Research projects

The group has undertaken a number of major regional studies across North Africa. Listed below are ongoing, planned and completed projects.

Sponsors can obtain further details and access to the final reports/ theses in the restricted Sponsors' area.

Current projects

  • Characterisation and Controls on the development of megasequences and unconformities along the Central Atlantic conjugate margins during the Jurassic and Cretaceous

    A fully funded PhD studentship to start in January 2020 to examine the tectono-stratigraphic evolution and controls on development of mega sequences and contained major unconformities within the Jurassic and Cretaceous interval along the Central Atlantic conjugate margin. The extensive passive margin sedimentary fill has striking similarities across the Central Atlantic, but also notable differences. The study will focus on comparison and correlation of sedimentary mega sequences across the Central Atlantic conjugate margin, to refine our understanding of the stratigraphy and age relationships, with a focus on constraining the mechanisms that control the development of major unconformities. This will allow refined palaeogeography, facies trends and understanding of the evolution of the passive margins. The study will assess the interplay of climate, basinal and hinterland tectonics and global sea level.

    The work will build on a new stratigraphic framework that has been developed in NW Africa (Morocco, Senegal) and compilation of extensive fission track data that has begun to develop a super-regional tectonstraigraphic framework. The PhD will extend this correlation across to Trinidad/Cuba, East Coast of the USA and offshore Nova Scotia. The study will integrate data from existing wells (cuttings data and wireline log data), with sampling from outcrop studies, with new dating where required, and analysis of onshore / offshore of seismic and gravity / magnetic data to define stratal relationships.

    The key questions: Are the major unconformities observed across the Central Atlantic synchronous? What are the main controls on development of these major unconformities? Are there fundamental differences the evolution of the NW Africa passive margin with its conjugate margin. How does the control of climate and basinal/hinterland tectonics influence the depositional mega sequences observed on the conjugate margins. What are the implications for understanding the prospectively of hydrocarbon systems along the margins.

  • Characterisation of Cretaceous Depositional Systems along the Atlantic Passive Margin, Morocco

    An interdisciplinary and multi-scale research project to characterize and evaluate the evolution of the Cretaceous depositional systems Onshore Morocco along the Atlantic Seaboard, extending offshore along the Morocco passive margin. To improve understanding of the depositional systems, facies modeling and basin evolution, with the implications for petroleum systems and modeling reservoirs, source distribution , generation and migration, and seal. The research will undertake detailed analysis of onshore outcrops to develop improved sedimentological models and establish depositional facies distributions through time, provenance, diagenesis and improved chronostratigraphy.

    This project commenced in January 2014, and 1st results have been delivered to the sponsors. The project will be integrated with analysis of available offshore subsurface data provided by ONHYM, including an offshore 2D seismic grid and access to well data and reports. NARG has singed an MOU with ONHYM to cooperate ion this study, building on the very strong links over the last 10 years. Additional data will be provided by sponsoring companies, to assist in mapping the offshore in order to constrain the source to sink models, and assess the evolution of the Cretaceous system and controls on sedimentation (salt tectonics) and basin evolution.

    Research team comprises 6 PhDs (Tim Luber, Angel Arantegui, Tu Anh Ngyeun (Schlumber Scholarship), and Leonardo Muniz Pichel (Brazilian Gov Scholarship) based in Manchester and Remi Charton in TuDelft. Academic staff supervision from Prof Jonathan Redfern, Prof Giovanni Bertotti and Prof Joep Storms from Manchester, TU Delft and Amsterdam (VUA).

  • Early Cretaceous Integrated Stratigraphic Framework, Morocco

    A fully funded PhD studentship to examine the evolution of Berriasian to Barremian interval of the Early Cretaceous depositional system that outcrops along the Atlantic margin of Morocco north of Agadir. The study will define a new biostratigraphic type section, integrating ammonite, calpionellid, calcareous nannofossil and benthic foraminifera analysis, with C13/O18 isotope stratigraphy and sequence stratigraphic interpretation. It will focus on refining our understanding of the stratigraphic architecture, age relationships, paleogeography and facies trends across the margin. The work will involve extensive outcrop studies and also integrate data from existing wells (cuttings data and wireline log data).

