SPE-188973-MS

Abu Dhabi Structural Evolution and Its Implications for Exploration

Pascal Richard, Valentina Zampetti, Chadia Volery, Stephane Gesbert, Thomas Krayenbuehl, Michael Spaak, and
Shamil Murzin, Shell Global Solutions International B. V.; Fernando Neves and Sabah Al Hosani, ADNOC

Copyright 2017, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 13-16 November 2017.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
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consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may
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Abstract
ADNOC and Shell are currently joining efforts to rejuvenate the exploration portfolio of Abu Dhabi. A
country-wide integrated petroleum system study is being carried out to identify new play concepts and
opportunities. One of the foundations of this study is the understanding of the structural evolution and its
impact on prospectivity.
A structural evolution model has been developed using 2D and 3D seismic data and the country has been
divided into structural domains. The extent and quality of the seismic dataset provided a unique opportunity
to investigate the country wide structural evolution. Special care has been taken to generate seismic attribute
volumes that enhance sedimentary features and fault visualization. This allowed the detailed assessment of
fault displacement. In addition, mapping of the edge of carbonate platforms through time at the country scale
allowed the identification of long wavelength tilts of the Arabian plate in Abu Dhabi. These observations
have been linked to the regional phases of deformations. The most important phases of deformation that
affected the trap formation are the Jurassic rifting, the Late Cretaceous transtension, and mid Tertiary
compression.
The country has been divided into specific structural domains using existing structural features. These
structural elements comprise NS and NW-SE striking basement features, forced folds associated with
basement features, drape folds associated with salt domes, and NW-SE and NNW-SSE conjugate sets of
transtensional faults zones associated with pop-up structures.
With the help of sandbox experiment analogue models as well as field analogues from Oman, we propose
that the Late Cretaceous transtensional faults are decoupled from basement and do not root into any deep
basement faults. We also propose a series of conceptual 3D fracture diagrams per structural domain.

Introduction
The time of trap formation with respect to hydrocarbon generation and migration is an essential part
of exploration evaluation. ADNOC and Shell are currently joining efforts to rejuvenate the exploration
portfolio of the country. A country-wide integrated petroleum system study is being carried out to identify
new play concepts and opportunities. One of the foundations of this study is the structural evolution both
at regional and lead scales and its impact on prospectivity. 3D seismic surveys cover approximately a third
2 SPE-188973-MS

of the country area and 2D surveys cover most of the country. The 2D seismic grid density varies from
5 to 10 km line spacing in areas with low seismic coverage to 0.5 to 1.0 km in areas with high seismic
coverage. Several depocenters are devoid of any seismic (Figure 1). The seismic coverage map illustrates
the level of confidence of the structural interpretation; areas with 3D seismic coverage are characterized by
high confidence, those with 2D seismic by moderate confidence, and gaps by low confidence levels.

Figure 1—Abu Dhabi country wide seismic coverage and confidence map based on coverage and availability.

The regional seismic quality and coverage have enabled the mapping of regional horizons and
unconformities from the Khuff formations upwards to shallower reservoirs and seals.

Regional phases of deformation

The most important phases of deformation (Sharland et al 2001; Johnson et al 2005; Filbrandt et al 2006;
Richard et al 2014) are the Jurassic rifting, the Late Cretaceous transtension (known as Alpine 1), and
the Mid to Late Tertiary inversion (known as Alpine 2). During these phases of deformation, pre-existing
basement faults created by numerous older tectonic events (Johnson 2008) were reactivated and play a
major role on the trap formation. In addition, accommodation space has been re-configured. This will be
illustrated with isochore and top structure maps.
It is essential to zoom out to define the major tectonic elements that have played a key role in the
structural evolution of Abu Dhabi. The two most important structural elements are the combined Zagros
suture, Makran zone and Oman Mountains (with the obducted Semail Ophiolites) to the North, and the
transpressional Masirah obduction zone to the East (Figure 2). To understand the structural evolution of
Abu Dhabi it is essential to understand the relative displacement of the Indian plate with respect to the
Arabian plate. The tectonic interaction between India and Arabia since the Jurassic has been reconstructed
from marine geophysics, ophiolite geology and seismic tomography (Gaina et al 2015).
SPE-188973-MS 3

Figure 2—Arabian plate tectonic elements.

