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Abstract
The exploratory works in oil-and-gas bearing basins of the Northern Africa were commenced as early as in the middle
of the 20th century. One of the most important and probably the most examined oil-and-gas bearing basins in Algeria is the
Illizi basin. In 50 years of the prospecting exploratory works in the territory of the Illizi basin with the area of 108 424 km2
more than 700 exploration and deliniations wells were drilled leading to discovery of more than 100 oil (57) and gas (49)
fields with the total geological resources of more than 1.7x109 m3 of oil and more than 582x109 m3 of gas. The largest deposits
discovered here are Tin Fouye and the Ohanet group of deposits.
According to estimates of specialists (B. Gougam; M.EH Boumghar. Sonatrach-Exploration / Boumerdes-Algeria),
the oil-and-gas bearing potential of the Illizi basin may reach up to 40 million tons of oil and up to 8500 billion m3 of gas,
where up to 70% of gas and 20% of oil trapped in the Cambrian-Ordovician reservoirs. Even agreeing with the fact that these
estimates are substantially overstated, this territory still remains to be attractive. This can be judged based on the dense
distribution of the discovered reserves of hydrocarbons compared with the degree of the knowledge.
According to investigations of Macgregor and Traut (D. S. Macgregor. Giant petroleum fields of Algeria, 1998, M.
Traut at al., Exploratory history of the Palaeozoic petroleum systems, 1998), the main quantity of the deposits discovered in
the Illizi basin are referred to structural (simple anticlines, tectonically restricted anticlines) and / or, to lesser extent, to
combined traps. Complex depositional stratigraphical traps, and their alike, so called «subtle traps», which as a rule are
confined to the Cambrian-Ordovician deposits, are an object of close attention of the companies, which carry out exploratory
works in this territory.
One of the main problems during prospecting works related to complex Cambrian-Ordovician traps is sharp lithic
variability of the cross section against the background of an intricately built structural stratigraphical complex on the whole.
This issue was shown in many pappers based both on the regional correlation of key wells and on interconnecting the data
describing the outcrops with data of the wells.
The basis of this article is the materials obtained by Rosneft-Stroytransgas Limited (RN-STG ltd) during prospecting
exploratory works in the central part of the basin and analysed jointly with published materials and data of special
investigations. As a result, stratification of the Cambrian-Ordovician deposits of the central part of the basin in its northern has
been clarified in its northern closure, and the rocks were characterized and the propagation of their collect collecting properties
was predicted. The below presented are the main obtained results, and also some conclusions with respect to the principle
moments related to distinguishing and mapping of non-structural traps of such type.
Introduction
The object of this investigation is the Gara Teeselit area, which is located in the Illizi basin central part referred to the
Palaeozoic sedimentation basins of the Algerian Sahara (Figure 1).
Investigation of this territory started in the end of the 50s of the XX century from works of the French companies
CEP and CREPS, and then, from 1961, continued mainly by the Algerian national company SONATRACH. From 1991 the
works continued in association with Anadarko Company, and from 2001 - with RN-STG ltd. Totally fulfilled during the period
of investigations in this territory were nearly 7000 running km of 2D seismicity, more than 500 km2 of 3D seismicity, and 18
holes were drilled; 8 pools of hydrocarbons were discovered in 5 areas. Among them - 6 pools in three deposits were
discovered during the last 6 years by the works performed by RN-STG ltd.
2 SPE 117405
The cross section of the sedimentary cover is represented by terrigenous rocks of the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and
Cainozoic ages.
The main oil and gas column in this territory is the Lower Palaeozoic one represented by the Ordovician deposits, and
the Middle Palaeozoic one built by formation F6 of the Late Silurian - Early Devonian age. They were formed in different
climatic, geodynamic and tectonic conditions, are divided by a number of regional unconformities related to the orogenic
epochs, and also by a thick (300-500 m) Lower Silurian clay stratum in whose foundation bed there are regionally aged
graptolite argillites, which are saturated with organics and are the main oil-source stratum.