    A focus of the study will also be to characterise the coral buildups in the Hauterivian : provide improved age constraint, map their geometry and assess the significance and impact these buildups have on post Hauterivian paleogeography and palaeotopography. The project will also assess potential salt tectonic movements in relation with condensation and hiatuses that affects the early Lower Cretaceous sequences.
    Integration will be made with work completed in Morocco by NARG on the younger Barremian to Aptian section and the results will be correlated to global type sections.

    The Early Cretaceous is a potential reservoir for hydrocarbons offshore, and this work will further constrain the interval and refine models for the depositional system that controls deep-water reservoir development.

    Project to begin June 2018 with Orrin Bryers (Ph.d) supervised by Jonathan Redfern & Luc Bulot.

  • Impact of provenance on syn-rift fluvial reservoir distribution and quality, Triassic - Morocco

    The TAGI reservoir interval is a significant hydrocarbon reservoir which formed at the onset of the break-up of Pangea, as part of the Tethyan mega-sequence which characterises the Mesozoic across North Africa. The TAGI reservoir contains globally significant hydrocarbon resources in Algeria, Libya and Tunisia, however in Morocco, the western edge of the Tethyan rift, the distribution and quality of the TAGI is poorly understood.

    Utilising provenance data, specifically HM and detrital geochronology, has proven successful within the Triassic of the North Sea for building up correlations on both a basinal and regional scale (Mouritzen et al. 2017) as well as for reconstructing the size and extent of fluvial drainage networks (Tyrrell et al. 2007, 2010, 2012). This allows for greater accuracy in reservoir modelling and well planning, as the distribution of high quality reservoir intervals can be better understood.

    Samples from the Middle High Atlas Kerrouchen Basin and the Central High Atlas Oukaimeden Basin will be analysed alongside cuttings provided from TAGI equivalent intervals in exploration wells drilled across the Eastern Meseta. This will be undertaken alongside mapping of the fluvial systems within the Kerrouchen Basin, in order to identify local vs regional drainage signals and to develop depositional models for the TAGI in Morocco. 

    This project will combine traditional exploration approaches (core analysis, field analogues, wireline logging) with statistically robust techniques for provenance analysis to advance understanding of syn-rift fluvial reservoirs on a regional and basinal scales, with direct application to frontier basins (e.g. the Tendrara Field, High Plateaux) and mature basins (e.g. Berkine Basin, Algeria). 

    James Lovell-Kennedy continues his pilot MRes study into a PhD project, supervised by Jonathan Redfern & Stefan Schroeder.

  • Jurassic Carbonate reservoir characterisation and evolution along the Atlantic Margin.

    The study will focus on stratigraphic architecture, paleogeography and facies trends of Jurassic carbonates along the Moroccan Atlantic Margin, as well as age relationships in the basin.

    Part of the work will be outcrop-based, by conducting a regional stratigraphic-sedimentological study. Results will be integrated with subsurface datasets, seismic and well data.

    The study will have impact on active oil and gas exploration, in the light of hydrocarbon discoveries in Jurassic carbonates both in Morocco and in the conjugate basins of Canada. Reconnaissance studies of the Jurassic Outcrops north of Agadir have already been conducted.

    Students are being interviewed for an early January start. In addition ONHYM are funding one of their staff to undertake an MRes at Manchester as part of this study.

  • Provenance of Early Cretaceous fluvial systems along the Moroccan Atlantic margin

    Moroccan Atlantic Margin has experienced km-scale vertical movements during its post-rift evolution. Uplifts have controlled the distribution of sedimentary systems and the origin of the sediments delivered to the margin. Untangling the complex post-rift evolution of the NW African margin is fundamental to constraining the behaviour of the shallow-marine to fluvial transition zone as well as the formation and distribution of potential reservoirs

    The Lower Cretaceous shallow-marine to fluvial coarse siliciclastic successions of the Agadir Essaouira Basin are an exploration target offshore. However, limited success in recent drilling campaigns reflects the poor understanding of the depositional systems from source to sink. and its links to the eroding hinterland. This highlights the need of a more holistic approach, tracing sediment routing and the main input points through time.

    This integrated study aims to develop the first regional paleogeographic and tectonostratigraphic Source-to-Sink model of North-West Africa by deciphering the controls, timing and volume of the sediment supply to the margin and by constraining the importance of sediment recycling, mixing and storage. The main focus is on the late Early Cretaceous marine regression that is associated with substantial input of clastic sediment into the deep-water basins.

