Variable stress orientations in the offshore Nile Delta: The role of salt as a mechanical detachment horizon

Author

Weicheng Zhang

Keywords and Phrases

Finite element analysis; Gravity gliding salt; Nile Delta; Stress orientations

Abstract

"The offshore Nile Delta is characterized by variations of the maximum horizontal stress orientation in subsalt and supra-salt sequences. Margin-parallel SH, typical for tertiary deltas, is observed for regions that are below or do not contain evaporites. In sequences underlain by evaporates pre-dominantly margin-normal SH is observed. This observation yielded the first conclusive in situ evidence that salt acts as a mechanical detachment layer. In this study, 3D finite element analysis (FEA) is used to simulate the total stress distribution in the offshore Nile Delta featuring evaporate sequences. Several parameters such as different salt sequence geometries, friction coefficient on faults, and salt viscosity are considered. The numerical modeling results are used to evaluate if possible basal drag forces or mechanical property contrast effect induced by gravitational gliding result in varying stress orientations and if the observed stress orientations in the Nile Delta can be explained and correlated by the numerical modeling results. Implication of the modeling results for hydrocarbon production will be analyzed and discussed."--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Eckert, Andreas

Committee Member(s)

Nygaard, Runar
Hogan, John Patrick

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Petroleum Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2016

Pagination

xi, 80 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 75-79).

Geographic Coverage

Nile River Delta, Egypt

Rights

© 2016 Weicheng Zhang, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Thrust faults (Geology) -- Mathematical modelsStratigraphic traps (Petroleum geology) -- Egypt -- Nile River DeltaFinite element method

Thesis Number

T 10901

Electronic OCLC #

952601001

Recommended Citation

Zhang, Weicheng, "Variable stress orientations in the offshore Nile Delta: The role of salt as a mechanical detachment horizon" (2016). Masters Theses. 7531.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/7531