The modern structural plan of the territory represents a gentle monocline plunging to north-east and complicated by
two regional fault systems of Takuazet and Gara Tesselit (Figure 2).
Practically all significant anticline structures in the Gara Tesselit area were prepared and drilled, without positive
results though. The made discoveries are mainly confined to traps related to large faults.
Beds of F6 stratum possess a good potential to find accumulations of hydrocarbons in traps of the structural tectonic
type, but the active hydrodynamic regime of the beds and the size of the structures do not make possible to hope for relatively
large discoveries.
Collectors of the Ordovician stratum are characterized by bad, strongly changeable filtration and capacitance
properties; this often imparts to the lithic-stratigraphical and tectonic factors a leading role in forming the traps. In addition to
that, this territory, starting from the Late Proterozoic and until now is located in the area of apparent regional and global
tectonic processes expressed both in the wide development of disjunctive, frequently reactivated displacements and in the
abundance local and regional unconformities and wash-outs manifested in the cross section. All the above makes the
Ordovician deposits extremely interesting for geological investigation and attractive for search of large non-structural traps of
the lithic-stratigraphical and tectonically screened types.
The Earlier Ordovician (Tremadoc - beginning of Arenig) starts from the sequential downwarping of the territory that
led to replacement of continental precipitations by coastal ones, and then also to flooding of the whole territory with forming
of deep-sea clays of the Argiles d’El Grassi formation.
Connected with the beginning of the Arenig-Llandale stage is shallowing of the sea and replacement of deep-sea clays
by deltaic and bar sandstones of a shallow sea basin with very small inclination of the bottom.
By the end of the Arenig – beginning of the Llandale age there happened a new flooding of the basin with its further
filling by coastal sediments.
Beginning of the completing Caradocian-Ashgil cycle of the Ordovician is connected with the Taconian tectonic
activation and with the Late Ordovician glaciation. Recession of the sea level and the climate change led to erosion of the
relief, and the subsequent thawing of the glacier - to filling of incised valleys, levelling of the relief and flooding of the
territory.
4. The Silurian submersion of the whole northern part of Gondwana led to forming of vast sea basins of the paleotetis.
The maximum downwarping and flooding of the territory of the basins is registered in appearance of the formation of
graptolite argillites (Argiles a Graptolites) represented by aleuritic micaceous shales dated from the Llandovern to the Venlok
(and even Ludov in the most emerged parts). The deposits were built in no-oxygen conditions in depressions of the basins
relief.
5. The next stage is related to shallowing and filling of the basin by sea, shallow and coastal sediments of the Silurian.
The very tops of the cross section are cut-off by the Caledonian by the Caledonian surface of unconformity.
6. The border of the Silurian and Devonian is connected with tectonic events registered as a border of the Caledonian
unconformity. The South-Eastern part of the Illizi basin was elevated with the basin centre shifted in the North-Western
direction and significant recession of the sea level. This led to forming of wide incised valleys composed by coarse-grained
sandstones of horizon C1 of channel and deltaic bars.
The transgression that followed in the Prague times has led to levelling of the relief and filling of the basin by coastal
sediments. The transgression culmination during the Fransk times is probably connected with the tectonic reconstruction and
flooding of the territory with forming of open-sea facies and shallow lagoons of horizons F6/4/3.
Numerous local unconformities are a sign of beginning of the tectonic stage, which took place over a period of the
whole Late Silurian and Earlier Devonian. The main elevation, which has happened during the Caledonian folding, ended with
intensive erosion and levelling of most structures.
7. In the end of the carboniferous times (the Hercynian folding) the Palaeozoic Illizi basin was subjected to substantial
reconstruction with inversion and further partial erosion western part. The territory was inclined in the northern direction and
filled by sediments of the Triassic. Subsequent tectonic movements were manifested during the Barremian (the Austrian
unconformity) and Miocene times (Plio-Pleistocene unconformity).
which emphasize the sedimentation and stratigraphical boundaries. The boundaries of crossbedded series have a gentle
(approximately 2-4º) dip predominantly in the north-north-eastern (from 317º to 67º) direction.
