Aeromagnetic signature analysis of Gasus area and its surrounding,central eastern desert,Egypt

This study presents analysis and interpretation of aeromagnetic data to construct subsurface structure maps and determine the depths to magnetic basement. Subsequent analysis steps are applied to the total magnetic intensity (TMI) data. These steps include Reduction to the Pole (RTP) map that was derived from the TMI map then subjected to spectral frequency analysis to isolate RTP map into high and low frequencies and determine pseudo-depth for each map from power spectrum in which there were two main average levels (interfaces) at depth 1.3 and 0.7 km for the deep-seated and near-surface magnetic structures, respectively. 3D Euler deconvolution technique is applied to calculate the depth to the magnetic contacts; the results show clustering of solutions, the shallow solutions are related to the outcrops less than 80 m from flight level, and the solutions which are related to sedimentary cover locations (Um al-Huweitat, Wasif, and Mohamed Rabah basins) are ranged between 200 and to more than 1100 m. Moreover, anomaly enhancement techniques such as tilt derivative (TD), horizontal tilt derivative (TDX), and source edge detect (SED) are applied to enhance shallow features, and determining structure element boundary for both shallow- and deep-seated anomalies and revealing possible faults such as 2D forward modeling are applied to selected profiles to adjust the interpreted structures and map the boundaries and basement relief of the three basins (Mohammed Rabah, Wasif, and Um al-Huweitat). The analysis shows that the study area is affected with network of dip–slip faults due to high shearing and compression stress which formed grabens and horsts at different depth levels in the study area. The trends of predominant faults related to deep-seated structures are NW–SE with depths ranged between 1 and 1.4 km and in regard to the shallow-seated structure, the predominant fault trends are NW–SE, NNW–SSE, and NNE–SSW with depths ranged between 0.3 and 0.8 km.     

Subsurface structural features of the basement complex and mineralization zone investigation in the Barramiya area,Eastern Desert of Egypt,using magnetic and gravity data analysis

In the Barramiya area, the majority of gold deposits are generally related with the quartz veins that associated with shear zones cutting the crystalline basement rocks. The quartz vein system is controlled by shear zone and general faults. The present study is to delineate the general faults, shear zones, geological limits, and basement rock relief, using airborne magnetic and gravity data analysis at the Barramiya gold mine and surrounding area, Eastern Desert of Egypt. To achieve our goal, we have applied on magnetic and gravity data the following techniques: reduction to pole (RTP), analytical signal, tilt derivative, total horizontal derivative, 3D Euler deconvolution, downward continuation, and source parameter imagining power spectrum techniques. The analytical signal used to map the types of rock boundaries. Tilt derivative and total horizontal derivative filters helped to delineate fractures and the contact zones of the formations that host the main Barramiya shear zone. 3D Euler deconvolution techniques helped to delineate the fault trends which represented at the following direction: NNE–SSW and NNW–SSE. The average depths of both regional and residual causes have been estimated by applying downward continuation, source parameter imagining, and power spectrum techniques. According to the results of the present study, the depth of the basement rocks is relatively high (~?80-m depth) in the western part of the study area and the basement rocks cropped out in the surface at the rest of the area. Our results are coinciding with the previous geological studies.     

Integrated potential field study on the subsurface structural characterization of the area North Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

