DEANSHIP OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
RESEARCH PROJECT NO. __________________________
Title of Proposal:
Unraveling the diagenetic alterations and related reservoir quality
evolution along sequence boundaries of the siliciclastic deposits
‫عمليات النشأة المتأخرة في الحدود الطباقية وتأثيرها على جودة مكمن الصخور الفتاتية‬
‫البترولي‬
Duration of Project (in months):
one year
Proposed Starting Date:
March, 2007
Ending Date:
March, 2008
Total Project Cost (SR):
00744SR
Submitted by: Dr. Khalid Al-Ramadan
Khlaid Al-Ramadan
Assistant Professor Earth Sciences
(Name of Junior Researcher)
(Academic Rank)
(Department)
(Signature)
Saudi Aramco
(Department)
(Signature)
Date of PhD: June 2006
Date of Joining KFUPM as Assistant Professor:
Muhittin Senalp
(Name of Consultant, if any)
(Academic Rank)
Date:__________________
____________________________________________________________________________
APPROVALS:
Chairman:____________________________
Date:______________
Department of: Earth Sciences
Chairman,
Research Committee:_______________________
Date:______________
Vice Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific
Research: ________________________________
Date:______________
1
Unraveling the diagenetic alterations and related reservoir quality
evolution along sequence boundaries of the siliciclastic deposits
Submitted by: Dr. Khalid Al-Ramadan
Earth Sciences Department
Summary
This project deals with an integrated approach that links the distribution of diagenetic
alterations and related reservoir quality with the sequence boundary from different
formations in Saudi Arabia. The main objective is to have better understanding in
assessment and prediction of the spatial and temporal distribution of depositional
porosity-permeability, including the distribution of reservoirs, diagenetic modifications
and their impact (enhancement versus deterioration) on reservoir quality. For this
purpose, the following petrographic and geochemical data should be acquired:
(A) Full characterization and modal analyses of sandstone samples, including
counting (300 points) of framework grains, cement/matrix, and porosity types.
(B) Porosity and permeability measurements.
(C) Chemical (microprobe) and stable isotope (O, C and Sr) analyses of carbonate
cements.
(D) Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and backscatter (BSEI) electron
imaging of diagenetic alterations.
The outcome of this research will be constraining an applied model that shows the scales,
extents and causes of reservoir heterogeneity. The duration of this project will be one full
year with an estimated amount of SR 50,000.
2
Table of Contents
Page
Title.………………………………………………………………………………………1
Summary..……………………………………………………………………………..... 2
Introduction…………………………………………………………………..…………..4
Literature Review………………………………………………………………….…..4-9
Project Objectives………….……………………………………………..…………..…9
Methods and Procedures of the Research Proposal……………..………………..10-11
Scheduling of the Proposed Research………………………………………………....11
Deliverables …………………………………………………………………….……....11
Personal Requirements…………………………………………………………………12
Monitoring and Evaluation…………………………………………………………....12
Utilization Plan………………………………………………………………………….12
Budget…………………………………………………………………………………...13
Selected references…………………………………………………………………..15-16
CV………………………………………………………………………………........17-23
3
Introduction
Diagenetic alterations related to the exposure of previously buried sedimentary
successions to near-surface meteoric conditions below unconformities and/or along faults
are of prime importance to petroleum exploration. These unconformities may promote
enhancement of reservoir quality of siliciclastic and carbonate rocks and act as paths for
hydrocarbon migration. Methods including field as well as advanced laboratory analysis
techniques will be preformed in order to have a better understanding of the impact of
sequence boundary on the diagenetic alterations and related reservoir and aquifer
properties.
Literature Review
The architecture of, particularly, shallow-marine, siliciclastic sedimentary sequences,
which can be strongly controlled by periodic changes in the relative sea level, is well