    The study is currently focusing on source discrimination based on the heavy mineral populations of the potential source areas and on the sampled sandstones in combination with apatite and zircon geochronology.

    This study is carried out under the supervision of Stefan Schroeder and Jonathan Redfern (University of Manchester), Shane Tyrrell (NUI Galway) and Giovani Bertotti (TU Delft)

  • Source Rock Hunter: Controls on distribution and quality of the Turonian/ Cenomanian Source rocks along the Atlantic Margin.

    This project being undertaken by PhD studentJianpang Wang (Chinese Gov. Scholarship) has commenced, supervised by Prof Kevin Taylor and Prof Jonathan Redfern.

    The aims are to characterise the Cenomanian/ Turonian source rocks outcropping onshore Morocco and correlate with the offshore penetrations. Geochemical data will be collated and new data produced from examination of outcrop and cuttings data.

    The study will address the controls and processes of source rock development and enrichment. It is anticipated this will extend south along the Atlantic margin and also include an element of basin modelling. This will contribute to the NARG Source Rock Hunter project.

  • Tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the MSGBC Basin, NW Africa

    Recent world-class discoveries in the Mauritania-Senegal-Guinea Bissau-Conarky (MSGBC) Basin by oil companies sponsoring the North Africa Research Group (NARG) have attracted the attention of our current research. Mesozoic stratigraphy in the MSGBC Basin records the post-rift evolution of the North West African Atlantic passive margin following late Triassic rifting. These strata constitute to numerous new hydrocarbon plays that oil companies are chasing in the whole Central Atlantic region.

    The project aims to progress the understanding of the Mesozoic tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the MSGBC Basin and wider Central Atlantic region using a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach to basin analysis. The study has been split into two distinct phases; the first will aim to create a new integrated stratigraphic framework for the Central Atlantic region by collecting new core samples from IODP cores, outcrop data from Maio – Cape Verde and Cap de Naze – Senegal, and exploration well data from onshore Senegal and offshore Suriname. Following this, the stratigraphic framework will be applied to regional seismic data in the MSGBC Basin to understand the spatially and temporal controls on depositional systems.

    Max Casson (Ph.D) is working on the 'sink' part of this project with supervision from Jonathan Redfern, Luc Bulot, Jason Jeremiah and Mads Huuse.

    At Delft, Giovanni Bertotti is aiming to quantify uplift in the source area using low-T geochronology tools.

  • Tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the West Africa Margin: Mauritania-Senegal-Guinea Bissau

    A fully funded PhD studentship to start in January 2020 to examine the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the Atlantic margin from Mauritania through Senegal to Guinea-Buissau. The study will focus on refining our understanding of the structure, stratigraphic architecture, age relationships, palaeogeography, facies trends and igneous intrusions styles and ages across the margin. The work will integrate data from existing wells (cuttings data and wireline log data), limited outcrop studies and analysis of onshore / offshore seismic and gravity / magnetic data to define stratal relationships and seismic facies. Data is to be donated by PGS TGS and Petrosen.

    Key areas for study include: interaction between slope and shelf areas and transform faults and igneous centres through time; the syn-rift to drift transition; the base of Jurassic carbonates, the top of the carbonate platform including key structures, canyons, karst, reefs; gross architecture and internal facies of Cretaceous fans and shelfal systems; Cenozoic shelf-slope stratigraphy including canyons, mass transport deposits, gullies, sediment waves; igneous intrusions and extrusions.

  • Completed projects

  • Third order sequence stratigraphic framework for the Palaeozoic reservoirs of North Africa.

    This study was undertaken by Stefan Lubeseder, supervised by Prof Jonathan Redfern. The aim was to develop a third-order sequence stratigraphic framework for the Silurian and Devonianof North Africa, focusing on Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. Due to the stability of the Saharan Craton during this period, Palaeozoic stratigraphy is relatively uniform across the area, allowing a regional study. Palaeozoic rocks form important reservoir and source rocks in North Africa, from the Cambrian to the Carboniferous. A sequence stratigraphic scheme together with the geometry of depositional systems and the key characteristics of their boundaries was developed, which offers as a valuable tool for the prediction of reservoir units in areas beyond data control. The outcrop studies can also serve as analogues to reservoir units in the subsurface. The final PhD thesis contain large inter-regional chronostratigraphic correlation charts, constructed to illustrate the intracratonic depositional model for North Africa.