The present study aims mainly to delineate and outline the regional subsurface structural and tectonic framework of the buried basement rocks of Abu El Gharadig Basin, Northern Western Desert, Egypt. The potential field data (Bouguer gravity and total intensity aeromagnetic maps) carried out in the Abu El Gharadig Basin had been analyzed together with other geophysical and geological studies. The execution of this study is initiated by transformation of the total intensity aeromagnetic data to the reduced to pole (RTP) magnetic map. This is followed by applying several transformation techniques and various filtering processes through qualitative and quantitative analyses on both of the gravity and magnetic data. These techniques include the qualitative interpretation of gravity, total intensity magnetic and RTP magnetic maps. Regional–residual separation is carried out using the power spectrum. Also, the analytic signal and second vertical derivative techniques are applied to delineate the hidden anomalies. Aeromagnetic anomalies in the area reflect significant features on the basement tectonics, on the deep-seated structures and on the shallow-seated ones. Major faults and intrusions in the area are indicated to be mainly along the NE–SW, NW–SE, ENE–WSW and E–W directions. The Bouguer gravity map indicates major basement fracturing, as well as variations in the sedimentary basins and ridges and subsequent tectonic disturbances. The most obvious anomalous trends on the gravity map, based on their frequencies and amplitudes, are along the NE–SW, ENE–WSW, E–W and NW–SE trends. The main of Abu EL Gharadig Basin depositional center does not show sharp variations, because of the homogeneity of the marine rocks and the great basement depths.     

航磁梯度数据解释新方法在迁安铁矿勘探中的应用

为更加清晰和准确地利用磁梯度数据获得地质体的分布特征,笔者采用解析信号总水平导数法和梯度欧拉反褶积技术组合实现磁梯度数据的解释,解析信号总水平导数的极值可有效地圈定出矿体的分布范围,梯度欧拉反褶积法可有效地避免背景异常的干扰,从而准确地给出磁性体的位置和深度信息。理论模型证明解析信号水平导数法和梯度欧拉反褶积法的组合可准确地获得磁性体的水平范围和深度。应用于河北迁安地区磁梯度数据的解释,圈定出5个呈条带状分布的较大型铁矿藏,埋深在200~450 m。     

Interpretation of high resolution aeromagnetic data over southern Benue Trough,southeastern Nigeria

High resolution airborne magnetic data of parts of the southern Benue Trough were digitally processed and analyzed in order to estimate the depth of magnetic sources and to map the distribution and orientation of subsurface structural features. Enhancement techniques applied include, reduction to pole/equator (RTP/RTE), first and second vertical derivatives, horizontal gradients and analytic signal. Results from these procedures show that at least 40% of the sedimentary basin contain shallow (<200 m) magmatic bodies, which in most cases are intermediate to mafic intrusive and hyperbysal rocks, and may occur as sills, dikes or batholiths. Magnetic lineaments with a predominant NE–SW trend appear to be more densely distributed around the basement rocks of the Oban Hills and metamorphosed rocks around the Workum Hills. 3D standard Euler deconvolution and Source Parameter Imaging (SPI ^TM) techniques were employed for depth estimation. Results from the two methods show similar depth estimates. The maximum depth to basement values for 3D Euler and SPI are 4.40 and 4.85 km with mean depths of 0.42 and 0.37 km, respectively. Results of 2D modelling of magnetic profiles drawn perpendicular to major anomalies in the study area reveal the existence of deep seated faults which may have controlled the emplacement of intrusive bodies in the basin. The abundance of intrusive bodies in the study area renders this part of the southern Nigerian sedimentary basins unattractive for petroleum exploration. However, the area possesses high potential for large accumulation of base metal mineralization.     

The role of geophysical and seismological data in evaluating the subsurface structures and tectonic trends of Nile Delta, Egypt