The Jurassic rifting event is characterized by NW-SE extension expressed by extensional faults in the
NW and SE corner of the Arabian plate (Figure 3). This extension is generated in part by a movement of
the India plate towards the SW. This corresponds to the time of formation of the Masirah Ophiolites. At that
time, NE-SW extensional faults have developed in the NE corner of Oman on the Lekhwair high, and have
formed 4-way dip closures due to subtle inversion of NE-SW striking normal faults (see Figure 28 of Al
Kindi and Richard 2014 and Bazalgette in prep.).

Figure 3—Jurassic NE-SW extension generated in part by a movement of the Indian plate towards the SW.
4 SPE-188973-MS

The Late Cretaceous phase of deformation (Loosveld et al 1996; Johnson 2005; Filbrandt et al 2006;
Richard et al 2014) is characterized by a regional transtensional stress regime with a maximum horizontal
stress oriented NW-SE (SHmax on Figure 4B). This phase of deformation is regionally referred as Alpine
1 (Filbrandt et al 2006). This transtensional stress regime is generated in part by a rotation movement
of the India plate towards the NW and by the loading of the Semail ophiolites being emplaced from the
North (Loosveld et al 1996; Gaina et al 2015). This corresponds to the time of the Al Hawasina nappes
emplacement in Oman (Loosveld et al, 1996).

Figure 4—Late Cretaceous transtension with NW-SE maximum horizontal stress.

The loading of the crust by the Semail Ophiolites has generated a subtle regional outer-arc extension
(Figure 5A). This loading can explain the transtensional stress regime within an overall compressional/
transpressional system. During the emplacement of the Semail Ophiolites, the Permian to Cretaceous marine
sediments involved in the formation of the Hawasina nappes are interpreted to have generated a cushion of
overpressured rocks and act as a detachment layer. This has favored the horizontal translation of the Semail
Ophiolites without generation of any NE-SW compression stresses.

Figure 5—Late Cretaceous boundary conditions generating NW-SE maximum horizontal compression.

At that time, the Zagros and Semail Ophiolites are emplaced from North to South in a similar way. This is
the time of formation of transtensional faults on the northern part of the Arabian plate. These transtensional
SPE-188973-MS 5

faults have been described in Kuwait (Richard et al 2014), in Qatar (Zampetti et al 2014), in Abu Dhabi
(Johnson et al 2002 and 2005; Edwards et al 2005) and in Oman (Filbrandt et al 2006; Al Kindi and Richard
2014). Also, the Late Cretaceous transtensional faults are absent from the Arabian craton (Steward 2016).
It is tempting to draw a line approximately parallel to the Zagros - Oman Mountains limiting the extent of
the transtensional faults (i.e. they are absent southward of this line, (Figure 6). We interpret this observation
as another evidence of the link between the loading of the Zagros- Semail ophiolites and the generation of
the regional transtensional stress regime through plate flexure.

Figure 6—Regional distribution of Late Cretaceous transtensional faults and their relation to the Zagros suture.

