SPE 117405

Conditions of Forming and Geological Specifics of Non-structural Traps in

the Ordovician Deposits of the Illizi Basin (The Algerian Sahara)
Dmitry Y. Golovanov, SPE/"Rosneft" Research and Technical Cenntre LLC
Valery A. Rusacov, SPE/"Rosneft" Project Management Department

Copyright 2008, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2008 SPE Russian Oil & Gas Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Moscow, Russia, 28–30 October 2008.

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 of the paper have not been
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Abstract
The exploratory works in oil-and-gas bearing basins of the Northern Africa were commenced as early as in the middle
of the 20th century. One of the most important and probably the most examined oil-and-gas bearing basins in Algeria is the
Illizi basin. In 50 years of the prospecting exploratory works in the territory of the Illizi basin with the area of 108 424 km2
more than 700 exploration and deliniations wells were drilled leading to discovery of more than 100 oil (57) and gas (49)
fields with the total geological resources of more than 1.7x109 m3 of oil and more than 582x109 m3 of gas. The largest deposits
discovered here are Tin Fouye and the Ohanet group of deposits.
According to estimates of specialists (B. Gougam; M.EH Boumghar. Sonatrach-Exploration / Boumerdes-Algeria),
the oil-and-gas bearing potential of the Illizi basin may reach up to 40 million tons of oil and up to 8500 billion m3 of gas,
where up to 70% of gas and 20% of oil trapped in the Cambrian-Ordovician reservoirs. Even agreeing with the fact that these
estimates are substantially overstated, this territory still remains to be attractive. This can be judged based on the dense
distribution of the discovered reserves of hydrocarbons compared with the degree of the knowledge.
According to investigations of Macgregor and Traut (D. S. Macgregor. Giant petroleum fields of Algeria, 1998, M.
Traut at al., Exploratory history of the Palaeozoic petroleum systems, 1998), the main quantity of the deposits discovered in
the Illizi basin are referred to structural (simple anticlines, tectonically restricted anticlines) and / or, to lesser extent, to
combined traps. Complex depositional stratigraphical traps, and their alike, so called «subtle traps», which as a rule are
confined to the Cambrian-Ordovician deposits, are an object of close attention of the companies, which carry out exploratory
works in this territory.
One of the main problems during prospecting works related to complex Cambrian-Ordovician traps is sharp lithic
variability of the cross section against the background of an intricately built structural stratigraphical complex on the whole.
This issue was shown in many pappers based both on the regional correlation of key wells and on interconnecting the data
describing the outcrops with data of the wells.
The basis of this article is the materials obtained by Rosneft-Stroytransgas Limited (RN-STG ltd) during prospecting
exploratory works in the central part of the basin and analysed jointly with published materials and data of special
investigations. As a result, stratification of the Cambrian-Ordovician deposits of the central part of the basin in its northern has
been clarified in its northern closure, and the rocks were characterized and the propagation of their collect collecting properties
was predicted. The below presented are the main obtained results, and also some conclusions with respect to the principle
moments related to distinguishing and mapping of non-structural traps of such type.
Introduction
The object of this investigation is the Gara Teeselit area, which is located in the Illizi basin central part referred to the
Palaeozoic sedimentation basins of the Algerian Sahara (Figure 1).
Investigation of this territory started in the end of the 50s of the XX century from works of the French companies
CEP and CREPS, and then, from 1961, continued mainly by the Algerian national company SONATRACH. From 1991 the
works continued in association with Anadarko Company, and from 2001 - with RN-STG ltd. Totally fulfilled during the period
of investigations in this territory were nearly 7000 running km of 2D seismicity, more than 500 km2 of 3D seismicity, and 18
holes were drilled; 8 pools of hydrocarbons were discovered in 5 areas. Among them - 6 pools in three deposits were
discovered during the last 6 years by the works performed by RN-STG ltd.
2 SPE 117405

