Sequence stratigraphy of the Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

The Lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation corresponds to a second-order depositional sequence that formed within a continental shelf setting under relatively low-rate conditions of positive accommodation (< 200 m during 3–6 My). This overall trend of base-level rise was interrupted by three episodes of base-level fall that resulted in the formation of third-order sequence boundaries. These boundaries are represented by subaerial unconformities (replaced or not by younger transgressive wave ravinement surfaces), and subdivide the Bahariya Formation into four third-order depositional sequences.

The construction of the sequence stratigraphic framework of the Bahariya Formation is based on the lateral and vertical changes between shelf, subtidal, coastal and fluvial facies, as well as on the nature of contacts that separate them. The internal (third-order) sequence boundaries are associated with incised valleys, which explain (1) significant lateral changes in the thickness of incised valley fill deposits, (2) the absence of third-order highstand and even transgressive systems tracts in particular areas, and (3) the abrupt facies shifts that may occur laterally over relatively short distances. Within each sequence, the concepts of lowstand, transgressive and highstand systems tracts are used to explain the observed lateral and vertical facies variability.

This case study demonstrates the usefulness of sequence stratigraphic analysis in understanding the architecture and stacking patterns of the preserved rock record, and helps to identify 13 stages in the history of base-level changes that marked the evolution of the Bahariya Oasis region during the Early Cenomanian.     

A contribution to the geology of the Bahariya Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt

Size and mineral analysis of the Upper Cretaceous clastics of the Bahariya Oasis indicate moderately well sorted, coarse skeewed and mesokurtic sediments. These sediments were most probably derived from mixed igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary sources, under conditions of low rainfall and poor drainage interfered by high rainfall periods.The shape of quartz grains and occurrence of stable and less stable minerals prove a short distance, saltation to graded suspension transportation of these sediments.Probably coastal plain, interfered by fresh water conditions had prevailed during the accumulation of these sediments, i.e. fluviomarine environment.     

A contribution to the geology of the Bahariya Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt

Detailed petrographic investigations of the Upper Cretaceous-Eocene succession exposed at Bahariya Oasis resulted in the recognition of different litho- and biofacies associations, mostly of the carbonate rock type.The litho- and biofacies characters of the Eocene strata reveal comparatively shallow, quiet marine conditions, interrupted by agitated, high energy intervals.During the Maastrichtian age, deeper quiet marine conditions prevailed. The Upper and Lower members of the Campanian strata were deposited under deep quiet marine conditions, relative to shallower agitated conditions that prevailed during the deposition of the middle member.The Lower Cenomanian sediments were deposited under an alternating high and low energy fresh water environment, interrupted with saline (fluviomarine) periods, relative to the comparatively deeper marine conditions that prevailed during the Upper Cenomanian age.The main diagenetic processes recorded are: cementation, aggrading neomorphism, silicification and dolomitization.     

Hydrogeophysical investigation of groundwater potential in the El Bawiti, Northern Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

The future development of agriculture, industry, and civil activity planned to be in the Western Desert. This strategy need to the groundwater resource. Vertical electrical soundings (VES) and electromagnetic (TEM) measurements conducted in the El Bawiti, northern Bahariya Oasis. The measurements give detailed information about the geometry of the different hydrogeological layers in the aquifer system and depth to them. A total of 22 VES and TEM were carried out within El Bawiti area. Thirty-one sub soil samples were collected from eight sites to determine the chemical characteristics and address the effects of lithogenic source and anthropogenic activity on them. The geoelectrical measurements and borehole information indicate the presence of five geoelectrical units, from top to base; the surface cover, sand and shale, upper aquifer (Nubian sandstone), sand and shale, and lower aquifer (Nubian sandstone). Surface cover was equally distributed in thickness and composed of dry sand, gravel, and clay deposits. The regional resistivity of the upper aquifer increased in the southwestern part and decline in the northern, eastern, southern, and western parts. The decline in the resistivity reflects the high water yields and potentiality, as well as low salinity. The resistivity of the lower aquifer increased due the northwestern part and the southwestern part. The information collected during this research provides valuable data for estimating the fresh- to brackish-water resources and for development of a groundwater management plan. The integrated analyses carried out represent a significant and cost-effective method for delineating the main aquifer in this area. In turn, future well locations can be placed with more confidence than before, in accordance with the evaluation of the potentiality of the groundwater aquifers in the area. The electrical conductivity of the soil ranges from 302 to 8,490 μS/cm, increases in the western and central-northern parts. It is attributed to the location from the salt-affected soils (playa), the relatively lower elevation units (depressions) and the position in landscape in the Oasis. Sodium adsorption ratio ranges from 0.44 to 11 and the exchangeable sodium ratio ranges from 0.11 to 5. The estimated magnesium hazard fluctuated below 50%. The statistical analyses were accomplished in soil chemistry and discussed.     