The Mid to Late Tertiary phase of deformation (Figure 7) is characterized by a compressional stress
regime with a maximum horizontal stress oriented NE-SW (Loosveld et al 1996; Johnson 2005; Filbrandt
et al 2006; Richard et al 2014). This phase of deformation is regionally referred as Alpine 2 (Filbrandt et
al 2006). This compressional stress regime is primarily caused by the continent to continent collision that
generated the Zagros mountain belt, the Oman mountains, and further North the Himalayans mountains
(collision of India into Asia). This regime is ongoing at present-day and explains the current regional NE-
SW in-situ maximum horizontal stress (Filbrandt et al 2006, Perumalla et al 2014).
During these important tectonic events, the structural development of the fields is strongly controlled by
the reactivation of pre-existing basement lineaments (Johnson et al 2005; Filbrandt et al 2006, Al Kindi and
Richard 2014). The next section describes the architecture of basement lineament and their impact on the
sediment packages during the subsequent deformation phases.
6 SPE-188973-MS

Figure 7—Regional phase of NE-SW compression (Alpine 2, −92 to −63 MY).

Basement fabric and impact on structural growth

A new basement depth Map has been created from magnetic data (Figure 8). The dataset used is a merged
data set of 1980 vintage country-wide airborne survey by Aero-Service Inc. and the 2008 Sander offshore
airborne survey, using spectral depth estimates and manual steering of the gridding process to minimize
interpolation artifacts.

Figure 8—Aeromagnetic data reduced to pole unfiltered (A) and with high pass (100 km) filter (B) compared with Saudi data.

Because of the heterogeneous basement composition, deeper depth estimates are estimated to be related
to the change to crystalline basement (i.e. the deeps could be too deep). Absolute depths of basement
map (Figure 9A) are very uncertain due to lack of calibration, i.e. no basement penetrations in Abu Dhabi
(although the bottom section in one well in the South could be interpreted as low-grade metamorphic
‘economic’ basement). However, overall the basement depth is interpreted to increase towards the NE
(Figure 9A). This is in line with the loading of the crust by the ophiolites as discussed above.
The interpreted basement trends are oriented N-S and NE-SW (Figure 9B). These are consistent with
some trends observed in the magnetic data of the adjacent Rub Al' Khali area (Stewart 2016). Whereas
SPE-188973-MS 7

onshore it is possible to identify potential basement lineaments, in the offshore area it is more difficult. This
is due to the presence of thick salt and numerous salt domes.

Figure 9—Magnetic basement depth map (A) and basement trends interpreted from the magnetic data (B).

The time interval between the deposition of the Nahr Umr and the Simsima corresponds to the major
structural growth of the Late Cretaceous Alpine 1 phase of deformation (Johnson et al 2005: Filbrandt
et al 2006). Thickness variations observed in isochore represents a powerful tool to identify faults and
fold activity. In the case of sedimentary deformation, sediment thickness variations pinpoint the timing of
deformation, and identify which faults and folds were active. The impact of the reactivation of the N-S and
NE-SW basement lineaments described above can be observed on the isochore between the Nahr Umr and
Simsima horizons (Figure 10A). From the NW-SE orientation of the maximum horizontal compression at
the time, it is possible to infer the potential kinematics along the basement lineaments generated under the
regional transtensional stress regime (Figure 10B).

Figure 10—Basement trends impacting in Simsima - Nahr Umr Isochore (A) and potential kinematics
along basement trends associated with the Late Cretaceous transtensional phase of deformation (B).

The N-S lineaments might have been reactivated under a subtle left lateral transpression. If a strong
detachment layer is present, a partitioning of fault motion in compression and strike-slip might have also
occurred (Richard et al 1990). However, we have not been able to observe yet unambiguous kinematic
indicators to confirm this. The only clear indication of left lateral motion has been observed on the Hail salt
dome. This will be illustrated in the section on salt domes below. The patchiness nature of the synclines, with
thicker sediments along the northeastern most N-S lineaments, is interpreted as the impact of the presence
of thick salt.
8 SPE-188973-MS