The cross section of the sedimentary cover is represented by terrigenous rocks of the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and
Cainozoic ages.
The main oil and gas column in this territory is the Lower Palaeozoic one represented by the Ordovician deposits, and
the Middle Palaeozoic one built by formation F6 of the Late Silurian - Early Devonian age. They were formed in different
climatic, geodynamic and tectonic conditions, are divided by a number of regional unconformities related to the orogenic
epochs, and also by a thick (300-500 m) Lower Silurian clay stratum in whose foundation bed there are regionally aged
graptolite argillites, which are saturated with organics and are the main oil-source stratum.
The modern structural plan of the territory represents a gentle monocline plunging to north-east and complicated by
two regional fault systems of Takuazet and Gara Tesselit (Figure 2).
Practically all significant anticline structures in the Gara Tesselit area were prepared and drilled, without positive
results though. The made discoveries are mainly confined to traps related to large faults.
Beds of F6 stratum possess a good potential to find accumulations of hydrocarbons in traps of the structural tectonic
type, but the active hydrodynamic regime of the beds and the size of the structures do not make possible to hope for relatively
large discoveries.
Collectors of the Ordovician stratum are characterized by bad, strongly changeable filtration and capacitance
properties; this often imparts to the lithic-stratigraphical and tectonic factors a leading role in forming the traps. In addition to
that, this territory, starting from the Late Proterozoic and until now is located in the area of apparent regional and global
tectonic processes expressed both in the wide development of disjunctive, frequently reactivated displacements and in the
abundance local and regional unconformities and wash-outs manifested in the cross section. All the above makes the
Ordovician deposits extremely interesting for geological investigation and attractive for search of large non-structural traps of
the lithic-stratigraphical and tectonically screened types.

Paleozoic history of the Illizi basin

From the west from the east the Illizi basin is bounded by the sub-longitudinally oriented elevations of Amguid el
Biod and Tihemboka Arch; in the north, through the Ahara saddle, it borders with the Triassic basin of Berkine. In the south
the Illizi basin rocks occur on rocks of the crystalline massif of Hoggar, which is built by the Archaean-Proterozoic formations
and by the Triassic sub-igneous and igneous units.
The basin’s foundation is disturbed by sub-longitudinal faults that frequently form regional zones such as the
Fondoun trend, the Tesselit fault system or Hassi Touareg, which were probably embedded in the pre-Cambrian time and are
structure-forming elements repeatedly reactivated during the main orogenic epochs.
The events, which are related to the Pan-African Tectogenesis, have finished here in the Cambrian period by forming
of a number of large elevations divided by sub-longitudinally oriented grabens, which expand to north and are composed of
molasse deposits. During the Cambrian the territory was subjected to substantial erosion with levelling of the relief and to
forming of a vast pediplen.
Another important structural element, which controls the Earlier Palaeozoic basins of the Algerian Sahara from the
north, is an ancient sub-lateral subduction boundary. Located along it, from the side of the ancient African platform were
island arcs and behind-arc elevations. The supposition about the island-arc elevation in the north is based on the presence of
basalt flows, tuffites and tufa-sandstones in the cross sections of the Tremadocian clay formation El Gasi in the area of Hassi
Messaud and in the Libyan basins.
Summarizing the data regarding the regional investigation of the Palaeozoic basins in the Algerian Sahara, it is
possible to imagine in brief the following stages of their development:
1. Formation of the Palaeozoic basins was preceded by the Pan-African folding with forming of a folded belt between
the West African craton and the East African shield that led to laying of sub-longitudinal structures and faults and forming of
mountainous relief. Active peditrapping followed then.
2. Manifested on the border of the Vendian and Cambrian is rift genesis with forming of basins of the pull-apart type
and the sinrift sedimentation. There possible is forming of a subduction zone, which borders the North African basins from the
north. The rift genesis was probably related to right-side stretching. The faults were supposedly of the NNE-SSW trend;
separately isolated is a group of faults of the NW (NNW)-SE (SSE) trend, frequently are lystric. There happens is forming of
large echelon diamond-shaped depressions, which steep towards north. Unstable tectonic conditions lead to sharp variations of
thicknesses near fault zones. In the northern border of the marginal basins the manifestation of the active volcanic activities is
related to island arcs.
3. Post-rift filling of basins (O.) Happens in the Early Ordovician is relative stabilization of tectonic movements and
filling of basins of the marginal and behind-arc seas at a relatively levelled relief. There marked is soft tectonic reconstruction
with reactivation of faults during the Arenig, Karadok and Llandoveriy times. These stages of the activity are often
emphasized by unconformities.
During the Ordovician period of the territory’s development it is possible to distinguish three main stages: Tremadoc-
Arenig, Arenig-Llandale and Caradocian-Ashgil.
SPE 117405 3