Palynology and genetic sequence stratigraphy of the reservoir rocks (Cenomanian,Bahariya Formation) in the Salam Oil Field,north Western Desert,Egypt

Twenty-eight samples from the Bahariya Formation of the Salam-17 Well in the north Western Desert were palynologically investigated. These samples are of Cenomanian age. Fair diversity and fair to moderately preserved palynomorph assemblage has been recovered. Among them, the dinoflagellate cysts showed very poor diversity and abundance. Four miospore zones have been informally identified in the lower Cenomanian. Various palynofacies criteria, adopted from previous publications (e.g. relative particle abundance data, brown to black wood ratio, equi-dimensional to lath-shaped black wood ratio, average size of phytoclasts and spores/pollen ratio) are applied as alternative indicators to monitor the proximal–distal trends instead of the marine palynomorphs-based parameters. The method can be applied in the Egyptian Western Desert to overcome the rarity and absence of dinoflagellate cysts in the recovered organic residues. The palynofacies study of the section demonstrates a predominantly regressive phase, characterized by deltaic, distributary or tidal channels, interrupted by short-lived marine incursions. The palynofacies trends within the studied succession indicate six genetic sequences informally described as Genetic Stratigraphic Sequences A through F.     

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.     

Hydrogeophysical study for additional groundwater supplies in El Heiz Area, Southern part of El Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

El Bahariya Oasis is a part of the great groundwater reservoir of the Western Desert of Egypt. The different stratigraphic units, the water-bearing zones, aquifer potentiality conditions, and the favorable locations for drilling new wells were evaluated by carrying out 24 Schlumberger vertical electrical soundings (VESs), along with the data of some wells drilled in the near vicinity of the measuring sites. The results of the interpreted field data revealed the presence of ten distinctive subsurface geoelectric layers; a thin surface, dry loose sand and gravel, sandy clay and shale interclations, saturated coarse sand layer, shale and clay, and saturated fine sandstone and saturated coarse sandstone. The aquifer is a multilayer aquifer with different thicknesses represented by the fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth geoelectric layers. Results also revealed that the thicknesses of the water-bearing horizons increase towards the east direction, consequently the aquifer potentiality increases. Therefore, the best production well locations are in that direction. Depth to water starts from 40 m at VES no. 14 and increases gradually toward the east to reach 66 m at VES no. 5. Hydrogeochemical analysis of two groundwater samples taken from Ein El Ezza and well no. 2 showed that groundwater in the study area is suitable for agricultural purposes but not for human consumption due to the high iron content. Recommendations concerning site selection for drilling new productive groundwater wells are given.     

Campanian-Lower Paleogene gastropods from the Kharga Oasis,south Western Desert,Egypt

The Campanian-Lower Paleogene successions exposed at the Kharga Oasis contain well-preserved gastropods. Nineteen gastropod species are identified and described in detail. Two new species are established: Gisortia khargaensis from the lower Eocene El Rufuf Formation and Ornopsis? barisensis from the lower Paleocene Kurkur Formation. In addition to, Turritella (Torquesia) derbesi Coquand is recorded herein for the first time from Egypt. The studied gastropods belonging to four clades: Sorbeoconcha (Metacerithium abictiforme (Wanner), Mesalia hofana Mayer-Eymar, Mesalia sp., Turritella (Torquesia) derbesi Coquand, Turritella (Torquesia) forgemoli Coquand, Turritella kaserensis Hewaidy and Azab, Turritella sp.), Littorinimorpha (Cypraedia bullina Oppenheim, Gisortia khargaensis nov. sp., Natica farafrensis Wanner, Aporrhais schweinfurthi (Quaas), Drepanocheilus bicarinatus Abbass, Drepanocheilus? sp., Anchura? unicarinatus (Abbass), Epitonium sp.), Neogastropoda (Ornopsis? barisensis nov. sp., Rostellana daniensis (Quaas), Vouta sp.), and Heterobranchia (Avellana cretacea Quaas).     