The NE-SW lineaments are perpendicular to NW-SE Alpine 1 maximum horizontal compression. They
are perfectly oriented to be reactivated in plain strain compression. This explains the formation of broad
anticlines with thinner sediments overall. The detail of the growth of these anticlines has been described
in Johnson et al 2005. We interpret these anticlines as the result of the buttressing of sediments against
pre-existing basement faults. The symmetrical nature of the anticlines is an indication of the presence of
a deep detachment (i.e. thin salt or overpressured shale at the time of deformation). This is in line with
the explanation of Johnson et al 2005 (Figure 11A). How much the basement faults have been reactivated
remains uncertain. A sandbox model of a buttress fold is illustrated in Figure 11B. In this scenario, the
sediments are folded against a pre-existing basement step. However, the basement fault is not inverted. We
realize that the sandbox model is more asymmetric than the actual fold of Abu Dhabi, but nevertheless, it
illustrates the concept of buttress fold.

Figure 11—Potential mechanisms for the formation of the broad NE-SW anticlines. (A) Fold propagation
fold concept (from Johnson et al 2005). (B) Buttress fold against a pre-existing basement high.

The deformation resulting from the Mid to Late Tertiary Alpine 2 phase of deformation can be unraveled
by looking at the Top Rus map (Figure 12). The N-S and NE-SW basement lineaments impacting the Nahr
Umr to Simsima deposition (Figure 10) are also visible in the Top Rus map. However, in the Top Rus
maps, the N-S trends are predominant. This shows that during the Alpine 2 phase of deformation, the N- S
lineament have concentrated more deformation than the NE-SW ones. Kinematically this is logical because
the N-S lineaments are a higher angle to the maximum horizontal stress than the NW-SE ones which are
almost parallel to the maximum horizontal stress.

Figure 12—Basement trends impacting the Top Rus depth structure map (A) and potential kinematics along
basement trends associated with the Mid to Late Tertiary Alpine 2 compressional phase of deformation (B).
SPE-188973-MS 9

From the Alpine 2 NE-SW orientation of the maximum horizontal compression, it is possible to infer
the potential kinematics along the basement lineaments (Figure 12B). The N-S lineaments might have
been reactivated in a subtle right lateral transpressional mode. If a strong detachment layer is present, a
partitioning of fault motion in compression and strike-slip might have also occurred (Richard et al 1990).
However, as for the lack of well-developed Alpine 1 left lateral kinematic indicators, we have not been able
to observe yet unambiguous right lateral kinematic indicators to confirm the movement associated with the
Alpine 2 deformation.
Under the Alpine 2 stress regime, the NE-SW lineaments are aligned almost parallel to the maximum
horizontal compression. If they are reactivated they might have accommodated a bit of left lateral
transpressional deformation. This might be the case for the southeastern most anticline along the NE-SW
lineaments that is clearly visible in the Top Rus depth map (Figure 12).

Structural domains and conceptual fracture models

One of the key inputs used to define the structural domains is the semblance attribute (Figure 13).

Figure 13—ThamamaB semblance sculpting used to define Abu Dhabi structural domains.

Five structural domains (Figure 14) have been defined for Abu Dhabi based on the structural growth, the
fault styles as well as semblance signature on horizon slices and time slices. The structural domains are:
10 SPE-188973-MS

1. Salt halokinesis and salt dome dominated domain

2. N-S compressional structures dominated domain
3. NE-SW compressional structures dominated domain
4. Transtensional fault pattern dominated domain and
5. Compression and uplift dominated domain.
The proposed extent of the Hormuz salt has been is based in part on the area with chaotic distribution
of irregular depocenters visible in the Simsima-Nahr Umr isochore (Figure 14A) as well as the circular
features observed on semblance (Figure 14B). Both are indicative of salt halokinesis. This northern area has
been defined as the "Salt Dome domain". The elongated NE-SW narrow tongue of salt interpreted below
the anticlines has been influenced by the geometry of the anticlines, which is indicative of a detachment
level at depth. The N-S anticline visible in the SW corner on Figure 12 might also be an indication of the
presence of a detachment level at depth. This suggests that a N-S tongue of salt might also be present in
this area. An attempt was made to use the gravity data to refine the extent of the Hormuz salt. The gravity
data highlights the presence of salt domes and salt diapirs but does not allow to define precisely the extend
of the Hormuz salt.