The Earlier Ordovician (Tremadoc - beginning of Arenig) starts from the sequential downwarping of the territory that
led to replacement of continental precipitations by coastal ones, and then also to flooding of the whole territory with forming
of deep-sea clays of the Argiles d’El Grassi formation.
Connected with the beginning of the Arenig-Llandale stage is shallowing of the sea and replacement of deep-sea clays
by deltaic and bar sandstones of a shallow sea basin with very small inclination of the bottom.
By the end of the Arenig – beginning of the Llandale age there happened a new flooding of the basin with its further
filling by coastal sediments.
Beginning of the completing Caradocian-Ashgil cycle of the Ordovician is connected with the Taconian tectonic
activation and with the Late Ordovician glaciation. Recession of the sea level and the climate change led to erosion of the
relief, and the subsequent thawing of the glacier - to filling of incised valleys, levelling of the relief and flooding of the
territory.
4. The Silurian submersion of the whole northern part of Gondwana led to forming of vast sea basins of the paleotetis.
The maximum downwarping and flooding of the territory of the basins is registered in appearance of the formation of
graptolite argillites (Argiles a Graptolites) represented by aleuritic micaceous shales dated from the Llandovern to the Venlok
(and even Ludov in the most emerged parts). The deposits were built in no-oxygen conditions in depressions of the basins
relief.
5. The next stage is related to shallowing and filling of the basin by sea, shallow and coastal sediments of the Silurian.
The very tops of the cross section are cut-off by the Caledonian by the Caledonian surface of unconformity.
6. The border of the Silurian and Devonian is connected with tectonic events registered as a border of the Caledonian
unconformity. The South-Eastern part of the Illizi basin was elevated with the basin centre shifted in the North-Western
direction and significant recession of the sea level. This led to forming of wide incised valleys composed by coarse-grained
sandstones of horizon C1 of channel and deltaic bars.
The transgression that followed in the Prague times has led to levelling of the relief and filling of the basin by coastal
sediments. The transgression culmination during the Fransk times is probably connected with the tectonic reconstruction and
flooding of the territory with forming of open-sea facies and shallow lagoons of horizons F6/4/3.
Numerous local unconformities are a sign of beginning of the tectonic stage, which took place over a period of the
whole Late Silurian and Earlier Devonian. The main elevation, which has happened during the Caledonian folding, ended with
intensive erosion and levelling of most structures.
7. In the end of the carboniferous times (the Hercynian folding) the Palaeozoic Illizi basin was subjected to substantial
reconstruction with inversion and further partial erosion western part. The territory was inclined in the northern direction and
filled by sediments of the Triassic. Subsequent tectonic movements were manifested during the Barremian (the Austrian
unconformity) and Miocene times (Plio-Pleistocene unconformity).

Stratigraphy of the Lower Palaeozoic stratum of the Gara Tesselit area

At the beginning of the Palaeozoic stratum forming the area of the investigations was within a marginal, possibly
behind-arc basin. Depression of the paleo-relief within the Gara Tesselit area is observed in the south-western direction.
Located in the east was a large mountain range one of whose ridges could border it from the north-east and possibly - from the
north. It is not excluded that existing in the north there could be a range of islands. The paleo-relief was quite clearly
controlled by two systems of faults oriented in the NE and NW directions.
From 18 wells drilled in the area only 12 have stripped the whole cross section of the sedimentary cover down to the
foundation. The data regarding these wells tied with the seismic profiles have allowed us to restore the structure and history of
the Cambrian-Ordovician deposits forming in the area where our investigations were carried out. The stratification, position of
sedimentation and stratigraphical boundaries and other peculiarities of the structure were studied according to the FMI data.
The mineralogical makeup and the internal structure of the rocks have been determined according to petrographical
investigations of the thin sections. Data regarding the porosity, permeability and saturation have been obtained according to
laboratory analyses of the core samples and data of the ELAN interpretation.
The foundation rocks stripped by the wells are composed by leukogranites and granite-gneisses, and the border
between the foundation rocks is usually erosive. Overlying the foundation surface are multiple-aged rocks from the Arenig to
the Caradocian times. So, it is possible to assume that right to the end of the Cambrian this territory was higher than the
accumulation area, which was most probably situated south-west and north of that and was subjected to quite deep erosion.
The Tremadoc-Arenig cycle of sedimentation (Unit III-1/2, SMST)
We refer the most ancient rocks of the Gara Tesselit area to Unit III-1/2 of the Tremadoc-Arenig times. They were
stripped by wells only in the south-western part of the territory; however, according to the prospecting seismology data it is
possible to assume presence of remnants of this stratum in the western and south-south-eastern regions of the area. Rocks of
this stratum occur directly on the foundation erosion surface.
The interval is represented by a series of thick (8-25 m) incision each-other layers of sandstone with large parallel
oblique stratification, which such layers form a quite monotonous stratum with the total thickness of up to 100-180 metres.
Observed in the cross section is frequent interstratification of sandstone and thin interlayers of sandy aleurolite and argillites,
4 SPE 117405

which emphasize the sedimentation and stratigraphical boundaries. The boundaries of crossbedded series have a gentle
(approximately 2-4º) dip predominantly in the north-north-eastern (from 317º to 67º) direction.
The comparison of the sections stripped in the wells with exposure of sediments of the Lower Ordovician onto the
Djanet plateau (400 km south of the examined area) is shown in Figure 4.