In the present study, the Bouguer, aeromagnetic, and seismological data analysis for Nile Delta including the Greater Cairo region and its surroundings was used to examine and trace the tectonic framework for some deep-seated faults (mostly normal faults with a small strike–slip component) and their orientation, on which most earthquakes have occurred. The new tilt derivative (TDR) geophysical map and Euler deconvolution presented here can be used to trace the structural relationships and their depth investigations across the entire region. Generally, most of the Euler deconvolution results especially from the gravity map were well coincided with the location of contacts derived by TDR particularly NNW to NS, EW, and NE trended structures. The depths to the gravity or magnetic sources, and the locations of the contacts of density contrast were estimated. Results of the Euler deconvolution method suggested that, in the southeastern part of the area, the basement could be observed to be shallow and has become deeper beneath the northern part. Furthermore, the resulting structural map of this study is well correlated with previous geological and seismological data analyses. At least two sets of predominant faults are suspected, faults with a NNW strike (Clysmic trend) which are particularly felt in the southern portion of the Delta, and some of them give it the shape of a “graben like structure.” Another parallel set of faults, having NE–SW strike (Pelusium trend), was also obvious in the southern part between Cairo and Suez cities (at Abu Zabal area). The evaluated trending faults (NNW–SSE or NE–SW) are intersecting with predominant major WNW–ESE to E–W (Tethys trend) striking faults. These intersections may generate more additional seismic pulses and consequently increase the seismic activity for these structures. However, minor NW (Najd Fault System) is obvious in the TDR magnetic map, whereas less attendance NS (East African trend) structural trends are evident in the TDR gravity map. Moreover, it could be said that the southeastern portion of the Nile Delta (especially the eastern portion of Greater Cairo) is affected by highly tectonic fault systems. Finally, a new tectonic map was also evaluated from the resulting structural map, which helps to quantify different structural patterns (faults and/or contacts), and their relations with the regional tectonic trends are discussed.     

Magnetic mapping of geologic contacts in the Taourirt–Oujda corridor–Horst belt (northeastern Morocco)

From a geologist's perspective, magnetic data are most useful in mapping contacts and providing insight into the 3D geometry of the geology. Since the early 1970s, automatic methods based on the horizontal and vertical derivatives are applied to potential field data in order to map geological lineaments. In this paper, three methods for locating magnetic contacts are applied to magnetic anomaly data of the study area. The local maxima of horizontal gradient determined on the magnetic map and its upward continued maps to several heights delineate the contacts and indicate their dips. The amplitude of the 3D analytic signal of magnetic data provides information on the location of the edge of the sources in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions. The Euler deconvolution is also used to estimate the source depth at the contact location. These results allow the production of a structural map showing the magnetic lineaments for the survey area. This map is consistent with many faults already recognised or supposed by the traditional structural studies and highlights new ones by specifying their layout and dips.     

Subsurface structural trends of the offshore Nile Delta area, Egypt: evidences from gravity and magnetic data

Subsurface structural trends and tectonics affecting the offshore Nile Delta area, Egypt, have been studied through the interpretations of gravity and magnetic data. Reduced to the pole, regional–residual separation, Tilt derivative and Euler deconvolution techniques are applied for the processing and interpretations of the magnetic and gravity data. The average depth of the sedimentary cover, estimated from the two-dimensional power spectrum technique ranges between 8 km and 13 km. The interpretation of the gravity and magnetic data indicates that the study area is affected by many subsurface structural trends. The NW–SE is the major trend related to El-Temsah and Misfaq-Bardwil trend. The NE–SW direction is the second dominant trend, related to the Rosetta trend. Other trends defined through the interpretation of gravity and magnetic data include: the N–S direction, related to the Baltim fault trend, the E–W direction, related to the Neogene hinge line and the NNE–SSW related to the Gulf of Aqaba. Accessory trends include the ENE–WSW, WNW–ESE and finally the NNW–SSW.     

The use of magnetic and geo-electrical data to delineate the subsurface structures and groundwater potentiality in Southeastern Sinai, Egypt

The study area is located in the southern part of Sinai Peninsula. This study was done to delineate the subsurface structure of the basement rocks affecting the groundwater potentiality in the study area and to perform the lateral and vertical variations in the subsurface lithologic properties. To achieve these, a high-resolution total intensity magnetic map and geo-electrical survey were acquired. Two-dimensional power spectrum, analytical signal, and Euler deconvolution techniques are applied on magnetic data. The geo-electric data interpretations concluded that, the study area can be classified into five units of sediments arranged as: (1) the top surficial layer of dry sand and gravels; (2) the second layer of silty sand layer with thickness ranging from 5 to 35 m; (3) the third layer of dry sand with thickness ranging from 5 to 130 m; (4) the fourth layer composed of saturated sand which was considered as the water-bearing zone of the investigated interval, its thickness ranges between 50m and more than 200 m; (5) the fifth layer is interpreted as basement rocks. The depth to the basement surface has an average value of 156 m at the eastern side and 758 m at the western side of the study area. This area is characterized by a graben structure bounded by major faults striking in the NW–SE direction and is considered one of the most promising regions for water resources in Sinai.     

