Abstract The area of study is located in the southeastern part of Block NC98 and is informally named C-Structure area, and it is completely situated in the center of Al Hameimāt Trough, South East Sirt Basin, Libya. The main reservoir rock in this structure is the Upper Nubian Sandstone Member, whereas the Reworked Sandstone Unit and Transitional Beds are considered as secondary reservoir rocks. These reservoirs are mainly composed of sandstone to argillaceous sandstone. The Upper Nubian Sandstone reservoir quality is adversely affected by volcanic rocks especially the thick intercalation of volcanoclastics within the Upper Nubian Sandstone. The Upper Nubian Sandstone Member was deposited during Early Albian times. The Reworked Sandstone Unit was possibly deposited in Cenomanian? to Turonian times and may be related to the overlying Transition Beds.Up to date, four wells have been drilled in this structure (C1-NC98, C2-NC98, C3-NC98 and C4-NC98) and were targeting the clastic reservoirs of the Upper Nubian Sandstone and/or overlying Upper Cretaceous Transitional beds and Reworked Sandstone unit. Only C1-NC98 and C2-NC98 wells have tested significant hydrocarbon in the Upper Nubian and Reworked Sandstone unit whereas C3-NC98 and C4-NC98 wells have tested no hydrocarbon in both reservoirs and are abandoned as dry wells. This study is aimed to validate the stratigraphical aspects, depositional environment and reservoir quality assessment in order to decipher the reasons of drilled dry holes. The obtained results are anticipated to provide valuable geological information for the current and future prospect evaluation in the area. All available wire line logs of C wells (C1-NC98, C2-NC98, C3-NC98 and C4-NC98) and adjacent wells have been used to correlate the stratigraphy of the Pre-Upper and Upper Cretaceous silisiclastic sediments in the area of study.Representative core samples across the reservoir rocks of the candidate wells have been laid down for core description. The acquired results have been integrated with conventional core analysis and petrographic results to investigate the lithofacies characterization and depositional environment in order to sub-divide them into different lithofacies.Different types of geological maps have been prepared in this research (e.g. stratigraphical/structural cross sections, subcrop maps, isobach maps, structure contour maps and etc.) to delineate the formation extension and correlation. Burial history diagrams across all depositional sequences in the candidate wells were also prepared to identify the depositional scenario and to estimate the time span of tectonic subsidence along the depositional sequences.The results of all available geological studies which recently have been carried out by Waha Oil Company in the area of study and adjacent areas have been reviewed, elaborated and integrated with the results of this study to assess the discussion and final conclusion. The final results of sedimentological study indicates that there is no major effect of diagenetic processes on the reservoir rocks during and after the deposition. As a consequence, C3-NC98 and C4-NC98 wells were drilled in an area of poor reservoir quality of Reworked Sandstone and Upper Nubian reservoirs due to the existence of thick sequences of clay and siltstone which were mostly deposited in levee and over bank sub-environments of likely combined braided and meandering river. Whereas, C1 and C2-NC98 oil wells were drilled in an area of good reservoir quality of Reworked Sandstone and Upper Nubian Sandstone reservoirs where the sand bars sub-environment are deposited as a thick sequence of clean sands carrying the genetic of good reservoir properties. Therefore, the reservoir rocks in this area have different properties due to different sub-environment of deposition. This new results will probably assess the prospect generation and evaluation for the future drilling activity in the area of study.The encountered volcanoclastic sediments in well C2-NC98 reveals that this sediment is likely transported by river from the area of volcanic eruption to the area of deposition rather than in situ eruption. This type of volcano is likely applied to cinder cone volcano type where the pyroclastic fragments are not cemented together and thus easy to erode. Therefore, the intercalation of volcanoclastic sediment in Upper Nubian Sandstone has no marked effect in the reservoir rocks.Burial history curves of wells C1-NC98, C2-NC98, C3-NC98 and C4NC98 indicate three major subsidence events took place during Early Cretaceous time (Early Aptian - Early Albian), Late Cretaceous time (Turonian - Maastrichitian) and the Palaeocene - Eocene subsidence. However, Plaeocene - Eocene subsidence shows the highest subsidence rate with comparison to the other two subsidence rates.