The petrographic composition of the rocks regularly changes up the cross section from the formation member of
substantially clay-mudded, inequigranular, poorly rounded sandstones with abundance of mountain rock fragments to medium-
grained, moderately sorted quartzitic arenites with average roundness (Figure 5). Also referred to peculiarities of this
formation member could be the development of regeneration quartz in the main part of the cross section, and also appearance
of microporosity due to development of kaolinite. The clay component also changes bottom-up the cross section from the
illite-chloritic to the predominant kaolinite-illite one.
Based on the obtained data, the forming of the examined stratum is connected with filling of a vast coastal valley with
a very gentle levelled relief where at the active dynamic regime of the environment and abundance of the supplied detritus
there formed are large dunes and antidunes. We refer these deposits to the lower coastal system tract (SMST) of the sicvention.
Its lower border is probably connected with the involvement of this territory to the general downwarping of the Illizi basin in
the Earlier Ordovician and with the beginning of sedimentation in this territory.
Unfortunately, no age of these rocks in our territory was determined. On the conditions of forming and on the
structure of the cross section, the author has conditionally referred these deposits to undifferentiated sediments of Unit III-2/1.
However, at more detailed correlation of the cross section with analogous exposures in the Djanet province and accounting for
the analysed data of the prospecting seismology we can refer the lower formation member of more clayey rocks to tops of the
Gres D’El Atchane suite (tops of Unit III-1), and the main part of the stratum – to the Banquett suite (the very Unit III-2).
The upper border of the undifferentiated stratum of Unit III-2/1 is transgression and is fixed [registered?] by the
maximum flooding surface (MFS). However, in the central and east-north-eastern parts of the area the overlying rocks of the
Arenig-Llandale age are partially or completely eroded, and located in heir place in the cross section are the Caradocian-
Ashgill sandstones.
The Arenig-Llandale cycle of sedimentation (the stratum of Unit III-3)
Located up the cross section is the stratum of Unit III-3 (analogue of the In Tahouite formation). It is referred to the
Arenig-Llandale transgression-regression cycle. The most complete cross section of Unit III-3 was stripped by two wells in the
north-western and south-western parts of the Gara Tesselit area.
Deposits of Unit III-3 transgressively occur on the underlying formation member of Unit III-2 (in southern districts),
or directly on the foundation rocks (in the northern and north-eastern regions). They are mainly represented by aleurolites and
fine-grained sandstones with traces of burrowers’ activities of the Skolithos and Cruziana echinoderms.
Located in the base of the stratum is a bundle of fine-grained sandstones with wavy ripples and bumpy stratification
surfaces formed in the coastal situation. These sandstones may be in conformity with the Grees D’Ouargla suite. Up the cross
section the sandstones sharply turn into aleurolites with a fine pattern of traces left by the burrowers’ work, and then also
dense black argillites – analogues of the Azzel-Tiferun suite (Argiles D’Azzel) formed in the conditions of the open sea. The
thickness of this formation member is 15-25 m.
They are replaced by several progradation cycles, which become sandy up the cross section and form a thick (up to
100-120 m) stratum of clay-sandy sediments. Located in the upper part of the examined stratum is a bundle of argillaceous
fine-grained sandstones, which are strongly bioturbined and were formed in the coastal or intertidal zone.
The cross section of the deposits, which we index in the wells as Unit III-3, is in good correlation with the In Tahouite
formation deposits observed in outcrops in the Iherir valley on the Djanet plateau (Figure 6). Beds in cross section of the wells
occur gently, with the dip of about 1º in the direction of 150-160º SSE; this is in good conformity with observations in the
outcrops.
The stratification structures are emphasized by clayey inwash and are characterized by wavy, oblique wavy
deposition in more clayey intervals, and parallel, sometimes gently oblique deposition in aleurolite sandy differences.
The beginning of forming of the stratum of Unit III-3 is by all appearance connected with the transgression system
tract (TST), which was completed by flooding of the territory with forming of clay of the Azzel-Tiferun suite in the period of
the maximum flooding (MFS). But the main stratum of the rocks of the In Tahuit formation was built during the period of high
state of the sea (HST). The activity of the environment, judging on the grain dimension and developed oblique wavy
stratification, can be characterized as moderate with abundant inflow of clastic material.
On the fauna of brachipods and lamellibranchia (Legrand, 1964), the age of the bottoms of the In Tahuit formation
has been determined as the Arenig. Basal sandstones are possibly similar to the Arenig (Oulebsir and Paris, 1993) sandstones
of the Ouargla (‘Gres de Ouargla’) known according to the wells. The argillaceous part of the formation is similar to the
Azzel-Tiferun (‘Argiles d’Azzel-Tiferouine’) clays dated (Paris et al., 2000; Sonatrach Company, unpublished materials) of
the Arenig and Llanvirine epochs. The upper sandstones may conform to the Earlier Llandale (Oulebsir and Paris, 1993; Paris
et al., 2000) deposits of the Oued Saret suite (‘Gres de Oued Saret’).
Judging on the observations on the Djanet plateau, and also according to the data of the sections of the wells south
and west of the investigated area, deposits of the examined stratum are spread on large areas with a quite consistent thickness,
SPE 117405 5