    Practically, the study was split into three parts:

    Morocco field case study

    Silurian: Silurian sections were studied in the Tafilalt area as well as in the Dra Plain of southern Morocco (Anti-Atlas). The emphasis was on the Ludlowian "Orthoceras" limestones and the so-called "Scyphocrinites" limestones at the Silurian/Devonian boundary. These limestone levels were studied in terms of their biostratigraphic position, depositional system, and inter-regional sequence stratigraphic significance. Silurian "Orthoceras" limestones are known from various other parts of the world and the study provided a significant contribution to the understanding of these beds.

    Publications:

    Lubeseder, S. (2008). Palaeozoic low-oxygen, high-latitude carbonates: Silurian and Lower Devonian nautiloid and scyphocrinoid limestones of the Anti-Atlas (Morocco). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 264(1-2): 195-209

    Lubeseder, S., Redfern, J., Boutib, L., (2009), Mixed siliciclastic-carbonate shelf sedimentation- Lower Devonian sequences of the SW Anti-Atlas, Morocco Source: Sedimentary Geology, 215, 1-4, pp. 13-32

    Lubeseder S., J. Redfern, L. Petitpierre, S. Fröhlich. (2011). Stratigraphic trapping potential in the Carboniferous of North Africa: developing new play concepts based on integrated outcrop sedimentology and regional sequence stratigraphy (Morocco, Algeria, Libya). Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference series 2011, v. 7, p. 725-734, doi: 10.1144/?0070725

    PhD Thesis:

    Stefan Lubeseder 2005: Silurian and Devonian Sequence Stratigraphy of North Africa: Regional?Correlation and Sedimentology (Morocco, Algeria, Libya)

  • Depositional systems, stratigraphy and reservoir characterisation of the Early Cretaceous of Libya and Tunisia.

    The project commenced in 2006 with a PhD undertaken by Mustafa Karer and supervised by Prof Jonathan Redfern, and was extended to include a field based study led by Dr Stephane Bodin and Prof Jonathan Redfern, with PhD student Jonathan Wood. This latter involved extensive fieldwork in the Murzuk Basin Libya and along the Jeffara Arch (Libya and Tunisa). The research involved collaboration with the LPI Libya and University of Sphax, Tunisia. Aims were to understand the evolving depositional systems, revise the stratigraphy /sequence stratigraphy and characterise /evaluate potential Early Cretaceous reservoirs. The study extended to the subsurface in the Sirt basin, where the "Nubian" sandstones are one of the main reservoir targets. This phase was completed in 2012, with a series of publications and the successful completion of Jonathan Wood's PhD. This project may be extended in future to incorporate further subsurface data, and extend to Egypt and the wider region.

    The separate but linked project undertaken by Mustafa Karer (funded by the Libyan government / LPI, with data sponsored by Wintershall) examined the Nubian sandstone and associated igneous activity in the Hameimat Trough, Sirt Basin, Libya. The research utilized high-resolution 3D seismic data, combined with gravity, aeromagnetic, well data and cuttings samples. This project provides valuable insight into seismic imaging of intrusive and extrusive igneous events within the Nubian (Sarir Sandstone) in the Sirt basin, Libya. The presence of volcanics can prove a hazard to drilling, and of emplacement volcanics can have serious detrimental effects on reservoir volume and quality. A number of major oil fields in eastern Sirt basins produce from the Early Cretaceous Nubian sandstone. This significant reservoir is highly structured and has a poorly understood facies distribution. As drilling targets deeper reservoirs or more complex structural areas, developing a better understanding of the Nubian is crucial to successful future exploration. In some localities the Nubian contains significant interbedded volcanics, which have affected and often degraded reservoir quality. The volcanics also affect the seismic response and this makes the exploration program very challenging.

    Publications:

    Bodin, S., Wood, J., Petitpierre, L., Redfern, J. (2010). " Timing of Early to Mid-Cretaceous tectonic phases along North Africa: New insights from the Jeffara escarpment (Libya-Tunisia)." Journal of African Earth Sciences 58, 3. pp 489-506.

