An Insight into Fracture Pattern and Characterization in Salt Dome Area

Salt halokinesis and salt domes are prominent geological phenomena in the southwest of the Arabian Gulf and influence the formation and evolution of the overlying fractures (Richard et al., 2017). These small-scale faults and fractures subjecting to multi-phase stress regimes show diverse and characteristic fracture patterns. The fractures play a crucial role in the production performance of the tight carbonate reservoir in the 4-way dip closure above the salt dome (Fig. 1). However, mapping the extremely complex and diverse fracture system in this region under multi-phase stress regimes presents a significant challenge. The objective of this study is to investigate fracture development under multi-phase deformation and characterize the complex fracture system of the Upper Jurassic in this salt dome-dominated area. Understanding the fracture system is critical for optimizing drilling strategies and improving the accuracy of reservoir simulations from these tight carbonate reservoirs. Detailed geological and geophysical analyses are conducted to understand the formation and evolution of fractures influenced by tectonic activities. Multiple seismic attribute analysis, along with core examinations and dynamic data analysis, will be employed to gain insights into the orientation and distribution of fractures. This study aims to (1) provide insights into the insights into the dynamics of fracture systems in salt dome environments and (2) enhance our ability to predict fracture behavior under varying stress conditions and inform better reservoir management practices.