which varies from 100 to 140 m. Its lower border is transgression; the upper one is often erosive. That is the erosive nature of
the upper boundary the rapid variations of this formation's thicknesses are connected with. During the period of the Late
Ordovician glaciation and the following transgression, the predominantly argillaceous rocks of Unit III-3 were partially or
completely eroded, and the paleoincisions were filled by the Upper Ordovician predominantly sandy sediments. This is such
architecture of the deposits of the Middle and Upper Ordovician has led to formation of the depositional stratigraphical traps.

The Caradocian-Ashgil cycle (the stratum of Unit IV)

Deposits of the Caradocian-Ashgil cycle occur on the Lower Ordovician stratum frequently with deep wash-out and
unconformity. Their forming is connected with the epoch of brief glaciation, which was manifested in the end of the
Ordovician and completed by thawing of the glacier and complete flooding of the territory during the Silurian. Located in the
stratum foundation is the erosion surface, which is frequently emphasized by basal conglomerates has the thickness of up to 10
m and conforms to the sicvention boundary (SB). Occurred there are deposits, which are connected with filling of the cut-in
valleys formed during the period of sharp recession of the sea level and activity of water flows (LST). These deposits, which
are predominantly sandy on the examined area, are not consistent on the trend and quickly change their thicknesses and
structural-textural peculiarities. Frequently inherent to them are landslide textures with xenoclusts of different sizes
Since the forming of these rocks is connected with recession of the sea level (LST) and with the erosive and
accumulative activity, in the cross section they frequently cut off the underlying deposits, and are on the same level with more
ancient sediments.
The most ancient deposits in the base of the stratum are frequently deformed and represented by breccias or coarse-
grained deposits with inclusion of underlying rock debris. The thickness of one of the contact zones described in the core
sample is 1.5 m. Located over the contact zone as a rule are basal sandy deposits whose thickness varies from 10 to 25 metres.
Up the cross section the composition of the rocks rapidly changes along the lateral. Registered within the valleys where at all
appearance the predominant was an active regime of sedimentation are crossbedded series of medium-grained quartzitic
sandstone, which is frequently poorly sorted. Angles and azimuths of the dip of most boundaries observed in these deposits
have chaotic distribution controlled by deformation during the diagenesis. Clearly visible on images of the bed microscanner
are numerous landslide phenomena, which are connected with relatively fast drift of weakly cemented sediments and, as a rule,
are represented in the cross sections by beds with increased angles of occurrence, and also by rounded units of a small size
(Figure 7). More developed in other parts of the area are aleurolite-argillaceous sediments with subordinated interlayers of
sandy material with oblique wavy and parallel wavy stratification.
Passing in the roof of the above-described deposits is a transgression border (TS) related to flooding of practically of
the whole territory.
The beginning of the transgression led to forming of an argillaceous bundle in whose roof there are band-wise
stretched transgression bar structures, which complete the cross section of the stratum of Unit IV. These sandstones are
confined, as a rule, to depressions of the paleorelief and form stretched quite narrow sandy bars (Figure _). Forming of these
sediments is probably related to the transgression system tract (TST)
Following the adopted tradition, we index the sandstones, which fill the cut-in valleys, as a bundle of Unit IV-1; the
argillaceous sediments, which are connected with flooding of the territory, as Unit IV-2; the completing sandstones and
aleurolites of transgression bars and alongshore flows, as Unit IV-3/ Unit IV-4.
The Ordovician deposits are overlapped by the stratum of the Silurian argillites fixing the submersion and complete
flooding of the territory with an established regime of a deep-sea basin.