The comparison of the sections stripped in the wells with exposure of sediments of the Lower Ordovician onto the
Djanet plateau (400 km south of the examined area) is shown in Figure 4.
The petrographic composition of the rocks regularly changes up the cross section from the formation member of
substantially clay-mudded, inequigranular, poorly rounded sandstones with abundance of mountain rock fragments to medium-
grained, moderately sorted quartzitic arenites with average roundness (Figure 5). Also referred to peculiarities of this
formation member could be the development of regeneration quartz in the main part of the cross section, and also appearance
of microporosity due to development of kaolinite. The clay component also changes bottom-up the cross section from the
illite-chloritic to the predominant kaolinite-illite one.
Based on the obtained data, the forming of the examined stratum is connected with filling of a vast coastal valley with
a very gentle levelled relief where at the active dynamic regime of the environment and abundance of the supplied detritus
there formed are large dunes and antidunes. We refer these deposits to the lower coastal system tract (SMST) of the sicvention.
Its lower border is probably connected with the involvement of this territory to the general downwarping of the Illizi basin in
the Earlier Ordovician and with the beginning of sedimentation in this territory.
Unfortunately, no age of these rocks in our territory was determined. On the conditions of forming and on the
structure of the cross section, the author has conditionally referred these deposits to undifferentiated sediments of Unit III-2/1.
However, at more detailed correlation of the cross section with analogous exposures in the Djanet province and accounting for
the analysed data of the prospecting seismology we can refer the lower formation member of more clayey rocks to tops of the
Gres D’El Atchane suite (tops of Unit III-1), and the main part of the stratum – to the Banquett suite (the very Unit III-2).
The upper border of the undifferentiated stratum of Unit III-2/1 is transgression and is fixed [registered?] by the
maximum flooding surface (MFS). However, in the central and east-north-eastern parts of the area the overlying rocks of the
Arenig-Llandale age are partially or completely eroded, and located in heir place in the cross section are the Caradocian-
Ashgill sandstones.
The Arenig-Llandale cycle of sedimentation (the stratum of Unit III-3)
Located up the cross section is the stratum of Unit III-3 (analogue of the In Tahouite formation). It is referred to the
Arenig-Llandale transgression-regression cycle. The most complete cross section of Unit III-3 was stripped by two wells in the
north-western and south-western parts of the Gara Tesselit area.
Deposits of Unit III-3 transgressively occur on the underlying formation member of Unit III-2 (in southern districts),
or directly on the foundation rocks (in the northern and north-eastern regions). They are mainly represented by aleurolites and
fine-grained sandstones with traces of burrowers’ activities of the Skolithos and Cruziana echinoderms.
Located in the base of the stratum is a bundle of fine-grained sandstones with wavy ripples and bumpy stratification
surfaces formed in the coastal situation. These sandstones may be in conformity with the Grees D’Ouargla suite. Up the cross
section the sandstones sharply turn into aleurolites with a fine pattern of traces left by the burrowers’ work, and then also
dense black argillites – analogues of the Azzel-Tiferun suite (Argiles D’Azzel) formed in the conditions of the open sea. The
thickness of this formation member is 15-25 m.
They are replaced by several progradation cycles, which become sandy up the cross section and form a thick (up to
100-120 m) stratum of clay-sandy sediments. Located in the upper part of the examined stratum is a bundle of argillaceous
fine-grained sandstones, which are strongly bioturbined and were formed in the coastal or intertidal zone.
The cross section of the deposits, which we index in the wells as Unit III-3, is in good correlation with the In Tahouite
formation deposits observed in outcrops in the Iherir valley on the Djanet plateau (Figure 6). Beds in cross section of the wells
occur gently, with the dip of about 1º in the direction of 150-160º SSE; this is in good conformity with observations in the
outcrops.