constrained in the literature (e.g., Posamentier and Allen, 1993). Such sea-level changes
are produced by a combination of eustatic sea-level fluctuations and/or by the uplift and
subsidence of the basin floor (Van Wagoner et al., 1990). Conversely, the mineralogical,
geochemical and reservoir-quality evolution of siliciclastic sequences is complex and
controlled by several inter-related parameters, including pore-water chemistry, original
detrital composition, texture, facies, depositional environment, climate, rate of deposition
as well as the tectonic setting and burial history of the basin (Morad et al., 2000).
The relationship between relative sea-level changes and diagenesis has been widely and
successfully applied to carbonate sequences (Tucker, 1993), partly because carbonate
sediment production strongly depends of transgressions and regressions, and carbonate
4
sediments are chemically more reactive than siliciclastic sediments. Conversely, despite
the substantial progress achieved within the subjects of sequence stratigraphy and
siliciclastic diagenesis separately, a well-constrained linking between these two topics is
yet to be explored. The aim of this project is, thus, to undertake the challenging task of
establishing a conceptual model for the influence of relative sea level changes on the
spatial and temporal distribution of mineralogical, geochemical and reservoir-quality
modifications along sequence boundaries of shallow-marine deposits.
Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Paleozoic Successions in Qasim and Ha’il
Areas
The research area extends from Unayzah town in the Qasim to Baq’a area in Ha’il
and covers the stratigraphy, sedimentology, and reservoir quality of the Paleozoic
successions. This section consists of both siliciclastics (conglomerate, sandstone, shale,
and siltstone) and carbonates (limestone, dolomitic limestone and dolomite). The
sandstone facies of the Devonian Jauf Formation and the Permian Unayzah Formation
form substantial oil and gas reservoirs in the Central Arabian Fields, located to the south
of Riyadh (Figures 1 and 2; Senalp and Al-Duaiji, 1995).
The two major unconformities, the Caledonian (Lower Devonian) Pre-Tawil, and
the Permian Pre-Unayzah and Pre-Ash-Shiqqah Unconformities are well exposed in these
areas. These unconformities cut deep into the underlying successions and removed
important part of the reservoir sandstones. The type localities of the Saq Fm, Qasim Fm
(Hanadir, Kahfah, Ra’an, and Quwarah mbrs), the glacial Zarqa and Sarah fms, the
Qusaiba Mbr. Of the Qalibah Fm, Unayzah, and Ash-Shiqqah formations are located in
the Qasim and Ha’il areas.
5
Figure1: Location map of the studied formations in Saudi Arabia
6
Shelf
Carbonate
Tectonom
Member/ Lithology
ste Formation
Stratigraphic Event
y
Unit
S
N
S
"D"Anhydrite
A
Unayzah
"D-3BZone"
Jauf
Tawil
PTU
Qusaiba
Ordovician
Qasim
PZSU
Quwarah
Ra'an
Kahfah
Rapid MairneTransgression
Glaciation
Marine
"Hot Shale"
Sarah
PC Cambrian
Gondwana
Passive Margine
Sharawra
Qalibah
Hanadir
A
Saq
B
C
D
PSU
Non-Marine
Silurian
Silurian Hiatus
Ghawar Crest
Devonian
PUU
PKU/PUU
B
Jubah
Neo-Tethys
Opening
MarineTransgression
Marine influenced
Arid/Semi-Arid
Lowstand Deposition
Infilling of
Relict Topography
Hercynian Orogeny
MegaCoarseningUpwardCycle
Permian
Khuff
Reservoir
Source
Show
Mudstone
Sandstone
Evaporite
Carbonate
PKU- Pre-Khuff Unconformity
PUU- Pre-UnayzahUnconformity
PTU- Pre-Tawil Unconformity
PSU- Pre-SaqUnconformity
N- North
S- South
Gondwana
Passive Margine
Peneplanation
Pre-Saq
Najd Rifting
Basement
Idsas Orogeny/
IslandArcAccretion
Figure2: Stratigraphic column of the studied formations in Saudi Arabia
7
The Central Arabia was affected by two major Gondwana Land glaciations.
During the Late Ordovician (Ashgillian) the Zarqa and Sarah formations were deposited.
The base of these formations represents glacially-formed valleys as result of substantial
drop in sea level. The second period of glaciation took place during Permo-Carboniferous
time and deposited glacial, glacio-fluvial sandstones part of the Unayzah Reservoir.
In the Buraydah area, the Cambrian Saq Formation consists of the Risha, Cruziana Shale,