ASD field hyperspectral measurements for discrimination of the ferruginous rocks and the iron ore types at El Gedida-Ghorabi area,Bahariya Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt

The ironstone succession at El Gedida-Ghorabi-Naser area of El Bahariya depression is subdivided into lagoonal manganiferous mud and fossiliferous ironstone consisting mainly of hematite and goethite-hydrogoethite. The application of the ASD field spectroradiometer measurements (spectral range) in the ASTER data led to the interpretation of the presence of ferruginous units as quartzitic sandstone, gluconitic sandy clay, and pink marly limestone. The existing iron ore minerals in the iron ore localities were also classified into high Mn hematite, low Mn hematite, goethite, hydrogoethite as well as low- and high-grade Hematite and Barite. Quartz, feldspars, rutile, and clay minerals (e.g., kaolinite and illite) are mainly associated with the iron ore. Accessory minerals of manganese, e.g., psilomelane and pyrolusite, were also present. The Barite mineral is recorded as a common mineral association with the iron ore deposits at El Gedida and Ghorabi localities. The stratigraphical units investigated in the study area include the oldest gravely clayey sandstones of the Bahariya Formation overlain by the fossiliferous and oolitic limestones of the El-Hamra, Qazzun, and Naqb Formations. Quartztic sandstones and clayey sandstones of the Radwan Formation and youngest Quaternary sediments of sandy-clayey materials were often found as intermittent cover and overburden in unconformity surfaces over the iron ore bands.     

Hydrogeological studies on the Nubian sandstone aquifer in El-Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

The current study aimed to evaluate hydrogeologically the Nubian sandstone aquifer in El-Bahariya Oasis. It represents the main water-bearing horizon in the study area and consists of continental elastic sediments, mainly sandstone alternating with shale and clays. The general flow lines are directed from SW to NE direction, as detected from the constructed potentiometric head contour map. The piezometric surface reaches 149 m in El-Heiz area at the southern part, while it reaches 90 m at the northern, reflecting higher pressure head of the aquifer in the southern part. The map also illustrates that the southern part is considered as the most promising location for development. The structural elements play an important role in the deposition and distribution of the sedimentary succession of the Nubian sandstone sediments. Consequently, this sedimentary pattern affects the occurrences and movements of the groundwater within the aquifer system. Along the structurally high areas, in the study area, the piezometric head increases, while the reverse is recorded along the structurally low areas. The step-drawdown tests data were carried out by calculating the aquifer loss coefficient (B) and the well loss constant (C). The B values are smaller compared with C values, indicating that the aquifer under pressure has a behavior of leaky aquifer; therefore, it shows hydraulic connection with surrounding formation. The values of well efficiency range from 78.50% to 87.76%. Analysis of 12 pumping test data (constant discharge tests) was carried out in order to calculate the Nubian aquifer hydraulic parameters (transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, and storage coefficient). The transmissivity values decrease from 3,045 m²/day in the southern part (El-Heiz area) to 236 m²/day in the northeastern part (El-Harra area). Accordingly, the aquifer classified as a high to moderate potentiality. Transmissivity contour map observes gradual increase of transmissivity values from the southern to northeastern direction. This may be due to the increase of shale or clay content in the concerned aquifer in that direction. The storage coefficient values range between 1.04 × 10^?4 and 5.22 × 10^?3, as obtained from the results of pumping test analysis, which ensure that the Nubian sandstone aquifer is classified as semi-confined to confined aquifer type. The S values show a decrease from southwest to northeast direction as detected from S-map. The hydraulic conductivity values vary from to 0.46 m/day in the northern part to 10.88 m/day in the southern part with an average of 5.67 m/day. According to the classification based on K values, the aquifer is mainly composed of coarse sand.     

