English abstract
The Natih Fm. of Oman is one of the most studied prolific hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Middle East; however, despite the large number of studies dealing with its sequence stratigraphic, sedimentological, diagenetic and paleontological characteristics, the lack of precise wireline log-based correlation between the Jabal Akhdar area and sub-surface data is surprising.
The aim of this project is to perform high resolution Gamma Ray (G-Ray) outcrop-based measurements on selected key outcrops in the southern part of the Jabal Akhdar area.measurements. This project has significant importance for reservoir correlations and hydrocarbon exploration. It will allow for the first time to have complete G-Ray curves in outcrops for the Natih Fm, to test in detail G-Ray response versus facies evolution and it will be great help for outcrop to sub-surface correlations. This will be done by integrating, for the first time, facies analysis and G-Ray The field work was performed in three wadis, with sedimentary successions very well exposed in extensive outcrops in the southern side of Jabal Akhdar and are located in Wadi Maeden, Wadi Nakhur and Wadi Tanuf. These sections contain an almost complete record of the Natih Fm. with rich shallow water fauna. Their easy accessibility and good exposure offered the opportunity to study the lateral and vertical lithological and biostratigraphical changes in detail. Furthermore, they represent a potential transect from relatively deeper areas (Wadi Nakhur) to the shallowest ones (Wadi Maeden). As an outcome of this study, a good surface analogue wireline log (G-Ray) for the Natih Fm was made which will help in understanding and explaining some of the features of the Natih Fm. evidenced in subsurface logs.