and the Sajir Members. The formation sits directly on the Arabian Shield. The sandstones
were deposited in fluvial and fluvial-dominated deltaic environments.
The Early Ordovician Qasim Formation consists of two coarsening and thickening
upward progradational sequences. The lower sequence consists of the Hanadir shale and
overlain by the sandstones of the Kahfah Member. The upper sequence consists of the
Ra’an shale and the Quwarah sandstone. The Late Ordovician glacially-formed deposits
are the Zarqa and Sarah formations. The Zarqa Formation is the first glacial facies,
consisting of tillite, boulder clay, and dropstone facies. The Sarah Formation consists of
vertically-stacked channels filled with glaciao-fluvial and fluvial sandstones. It is a good
reservoir facies for the deep non-associated gas in the Rub Al-Khali Basin.
The Silurian Qalibah Formation consists of the Qusaiba hot-shale facies, Qusaiba
shale and conformably overlain by the interbedded shale and sandstone facies of the
Sharawra Member. The Qusaiba hot shale is the prolific source rock for the Paleozoic
hydrocarbon in Central Arabia. The Devonian sequence consists of Tawil, Jauf and Jubah
formations. These formations are exposed in the Al-jawf and Baq’a (Ha’il) areas. In this
study, the Devonian successions in the Baq’a area will be studied. The Tawil Formation
consists of entirely of fluvial sandstone. The Jauf Formation is composed of Sha’iba,
8
Qasr, Subbat, Hammamiyat, and Murayr members. The Qasr and Hammamiyat members
are carbonate-dominated, the Sha’iba member is shale dominated, and the Subbat
member consists of inerbedded sandstone and shale facies.
The Carboniferous successions have been completely eroded at the surface.
The Berwath Formation was encountered in a few wells in the subsurface.The Permian
System at surface is represented by the Unayzah and Ash-Shiqqah formations, separated
by strong Pre-Unayzah erosional unconformity surface. These formations occur only in
the Qasim region, around the towns of Unayzah and Buraydah. Unayzah Formation
consists of typical red bed facies of conglomerate, sandstone, and mudstone. These
sediments were deposited as alluvial fans, braided stream, and eolian facies. The eolian
facies was encountered in the subsurface only. The Unayzah Formation is the primary
exploration target in the Central Arabia, and the Rub Al-Khali Basin (Senalp and AlDuaiji, 1996). The Ash-Shiqqah Formation is exposed around the town of Ash-Shiqqah.
This formation is also called the “Basal Khuff Clastics”, as they are genetically related to
the Khuff Formation. This formation consists of sandstone, which was deposited as
incised valley fills, and associated low stand deltas. The Permian clastic sequence is
covered conformably by the Khuff carbonates (Senalp and King, 1995).
Project Objectives
The aim of this work is to elucidate the impact of sequence boundary of the Devonian
Jauf Formation and the Permian Unayzah Formation in Saudi Arabia on diagenetic
alterations and related reservoir quality evolution and heterogeneity in siliciclastic
deposits. The result of this work is anticipated to enhance our understanding and
prediction abilities for efficient hydrocarbon and groundwater exploration.
9
Methods and procedures of the research proposal
1. Field studies (March-2007), will be performed in close collaboration with Dr. Muhittin
Senalp, and will include pre-selected sections from the following two areas:
1- The Al-Qasim area (north of the towns of Buraydah and Unayzah),
2- The Baq'a area (east of Ha'il town),
These two areas offer different formations from different stratigraphic intervals.
The outcrops will be sampled in their stratigraphic order. The age and depositional
environment of the formations in question are well established by Senalp and published
in many papers and in his recent book. Thirty six representative samples will be collected
along and below the sequence boundaries.
2. Petrological and geochemical analyses (April-2007): Thin-section preparation and
examination (standard petrographic technique) of color epoxy-impregnated samples. This