Fault pattern delineation and structural interpretation of the Gafsa trough (onshore central Tunisia) using gravity data

The purpose of this investigation was to identify subsurface lineaments in Gafsa trough (onshore central Tunisia) after gravity data analysis. The Bouguer and residual gravity maps show a gravity values decrease from west to east associated with subsidence variation and confirmed by a regional seismic reflection profile. The deep structural map of the study area is elaborated after the application of two methods: (1) the automatic lineament tracing after horizontal gravity gradient and (2) 3D Euler method. The dominant trends show approximately NW–SE, E–W, and NE–SW directions. Some of these trends are well correlated with the major faults systems. We can qualify the deep structuration model as a mosaic of quadratic blocks bounded by significant deep flower fault corridors. The elaborated structural map of the study area constitutes also a useful document for rationalizing the future petroleum exploration in the Gafsa trough.     

Interpretation of aeromagnetic and gravity data in East Qattara Depression, North Western Desert, Egypt

The study area lies to the east of Qattara Depression at the north of the Western Desert, Egypt. It is bounded by latitudes 29°00?? and 30°00?? N and longitudes 28°00?? and 29°30?? E, including Abu Gharadig basin, which is the most petroliferous basin in the Egyptian Western Desert. Numerous exploratory wells show that the area is characterized by a thick sedimentary section, unconformably overlying the basement rocks. The main objective of the present study is to outline the structural parameters controlling the area under consideration. Aeromagnetic and gravity data were subjected to the analytic signal, 3D Euler deconvolution and edge enhancement techniques. The Analytic signal and 3D Euler deconvolution were utilized mainly to locate the main subsurface contact zones and to determine the depth and structural indices of the expected causative subsurface structural elements. However, the edge enhancement technique was used with various windows to enhance the edges of subsurface structures. The structural indices were estimated to be ranging between 0.16 and 0.26, indicating that the area is mainly controlled by faults. The depth of these structural elements was also estimated to be ranging between <1.37 and 5.29?km. It has been shown that the structural elements of the study area have different directions, trending E-W, ENE, NW, and N-S.     

Subsurface tectonic pattern and basement topography as interpreted from aeromagnetic data to the south of El-Dakhla Oasis,western desert,Egypt

The study area lies to the south of El-Dakhla Oasis in the central part of the western desert, Egypt. It is limited by the latitudes 24–25°?N and the longitudes 28–30°?E. The main purpose of this work is the investigation of the subsurface structure and the delineation of the main structural elements at different subsurface levels. This study aims also to estimate the basement depth, the basement relief, and consequently, the thickness of the sedimentary cover. The study is based on acquired aeromagnetic data prepared by "La Compagnie General De Géophysique" for the Egyptian General Petroleum Company and Conoco (1977), geological information and results of previous studies in the region. The study involves the analysis for the aeromagnetic data and generating of reduced to pole magnetic map from which different magnetic maps are calculated. The calculated maps are first vertical derivative map and downward continuation map at depth level 400 m. Trend analysis technique is used to define the fault pattern affecting the studied area at different subsurface levels. It is applied to the reduced to pole magnetic map, the first vertical derivative map, and the downward continuation map at depth level 400 m of the study area. All results obtained from the interpretation process were combined together to draw the general view of the subsurface structures of the area. The NE–SW, E–W, and N–S trends are important surface and subsurface (basement) structural trends. This is attributed to the rejuvenation of movements on these old (basement) tectonic trends after the deposition of the sedimentary cover. Basement depth calculation from the aeromagnetic data is achieved using different techniques. The applied techniques included natural spectral analysis and Euler deconvolution. The depth values obtained vary from 400 to 1,700 m.     