Uranium isotopic evidence for the origin of the Bahariya iron deposits, Egypt

The economic iron ore deposits of Egypt are located at Bahariya Oasis in the Lower Middle Eocene limestone. The main iron minerals are goethite, hematite, siderite, pyrite, and jarosite. Manganese minerals are pyrolusite and manganite. Gangue minerals are barite, glauconite, gibbsite, alunite, quartz, halite, kaolinite, illite, smectite, palygorskite, and halloysite. Geochemical comparison between the ore and the Nubia sandstone showed that the ore is depleted in the residual elements (Al, Ti, V, and Ni) and enriched in the mobile elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Ba, and U) which indicates that the Bahariya iron ore is not a lateritic deposit despite the deep weathering in this area. On the other hand, the Nubia sandstone showed depletion in the mobile elements, which demonstrates the leaching process in the Nubia Aquifer. The presence of such indicator minerals as jarosite, alunite, glauconite, gibbsite, palygorskite, and halloysite indicate that the ore was deposited under strong acidic conditions in fresh water.Isotopic analyses of the uranium in the amorphous and crystalline phases of the ore, in the country rocks, and dissolved in the Nubia Aquifer water, all support the conclusion that U and Fe were precipitated together from warm ascending groundwater. U and Fe display strong co-variation in the ore, and the ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio of the newly precipitated U in the country rock and the leached component of U in the groundwater are identical. There is only slightly more uranium in the amorphous phase than in the crystalline and only a slightly lower ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio, suggesting that the iron in the two phases have a similar origin. Comparison of the excess ²³⁴U in the water and in the total ore leads to the conclusion that the precipitation of the U, and by inference the iron, occurred within the last million years. However, that both precipitation and leaching of U have occurred over the last 300,000 years is evidenced by the extreme ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U disequilibria observed in some of the samples. Some of the amorphous depositional events have been very recent, perhaps within the last 10,000 years.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry and origin of Mn in the high-Mn iron ores,Bahariya Oasis,Egypt

Although Mn is one of the major impurities in the economic iron ores from the Bahariya Oasis, information on its modes of occurrence and origin is lacking in previous studies. High-Mn iron ores from El Gedida and Ghorabi–Nasser iron mines were subjected to detailed mineralogical, geochemical, and petrographic investigations using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared absorption spectrometry (IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) to clarify the modes of occurrence of Mn in these deposits and its origin. The results showed that the MnO₂ contents range between 0.03 and 13.9 wt.%. Three mineralogical types have been identified for the Mn in the high-Mn iron ores, including: (1) inclusions within the hematite and goethite and/or Mn accumulated on their active surfaces, (2) coarse-grained and crystalline pyrolusite, and (3) fine-grained cement-like Mn oxide and hydroxide minerals (bixbyite, cryptomelane, aurorite, romanechite, manjiroite, and pyrochroite) between the Fe-bearing minerals. The Mn carbonate mineral (rhodochrosite) was detected only in the Ghorabi–Nasser high-Mn iron ores. Since IR patterns of low-Mn and high-Mn samples are almost the same, a combination of XRD analysis using non-filtered Fe-Kα radiations and Raman spectroscopy could be the best way to identify and distinguish between different Mn minerals.Assuming that both Fe and Mn were derived from the same source, the occurrence of high-Mn iron ores at the base of the stratigraphic section of the deposits overlain by the low-Mn iron ores indicated a supergene origin of the studied ores by descending solutions. The predominance of Mn oxide and hydroxide minerals in botryoidal shapes supports this interpretation. The small grain size of Mn-bearing minerals as well as the features of microbial fossils such as spherical, elliptical, and filamentous shapes of the Fe-bearing minerals suggested a microbial origin of studied iron ores.Variations in the distribution and mineralogy types of Mn in the iron ores of the Bahariya Oasis demanded detailed mineralogical and petrographic characterizations of the deposits before the beneficiation of high-Mn iron ores from the Bahariya Oasis as feedstock for the ironmaking industries in Egypt by magnetizing reduction. High Mn contents, especially in the Ghorabi–Nasser iron ore and occurrence of Mn as inclusions and/or accumulated on the surface of the Fe-bearing minerals would suggest a possible utilization of the high-Mn iron ores to produce ferromanganese alloys.     

