POTENTIALITY OF BLACK SHALES IN EGYPTBLACK SHALES IN EGYPT

Fekry Youssef Undersecretary for mineral resourcesUndersecretary for mineral resources ,

ministry of petroleum, Egypt .

Egypt has two gypsubstantial

resources of

11-- SafagaSafaga--QusierQusier ,, EasternEastern DesertDesert

black shale

gg ,,22-- AbuAbu Tartur,Tartur, WesternWestern DesertDesert

Main localities of oil shale in Egypt

Black Shale Of Safaga & Qusier

BlackBlack ShaleShale isis restrictedrestrictedithith h h th h t b db d ii ththwithwith phosphatephosphate bedbed inin thethe

upperupper cretaceouscretaceous andand itsitsrecordedrecorded atat thethe upperupper partspartsrecordedrecorded atat thethe upperupper partspartsofof QusierQusier formation,formation, DuwiDuwiformationformation andand thethe lowerlowerpartpart ofof DakhlaDakhla formationformation..

PREVIOUS STUDIES AND PRESENT STATUS

Mustafa and Ghaly (1964) studied three samples of black shale from Abu Mustafa and Ghaly (1964) studied three samples of black shale from Abu Tundoub, Duwi and Nekheil mines in Quseir area. They determined 22%Tundoub, Duwi and Nekheil mines in Quseir area. They determined 22%Tundoub, Duwi and Nekheil mines in Quseir area. They determined 22% Tundoub, Duwi and Nekheil mines in Quseir area. They determined 22% TOC.TOC.

The German scientists of the Berlin Technical University contributed muchThe German scientists of the Berlin Technical University contributed muchThe German scientists of the Berlin Technical University contributed much The German scientists of the Berlin Technical University contributed much to the geology of the Upper Cretaceous black shale in Egypt, particularly to the geology of the Upper Cretaceous black shale in Egypt, particularly during the period from 1983 to 1987. during the period from 1983 to 1987.

Detailed distribution of Detailed distribution of black shale in Quseirblack shale in Quseir--Safaga landstretch and Safaga landstretch and shoreline of the Thysisshoreline of the Thysisshoreline of the Thysis shoreline of the Thysis during Upper Cretaceous during Upper Cretaceous

Berlin Technical University GroupBerlin Technical University Group

1. Robison and Troger (1983); The Fischer assay yield of black 1. Robison and Troger (1983); The Fischer assay yield of black shale samples from Quseir, Hamrawein and Safaga is high (up shale samples from Quseir, Hamrawein and Safaga is high (up to 40 gal/ton) suggesting considerable potential as oil shale. to 40 gal/ton) suggesting considerable potential as oil shale.

2. Troger (1984) reported new data on the Fischer assay yield of 2. Troger (1984) reported new data on the Fischer assay yield of the organicthe organic--rich Cretaceous strata in Quseirrich Cretaceous strata in Quseir--Safaga (20Safaga (20--45 45 gal/ton) and determined 5.7% as maximum gas amount.gal/ton) and determined 5.7% as maximum gas amount. HeHegal/ton) and determined 5.7% as maximum gas amount.gal/ton) and determined 5.7% as maximum gas amount. He He estimated the total volume of oil that can be extracted from the estimated the total volume of oil that can be extracted from the black shales of Quseirblack shales of Quseir--Safaga area to be 4.5 billion bbl (!).Safaga area to be 4.5 billion bbl (!).

3 G (1984) i d h h i b d3 G (1984) i d h h i b d3. Ganz (1984) mentioned that the organic carbon does not 3. Ganz (1984) mentioned that the organic carbon does not exceed 6%, while sulphur range between 2 and 5%. The soluble exceed 6%, while sulphur range between 2 and 5%. The soluble organic matter (SOM) varies between 550 and 6600 ppm with organic matter (SOM) varies between 550 and 6600 ppm with bitumen ratio between 18 and 99 7bitumen ratio between 18 and 99 7bitumen ratio between 18 and 99.7.bitumen ratio between 18 and 99.7.

Khaled, et al., (1987) studied the extractable organic matter in the Khaled, et al., (1987) studied the extractable organic matter in the black shale belonging to the Duwi Formation in Quseirblack shale belonging to the Duwi Formation in Quseir--Safaga Safaga area and determined the total organic carbon content to be from area and determined the total organic carbon content to be from 3.4 to 9.1% while the extractable fraction is only from 1.5 to 1.9%. 3.4 to 9.1% while the extractable fraction is only from 1.5 to 1.9%.

