Assessment of CO₂ sequestration potential in the Abu Sannan oil field for sustainable energy and environment using seismic modeling, Western Desert, Egypt.
Mohammed Amer, Walid M Mabrouk, Amr M Eid, Ahmed M Noureldin, Ahmed Metwally
Abstract
Open AccessGlobal efforts to mitigate climate change have highlighted Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as a practical solution for reducing atmospheric CO₂, with depleted oil and gas reservoirs (DOGR) being particularly attractive due to their well-characterized structures, proven sealing capacity, and existing infrastructure. Egypt's Western Desert, with its extensive petroleum history and mature fields, presents significant potential for large-scale CCS deployment. This study investigates the CO₂ sequestration potential of the Abu Sannan Oil Field, focusing on the Abu Roash D reservoir. Structural interpretation of seismic data identified a system of normal faults forming tilted blocks, horsts, and grabens, while petrophysical analysis from well logs assessed key properties such as porosity, shale content, water saturation, and permeability. A three-dimensional (3D) geological model integrating seismic interpretation, well logs, and petrophysical parameters was developed to estimate storage capacity. Results indicate that the southeastern closure, representing the highest structural part of the field, is the most promising site, with excellent porosity (~ 25%), very low shale content (~ 5%), moderate water saturation (~ 40%), and relatively uniform permeability, ensuring high injectivity, storage efficiency, and reservoir homogeneity. The 3D model estimates that Abu Roash D can securely accommodate approximately 72,657 Mt of CO₂, with the Khoman Formation providing long-term containment integrity. The reservoir's combination of favorable structural geometry, high-quality petrophysical properties, and existing infrastructure makes it a prime candidate for large-scale CCS, supporting Egypt's decarbonization strategy and contributing to global climate mitigation initiatives.