Planktic foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the Maastrichtian-Paleocene succession at the north Farafra Oasis,Western Desert,Egypt

Seven planktic foraminiferal zones are distinguished in the Maastrichtian-Paleocene succession at the north Farafra Oasis. These are the Rugoglobigerina hexacamerata (CF8b), Gansserina gansseri, and Contusotruncana contusa zones in the Maastrichtian topped by a well-known unconformity across the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary. The Danian is subdivided into two biozones: Globanomalina compressa/Praemurica inconstans-Praemurica uncinata Subzone (P1c) and Praemurica uncinata–Morozovella angulata (P2) Zone. The Late Paleocene is divided into two zones: Morozovella angulata-Globanomalina pseudomenardii (P3) and Globanomalina pseudomenardii (P4). A minor hiatus between the Danian/Selandian and Selandian/Thanetian boundaries are also recorded. These time gaps across the stage boundaries may be related to the tectonic events that affected the sedimentation regime throughout the Upper Cretaceous–Lower Paleogene interval in the Farafra Oasis.     

Authigenic dolomite cementation in the Upper Cretaceous Phosphate Formation, Western Desert, Egypt

The Upper Cretaceous Phosphate Formation in the Western Desert of Egypt displays a characteristic facies association that includes marine phosphorites interbedded with black shales and glauconitic sandstones. The upper part of the formation is characterized by the presence of thin phosphatic beds, which are filled-extensively-with disordered and non stoichiometric (mean MgCO₃ = 41.4 ± 0.34 mol%) authigenic dolomite cement. SEM and the back scattered images of these coarse crystalline dolomite cements reveal that they display planar euhedral crystal boundaries, polymodal crystal size distribution and variable inclusion pattern. The relatively low and wide ranged δ¹⁸O (− 0.87 to − 4.15‰ VPDB) values of the dolomite cements coupled with their depleted Sr (mean = 187 ± 26 ppm) and high iron and manganese values (mean = 6851 ± 554 ppm and 11599 ± 229 ppm respectively) invoke that they were formed from mixed hypo-saline fluids within a mixing marine-meteoric zone probably during a low stand period at the vicinity of the Maastrichtian/Early Tertiary unconformity. Meanwhile, their negative δ¹³C (− 1.31 to − 3.56‰ VPDB) values argue for a possible involvement of isotopically light carbon, derived from degradation of organic matter, during their precipitation.     

Late Albian–Middle Cenomanian palynofacies and palynostratigraphy, Abu Gharadig-5 well, Western Desert, Egypt

Quantitative analyses of palynomorph assemblages, particulate organic matter (kerogen), and total organic carbon (TOC) have been made on samples of the Albian–Cenomanian Kharita and Bahariya formations encountered in the Abu Gharadig-5 well, Western Desert, Egypt. Two assemblage palynozones are defined: Assemblage Zone A (Kharita Formation) of late Albian–early Cenomanian age and Assemblage Zone B (Bahariya Formation) of early–middle Cenomanian age. Palynofacies of the Kharita Formation suggest that sedimentation of these strata took place in a warm, shallow, nearshore-marine environment. The deposition of the lower Bahariya Formation took place initially in similar conditions but subsequently further offshore in somewhat deeper water of the inner shelf. The relatively high percentage of Ephedripites, Afropollis and elaterate pollen in both formations indicates an arid climate. The Kharita Formation yields kerogen types III and IV whereas the assemblages recovered from the Bahariya Formation contain types II and III. The TOC is generally between 0.42 and 0.65% in the Kharita Formation, while it ranges between 0.42 and 0.80% in samples of the Bahariya Formation. The spores and pollen grains are pale in colour; hence little source potential for hydrocarbons is indicated.     

Jurassic-Cretaceous (Bathonian to Cenomanian) palynology and stratigraphy of the West Tiba-1 borehole,northern Western Desert,Egypt