Exploration for iron ore in Agbado-Okudu,Kogi State,Nigeria

This report details the result of geophysical exploration for iron ore; which involved vertical magnetic intensity (?Z) and gravity measurements, to delineate the geometry and depth extent of the deposit and acquiring quantitative and qualitative information for pre-drilling purposes in Agbado-Okudu. It is located about 3 km from Jakura along Lokoja-Jakura marble quarry and within low latitude precambrian basement complex district of Kogi State, Nigeria. A total of 517 magnetic measurement points along 16 traverses and 330 gravity reading along 11 profiles on the deposit in northeast–southwest azimuth were undertaken. The magnetic and gravity data enhancement involved linear regression curve fitting and fast Fourier transform, which were used to construct residual magnetic (RM) and gravity (RG) anomalies, analytic signal amplitude, Euler deconvolution at varying spectral indices (SI), power spectrum, and source parameter image (SPI), using the submenu of Geosoft Oasis Montaj software. Interpretation of the RM and RG anomalies revealed a primary causative body which perfectly correlates the positive anomalies and iron ore deposit, in form of a horizontal or gently dipping dyke with strike length of 600 m and average width of 110–130 m, within the gneiss complex in the north and trending south of the area. A secondary causative body associated with the negative anomalies and inferred as a vertical/near vertical thin sheet striking northeast–southwest coincided with the granitic and quartzitic intrusion. The NW–SE and E–W lineament trend conformed Kibarian and Liberian orogeny cycles of generally known structural trends in Nigeria, which shows that the iron ore deposit is structurally controlled. Depths to sources were estimated within range ≤ 2–24 m and 37.5–60 m, regarded as shallow and relatively deep depths, respectively. Ten vertical boreholes ranging in depth between 50 and 100 m are recommended, five of which require a priority attention to ascertain the thickness of the primary causative body.     

Structural features of South-Adamawa (Cameroon) inferred from magnetic anomalies: Hydrogeological implications

Structural directions of the southern part of the Adamawa plateau in Cameroon are highlighted by filters applied on the magnetic anomaly map. Determination of the magnitude maxima of (1) the horizontal gradient of the field reduced to the pole, and (2) the analytic signal, allowed a map to be produced showing various lineaments interpreted as the fault system of the studied area. In particular, the faults on the shaded relief map of the horizontal gradient magnitude suggest a slide to the left of the Foumban shear zone in the studied area. Interpretation of the observed anomaly along a profile directed SSE-NNW shows the presence of a magnetized body considered as an intrusion into the granitic basement of probably basaltic volcanic rocks, put in place during the reactivation of the Foumban shear zone. In addition, the observed correlation between the mapped structural directions, the sites of thermo-mineral springs and the hydrographical network shows that the results of this study will be helpful for further hydrogeological research in the studied area.     

Spectral analysis and Euler deconvolution technique of gravity data to decipher the basement depth in the Dehradun-Badrinath area

The stratigraphic and tectonic setting in the northwest part of Himalayan belt is complex and thrusted due to the collision of Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. During the past, the Himalaya is divided into four parts; these are Outer Himalaya, Lesser Himalaya, Greater or Higher Himalaya and Tethys Himalaya. The appearance of basement rocks played a significant role in the Himalayan periphery for stratigraphic, structural and tectonic movement. The deformation pattern of the crustal rocks causing the rise of basement rocks which constitutes an integral part of crustal configuration during the evolutionary stages of the Himalaya. In this study, an attempt has been made to estimate the basement depth configuration using spectral analysis and Euler deconvolution technique of gravity data in the northwest Himalaya region. The elevation increases continuously from 500 m to 5100 m in SW to NE direction, however, Bouguer gravity anomaly decreases continuously from ?130 mGal to ?390 mGal in SW to NE direction due to the isostaic adjustment. Gravity anomaly is very low near Harsil, Badrinath and Joshimath area and observed higher elevation due to the deep rooted basement. However, there are extrusion of crystalline basement in and around the Badrinath area due to the resettlement of geologic process which are overlaid to the top surface of the sedimentary layers. Euler deconvolution technique has been applied to detect the direct basement depth and results show a good correlation with the average depth of the spectral analysis and other works carried by different authors. Three gravity profiles are selected in appropriate places orienting SW-NE direction with a profile length of 160 km, 150 km and 140 km respectively in the study area for calculating the average depth of the basement rock. The average basement depth calculated is around 11.27 km using the spectral analysis technique and results are well correlated with the results of various workers. Euler deconvolution studies along the three selected profiles have been interpreted. It has been observed that there are more number of cluster points falling between depth ranges of 10 to 15 km, dipping in SW to NE direction. Euler’s study shows deep rooted connection near Main Frontal Thrust (MFT), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), Main Central Thrust (MCT), Bearing Thrust (BT) and Vaikrita Thrust (VT) locations as per profile study. Based on these studies three geological models have been prepared along the profiles showing different tectonic resettlement and depth of crystalline basement. Crystalline rocks exposed at the surface may be due to uplift along the shear in the MCT zone by kinetic flow basically, Munsiayari Thrust (MT) and VT in the of NW-Himalaya region.     