The stratification structures are emphasized by clayey inwash and are characterized by wavy, oblique wavy
deposition in more clayey intervals, and parallel, sometimes gently oblique deposition in aleurolite sandy differences.
The beginning of forming of the stratum of Unit III-3 is by all appearance connected with the transgression system
tract (TST), which was completed by flooding of the territory with forming of clay of the Azzel-Tiferun suite in the period of
the maximum flooding (MFS). But the main stratum of the rocks of the In Tahuit formation was built during the period of high
state of the sea (HST). The activity of the environment, judging on the grain dimension and developed oblique wavy
stratification, can be characterized as moderate with abundant inflow of clastic material.
On the fauna of brachipods and lamellibranchia (Legrand, 1964), the age of the bottoms of the In Tahuit formation
has been determined as the Arenig. Basal sandstones are possibly similar to the Arenig (Oulebsir and Paris, 1993) sandstones
of the Ouargla (‘Gres de Ouargla’) known according to the wells. The argillaceous part of the formation is similar to the
Azzel-Tiferun (‘Argiles d’Azzel-Tiferouine’) clays dated (Paris et al., 2000; Sonatrach Company, unpublished materials) of
the Arenig and Llanvirine epochs. The upper sandstones may conform to the Earlier Llandale (Oulebsir and Paris, 1993; Paris
et al., 2000) deposits of the Oued Saret suite (‘Gres de Oued Saret’).
Judging on the observations on the Djanet plateau, and also according to the data of the sections of the wells south
and west of the investigated area, deposits of the examined stratum are spread on large areas with a quite consistent thickness,
SPE 117405 5
which varies from 100 to 140 m. Its lower border is transgression; the upper one is often erosive. That is the erosive nature of
the upper boundary the rapid variations of this formation's thicknesses are connected with. During the period of the Late
Ordovician glaciation and the following transgression, the predominantly argillaceous rocks of Unit III-3 were partially or
completely eroded, and the paleoincisions were filled by the Upper Ordovician predominantly sandy sediments. This is such
architecture of the deposits of the Middle and Upper Ordovician has led to formation of the depositional stratigraphical traps.
So, the first sediments started to form in the west-south-west of the territory in the area of the Takuazet elevation; at
that, we can note as minimum as one rise of the sea level that happened from the west and is fixed in a form of a 10-15-metre
argillaceous bundle in wells and also in the seismic cross section. During the Arenig times probably the whole area was
involved in submersion reflected by forming of sea clays with an increased content of OV. Following this, in conditions of a
calm tectonic regime there formed were coastal sediments with the thickness of more than 100 m. Distinguished inside of this
stratum are up to f our coastal parasequencers, which reflect gradual retreat of the sea and filling of the basin. The Late
Ordovician glaciation, in our opinion, led to production of a large main valley, which stretches from east to west through a
large [the largest?] part of the Gara Tesselit area. The glacier has obviously cut off the earlier sedimentary units right down to
the foundation or very close to it. However, no typical glacial drifts were found here. It is possible that they were preserved in
fragments, but a large [the largest?] part of them was rather carried away by flows during subsequent thawing of the glacier
and forming of a fiord relief along edges of the cut-in valley. The Greenland shore may be a modern analogue of such
conditions (Figure 10). Further on the relief depressions formed in the Earlier Caradocian were filled by sandy sediments
related to turbid, tidal and channel situations; and then, during the sea approach, also by coastal argillaceous-sandy deposits
confined to the edge parts. The Silurian transgression, and then also the seat retreat led to levelling of the relief with filling of
the Ordovician paleo-incision.
It is necessary to note that there are also other alternative hypotheses of the Ordovician stratum forming in the Gara
Tesselit area. One of them is built on an assumption of existence of a sub-lateral paleo-elevation in the central part of the area,
and another one – on the inversion sinsidementation nature of the tectonic movements. However, in the first case the
hypothesis contradicts to the observed distribution of deposits in the area and does not explain the compensatory nature of the
Ordovician and Lower Silurian strata distribution. The second hypothesis is not supported by the nature of the strata
distribution relatively to the main faults located in this area. In our opinion, the suggested version of the Lower Palaeozoic
units forming unites the advantages of the both existing hypotheses and is not at variance with the existing geologic and
geophysical information.
