for hydrocarbon and CO2 storage. Its well-developed infrastructure, including extensive pipelines, processing facilities, and existing wells, supports efficient CO2 transportation and injection, enhancing the feasibility of large-scale CO2 storage with minimal additional investment. The region’s strategic location also enhances its role in global trade and energy logistics. This study provides a comprehensive workflow for evaluating depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs for CCS applications, offering valuable insights for future CO2 sequestration projects in the Gulf of Suez, a region underexplored in CCS literature. The findings contribute to Egypt’s national carbon reduction initiatives and support global climate mitigation strategies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03032-5Carbon capture and storage3D Geological modelingSeismic interpretationSequential gaussian simulation (SGS)Upper RudiesGulf of Suez
spellingShingle Mohammed Amer
Walid M. Mabrouk
Amr M. Eid
Ahmed Metwally
3D seismic modeling of the Amal oil field to evaluate CO2 storage potential in depleted reservoirs, Southern Gulf of Suez
Scientific Reports
Carbon capture and storage
3D Geological modeling
Seismic interpretation
Sequential gaussian simulation (SGS)
Upper Rudies
Gulf of Suez
title 3D seismic modeling of the Amal oil field to evaluate CO2 storage potential in depleted reservoirs, Southern Gulf of Suez
title_full 3D seismic modeling of the Amal oil field to evaluate CO2 storage potential in depleted reservoirs, Southern Gulf of Suez
title_fullStr 3D seismic modeling of the Amal oil field to evaluate CO2 storage potential in depleted reservoirs, Southern Gulf of Suez
title_full_unstemmed 3D seismic modeling of the Amal oil field to evaluate CO2 storage potential in depleted reservoirs, Southern Gulf of Suez
title_short 3D seismic modeling of the Amal oil field to evaluate CO2 storage potential in depleted reservoirs, Southern Gulf of Suez
title_sort 3d seismic modeling of the amal oil field to evaluate co2 storage potential in depleted reservoirs southern gulf of suez
topic Carbon capture and storage
3D Geological modeling
Seismic interpretation
Sequential gaussian simulation (SGS)
Upper Rudies
Gulf of Suez
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03032-5
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