Figure 14—Abu Dhabi structural domains.

The western part characterized by the strong imprint of the N-S basement lineaments and the elongated
N-S sediment growth variations and anticlines has been defined as the "N-S compressional fold domain".
The central part with the strong imprint of the NE-SW basement lineaments and the elongated NW-SE
sediment growth variations and NE-SW long axis anticlines has been defined as the "NE-SW compressional
fold domain". The areas with a strong imprint of transtensional faults but without strong folding nor reverse
faults has been defined as the "Transtension domain". The eastern area with a strong imprint of the Oman
mountains compression in the North and a large amount of uplift and compression in the South has been
SPE-188973-MS 11

defined as the "Compressional and uplift domain". The amount of uplift is illustrated for the mender high
on Figure 15A. The Figure 15B shows a zoom on the geometry of the reverse faults.

Figure 15—Uplift and reverse faults on Mender high.

The characteristics of each structural domain have been summarized in a table (Figure 16) to help defining
some structural elements in the exploration lead definitions. The table includes a notional fracture intensity.
The fracture intensity has been defined by considering 1) the fault density, 2) the geometry of the salt
domes and the anticlines, and 3) the regional trends associated with the Alpine 1 and Alpine 2 phases of
deformation (Figure 17).
12 SPE-188973-MS

Figure 16—Structural domain characteristic summary table.

Figure 17—Regional trend for fracture development. A) Multidirectional horizon curvature highlighting tight
anticlines and salt domes. B) Fracture trends linked to the Alpine 1 and 2 regional phases of deformation.

A multidirectional horizon curvature calculated at a half wavelength of 3 km on the Top Khuff surface
has been used to highlight the tightest salt domes and compressional anticlines. Each structural domain has
been captured by a 3D block diagram (Figure 18 and Figure 19) to help classifying the exploration leads
per domain. The block diagrams aim to illustrate the general fault geometries per domain with en- echelon
faults in map views and the impact of mechanical stratigraphy in cross section. They also help visualize the
varying fault and fracture density at a regional scale.
SPE-188973-MS 13

Figure 18—Structural domains with conceptual fracture diagrams

with ThamamaB semblance colored by depth (red is shallowest).

Figure 19—Regional perspective view of the conceptual fracture diagrams of each structural
domain with ThamamaB semblance colored by depth (red is shallow; blue is deep).

As a first order approximation, it is possible to use the multidirectional horizon curvature at various
scale to highlight the difference between the geometry of the salt domes and the potential fracture density
associated with the salt domes. This is illustrated on Figure 20. Three different wavelengths have been
14 SPE-188973-MS

calculated in the 3D conceptual fracture model. The smallest wavelength highlights the tighter domes. The
larger wavelength highlights the larger domes. A larger amount of flexure related fractures is expected to
occur above the tighter domes. This can be used as an input in the risking of the exploration leads. Some
examples of salt domes with different flexure are shown in the last section below.

Figure 20—Multidirectional horizon curvature used to highlight salt dome with varying strain intensity.