will be conducted in order to unravel small-scale changes in pore water composition and
to reconstruct the consequent pattern and relative timing of diagenetic modifications (i.e.,
mineral precipitation, dissolution and alteration) in the sediments. The samples will also
be subjected to electron microprobe and isotopic analyses of diagenetic minerals
(conventional and laser-ablation, C- and O-isotopes of carbonate minerals) which provide
fairly precise parameters that help deciphering the shifts in the chemical composition of
the pore waters (meteoric, marine and mixed) during various scales of changes in sea
level and burial diagenesis (Morad et al., 2000).
Access to relevant resources available at the Department of Earth Sciences at
KFUPM include: (1) A JEOL scanning electron microscopes (SEM) (2) research optical
microscopes and (3) Porosimeter and perimeter.
10
3. Data processing and publication of results (2007-2008)
Scheduling of the Proposed Research
During the 12-month period, the proposed project will be conducted according to
the schedule shown in table 1. The project will start in March with the field work to the
Al-Qasim area (north of the towns of Buraydah and Unayzah) for three days with the
consultant Dr. Senalp (expert in Saudi geology in the field) to collect representative
samples along the sequence boundaries. The second field trip will be conducted on the
Baq'a area (east of Ha'il town). Then sample will be sent for thin section preparation.
Mean while the porosity and permeability will be measured on the remaining samples.
After receiving the thin sections, detailed examination under the polarized microscope
will be preformed on the thin sections. Based on obtained results, samples will be
selected for SEM, Backscatter electron and isotopic analysis. Data will be interpreted and
a conceptual model will be constructed. The final stage will be reporting the result and
integrating them in an illustrative model that describes the distribution of the diagenetic
alterations below sequence boundary.
Deliverables
The final report will be ready on March 2008 and a publishable paper resulted from the
report will be submitted to peer reviewed Journal (either Sedimentology or Sedimentary
Geology).
11
Months
Task
#
Investigator
Description
2007
3 4 5 6 7
1
2
4
Dr. Al-Ramadan
Dr. Senalp
Dr. Al-Ramadan
Dr. Senalp
Dr. Al-Ramadan
Research
assistant
Dr. Al-Ramadan
Technician
5
7
8
9
Dr. Al-Ramadan
Dr. Senalp
Dr. Al-Ramadan
Dr. Al-Ramadan
Dr. Senalp
Secretary
Dr. Al-Ramadan
Dr. Senalp
8 9 10
2008
11
12
1
2
3
Field work planning
Field work and sample
collection
Porosity, permeability
determination
Thin section & isotope
preparation
Thin section petrography
Scanning electron
microscopy
EMB
Integration of all results
Schematic model
construction
Reporting the results
and discussion
Progress report (▲)
Final report (●)
▲
●
Table (1): Proposed time and tasks table
12
Personnel Requirements
The tasks and time of the project are proposed in table 1.
Junior Researcher (will participate in the field work and conduct the thin section
analysis, interpretation of data, drawing the final model and writing the report).
Consultant (will guide the two field trips and participate in the discussion of the data
analysis).
Graduate students (will help in the thin section analysis and photography section,
porosity and permeability measurements and participate in the finding discussions).
Technician (will perform the SEM analysis under the supervision of the JR).
Secretary (will help in the final draft printing and communication part).
Monitoring and Evaluation
Based on my experience in such type of work, the results produced from each analytical
method will be linked and integrated in a systematic pattern. The findings will be
evaluated by different techniques which are aimed to result in better and solid applied
model.
Utilization Plan
A Report as well as a submitted paper to a peer reviewed international journal will result
from this project. The report will describe in detail the methods and the results with
discussion part and different types of photographs (Field, polarized, SEM and
backscattered) as well as the final conceptual model based on the findings.