محمد عمار هامان (2015)

Abstract Seven geological sections have been examined and sampled with emphasis on sedimentological & diagenetic processes within Abu Ghaylan Formation and the contact relationships with the underlying Abu Shaybah and overlying Kiklah Formations. Based on current detailed field loggings and microscope investigations, 10 facies are recognized within Abu Ghaylan Formation. The lowermost succession characterised by an overall transition from continental fluvially dominated deposits of the Abu Shaybah Formation into transitional to marginal marine, tidal flat deposits of the Abu Ghaylan Formation upward. The transitional nature of this lowermost part succession is demonstrated by interbeddings of claystone, sandstone and fossiliferous facies arranging in coarsening up cycle, in which most probably deposited in estuary / beach environment.The Abu Ghaylan Formation generally wedges laterally eastward and exposes intermittently east of Wadi Ghan area resulting of syngenetic uplift of Wadi Ghan area followed by erosion (ElHinnawy & Cheshitev, 1975). A slightly earlier uplift and greater erosion in a westward sloping basin of deposition near the close of the Early Jurassic and Early Cretaceous times is suggested by Fatmi & Sbeta (1991). The current study reveals that several exposure surfaces are demonstrated within Abu Ghaylan Formation suggesting uplifting and erosion episodes interrupted Abu Ghaylan Formation, where a restricted distribution of Abu Ghaylan may suggest a local tectonic overprint.Although the overall impression is that the base beds of Kiklah Formation starts with sandstone and red clay beds as channel infill deposits above Abu Ghaylan carbonate unit with surface of unconformity, however, based on current close investigation, a sequence characterized by interbeddings of carbonate and greenish clay overlying Abu Ghaylan Formation with surface of unconformity and gradationally overlain by sandstone beds should be introduced as separate unit attributes to Kiklah Formation.The current study emphasizes and supports a solution collapse origin for the breccias and introduces better insight into architecture and geomorphology of the breccias bodies that are exposed in the area of study. The dissolution of evaporites is considered responsible for all breccias development in this stratigraphic interval. According to the occurrence mode of breccias, the breccias intervals have been divided into two main parts; a lower section of strata that contains collapsed paleocaves and an upper section of strata that is deformed to varying degrees due to the collapse and compaction of the section of paleocave-bearing strata. The sharp flat base, inverse grading, V-shaped/ sag structures and irregular undulating top of brecciated bodies are recognized within Abu Ghaylan Formation and typically characterize solution collapse processes. Based on field study and architecture relationships, five distinctive karst facies are recognized in the area of study.The early diagenetic genetically related processes probably interrupted the deposition of Abu Ghaylan Formation is a most possible assumption for the origin and timing of breccias formation.
أحمد أبوبكر الحلو (2015)

Abstract The study area is located in and around Umm Ar Razam village, about 50 Km east of Darnah city, north-eastern Libya. In this study many claystone sections were studied. These claystones belong to the lowermost part of Al Faidiyah formation of Upper Oligocene – Lower Miocene age. The studied sections consist of claystone beds ranging in thickness about 10 meters. These bentonitic clays are generally grey to greenish grey in colour, with popcorn – like appearance. They have a waxy character and are exposed sporadically in this area as isolated outcrops. They might be deposited in lagoonal, lacustrine or shallow marine environment. The main purpose of this thesis is to study the origin and to evaluate the Umm Ar Razam bentonitic clays. For example, lithology, mineralogy, the chemical composition, crystal forms and habits, physical properties, industrial uses and treatment will be investigated. The Results showed that these clays consist of the minerals Na- montmorillonite, Kaolinite, and Illite. Non – clay minerals includes quartz, calcite, dolomite, gypsum, halite, muscovite, rutile, sanidine, and tridymite. Moreover, clay mineral fraction studies using the different techniques showed that these bentonitic clays were formed due to in situ alteration of volcanic ash in subaquous environment. Evidences for such an occurrence include mineralogical evidence as the existence of high temperature minerals as sanidine, rutile, and tridymite. The existence of unaltered volcanic ash as seen from SEM photomicrographs also supports this origin. Furthermore, XRF results showed downward depletion of silica right below these bentonitic clays 6 in calcarenite beds of Al Abraq formation. XRF results also showed that the Umm Ar Razam bentonites are in accordance with the American bentonites and the parent material of such bentonites came from basic volcanic ash materials. In addition, the viscosity and the filtration of Umm Ar Razam bentonite is nearly identical with the international bentonite by adding (Soda Ash) and (Na2 SiO3 ) with special treatment method. The cost of the Enhanced Umm Ar Razam bentonite is less than of the imported bentonite cost. Based on the physical and chemical properties these bentonites can be used in many industries especially as building materials and drilling fluids.
فيصل عياد أبو سهمين (2009)