Kinematic Salt-Related Structures of Abu Dhabi and Impact on Petroleum System

Abstract The offshore hydrocarbon fields of Abu Dhabi are structurally influenced by the kinematic evolution of deeply rooted Hormouz salt pillows, which have initiated radial, concentric, and bedding-parallel fault systems during multiple tectonic phases. These salt-related structures interact with reservoir and seal units across varying stress regimes, exerting first-order control on trap development and fault seal integrity. While halite and associated evaporites are conventionally modelled as ductile and impermeable, integrated seismic interpretation, core analysis, and outcrop analogues reveal localized brittle deformation within Abu Dhabi salt domes. Evidence of dilational veins, fluid-assisted fractures, and salt-hosted faults indicates mechanical failure under elevated strain rates and reduced effective stresses, often driven by overpressured fluids. This study combines 3D seismic data, core-derived petrophysical properties, rock mechanics testing (RMT), and structural modeling to quantify the impact of salt composition, mobility, fault architecture, and caprock heterogeneity on sealing efficiency. Special emphasis is placed on fault reactivation timing relative to salt emplacement and hydrocarbon migration pathways. Findings demonstrate that halite-dominated bodies typically maintain high capillary threshold pressures, but sealing capacity degrades in zones with impurity inclusions, fault connectivity, or thin caprock. A probabilistic framework for fault-seal analysis is proposed to address uncertainty in salt-affected traps, enhancing risk assessments for exploration and subsurface storage applications in salt-prone domains.