13
14
Selected references
Ketzer, J.M., Morad, S., Evans, R. & Al-Aasm, I.S. 2002. Distribution of diagenetic
alterations in fluvial, deltaic, and shallow marine sandstones within a sequence
stratigraphic
framework:
Evidence
from
the
Mullaghmore
Formation
(Carboniferous), NW Ireland: J. Sed. Res., 72, 760-774.
Ketzer, J.M. & Morad, S. 2006. Predictive distribution of shallow marine, low-porosity
(pseudomatrix-rich) sands tones in a sequence stratigraphic framework-example
from the Ferron sandstone, Upper Cretaceous, USA. Marine and Petroleum
Geology, 23, 29-36.
Morad, S.; Marfil, R.; Al-Aasm, I.S. & Gomes-Gras, D. 1992. The role of mixing-zone
dolomitization
in
sandstone
cementation:
evidence
from
the
Triassic
Buntsandstein, the Iberian Range, Spain. Sedimentary Geology, 80, pp. 53-65.
Morad, S. Ketzer, J.M. & De Ros, L.F., 2000. The spatial and temporal distribution of
diagenetic alterations in siliciclastic rocks: implications for mass transfer in
sedimentary basins. Sedimentology, 47: 95-120.
Posamentier, H.W. & Allen, G.P. 1993. Variability of the sequence stratigraphic model:
effects of local basin factors. Sedimentary Geology, 86, pp. 91-109.
Senalp, M., and A. Al-Duaiji 1995. Stratigraphy and Sedimentation of the Unayzah
Reservoir, Central Saudi Arabia. In, M.I. Al-Husseini (Ed.), Middle East
Petroleum Geosciensis Conference, GEO'94. Gulf PetroLink, Bahrain, v. 2, p.
837-847.
Senalp, M., and W.A. King 1995. Sedimentology of Incised Channel-Fills and Their
Associated Low Stand Deltaic Sediments, Late Permian Khuff Formation, Saudi
15
Arabia. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Convention,
Houston, Texas. USA. Abstract, Abstract Volume 79, issue 13, p. 87.
Senalp, M., and A. Al-Duaiji 1996. Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Storm and
Tide-Dominated Shallow Marine Siliciclastic Members of the Qasim Formation,
Qasim Region, Saudi Arabia (Abs.) GeoArabia Middle East Petroleum
Geosciences v.1, no.1, p. 192.
Tucker, M.E. 1993. Carbonate Diagenesis and Sequence Stratigraphy. Sedimentology
Review, 1, Chapter 4, pp. 51-72.
Van Wagoner, J.C.; Mitchum, R.M.; Campion, K.M.; Rahmanian, V.D. 1990.
Siliciclastic sequence stratigraphy in well logs, cores, and outcrops: concepts for
high-resolution correlation of time and facies. Tulsa: AAPG Metods in
Exploration Series, 7, 55p.
16
Curriculum Vitae of Khalid Al-Ramadan
Personal Data
Name:
Date and Place of Birth:
Nationality:
Address (Work):
Telephone (Recent):
Email:
Languages:
Education:
2002-2006
1999-2001
1993-1998
Khalid Al-Ramadan
20th January 1976, Saudi Arabia
Saudi
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
(KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, P.O.Box 1400,
00966556017091
ramadank@kfupm.edu.sa ,
English: Fluent; Arabic: mother tongue
Ph.D. in geology (sedimentary petrology, petroleum
geology, geochemistry and stratigraphy), Uppsala
University, Uppsala, Sweden: Ph.D thesis: Impact of
Diagenetic Alterations on Reservoir Quality and
Heterogeneity of Paralic and Shallow Marine Sandstones:
Links to Depositional Facies and Sequence Stratigraphy.
M.Sc. in geology (with emphasis in Petroleum Geology)
from KFUPM, Dhahran. Saudi Arabia.
B.Sc (Honors) in geology from KFUPM, Dhahran. Saudi
Arabia.
Teaching experience
Assistant professor in Earth Sciences Department at KFUPM (2006-now)
Teaching assistant in Advanced Petroleum Geology (2000), Computer Application in
Gegology (2000, 2001), Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (2001), Carbonate Geology
(2002).
Laboratory and field experience
- Mineralogical, chemical and textural sediment analysis by means of: light microscopy,
SEM, EDS, XRD, electron microprobe
- Core description
- Basin analysis with basic knowledge in seismic interpretation
- Computer skills-Zmap Plus, StratWorks and Rock Ware applications
- Work in Unix Operating System, Microsoft windows: Excel, Word and Power point
- Field work with clastic and carbonate rocks in Saudi, Oman, France, Sweden, Norway
and Spain.
17
Training and work experience
1998
Trained in Saudi Aramco with Mapping, modeling and
subsurface geology group.
1999