Transtensional fault domain

The transtensional fault domain deserves special attention. Numerous leads have been identified either as 4-
way dip closures associated with compressional pop-up structures and 3-way fault dip closures depending
on fault seal trap elements. To date, the fault seal play has been unsuccessful.
Numerous papers have described the transtensional faults of Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman (Melville et
2004; Edwards et al 2005; Johnson et al 2005; Edwards et al 2006; Filbrandt et al 2006; Zampetti et al
2009; Al Kindi and Richard 2014). The similarity between the transtensional fishnet fault pattern of Abu
Dhabi and Oman is illustrated in Figure 21. The semblance attribute has been draped onto the Thamama
horizon. The fishnet pattern is composed of a WNW-ESE and NW-SW set of en-echelon faults. Along
the WNW-ESE fault zones, the individual faults are organized in a left stepping en-echelon arrangement
indicative of right lateral transtension (see Filbrandt et al 2006 for more details). Along the NW-SE fault
zones, individual faults are organized in a right stepping en-echelon arrangement indicative of left lateral
transtension (see Filbrandt et al 2006 for more details). Both examples from Abu Dhabi and Oman have
been georeferenced precisely to allow comparison of their geometry. The faults patterns on the Lekhwair
high are like the one developed on the Mender high. It is possible however to observe an anticlockwise
rotation of up to 10 degrees from East to West. This is particularly visible on the WNW-ESE trend. The
rotation of the faults is interpreted as a local stress rotation onto the Mender -Lekhwair high at the time of
fault development in the Late Cretaceous.
SPE-188973-MS 15

Figure 21—Abu Dhabi - Oman transtensional fishnet fault pattern consistency.

Sandbox models of transtensional deformation have been carried out to investigate the formation of
these transtensional faults. One of the key question was to assess whether it is necessary to reactivate
preexisting basement faults to generate the transtensional fault systems observed in Oman and Abu Dhabi.
The link or not to deep seated basement faults has a strong implication on hydrocarbon migration routes.
Our investigation using sandbox models (Figure 22B and C, for more details about the experiments see
Filbrandt et al 2006 and 2007) has shown that the transtensional faults can develop fully detached from the
basement under a regional transtensional stress regime.

Figure 22—Detached transtension. A) Fishnet pattern on semblance.

B) Sandbox model top view. C) Sandbox model cross section.

Our observations on seismic cross-section in North Oman (where both overburden and basement can be
observed) have shown that the transtensional faults are not linked to the presence of any basement faults
(Filbrandt et al 2006).
16 SPE-188973-MS

We have observed that the fishnet pattern preferentially developed where the Hormuz salt (in Abu Dhabi)
and the Ara salt (in Oman) is absent or extremely thin (see Al Kindi and Richard 2014 for the regional
distribution of fishnet pattern in the Kharaib formation). We interpret this observation as the result of the
activation of numerous detachment levels (e.g. soft marls, clay, anhydrite layers, strong competency jumps
between layers) in the absence of salt. Faults then developed in vertical arrays forming vertical fault zones
of softly linked (Filbrandt et al 2007) fault segments. The individual fault segments have developed in
individual mechanical units and tend to initiate at the top of the individual mechanical layers and propagate
downwards similarly to what has been observed in sandbox models (Figure 22C). In such systems, the stress
regime will vary from one mechanical unit to the next so as to accommodate the larger scale deformation
imposed by the regional stress regime. Such variation of stress regime has recently been observed at the
interface between two formations of the Paleozoic sequence (G. Backe, personal communication, AAPG
2017 Structural Style Middle East workshop).
Another important question associated with these transtensional fault zones is the amount of displacement
accommodated laterally. We have generated country-wide seismic attribute maps from a seismic mega3D
merge. A total of 38 horizons were extracted to allow horizon-conformable seismic sculpting and stratal
slicing from Pre-Khuff to Aruma. Seismic amplitude (highlighting impedance contrasts), semblance
(highlighting faults and lateral facies changes) and spectral decomposition (highlighting stratigraphy and
facies change) maps were generated at all levels. Observed structural and stratigraphic features (e.g.
clinoforms, platform edges, fault trends, pop-up structures, amplitude anomalies) were validated on seismic
cross-sections. The seismic spectral decomposition attribute highlighting clinoforms and faults are shown
on Figure 23A and B for the Top Habshan and Top Shuaiba horizons respectively. It is possible to observe
that the WNW-ESE transtensional faults systematically offset the clinoforms with a right lateral sense of
movement. It is also possible to quantify the lateral displacement (Figure 24 The right lateral displacement is
in the order of 10's to 100+ m. This amount of displacement is sufficient to generate small pop-up structures
in compressional overlap between en-echelon faults (Figure 25).