Distinguishing and mapping of non-structural traps in the Lower Palaeozoic deposits of the Gara Tesselit
area
Based on the conditions of the Ordovician stratum forming it is possible to assume several types of traps typical for
this territory. For deposits of Unit III-1/2 it is possible to expect tectonically screened traps related to the porous-cavern and/or
porous-fractural collectors. Such areas are quite are not numerous at all accounting for the fact that these deposits are
predominantly spread in the south of the Gara Tesselit area where also manifested is a regional fault of the sub-lateral direction
– Takuazet. Located down south is a network of its sub-parallel smaller faults; this creates favourable conditions for forming
of hydrocarbon trapping barriers.
The stratum of Unit III-3 is predominantly represented by argillaceous rocks, which are on the one hand are a good
cover for pools in Unit III-1/2, and on the other hand are a good lateral screen for another type of traps related to deposits of
Unit IV-1 filling the cut-in valleys.
Along with that, as it can be seen from the presented diagram, in the central part of the area the rocks of Unit III-3 are
practically completely eroded; and the sandy beds, which are located north of the main cut-in have lithic limits from the south
– towards the regional elevation. So, the perspective for hydrocarbons trapping are rocks of Unit IV-1 south of the main sub-
lateral paleo-valley, which such rocks perform the subordinated paleoincisions. Large faults of the sub-lateral and north-
western direction may also be an additional screen for these deposits. The third type of traps may be confined to sub-laterally
oriented sandy bar structures of Unit IV-3/4 sealed in the deposits more argillaceous on the composition. These rocks may be
prospective both in the northern and in the southern parts of the area. Below we give several examples of such traps and their
characteristics.
Tectonically screened trap of the Unit III-1/2 stratum
Revealed in the Takuazet East deposit is a trap related to tectonically screened deposits of Unit III-1/2. The presence
of oil and gas in these rocks is confirmed by testing the wells TAKE-1 and TAKE-2 and logging in the well TAKW-2 drilled
near the regional fault Takuazet. Detailed description of the rocks and their petrography are presented above. The regional
fault Takuazet, even having no a large vertical shift, nevertheless is a substantial screen to hold the deposit.
Mapping of the trap was carried out based on the 3D seismic prospecting. Since the seismic reflection in this case if
related not to the clay-sand boundary but to more argillaceous deposits and surface of flooding inside of the stratum, the
collector’s roof was built along the extrapolation of the observed wells strata inside the mapped reflections. As it can be seen
of the trap presented on Figure 11, the more realistic is the option of its block construction due to development fledging faults.
However, the modern tensor of the maximum stress coincides with orientation of the fledging faults; in this connection, their
screening ability may be substantially decreased. According to the FMI data, observed inside of the stratum is natural
fracturing predominantly 330-340 NNW that coincides with orientation of the anthropogenic fractures and falls of the wells
walls. So, combining the structural mapping and modeling of natural fractures distribution we are able to obtain a more
reliable model of the trap structure. It is noticeable that in the northern part of the area of the Eastern Takuazet the deposit of
the Unit III-1/2 bed may be hydrodynamically connected with the Unit IV-1/2 bed due to a probable cut-in mapped according
to the prospecting seismology data and confirmed by the well TAK-1.
SPE 117405 7
Conclusion
Distinguishing of traps of one or another type in the area is closely connected with understanding of the history of
sedimentation in the region and the history of its geological and tectonic development. Therefore, at the stage of prospecting
exploratory works it is important to determine the optimum set of methods for investigations and the ways of their
complexation.