Work with Halliburton in Well testing and stimulation
department.
2000-2002
Graduate assistant at KFUPM.
2002
Lecturer at KFUPM.
Research experience (papers)
Al-Ramadan K.A., Hussain M., Imam B., Saner S., 2004, Lithologic characteristics and
diagenesis of the Devonian Jauf Sandstone at Ghawar Field, Eastern Saudi Arabia:
Marine and Petroleum Geology, v. 21, 1221-1234.
Al-Ramadan Khalid, Morad Sadoon, Proust Jean-Noel, Al-Aasm, Ihsan, 2005,
Distribution of Diagenetic Alterations in Siliciclastic Shoreface Deposits Within
Sequence Stratigraphic Framework: Evidence From The Upper Jurassic, Boulonnais, NW
France. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 75, 943-959.
Saner, S., Hassan H., Al-Ramadan K. and Abdulghani W., 2006, Mineralogical and pore
characteristics of the Devonian Jauf Sandstone reservoir, Saudi Arabia. Journal of
Petroleum Geology.
Al-Ramadan Khalid, Morad Sadoon, Plink-Björklund Piret, 2007, Distribution of
Diagenetic Alterations in Relationship to Depositional Facies and Sequence Stratigraphy
of Wave- and Tide-Dominated Siliciclastic Shoreline Complex: Upper Cretaceous
Chimney Rock Sandstones, Wyoming and Utah, USA. International Association of
Sedimentologists Special Publication: Linking Diagenesis to Sequence Stratigraphy of
Sedimentary Rocks (Accepted).
Al-Ramadan Khalid, Morad Sadoon, Norton A. Kent, Hulver Michael, 2007, Linking
Diagenesis and Porosity Preservation to Sequence Stratigraphy of Gas Condensate
Reservoir Sandstones, the Jauf Formation (Lower to Middle Devonian), Eastern Saudi
Arabia. International Association of Sedimentologists Special Publication: Linking
Diagenesis to Sequence Stratigraphy of Sedimentary Rocks (Accepted).
Al-Ramadan Khalid, Morad Sadoon, El-Khoriby Essam, Distribution of Diagenetic
Alterations in Sequence Stratigraphic Context of Tidal Flat Sandstones: Evidence From
The Adedia Formation (Cambro-Ordovician), Sinai, Egypt. (Manuscript).
Al-Ramadan Khalid, Morad Sadoon, Ketzer João Marcelo, The Impact of Diagenesis on
Heterogeneity of Sandstone Reservoirs: A Review of the Links to Depositional Facies
and Sequence Stratigraphy (Manuscript).
18
Published conference abstracts
Al-Ramadan K., Hussain M., Imam B., and Saner S., 2002, Diagenesis of Jauf
Sandstone in Hawiyah Area, Saudi Arabia: Abstracts with Programs, AAPG International
Conference, Cairo, Egypt, October 27-30, 2002.
Al-Ramadan K., Morad S., Eklund S. and Proust J.N., 2004, Calcite cementation
patterns and textural habits within sequence stratigraphic framework of Upper Jurassic
siliciclastic successions, Boulonnais, France In : 26th Nordic Geological Winter Meeting,
January 6-9, 2004 Uppsala, Sweden.
Al-Ramadan K., Morad S., Proust J.N. and Al-Aasm I., 2004, Distribution of diagenetic
alterations in shoreface siliciclastic deposits within a sequence stratigraphic framework:
evidence from the upper Jurassic rocks, Boulonnais, NW France. In : 32th International
Geologic Congress, 20-28 August, 2004, Florence, Italy.
Al-Ramadan K., S. Morad, A. K. Norton, M. L. Hulver, 2006, Linking Diagenesis and
Porosity Preservation to Sequence Stratigraphy of Reservoir Sandstones in the Jauf
Formation (Lower Devonian), Eastern Saudi Arabia. In: 7th Middle East Geosciences
Conference and Exhibition (GEO2006), 27-29 March 2006, Bahrain. (The best oral
presentation)
Memberships in geoscience organizations
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM)
International Association of Sedimentologists (IAS)
European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE)
Dhahran Geosciences Society (DGS)
19
Curriculum Vitae of Muhittin Senalp
Date of Birth: 07 July 1943
Nationality: Turkish
Education:
University of Istanbul, Faculty of Science: Istanbul-Turkey
Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc)
Major: Geology, July 1965
Imperial College of Science and Technology: London, England
Master of Science Degree (MSc)
Geology of Petroleum, July 1970
Imperial College of Science and Technology: London, England
Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD)
Stratigraphy and Sedimentology, July 1974
Employment History:
Mineral Research and Exploration Institute of Turkey (MTA); Ankara,
Turkey