Figure 23—Seismic spectral decomposition attribute highlighting clinoforms and faults.

SPE-188973-MS 17

Figure 24—Lateral displacement estimation using clinoform offset highlighted by seismic spectral decomposition attribute.

The geometry of the compressional pop-ups will vary based on the geometry of the overlapping zone,
the distance between overlapping faults as well as the amount of displacement. Figure 25 shows the top
views of a transtensional experiment (with slightly less extension imposed compared to the experiment
above) exhibiting numerous compressional pop-ups. Figure 25A illustrates a known 4-way hydrocarbon
accumulation associated with a compressional pop-up structure. Figure 25B illustrates the early time of
the development of the pop-up structure labelled (1) on Figure 25C. Initially, a subtle 4-way dip closure
developed that progressively developed into several combined faulted dip closures at the junction between
the conjugate set of transtensional faults.
18 SPE-188973-MS

Figure 25—Example of pop-up structures developed along transtensional fault zones. A) 4-way dip closure field example
with dimmed amplitude. B) Early evolution stage of pop-up structure in sandbox model. C) Top view of sandbox model
with numerous compressional pop-up structures developed at the compressional overlaps between en-echelon faults.

The Top Structure map shown on Figure 26 illustrates the analogy with the sandbox model. From a
lead risking point of view, it is important to assess each pop-up structure in term of trap geometry such as
unfaulted 4-way dip closure, faulted 4-way dip closures, or 3-way faulted dip closures.

Figure 26—Comparison between (A) Top ThamamaF structure map and (B) Top view of pop-up structure sandbox experiment.

From our experience in carbonate fields in the Middle East, in general faults do not seal at geological
time scale. The increased amount of faulting results in an increased risk of seal integrity both vertically and
laterally depending on the geometry of the leads. In case of a faulted dip closure, the thickness of the top seal
becomes critical to estimate whether a 4-way dip closure exists or not. A large amount of pop-up structures
has been identified along the transtensional fault zones. Each pop-up structure identified will be the subject
of detailed structural and seismic investigation before they can be turned into drillable prospects.
SPE-188973-MS 19

Salt dome domain

Special attention was given to the salt dome structural domain because it contains numerous 4-way dip
closures above salt domes. Figure 27 illustrates the variation of magnitude of folding above the salt domes.
The amount of folding above the salt domes has a direct impact on the amount of fracturing and faulting
that has developed in the reservoirs.

Figure 27—Example of salt domes with varying folding magnitude.

To properly risk the leads associated with the salt domes, it is important to understand the timing of the
development with respect to reservoir deposition, as well as the stress regime under which the salt dome
has grown. The latter can influence the geometry of the fault that have developed above the dome (Yamada
et al 2005). An example of a salt dome with en-echelon faults (visible on semblance time slice) parallel
to the long axis of the dome is shown on Figure 28. The right-stepping en-echelon nature of the faults is
consistent with a deformation under the Alpine 1 transtension with NW-SE maximum horizontal stress.
This observation, combined with observations of sediment thickness variations above and around the dome,
can be used to precisely time the formation of the 4-way dip closures. The orientation of small scale faults
and fractures that will impact on the production performance of the fields can be estimated using the stress
orientation at the time of the dome formation (or rejuvenation) and the geometry of the salt dome itself. This
has been investigated with some sandbox models (Figure 28). In the absence of strong stress anisotropy,
faults and fractures tend to develop parallel to the long axis of the salt dome. In the case of circular diapirs,
so called "radial fault patterns" might develop. However, one needs to be careful not to over-interpreted
radial fault patterns. Often, fault patterns are limited to three orientation families forming triple junctions.
The Jebel Madar anticline, located in North Oman to the south of the Oman Mountains, is a perfect analogue
of what might be the faulting above a buried salt dome (Figure 28).
20 SPE-188973-MS

Figure 28—Seismic and sandbox examples of fault patterns developed above salt domes.
The geometry of the dome and the stress regime under which the salt dome has grown
have a direct impact on the fracture and fault geometry developed in the reservoir.