    Wood, J.D., S. Bodin, J. Redfern, M.F.H. Thomas, (2014), Controls on facies evolution in low accommodation, continental-scale fluvio-paralic systems (Messak Fm, SW Libya), Sedimentology V 301 p49-69.

    PhD Theses:

    2009: Mustafa Karer (now with Haliburton Libya): Nubian Sandstones, Hameitmat Trough, Sirte Basin Libya, Evaluating the sedimentology, reservoir characteristics and distribution, and the interbedded igneous units, their origin, distribution and impact on reservoir quality. Libya Gov. Funded

    2012 Jonathan Wood (now with Shell International): Sedimentological characterization and regional palaeo-environmental implications of the Messak Fm, SW Libya. NARG Sponsored

  • Early Carboniferous – Marar Formation and overlying Assedjefar Fm, Ghadames Basin Libya.

    The project commenced in 2008 and was led by Dr Sebastian Frohlich (now at Statoil) and Prof Jonathan Redfern, with PhD student Laurent Petitpiere, following an earlier pilot study carried out by Dr Stefan Lubeseder. The project involved extensive fieldwork in Libya on the southern margin of the Ghadames Basin (in part supported by Woodside). Results provide valuable new insights into the depositional environments, and have identified a series of significant incised valleys in the Carboniferous, possible reservoir targets in the subsurface. The work addresses the underlying controls on the system, and refines outcrop to subsurface correlation. In future the project could be extended into the subsurface in Algeria, where these units may offer significant reservoir potential.

    Publications:

    Fröhlich S., J. Redfern, L. Petitpierre, J. Marshall, M. Power, P. Grech (2009), Diagenesis and reservoir quality evolution of Lower Carboniferous fluvial channels, western Libya) . Journal of Petroleum Geology

    Fröhlich, S., Petitpierre, L., Redfern, J., Grech, P., Bodin, S., Lang, S. (2010). "Sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic analysis of Carboniferous deposits in western Libya: recording the sedimentary response of the northern Gondwana margin to climate and sealevel changes." Journal of African Earth Sciences 57 (4), pp. 279-296

    Lubeseder S., J. Redfern, L. Petitpierre, S. Fröhlich. (2011). Stratigraphic trapping potential in the Carboniferous of North Africa: developing new play concepts based on integrated outcrop sedimentology and regional sequence stratigraphy (Morocco, Algeria, Libya). Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference series 2011, v. 7, p. 725-734, doi: 10.1144/?0070725

    PhD Thesis:

    2012 Laurent Petitpierre (now with Statoil): Sedimentology and Stratigraphy of the Early Carboniferous Marar Formation in Western Libya. NARG sponsored.

    Reports: Preliminary Evaluation of the Carboniferous interval: Dr Stefan Lubeseder pilot study

  • Nummidian Flysch depositional system and provenance.

    The Numidian Flysch is the most widespread tectono-stratigraphic unit in the western Mediterranean. It outcrops in the Alpine nappe belt, in southern Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily and southern Italy. In Sicily and Tunisia it is an Oligocene to mid-Miocene flysch-type deposit sourced from the north-African passive margin and deposited into an east-west trending foreland basin. This study was supervised by Dr Stephane Bodin and Prof Jonathan Redfern, and undertaken as a PhD by Myron Thomas (now Shell). The study focused on outcrops in northern Sicily and Tunisia, evaluating the sedimentology and provenance within the context of the basin as a whole. Special emphasis is placed upon the controls on deposition and provenance of the clastic supply, which until this study were largely unknown. Future work is intended to extend this study to the west into Algerian and Morocco.

    Publications:

    Thomas, M. F. H., Bodin, S., Redfern, J., Irving, D. H. B. (2010). "A constrained African craton source for the Cenozoic Numidian Flysch: Implications for the palaeogeography of the western Mediterranean basin." Earth Science Reviews 101, 1. pp 1-23.