The Lower Palaeozoic history of the Gara Tesselit area development

Figure 8 illustrates the correlation of wells located in different parts of the area with position of the correlation lines
on maps of the common strata of the Ordovician and of the Lower Silurian.
As it can be seen, the Ordovician deposits have a sub-laterally oriented band of the common thicknesses reduction,
which such band is in conformity with the increased thicknesses of the Silurian argillaceous strata. Stripped in wells south of
the central part is a complete cross section starting from the Tremadocian (Unit III-1/2), while in the north the Pre-Cambrian
foundation rocks are overlaid by argillaceous sediments of the Arenig (Unit III-3) and by sandstones of the Caradocian (Unit
IV-1/2). In the central part all wells have stripped only deposits of the Caradocian-Ashgil cycle (Unit IV). Another typical
peculiarity of this territory is the nature of the upper part of the Caradocian-Ashgil cycle cross section (Unit IV-2/3). In the
southern part of the area these sediments are represented by argillaceous-aleurolite-sandy sediments with the increasing
granularity up the cross section with the thickness of 50-80 m. In the north the cross section of this stratum is similar to the
southern part but has an increased content of the sand component and a larger thickness – up to 110 m in well GTS-1. In the
central part, where we observe the maximum reduction of the thicknesses, Unit IV-2/3 is predominantly represented by
argillaceous and argillaceous-aleurolite rocks with the thickness of from 50 to 20 m.
Based on the stratigraphical succession of the Lower Palaeozoic deposits, using the data of the area seismic
prospecting and based on seismostratigraphic analysis we tried to restore the history of forming of the Gara Tesselit area
Lower Palaeozoic strata with the purpose to predict the position of depositional stratigraphical traps (Figure 9).
6 SPE 117405

So, the first sediments started to form in the west-south-west of the territory in the area of the Takuazet elevation; at
that, we can note as minimum as one rise of the sea level that happened from the west and is fixed in a form of a 10-15-metre
argillaceous bundle in wells and also in the seismic cross section. During the Arenig times probably the whole area was
involved in submersion reflected by forming of sea clays with an increased content of OV. Following this, in conditions of a
calm tectonic regime there formed were coastal sediments with the thickness of more than 100 m. Distinguished inside of this
stratum are up to f our coastal parasequencers, which reflect gradual retreat of the sea and filling of the basin. The Late
Ordovician glaciation, in our opinion, led to production of a large main valley, which stretches from east to west through a
large [the largest?] part of the Gara Tesselit area. The glacier has obviously cut off the earlier sedimentary units right down to
the foundation or very close to it. However, no typical glacial drifts were found here. It is possible that they were preserved in
fragments, but a large [the largest?] part of them was rather carried away by flows during subsequent thawing of the glacier
and forming of a fiord relief along edges of the cut-in valley. The Greenland shore may be a modern analogue of such
conditions (Figure 10). Further on the relief depressions formed in the Earlier Caradocian were filled by sandy sediments
related to turbid, tidal and channel situations; and then, during the sea approach, also by coastal argillaceous-sandy deposits
confined to the edge parts. The Silurian transgression, and then also the seat retreat led to levelling of the relief with filling of
the Ordovician paleo-incision.
It is necessary to note that there are also other alternative hypotheses of the Ordovician stratum forming in the Gara
Tesselit area. One of them is built on an assumption of existence of a sub-lateral paleo-elevation in the central part of the area,
and another one – on the inversion sinsidementation nature of the tectonic movements. However, in the first case the
hypothesis contradicts to the observed distribution of deposits in the area and does not explain the compensatory nature of the
Ordovician and Lower Silurian strata distribution. The second hypothesis is not supported by the nature of the strata
distribution relatively to the main faults located in this area. In our opinion, the suggested version of the Lower Palaeozoic
units forming unites the advantages of the both existing hypotheses and is not at variance with the existing geologic and
geophysical information.