Figure 29—Jebel Madar, North Oman. Example of triple junction formed by 3 grabens on top of a salt dome.

The timing of initiation of the salt domes is difficult to unravel because seismic quality is deteriorating
with depth and does not allow observations of sediment growth below the Khuff. It is however possible to
extract learnings from the salt domes in South Oman and the salt dome and diapirs in North Oman. The
overall tectonic evolution of the Ghaba Salt Basin in Oman is thought to be similar to the evolution of
the salt dome domain of Abu Dhabi. The South Oman Salt Basin is key to understand the early Paleozoic
evolution of the Ghaba Salt basin. A summary of the learning from Oman is shown on Figure 30. Details
about Oman salt halokinesis directly applicable to Abu Dhabi can be found in Al Barwani and McClay
2008, Peters et al 2003 and Kindi and Richard 2014. In summary, shortly after the deposition of the Ara salt
(Hormuz salt equivalent), some topography was generated at the top salt by a relatively long phase of down
SPE-188973-MS 21

building triggered primarily by heterogenous sedimentation (Figure 30B and 29D and 20E). We could not
unravel the potential impact of differential compaction of the pre-salt sequences nor the impact of tectonic
activity. This has generated numerous salt bodies of various sizes and geometries and an heterogenous
top salt topography. This is illustrated by the oblique view of the Top silicon layer on Figure 30F and the
present-day top salt depth 3D view on Figure 30G. This phase of salt halokinesis stopped around the time
of deposition of the Khuff formation (Figure 30A). The salt domes were subsequently rejuvenated at the
time of Alpine 1. At that time, some diapirs pieced to the surface (see Peters et al 2003). Others did not
pierce but faults developed caused by the outer-arc extension above the squeezed dome, as illustrated by
the sandbox model on Figure 30C.

Figure 30—Salt dome development - Learnings from Oman salt diapirs.

In addition to the faulting and fracturing and timing of development discussed above, the multidirectional
horizon curvature attributes displayed on Figure 17 and Figure 20 will be used as input in the ranking of
the leads in the salt dome domain.

Key learnings
The Late Cretaceous transtension and Late Tertiary compression are the most important phases for
deformation and for the generation of structural leads in Abu Dhabi. The transtensional Late Cretaceous
and compressional Tertiary phases of deformation had a NW-SE and compressional NE-SW maximum
horizontal stress, respectively. A strong imprint of N-S and NE-SW basement fabric has been observed
on the large anticlinal structure development. These basement lineaments have been revisited with
aeromagnetic data at large scale, including learnings from Saudi to the South.
Five structural style domains have been defined based on the dominant structures and their evolution
interpreted from semblance data and multi-directional horizon curvature: Salt domes; NE-SW anticlines;
N-S anticlines; Transtensional faults; Large uplift. Conceptual 3D diagrams capturing the overall fracture
development have been generated for each domain. The Late Cretaceous transtensional faults are interpreted
as being detached from basement structures. This has been demonstrated using sandbox analogue
experiments and seismic analogues from Oman. The small amount of displacement accommodated on these
faults has been estimated by the lateral offset of well imaged clinoforms on spectral decomposition stratal
slices. The salt domes and salt diapirs from Oman can be used as analogue to understand the evolution of
the salt domes and diapirs of Abu Dhabi.
22 SPE-188973-MS

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the management from ADNOC and Shell Global Solutions International
B.V. for granting permission to publish this work. We also like to thank Matthias Braun for his continuous
support and contribution during the study. We thank our colleagues at ADNOC and Shell for their
contributions and fruitful lively discussions

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