The groundwater distribution in southern Egypt is primarily governed by the region’s inherited rift-related tectonic framework. We integrated aeromagnetic data with available hydrogeochemical and seismic data to investigate structural controls on groundwater accumulation in El-Gallaba Plain along the western margin of the Kom Ombo Basin. The magnetic data were processed using edge-detection filters and source-parameter imaging to estimate the depth of the basement rock. Moreover, three-dimensional geophysical inversion of magnetic data was performed using the iteratively re-weighted least-squares algorithm to map the basin geometry. The results of magnetic data interpretation delineated a NW-SE major trend and minor NE-SW-trending, fault-bounded depressions extending to depths of 2.5–3.0 km, interpreted as sediment-filled or altered-basement fractured basins favorable for groundwater accumulation. Uplifted basement blocks define structural highs that act as hydraulic barriers, compartmentalizing the area’s aquifer system. The interpreted magnetic structures were correlated with previously published land-surface temperature and hydrochemical data, revealing a spatial alignment among deep structural depressions, low-temperature corridors, and zones of fresher, isotopically depleted groundwater. This correlation confirms that reactivated Pan-African and Cenozoic faults control the vertical permeability and groundwater connectivity of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer. Overall, this study highlights the effectiveness of three-dimensional inversion, along with edge-detection and depth-estimation filters applied to magnetic data to resolve subsurface architecture and interpret groundwater potential in arid, tectonically complex regions.
Mohammad A. Shehata, Tamer Attia, T. Farag et al.· Applied Water Science· 0 citations
This study integrates seismic interpretation, sequence‐stratigraphic analysis and petrophysical evaluation to characterise the Cenomanian hydrocarbon potential within the Bahariya Formation and Abu Roash ‘G’ Member at Horus Field, Alamein Basin. Seismic interpretation revealed ENE–WSW and ESE–WNW trending extensional normal faults, forming structural highs (horsts, tilted blocks) that act as primary hydrocarbon traps. The Abu Roash Formation exhibited the highest seismic reflector continuity, aiding robust structural mapping, while the underlying Bahariya, Kharita and Alam El Bueib formations showed increasing discontinuity downwards. Instantaneous Amplitude and Energy attributes were applied to quantitatively show deeper‐layers amplitude decay, reflector continuity and reveal subtle stratigraphic geometries obscured in conventional seismic data. Sequence stratigraphic analysis delineated two depositional sequences. BAHR‐SQ‐1 (Bahariya Fm), a siliciclastic‐dominated sequence (535–640 ft), comprises Lowstand (LST‐1: fluvial‐deltaic to shallow marine sandstones), Transgressive (TST‐1: mixed siliciclastics/carbonates) and Highstand (HST‐1: progradational sandstones) Systems Tracts. ARG‐SQ‐2 (Abu Roash ‘G’ Member; 525–675 ft), a carbonate/siliciclastic sequence, comprises a Transgressive Systems Tract (TST‐2: deep‐shelf dolomites) and a Highstand Systems Tract (HST‐2: progradational mixed facies). Petrophysical assessment identified both sequences as hydrocarbon‐bearing reservoirs but with distinct characteristics. The Upper Bahariya (HST‐1) offers volumetric potential (thickness 220–233 ft., porosity 29%–35%) but exhibits variable, generally poorer quality (lower net‐to‐gross: 2%–12%, higher shale volume: 15%–25%, higher water saturation: 32%–33%, limited pay: 4–29 ft). In contrast, the Abu Roash ‘G’ Dolomite (primarily TST‐2) demonstrates superior and consistent reservoir quality across wells (thickness 60–81 ft., net‐to‐gross: 15%–32%, lower shale volume: 5%–9%, porosity 21%–24%, lower water saturation: 28%–41%, hydrocarbon saturation 59%–73%, pay 12–23 ft). The cleaner lithology and favourable petrophysics make the Abu Roash ‘G’ the key contributor to hydrocarbon potential, despite its lesser thickness compared to the Bahariya. These results underscore the critical control of sequence stratigraphic architecture and depositional facies on reservoir distribution and quality, providing essential insights for future exploration targeting in analogous settings.
A. Shehata, A. Ismail, Mohamed I. Abdel‐Fattah et al.· Geological Journal· 0 citations
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