Distinguishing and mapping of non-structural traps in the Lower Palaeozoic deposits of the Gara Tesselit
area
Based on the conditions of the Ordovician stratum forming it is possible to assume several types of traps typical for
this territory. For deposits of Unit III-1/2 it is possible to expect tectonically screened traps related to the porous-cavern and/or
porous-fractural collectors. Such areas are quite are not numerous at all accounting for the fact that these deposits are
predominantly spread in the south of the Gara Tesselit area where also manifested is a regional fault of the sub-lateral direction
– Takuazet. Located down south is a network of its sub-parallel smaller faults; this creates favourable conditions for forming
of hydrocarbon trapping barriers.
The stratum of Unit III-3 is predominantly represented by argillaceous rocks, which are on the one hand are a good
cover for pools in Unit III-1/2, and on the other hand are a good lateral screen for another type of traps related to deposits of
Unit IV-1 filling the cut-in valleys.
Along with that, as it can be seen from the presented diagram, in the central part of the area the rocks of Unit III-3 are
practically completely eroded; and the sandy beds, which are located north of the main cut-in have lithic limits from the south
– towards the regional elevation. So, the perspective for hydrocarbons trapping are rocks of Unit IV-1 south of the main sub-
lateral paleo-valley, which such rocks perform the subordinated paleoincisions. Large faults of the sub-lateral and north-
western direction may also be an additional screen for these deposits. The third type of traps may be confined to sub-laterally
oriented sandy bar structures of Unit IV-3/4 sealed in the deposits more argillaceous on the composition. These rocks may be
prospective both in the northern and in the southern parts of the area. Below we give several examples of such traps and their
characteristics.
Tectonically screened trap of the Unit III-1/2 stratum
Revealed in the Takuazet East deposit is a trap related to tectonically screened deposits of Unit III-1/2. The presence
of oil and gas in these rocks is confirmed by testing the wells TAKE-1 and TAKE-2 and logging in the well TAKW-2 drilled
near the regional fault Takuazet. Detailed description of the rocks and their petrography are presented above. The regional
fault Takuazet, even having no a large vertical shift, nevertheless is a substantial screen to hold the deposit.
Mapping of the trap was carried out based on the 3D seismic prospecting. Since the seismic reflection in this case if
related not to the clay-sand boundary but to more argillaceous deposits and surface of flooding inside of the stratum, the
collector’s roof was built along the extrapolation of the observed wells strata inside the mapped reflections. As it can be seen
of the trap presented on Figure 11, the more realistic is the option of its block construction due to development fledging faults.
However, the modern tensor of the maximum stress coincides with orientation of the fledging faults; in this connection, their
screening ability may be substantially decreased. According to the FMI data, observed inside of the stratum is natural
fracturing predominantly 330-340 NNW that coincides with orientation of the anthropogenic fractures and falls of the wells
walls. So, combining the structural mapping and modeling of natural fractures distribution we are able to obtain a more
reliable model of the trap structure. It is noticeable that in the northern part of the area of the Eastern Takuazet the deposit of
the Unit III-1/2 bed may be hydrodynamically connected with the Unit IV-1/2 bed due to a probable cut-in mapped according
to the prospecting seismology data and confirmed by the well TAK-1.
SPE 117405 7

Litho-stratigraphical trap in the Unit IV-1 stratum

Trap of the depositional stratigraphical type with tectonic screening has been revealed in deposits of Unit IV-1 in the
Western Takuazet deposit. The presence of oil and gas in these rocks is confirmed by testing the wells TAKW-1, TAKW-2
and logging in the wells TAKE-1, TAKE-2 drilled near the regional fault Takuazet. The regional fault Takuazet may be an
obstacle for hydrocarbon migration; although, we cannot exclude the trap continuation also further to the south.
Mapping of the trap was carried out based on the 3D seismic prospecting and the data obtained as a result of the wells
drilling. Since in the examined section the researchers did not observe any anticline elevation or fledging faults capable to
limit the trap, they made a supposition of lithic control of the deposit. To predict the development of saturated sandstone along
the area, the researchers have used different types of the attribute and seismic facies analyses. However, the amplitude
attributes, clustering of the signal and data of the AVO/AVA analysis did not give any stable result.
Close results were given by the stochastic inversion, complex (spectral-temporal) attribute analysis and structural
mapping of the internal stratum (Figure _). It is obvious that all these methods give close results, which may be later on
compared with the AVA data and with the coherence of these deposits and may be used for mapping the deposit position with
a sufficient share of confidence.
The results of drilling and testing of the wells TAKW-1, TAKW-2 and TAKE-1 confirm the results of mapping the
depositional stratigraphical trap and make it possible to expect a high success of the forecast made regarding the seismic data.
Lihological trap the Unit IV-3/4 deposits
An example of the trap related to deposits of the Unit IV-3/4 tops may be the trap on the Northern Tesselit deposit
whose gas content was confirmed by tests of the wells TE-101 and TEN-1. This age bar structures, which have high saturation
according to the logging data, were also stripped in the wells TAKW-1, TAKW-2; however, no inflow of hydrocarbons was
obtained there.
Quite a wide band of sandy deposits of the sub-lateral trend was distinguished according to the prospecting
seismology data in the area of the Northern Tesselit. The tectonic conditions here are relatively calm; therefore, the Unit IV-3
argillaceous deposits, which compose the central part of the area and seal the sandy bars, became the southern screen for
migration of hydrocarbons. Since the collecting properties of these deposits are substantially better than those of the Lower
Ordovician rocks, and the occurrence is a gas one, the attribute analysis here works substantially better (Figure _).