Land-derived pollen and spores and marine dinoflagellate cysts were extracted from the Jurassic and Cretaceous sediments of the West Tiba-1 borehole, northern Western Desert, Egypt, On the basis of the recovered palynomorphs, of known stratigraphical significance, the following stages were assessed: Bathonian-Oxfordian (Middle-Late Jurassic) and Hauterivian, Aptian-Early Albian, Late Albian-Early Cenomanian, Early Cenomanian and Late Cenomanian (Early-Middle Cretaceous). No palynomorphs diagnostic for the Berriasian, Valanginian and Barremian stages (Early Cretaceous) were depicted. Based on the nature and composition of the identified palynomorph content, five informal palynomorph assemblage zones were recognised. These are: the Gonyaulacysta jurassica-Korystocysta kettonensis Assemblage Zone (PI, Bathonian-Oxfordian), Ephedripites-Aequitriradites verrucosus Assemblage Zone (PII, Hauterivian), Afropollis jardinus-Duplexisporites generalis-Tricolpites Assemblage Zone (PIIl, Aptian-Early Albian), Nyssapollenites-Elaterosporites Assemblage Zone (PIV, Late Albian-Early Cenomanian) and Assemblage Zone PV (Early-Late Cenomanian). The latter zone was differentiated into two subzones, namely the Classopollis brasiliensis-Elaterosporites klaszii Assemblage Subzone (PVa, Early Cenomanian) and Afropollis kahramanensis-Triporates Assemblage Subzone (PVb, Late Cenomanian). The time stratigraphy of the studied interval was revised. The occurrences and types of the dinoflagellate cysts, extracted from the studied succession, reflect a general shallow (shelf) marine pal˦oenvironment.     

Petroleum system analysis of the Khatatba Formation in the Shoushan Basin,north Western Desert,Egypt

The Middle Jurassic Khatatba Formation is an attractive petroleum exploration target in the Shoushan Basin, north Western Desert, Egypt. However, the Khatatba petroleum system with its essential elements and processes has not been assigned yet. This study throws the lights on the complete Khatatba petroleum system in the Shoushan Basin which has been evaluated and collectively named the Khatatba-Khatatba (!) petroleum system. To evaluate the remaining hydrocarbon potential of the Khatatba system, its essential elements were studied, in order to determine the timing of hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation. Systematic analysis of the petroleum system of the Khatatba Formation has identified that coaly shales and organic-rich shales are the most important source rocks. These sediments are characterised by high total organic matter content and have good to excellent hydrocarbon generative potential. Kerogen is predominantly types II–III with type III kerogen. The Khatatba source rocks are mature and, at the present time, are within the peak of the oil window with vitrinite reflectance values in the range of 0.81 to 1.08 % Ro. The remaining hydrocarbon potential is anticipated to exist mainly in stratigraphic traps in the Khatatba sandstones which are characterised by fine to coarse grain size, moderate to well sorted. It has good quality reservoir with relatively high porosity and permeability values ranging from 1 to 17 % and 0.05–1,000 mD, respectively. Modelling results indicated that hydrocarbon generation from the Khatatba source rocks began in the Late Cretaceous time and peak of hydrocarbon generation occurred during the end Tertiary time (Neogene). Hydrocarbon primarily migrated from the source rock via fractured pathways created by abnormally high pore pressures resulting from hydrocarbon generation. Hydrocarbon secondarily migrated from active Khatatba source rocks to traps side via vertical migration pathways through faults resulting from Tertiary tectonics during period from end Oligocene to Middle Miocene times.     

Origin of spheroidal chert nodules, Drunka Formation (Lower Eocene), Egypt

Chert nodules of the Drunka Formation (Lower Eocene) are mostly spherical, have diameters from 40 to 120 cm, are quasi-uniformly spaced 2–3 m apart in the plane of bedding, have concentric internal structure and, except for rare small (<6 cm) solid chert nodules, are less than 85% chertified. Nodules formed after moderate alteration of limestone by meteoric water (δ¹⁸O_calcite = –4 to –8‰) at shallow (<100 m) burial depths; more extensive alteration of limestone (δ¹⁸O = –10 to –16‰) by meteoric water followed nodule growth. Chertification was by low-temperature meteoric water (δ¹⁸O_quartz = +18‰ in margins to +22‰ in nuclei) at shallow burial depths. Meteoric water may have invaded the Drunka Formation in association with shelf progradation during the Early Eocene, or during the development of a Middle Eocene unconformity. Replacement of carbonate mud by microcrystalline quartz was the dominant chertification process, but fossils were replaced in part by fine-grained equant megaquartz, quartzine and chalcedony; the last of these occurs in places as beekite. Opal A-secreting marine organisms are the inferred source of silica, but none are preserved. There is no compelling evidence of an opal-CT precursor, so quartz may have formed by direct precipitation. Self-organization processes of enigmatic character established the spacing pattern of the nodules and also the Liesegang-banded internal structure of the chert nodules. Nodules grew chiefly by diffusive supply of silica, although one locality has elongate nodules that grew when there was some porewater advection. Chertification patterns and δ¹⁸O values of both calcite and quartz indicate that nodule growth was complex and variable. Some nodules probably grew from the centre outwards. Many nodules, however, initially grew simultaneously across the entire nodule, but late-stage growth was predominantly at the outer margins or at selective internal sites.     

