Essay: Applied cyclo-stratigraphy for the Middle East E&P industry

Abstract

The modeling of ordered sedimentary cycles through orbital forcing (cyclo-stratigraphy) could impact the Middle East E&P industry practices from regional exploration to reservoir engineering. The correlation of longer period cycles could detect thinning or disappearing reservoir intervals over structures. These terminations may be due to erosion or non-deposition, and used to guide exploration for stratigraphic traps. The correlation of shorter period cycles may be used to map the disappearance or diagenetic alteration of reservoir flow units between wells. The Permian and Mesozoic carbonates and evaporites that constitute the main Middle East hydrocarbon reservoirs and seals, manifest cycles at many scales, and are particularly suited for cyclo-stratigraphic analysis.