Delineation the active subsurface structures at Fayoum-Cairo district, Egypt, using magnetic and magnetotelluric tools

In this work, we present a reconnaissance study to elucidate and delineate subsurface fault structures for an active tectonics area that lies between Cairo and El Fayoum provinces and consider major sources of seismicity in Egypt. Well logging, aeromagnetic, land magnetic, and magnetotelluric data have been used. The well-logging data were used for several drilled wells along W–E direction. The magnetic data were analyzed using trend analysis, 3D magnetic modeling, and Werner deconvolution techniques. The magnetotelluric data were interpreted using 2D (TM–TE) modeling techniques. The results show that there are eight major fault structures having E–W, N–S, and NW–SE directions. These faults extend downward for about 20 km at the Dahshour and Qatrani areas. The epicenter sources of the earthquakes are clustering around the intersections of these structures. The Kattaniya horst structure has been interpreted as a regional structure that exceeds the limits previously determined by geologists. The depth to this horst reaches about 1.8 km at the NW and more than 4.3 km at the southern parts. The interpreted values of magnetic susceptibility at the horst zone indicate that they are ultrabasic/basic intrusion bodies.     

Assessment of subsurface structural elements around greater Cairo by using integrated geophysical tools

Geophysical techniques such as gravity, magnetic and seismology are perfect tools for detecting subsurface structures of local, regional as well as of global scales. The study of the earthquake records can be used for differentiating the active and non-active fault elements. In the current study, more than 2,200 land magnetic stations have been measured using two proton magnetometers. The data are corrected for diurnal variations and then reduced by the International Geomagnetic Reference Field. The corrected data have been interpreted by different techniques after filtering the data to separate shallow sources (basaltic sheet) from the deep sources (basement complex). Both Euler deconvolution and 3-D magnetic modeling were carried out. The results of interpretation indicate that the depth to the upper surface of basaltic sheet ranges from <10 to 600 m, depth to the lower surface ranges from 60 to 750 m, while the thickness of the basaltic sheet varies from <10 to 450 m. Moreover, gravity measurements are conducted at 2,250 stations using a CG-3 gravimeter. The measured values are corrected to construct a Bouger anomaly map. The least squares technique is then applied for regional–residual separation. The third order of least squares is found to be the most suitable to separate the residual anomalies from the regional one. The resultant third-order residual gravity map is used to delineate the structural fault systems of different characteristic trends. The trends show an NW–SE trend parallel to that of Gulf of Suez, an NE–SW trend parallel to the Gulf of Aqaba and an E–W trend parallel to that of the Mediterranean Sea. Taking seismological records into consideration, it is found that most of the 24 earthquake events recorded in the study area are located on fault elements. This gives an indication that the delineated fault elements are active.     