Field Geology and Well-Site Geology Departments; July 1965-December
1968

Field mapping in the eastern and south eastern part of Turkey for oil
exploration.

Well-site geologist and subsurface geologist in the Kars-Tuzluca Basin
situated along the border between Turkey and Rusia.
Mineral Research and Exploration Institute of Turkey (MTA);
Ankara, Turkey

Petroleum Geology, and Research and Development Departments; August
1974-July 1981

Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Cankiri-Corum Basin in the Central
Anatolia, Turkey.
20

Hydrocarbon potential of the Cretaceous-Pliocene successions in the
Haymana-Polatli Basin, Central Anatolia.

Chief geologist of Petroleum Geology Division.

Sedimentologist on the research ship Glomar Challenger for the Deep Sea
Drilling Project, Leg 42-B in the Black Sea.

Marine Scientific Research with the research ship R V. Shakelton between
Cyprus and Turkey.

Part time lecturer in the Middle East Technical University, Ankara, and
University of Black Sea, Trabzon giving master courses on the advanced
sedimentology.

Scientific advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

Member of Turkish Delegation to the United Nations on the Third United
Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.

Member of the small working group established in the Third United Nations
Conference to define the outer boundary of the continental shelf in those wide
continental margins more than 200 km miles.

Saudi Aramco; Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
July 1981-October 1989

Stratigraphy, sedimentology, and depositional environment of the Upper Miocene
Hasbah Reservoir in the Hasbah Field in the Arabian Gulf

Core description and interpretation of the Cretaceous Khafji Reservoir of the
Wasia Formation in the Marjan Field in the Arabian Gulf.

Multi-Layer Geologic Model of the Cretaceous Khafji Reservoir of the Wasia
Formation in the Marjan Field in the Arabian Gulf.

Core description and interpretation of the Cretaceous Khafji Reservoir of the
Wasia Formation in the Zuluf Field in the Arabian Gulf.

Multi-Layer Geologic Model of the Cretaceous Khafji Reservoir of the Wasia
Formation in the Zuluf Field in the Arabian Gulf.
21
October 1989-May 2001

Core description and depositional model of the Unayzah Reservoir in the central
and eastern areas of Saudi Arabia

Regional depositional model of the Permo-Carboniferous Unayzah reservoir in
the central and eastern areas of Saudi Arabia. This depositional model includes 16
hand-drawn isopach maps of the different stratigraphic intervals of the Unayzah
Reservoir.