ElEl--Kammar, et al., (1990) discovered a vanadiumKammar, et al., (1990) discovered a vanadium--rich zone in the rich zone in the black shale just capping the economic phosphate bed in Quseir black shale just capping the economic phosphate bed in Quseir area They called this vanadiumarea They called this vanadium--rich black shale as therich black shale as thearea. They called this vanadiumarea. They called this vanadium rich black shale as the rich black shale as the "vanadiferous zone"."vanadiferous zone". This zone contains up to 0.45% V, 0.4% Zn, This zone contains up to 0.45% V, 0.4% Zn, 300 ppm Cd and 40 to 60 ppm uranium (i.e., it is 300 ppm Cd and 40 to 60 ppm uranium (i.e., it is HOT SHALEHOT SHALE))

ElEl--Kammar (1993) studied the organic and inorganic composition of Kammar (1993) studied the organic and inorganic composition of the Upper Cretaceousthe Upper Cretaceous--Lower Tertiary black shales in all Egypt. The Lower Tertiary black shales in all Egypt. The pppp y gypy gypfollowing are short notes on his conclusions on the organic following are short notes on his conclusions on the organic geochemistry: geochemistry:

LOCALITYLOCALITY CALORIFIC VALUECALORIFIC VALUE (kcal/kg)Abu Shegiela mine sampleAbu Shegiela mine sample 705705N kh il iN kh il i 23602360Nekheil mineNekheil mine 23602360Nasser mineNasser mine 12511251Abu Tundub mineAbu Tundub mine 11801180Abu Tartur mineAbu Tartur mine 15531553Abu Tartur mine low scarpAbu Tartur mine low scarp 903903Edmonstond (Dakhla) Edmonstond (Dakhla) surfacesurface 14291429

Abu Tartur (Dakhla)Abu Tartur (Dakhla) surfacesurface 14521452Abu Tartur (Dakhla) Abu Tartur (Dakhla) surfacesurface 14521452

2. ABU TARTUR MINEThe available data on the hydrocarbon potential of Abu Tartur area The available data on the hydrocarbon potential of Abu Tartur area are insufficient, but rare for black shales of Dakhlaare insufficient, but rare for black shales of Dakhla

Abu Tartur PlateauAbu Tartur Plateau

Weathering zone Weathering zone of sulfides and of sulfides and hydrocarbonshydrocarbons

The subsurface section of Abu The subsurface section of Abu Tart r meas res more thanTart r meas res more thanTartur measures more than Tartur measures more than 80m black shales belonging to 80m black shales belonging to Dakhla Formation and more Dakhla Formation and more than 20m of black shale than 20m of black shale belonging to Duwi Formation. belonging to Duwi Formation. However, there is no data on However, there is no data on the hydrocarbons of these the hydrocarbons of these shales except those collectedshales except those collectedshales, except those collected shales, except those collected from the mines (i.e., only the from the mines (i.e., only the ceiling of the mine gallery). ceiling of the mine gallery).

After El-Kammar, et al. (1982)

Stratigraphical Stratigraphical section of the Upper section of the Upper CretaceousCretaceous--Lower Lower Tertiary in EgyptTertiary in Egypt

The black shales, whether belonging to Duwi Fm or Dakhla Fm extend over The black shales, whether belonging to Duwi Fm or Dakhla Fm extend over very vast area in the Western Desert: From Kharga (East) to Edmonstone very vast area in the Western Desert: From Kharga (East) to Edmonstone (West) and from Kharga (North) to Dungul (South). It is a giant belt.(West) and from Kharga (North) to Dungul (South). It is a giant belt.

Temraz (2005) studied the carbonaceous shale in Egypt, especially those Temraz (2005) studied the carbonaceous shale in Egypt, especially those of the Carboniferous, Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary. His of the Carboniferous, Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary. His surfacesurfacesamplessamples are defined as immature for hydrocarbon generation with a fair are defined as immature for hydrocarbon generation with a fair potential of kerogen type III.potential of kerogen type III.

Geological map of Quseir area

N

G. Hamrawin

Nasser

In general, it can be stated that the "Duwi Range" and its In general, it can be stated that the "Duwi Range" and its surroundings are target for this oil shale.surroundings are target for this oil shale.

