Geomechanical and reservoir modelling of the Lower Cretaceous Sandstones in Shushan Basin, Western Desert, Egypt; implications for prospect generation

The integration of seismic, petrophysical modeling, and geomechanical characterization is critical for evaluating the Lower Cretaceous Alam El Bueib (AEB) sandstone reservoirs in the Shushan Basin, located in the northern Western Desert of Egypt. This study aims to use seismic anomalies, petrographical analyses, petrophysical techniques, and geomechanical characterization to interpret the subsurface and understand the basin’s original framework, using five (5) fields and their relevant wells, namely APRIES-1X, SHU-2X, FUSTAT B-1X, BAT-1X, and PTAH-1X. This study reveals that NE-SW dominates the complex subsurface structure, and NW–SE-trending normal fault systems that dissect the Lower Cretaceous succession. Moreover, the 3D facies model shows meandering sand channels within a floodplain facies setting, while the petrophysical models for APRIES-1X and FUSTAT B-1X wells reveal high hydrocarbon potential in selected basin reservoirs, consistent with facies modeling, with notable thickness, net pay, effective porosity (up to 34%), low water saturation (< 50%), and low shale volume (< 25%). In contrast, the PTAH-1X well exhibits poor reservoir quality across these units, with high water saturation (~ 90%) and elevated shale content (> 25%). In addition, the resistivity image log shows a breakout azimuth trending ENE-WSW within the reservoirs (AEB-3E, AEB-3G, AEB-5A, and AEB-5B intervals). This study suggests that horizontal wells should therefore be drilled ENE-WSW, perpendicular to SHmax, to create a transverse fracture network and maximize reservoir contact. The 1D geomechanical models show good correlation with the Alam El Bueib depth structure maps, interpreted from seismic data, confirming that the NW–SE structures are suitable for hydrocarbon entrapment in the Shushan Basin.