Diagenesis in the Middle Jurassic Khatatba Formation sandstones in the Shoushan Basin,northern Western Desert,Egypt

The Middle Jurassic Khatatba Formation acts as a hydrocarbon reservoir in the subsurface in the Western Desert, Egypt. This study, which is based on core samples from two exploration boreholes, describes the lithological and diagenetic characteristics of the Khatatba Formation sandstones. The sandstones are fine‐ to coarse‐grained, moderately to well‐sorted quartz arenites, deposited in fluvial channels and in a shallow‐marine setting. Diagenetic components include mechanical and chemical compaction, cementation (calcite, clay minerals, quartz overgrowths, and a minor amount of pyrite), and dissolution of calcite cements and feldspar grains. The widespread occurrence of an early calcite cement suggests that the Khatatba sandstones lost a significant amount of primary porosity at an early stage of its diagenetic history. In addition to calcite, several different cements including kaolinite and syntaxial quartz overgrowth occur as pore‐filling and pore‐lining cements. Kaolinite (largely vermicular) fills pore spaces and causes reduction in the permeability of the reservoir. Based on framework grain–cement relationships, precipitation of the early calcite cement was either accompanied by or followed the development of part of the pore‐lining and pore‐filling cements. Secondary porosity development occurred due to partial to complete dissolution of early calcite cements and feldspar. Late kaolinite clay cement occurs due to dissolved feldspar and has an impact on the reservoir quality of the Khatatba sandstones. Open hydraulic fractures also generated significant secondary porosity in sandstone reservoirs, where both fractures and dissolution took place in multiple phases during late diagenetic stages. The diagenesis and sedimentary facies help control the reservoir quality of the Khatatba sandstones. Fluvial channel sandstones have the highest porosities and permeabilities, in part because of calcite cementation, which inhibited authigenic clays or was later dissolved, creating intergranular secondary porosity. Fluvial crevasse‐splay and marine sandstones have the lowest reservoir quality because of an abundance of depositional kaolinite matrix and pervasive, shallow‐burial calcite and quartz overgrowth cements, respectively. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sedimentology,sequential analysis and clay mineralogy of the lower Eocene sequence at Farafra Oasis area,Western Desert of Egypt

Integrated sedimentological studies, sequential analysis and clay mineralogy on the lower Eocene rocks in the Western Desert provided important information on the reconstruction of the depositional basin, cyclicity, and paleoclimatic conditions. Two formations are recognized; the Esna and Farafra formations, with a gradational contact in-between. The studied sequence exhibits lateral facies changes as revealed from field and microfacies investigations. Eight facies were recognized and summarized in a carbonate ramp model. It represents also a general regressive trend, which records a transition from an outer ramp into a peritidal zone. The facies stacking patterns constitute several kinds of meter-scale, shallowing-upward cycles. Two different types of depositional cycles are here defined. The stratigraphic sections show a hierarchical organization of many cycles defined by five depositional sequences. It is suggested that composite eustatic sea level oscillations caused by cyclic perturbations of the Earth’s orbit played a fundamental role in determining the formation of the observed hierarchical cyclic organization. Summing up, it is believed that the paleotopography had resulted from the impact of the Syrian Arc Folding System. A confusing additional complication is introduced by syndepositional sedimentary structures, especially during the late Cretaceous/Eocene times, coupled by several tensional forces. Clay mineralogy has revealed the presence of smectite, kaolinite and illite. Their origin may be attributed to the gradual increase in the amount of erosion of the newly elevated crystalline source rocks to the south of Egypt, in areas of moderate rainfall and rapid weathering and/or to reworking processes of soils which presumably developed on basement rocks. Changes in source rocks or climatic influence during the early Eocene may account for the observed differences in clay mineral abundances.