Detailed Regional Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy and Clinoforms Characterization of the Early Cretaceous Lower Habshan Prograding System in Onshore UAE

Significant advancements in seismic imaging of carbonate strata over the past decades have transformed our scientific comprehension of carbonate sediment accumulation and alteration. These breakthroughs have far-reaching implications, extending from hydrocarbon exploration to the fields of geomorphology and the study of paleoclimate changes (Hendry et al., 2021). Through the analysis of 3D seismic data gathered for hydrocarbon exploration, we have gained a deeper understanding of how strata at the carbonate platform margin accumulate, forming patterns that are progradational, aggradational, and retrogradational. These patterns chronicle a long-term history of variations in accommodation space, sediment production, and sediment transport (Dujoncquaoy et al., 2018). This study was initially conducted to explore the distribution of lower Habshan Formation and its reservoirs, aiming to uncover potential opportunities within the UAE. It offers a comprehensive regional well and seismic based synthesis of the lower Habshan Formation, encompassing nearly all eastern onshore areas of Abu Dhabi. It leverages new interpretations from the latest mega 3D seismic data, various seismic attribute maps, and well data to provide a detailed understanding of the lower Habshan Formation. The regional facies and maps developed for the lower Habshan during this study offer a novel and more precise method for predicting strike-parallel continuity and lateral facies variability in prospective reservoir targets, as well as identifying new play concepts.