Conclusion
Distinguishing of traps of one or another type in the area is closely connected with understanding of the history of
sedimentation in the region and the history of its geological and tectonic development. Therefore, at the stage of prospecting
exploratory works it is important to determine the optimum set of methods for investigations and the ways of their
complexation.
As a result of the works performed in the Gara Tesselit area the researchers have obtained additional data, which
make it possible to clarify the history of development and the material composition of the Lower Palaeozoic stratum of the
central and northern party of the Illizi basin. The researchers have made a supposition of substantial influence of the Late
Ordovician relief forming processes upon the internal structure of the Ordovician stratum, which such processes have led to
forming of non-structural depositional and depositional stratigraphical traps. The complex data interpretation has made it
possible to make a conclusion about promissory nature of deposits of Unit III-1/2 and Unit IV-1 particularly in the southern
part of this section especially near large sub-lateral faults. The traps sizes may be different, and they frequently depend on
sizes of paleo-incisions and tectonic blocks that limit them. Promissory in the northern and especially in the north-eastern part
of the area are the Unit IV-3/4 deposits, particularly in the areas of local elevations.
During the works it was noted that a big role in the mapping and description of the deposits is played by selection of
the field 3D seismic survey parameters and the graphs of its further processing. On the other hand, since the structural factor in
this area does not play a significant role, the researchers have made a conclusion that the 2D seismic prospecting is low
effective to prepare the promissory areas for drilling. Therefore, it is suggested to perform 3D seismic prospecting in the
promissory areas immediately after analysing the regional 2D survey, the results of last years drilling and regional geology.
Such approach will make it possible not only no to spend time and money for preliminary works but also will make possible to
more accurately lay the first prospecting wells.

Acknowledgements
The authors thank employees of the Central Geophysical Expedition G. N. Gogonenkov, A. G. Averbukh, A. I.
Arapova and employees of the Federal State Unitary Geological Enterprise of the All-Russian Research Institute of Geology
and Oil V. I. Petersilye, A. B. Krivitskiy, G. V. Surtsukov and A. A. Razmyshlyaev for their big contribution to success of the
performed works.

Literature
1 Petroleum Geology of North Africa. Geologycal Society Special Publication No. 132., London, 1998.
2 Geology of Algeria. Contribution from SONATRACH,
8 SPE 117405

3 Regional Geological Study of Boukhechba Permit Illizy Basin, Algeria. BHP Petroleum (Algérie) Inc., 1998.
4 Total Petroleum Systems of the Illizi Province, Algeria and Libya—Tanezzuft-Illizi. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin
2202–A. Denver, Colorado. 2000.
5 Total Petroleum Systems of the Trias/Ghadames Province, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya—The Tanezzuft-Oued Mya,
Tanezzuft-Melrhir, and Tanezzuft-Ghadames. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2202–C. Denver, Colorado. 2000.
6 The Lower Paleozoic succession in Tassili outcrops, Algeria: sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy. R. Eschard,
H. Abdallah, F.Braik. First break volume 23. Oct.2005.
7 Perspective du bassin d’Illizi. Published abstracts of conferense. Alger, 2005.
SPE 117405 9

Figure 1. General map of Gara Tesselit position Figure 2. The structural map of the Ordovician top
in the Illizi basin

Figure 3. Stratigraphy of the Illizi basin

Figure 4. Unit III-2 well section in comparison
with outcrop
10 SPE 117405

Petrography content of Unit III-2 Clay minerals content Unit III-2

Граница
Фундамента

Кварц Рег. кварц Каолинит

Фельдшпат Глинистые минералы Иллит
Фрагм.пород ОВ Хлорит
Слюды Пористость Интерстр.мин.

Figure 5. The minerals composition of the Unit III-2

Unit IV-1
Свита Les Castelets Member
Отложения потоков

Прибрежная зона
Unit III-3

Верхний шельф

Формация In Tahouit
Нижний шельф

Базальный песчаник
Трансгрессивный бар

Лагунные отложения
Трансгрессивная поверхность

Unit III-2
Формация Banquette

Figure 6. Well section of Unit III-3 in comparison with In Tahouit formation outcrops

Figure 7. Relations of Unit IV-1 и Unit III-3 in the outcrops and wells. At
the left corner FMI image and rocks at the outcrop.
SPE 117405 11

Figure 8.а. Gross thickness map of the Ordovician stage

б. Gross thickness map of the Silurian shale
в. Ordovician well section

W E

MFS Силурийские глины

Unit IV-2/3
TST
TS Unit IV-
1Отлоения долин
LS
T Ледниковая эрозия

SB

Unit III-3
HST
MFS Unit III-
TSTTS
1/2
SMST

Figure 9. Principal scheme of Ordovician deposits evolution Figure 10. East Greenland as analog of the Late
for the Gara Tesselit permit Ordovician depositional environments (www.nasa.com)
12 SPE 117405

Figure 11. The model of the Unit III-2 trap

Figure 12. Model of the Unit IV-1 trap. Comparison Gross thickness
map with the zonality seismic attribute.

Figure 13. Net thicknes of Unit IV-3 based on the inversion result.