GebelGebel Duwi

The black shales of the KhargaThe black shales of the Kharga--Dakhla landstretch Dakhla landstretch need to be need to be assessed especially those of the Dakhla Formation. Drilling for assessed especially those of the Dakhla Formation. Drilling for assessed espec a y t ose o t e a a o at o g oassessed espec a y t ose o t e a a o at o g oevaluating the quantity and quality of hydrocarbons in the giant evaluating the quantity and quality of hydrocarbons in the giant KhargaKharga--Dakhla plateau (including Abu Tartur) is recommended.Dakhla plateau (including Abu Tartur) is recommended.

The thickness of the black shales belonging only to the Dakhla The thickness of the black shales belonging only to the Dakhla Formation is measured to be about 80 m in Abu Tartur but Formation is measured to be about 80 m in Abu Tartur but increases to more than 200 in Gifata and Edmonstone. The type increases to more than 200 in Gifata and Edmonstone. The type ypypand amount of the hydrocarbons of suck black shale are not yet and amount of the hydrocarbons of suck black shale are not yet determined. determined.

The black shales of the weathered lower member of the Dakhla The black shales of the weathered lower member of the Dakhla Formation in Edmonstone give relatively high calorific value Formation in Edmonstone give relatively high calorific value higher than 1400 kcal/kg.higher than 1400 kcal/kg.

These data, besides the thickness of black shale, oval shape These data, besides the thickness of black shale, oval shape and accessibility point to possible potentiality of hydrocarbons and accessibility point to possible potentiality of hydrocarbons in the Edmonstone Core drilling and analysis of freshin the Edmonstone Core drilling and analysis of freshin the Edmonstone. Core drilling and analysis of fresh in the Edmonstone. Core drilling and analysis of fresh samples is needed. samples is needed.

The thickness of the black shales increases westward to The thickness of the black shales increases westward to exceeds 200m in Edmonstone, north west Dakhla town. exceeds 200m in Edmonstone, north west Dakhla town. However, there is almost no data on the quality or quantity However, there is almost no data on the quality or quantity of the hydrocarbons of these considerably thick black of the hydrocarbons of these considerably thick black shalesshalesshales.shales.

Edmonstone:Is case study and good start

Oval shape with an area of about 5km2, and very close to the asphalted road

The limestone cap is reduced in thickness

The thickness of the black shales exceeds 200 meters.

No available data on the hydrocarbon potential in this area, except data on few surfacesurfacesample (unpublished) give calorific value 1500, and the estimated maximum temperature (Tmax)= 450oC

C l d bl k h lColorado black shale

G b l Gif t D khl iGebel Gifata, Dakhla oasis

Current studies

seven wells drilled in the el quser area , red sea region and the result

First well at Abu First well at Abu t tt ttartur areatartur area

Core sample

correlation between correlation between the new well and oldthe new well and oldthe new well and old the new well and old

wellswells

First exploratory well at Read Sea (osr-1)

Read Sea

So far been discovered geological reserve is estimated at about 8.7 billion tons of oil shale, including heat content equivalent to about 5 billion barrels of oil, heat value, considering that the economic limit the user in the world so far is 750 k Cal / kg .

Gabel Duwi osr-1 & osr-6Gabel Duwi osr 1 & osr 6

Area: 120 km 2 Well depth: 400 mil h l 57 billioil shale reserve : 57 billion tons

(gross)8.1 billion tons of thermal content

f iof economic 4.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent

ABU Shegala Area (Osr-2)ABU Shegala Area (Osr-2)

Area: 3 km 2 Well depth: 160 moil shale reserve : 6 billion tons

(gross)(gross)2 billion tons of thermal content

of economic 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent1 billion barrels of oil equivalent

West Youns Area Osr-3West Youns Area Osr-3

Area: 3 km 2 Well depth: 160 moil shale reserve : 5 billion tons (gross)4 billion tons of thermal content of economic4 billion tons of thermal content of economic 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent

Zog El Behar ( Osr-5 )Zog El Behar ( Osr-5 )

Area: 5.5 km 2 W ll d th 250Well depth: 250 moil shale reserve : 2.1 billion tons (gross)4 billion tons of thermal content of economic 25 billion barrels of oil equivalent

He who rides the sea of the Nile must have sails woven of patience “Old Egyptian proverb”patience Old Egyptian proverb