Core description and depositional model of the Late Ordovician glacially-formed
Sarah Formation in the northern and central Saudi Arabia

Core description and depositional models of the Silurian Qalibah Formation
(Baq’a, Qusaiba, and Sharawra Members) in the northern, central and eastern
areas of Saudi Arabia

Core description, depositional model, and subsurface geology of the Ordovician
Qasim Formation (Hanadir, Kahfah, Ra’an, and Quwarah Members) in the
northern, central and eastern areas of Saudi Arabia

Core description, surface geology, depositional model, and subsurface geology of
the Lower Ordovician Saq Formation in the northern, central and eastern areas of
Saudi Arabia

Core description, surface geology, depositional model, and subsurface geology of
the Cambrian Siq, Quweira, and Burj Formations in the northern, central and
eastern areas of Saudi Arabia

Training young geology students at the field and in subsurface as part of the
comprehensive Exploration Training School
May 2001-July 2003

Subsurface geology and the regional depositional models of the Devonian Jauf
Reservoir and Permo-Carboniferous Unayzah Reservoir.
July 2003-Present

Training young geology students at the field and in subsurface as part of the
comprehensive Exploration Training School.

Sr. Geological Consultant to International Oil Companies, operating for deep gas
exploration in the Rub Al-Khali Area. I have organized core workshop and field
trips.
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
Published the comprehensive book entitled “Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of
the Paleozoic Successions in Saudi Arabia.”
Publications

I have published many papers on the stratigraphy and sedimentology of the
various Paleozoic Formations of Saudi Arabia. In these publications I have
defined new formations (Haradh, Jawb, and Ash-Shiqqah) of the Unayzah
Reservoir and the new members (Baq’a Member of the Qalibah Formation and
the Cruziana Shale Member of the Saq Formations) which are adapted and used
in the publications.

Senalp, M., A. Al-Duaiji 1995. The oral presentation on the Stratigraphy and
Sedimentation of the Unayzah Reservoir, Central Saudi Arabia in Geo1994,
Bahrain was selected as the best presentation and the same presentation was
repeated in AAPG International Meeting in Nice, France.

Senalp, M., A. Al-Duaiji, and J. Van Der Eem 1994. Basal Khuff Incised
Channel-Fill Sandstones and Their Significance within a SequenceStratigraphic Framework, in Central Saudi Arabia. American Association of
Petroleum Geologists Annual Convention, Denver, Colarado USA. Abstarct, in
Abstarct Volume.

Senalp, M., A. Al-Duaiji 1995. Stratigraphy and Sedimentation of the
Unayzah Reservoir, Central Saudi Arabia, In: M.I. Al-Huseini (Ed.), Middle
East Petroleum Geosciences Conference, GEO’94. Gulf PetroLink, Bahrain, vol.
2, p.837-847.

Senalp, M., A. Al-Laboun 2000. New Evidence on the Late Ordovician
Glaciation in Central Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Aramco Journal of Technology
(Spring), p. 11-40.

Senalp, M., A. Al-Duaiji 2001. Qasim Formation: Ordovician Storm- and
Tide-Dominated Shallow-Marine Siliciclastic Sequences, Central Saudi
Arabia. GeoArabia, v.6, no 2, p. 233-268. This publication was selected as the
best paper by the Saudi Aramco in 2001.

Senalp, M., A. Al-Duaiji 2001. Sequence Stratigraphy of the Unayzah
Reservoir. The Saudi Aramco Journal of Technology (Summer), p. 20-43.

Senalp, M. 2006. Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Paleozoic
Successions in Saudi Arabia. This is a book consisting of two volumes. The
Volume 1 includes the Cambrian-Silurian Systems, and Volume 2 includes the
Devonian-Permian Systems. The book is about 1000 pages and discusses the
surface and subsurface geology of the entire Saudi Arabia.
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