Stress analysis and tectonic trends of southern Sinai Peninsula, using potential field data analysis and anisotropy technique

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the stress direction and the tectonic trends of the study area using magnetic anisotropy and potential field data interpretations (Bouguer and aeromagnetic). The specific objective of the gravity and aeromagnetic interpretation is to establish the trend and depth of the structural configuration of the basement rocks. Horizontal gradient techniques could to delineate directions of deep sources and enabled tracing several faults, lineaments and tectonic boundaries of basement rocks. The trend analysis shows N40°?C50°W, N10°?C20°W and N10°?C20°E which may be related to the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba stresses. However, Euler Deconvolution technique was applied using the aeromagnetic data to provide reliable information about penetrated source depth (100 m and ??10.0 km) and trends of the subsurface sources (principally in NW and NE directions). Moreover, representative 72 oriented rock samples have been collected from seven sites in the study area. The rock magnetic properties and magnetic anisotropy analysis have been determined for all the studied samples. The interpretation clearly defined magnetic lineation at all sites and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) parameters. The stress direction of the studied area has been evaluated using magnetic anisotropy and geophysical analysis. Generally the estimated geophysical data analysis (Bouguer and aeromagnetic) are well consistent with the AMS interpretations of this study. The results indicated that the directions of predominant faults and foliations are NW-SE (related to the Gulf of Suez and Red Sea rifting) which indicate that the main stress and tectonic trend is NE-SW, which is more predominant in southern Sinai region. Moreover, it is clear that, the studied area was affected also by less predominant sources trended in NE-SW direction, which related to the tectonic activity of Gulf of Aqaba. The least predominant is north 40°?C50° east that is probably due to the Syrian Arc system. Finally, our results are extremely coincided with the previous stress directions derived from geological, seismological and tectonic analysis in northern Red Sea rift, Gulf of Suez and Sinai regions.     

Geomagnetic evaluation of hydrocarbon prospectivity of the Nigerian sector of the Chad Basin

The interpretation of the geomagnetic data covering the Nigerian Sector of the hydrocarbon elusive Chad Basin has been carried out with the aim of evaluating its hydrocarbon prospectivity. The geomagnetic data was subjected to transformation and enhancement techniques such as reduction to the equator, band-pass filtering, analytic signal, pseudogravity, Source Parameter Imaging (SPI), and Euler deconvolution (ED). The 2-D forward modeling was done using the GM-SYS? software. The results revealed two subbasins, separated by basement high, where the thickness of sedimentary succession of source rocks, reservoirs, and seals attained about 5 km. Two sets of laterally persistent NE-SW and NW-SE fracture systems capable of forming migratory routes were identified within the study area. Euler solutions show basement fractures that propagate through the sedimentary column at 1000 to 5000 m. Characteristic alternation of positive and negative pseudogravity anomalies exposed basement configuration to be of horst and graben architecture. Constructed models revealed drape anticlines that could act as structural traps in the event of hydrocarbon generation. Analytic signal anomalies indicative of igneous intrusive were mapped within the subbasins. This study concluded that elements that favour hydrocarbon occurrence are present in the Chad Basin and was therefore considered to be of high hydrocarbon prospectivity provided the occurrence and timing of the igneous intrusions had not adversely affected hydrocarbon accumulation.     

Aeromagnetic data analysis to enhance the demonstration of the subsurface mineralized zone occurrences, As-Safra prospect area, Saudi Arabia

The aeromagnetic survey was conducted by the French organization, BRGM in 1966, where As-Safra prospect area at the east of Al-Madinah city was included. The aeromagnetic data were then interpreted for potential occurrences of mineralization zones along with their extensions. Spectral analysis, using Filon Fourier transform, was implemented to extract the residual anomalies that can be attributed to mineralization zones. In this study, analytic signal, normalized standard deviation (NSTD), and 3D Euler deconvolution filters were used to enhance the demonstration of subsurface mineralized zones occurrences. Analytic signal and NSTD filters showed that the studied area is dominated by three main trends controlling the occurrences of mineralized zones, NNW-SSE, N-S, and E-W to ENE-WSW. On the other hand, 3D Euler deconvolution filter showed that the dominant structures are mostly the magnetic contacts, and their depths vary between 118 and 355?m.