As a result of the works performed in the Gara Tesselit area the researchers have obtained additional data, which
make it possible to clarify the history of development and the material composition of the Lower Palaeozoic stratum of the
central and northern party of the Illizi basin. The researchers have made a supposition of substantial influence of the Late
Ordovician relief forming processes upon the internal structure of the Ordovician stratum, which such processes have led to
forming of non-structural depositional and depositional stratigraphical traps. The complex data interpretation has made it
possible to make a conclusion about promissory nature of deposits of Unit III-1/2 and Unit IV-1 particularly in the southern
part of this section especially near large sub-lateral faults. The traps sizes may be different, and they frequently depend on
sizes of paleo-incisions and tectonic blocks that limit them. Promissory in the northern and especially in the north-eastern part
of the area are the Unit IV-3/4 deposits, particularly in the areas of local elevations.
During the works it was noted that a big role in the mapping and description of the deposits is played by selection of
the field 3D seismic survey parameters and the graphs of its further processing. On the other hand, since the structural factor in
this area does not play a significant role, the researchers have made a conclusion that the 2D seismic prospecting is low
effective to prepare the promissory areas for drilling. Therefore, it is suggested to perform 3D seismic prospecting in the
promissory areas immediately after analysing the regional 2D survey, the results of last years drilling and regional geology.
Such approach will make it possible not only no to spend time and money for preliminary works but also will make possible to
more accurately lay the first prospecting wells.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank employees of the Central Geophysical Expedition G. N. Gogonenkov, A. G. Averbukh, A. I.
Arapova and employees of the Federal State Unitary Geological Enterprise of the All-Russian Research Institute of Geology
and Oil V. I. Petersilye, A. B. Krivitskiy, G. V. Surtsukov and A. A. Razmyshlyaev for their big contribution to success of the
performed works.
Literature
1 Petroleum Geology of North Africa. Geologycal Society Special Publication No. 132., London, 1998.
2 Geology of Algeria. Contribution from SONATRACH,
8 SPE 117405
3 Regional Geological Study of Boukhechba Permit Illizy Basin, Algeria. BHP Petroleum (Algérie) Inc., 1998.
4 Total Petroleum Systems of the Illizi Province, Algeria and Libya—Tanezzuft-Illizi. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin
2202–A. Denver, Colorado. 2000.
5 Total Petroleum Systems of the Trias/Ghadames Province, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya—The Tanezzuft-Oued Mya,
Tanezzuft-Melrhir, and Tanezzuft-Ghadames. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2202–C. Denver, Colorado. 2000.
6 The Lower Paleozoic succession in Tassili outcrops, Algeria: sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy. R. Eschard,
H. Abdallah, F.Braik. First break volume 23. Oct.2005.
7 Perspective du bassin d’Illizi. Published abstracts of conferense. Alger, 2005.
SPE 117405 9
Figure 1. General map of Gara Tesselit position Figure 2. The structural map of the Ordovician top
in the Illizi basin
Граница
Фундамента
Unit IV-1
Свита Les Castelets Member
Отложения потоков
Прибрежная зона
Unit III-3
Верхний шельф
Формация In Tahouit
Нижний шельф
Базальный песчаник
Трансгрессивный бар
Лагунные отложения
Трансгрессивная поверхность
Unit III-2
Формация Banquette
Figure 6. Well section of Unit III-3 in comparison with In Tahouit formation outcrops
Figure 7. Relations of Unit IV-1 и Unit III-3 in the outcrops and wells. At
the left corner FMI image and rocks at the outcrop.
SPE 117405 11
W E
Unit IV-2/3
TST
TS Unit IV-
1Отлоения долин
LS
T Ледниковая эрозия
SB
Unit III-3
HST
MFS Unit III-
TSTTS
1/2
SMST
Figure 9. Principal scheme of Ordovician deposits evolution Figure 10. East Greenland as analog of the Late
for the Gara Tesselit permit Ordovician depositional environments (www.nasa.com)
12 SPE 117405
Figure 12. Model of the Unit IV-1 trap. Comparison Gross thickness
map with the zonality seismic attribute.
Figure 13. Net thicknes of Unit IV-3 based on the inversion result.