    Thomas, M.F.H., S. Bodin, J. Redfern Comment on European provenance of the Numidian Flysch in northern Tunisia'by Fildes et al.(2010) Terra Nova 22 (6), 501-503

    Lubeseder S., J. Redfern, L. Petitpierre, S. Fröhlich. (2011). Stratigraphic trapping potential in the Carboniferous of North Africa: developing new play concepts based on integrated outcrop sedimentology and regional sequence stratigraphy (Morocco, Algeria, Libya). Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference series 2011, v. 7, p. 725-734, doi: 10.1144/?0070725

    PhD Thesis:

    2011: Dr Myron Thomas (now with Shell International): Sedimentology of the Nummidian Flysch - NARG Sponsored.

  • Late Triassic Syn-Rift Sequences – High Atlas, Argana Basin and Fundy Basin, Nova Scotia.

    These projects were run as a lead collaborator in the Atlantic Triassic Project, combining the research power of the Universities of Manchester, Aberdeen and UCD Dublin (Prof Pat Shannon). NARG researchers were Nadine Mader (PhD completed 2008, currently with Maersk) and Ivan Fabuel Perez (PhD completed 2009 currently with Exxon) and Xavier Van lanen (funded by Shell and currently with Statoil). Academic staff from NARG working on this project included Prof Jonathan Redfern, Dr David Hodgetts and Prof Brian Williams. Dr Cat Baudon worked on the project as a PostDoc at Manchester, and the students were also supported by Dr Sophie Leleu from Aberdeen University. This involved an integrated analysis of Late Triassic rift sequences in Canada, Morocco and the North Atlantic (and seismic data from Norway and W Britain). Manchester led the research use of LiDAR and field sedimentology in Morocco, characterising reservoirs in the systems, and also looking at the structural controls using field based analysis in the High Atlas of Morocco, the Argana Basin Morocco and Fundy Basin Canada. A number of publications have come out from this research.

    Publications:

    Redfern, J., Hodgetts, D. & Fabuel-Perez, I. (2007). Digital analysis brings renaissance for petroleum geology outcrop studies in North Africa. In: First Break 25, pp. 81-87.

    Fabuel-Perez, I., Hodgetts, D., & Redfern, J., (2009), A new approach for outcrop characterization and geostatistical analysis of a low-sinuosity fluvial-dominated succession using digital outcrop models; Upper Triassic Oukaimeden Sandstone Formation, central High Atlas, Morocco AAPG Bulletin, 93, 6, pp. 795-827

    Fabuel-Perez, I.; Redfern, J.; Hodgetts, D., (2009), Sedimentology of an intra-montane rift- controlled fluvial dominated succession: The Upper Triassic Oukaimeden Sandstone Formation, Central High Atlas, Morocco, Sedimentary Geology, v. 218, iss. 1-4, pp. 103-140.

    Baudon, C., Fabuel-Perez, I. and Redfern, J. ( 2009). "Structural style and evolution of a Late Triassic rift basin in the central High Atlas, Morocco; controls on sediment deposition." Geological Journal, 44(6): pp. 677-691.

    Van Lanen, X.M.T., Hodgetts, D., Redfern, J., Fabuel-Perez, I. (2009). " Applications of digital outcrop models; two fluvial case studies from the Triassic Wolfville Fm., Canada and Oukaimeden Sandstone Fm., Morocco." Geological Journal, 44(6): 742-760.

    Fabuel-Perez, I., Hodgetts, D. and Redfern, J. (2010). " Integration of digital outcrop models (DOMs) and high resolution sedimentology; workflow and implications for geological modelling; Oukaimeden Sandstone Formation, High Atlas (Morocco)." Petroleum Geoscience, 16, 133-154.133-154.

    Redfern, J., Shannon, P.M., Williams, B.P.J., Tyrell, S., Leleu, S., Fabuel Perez, I., Baudon, C., Stolfova, K., Hodgetts, D., Speksnijder, A., Haughton, P.D.W, Daly, J.S. , ( 2011) An integrated study of Permo-Triassic basins along the North Atlantic passive margin: implication for future exploration. Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference series, v. 7, p. 921-936, doi: 10.1144/?0070921

    Mader, N. K. and Redfern, J. (2011). A sedimentological model for the continental Upper Triassic Tadrart Ouadou Sandstone Member: recording an interplay of climate and tectonics (Argana Valley; South-west Morocco), Sedimentology, 1365-3091 DOI:10.1111/j.1365-3091.2010.01204.x

    Baudon, C., Redfern, J & Van Den Driessche P; J, (2012), Permo-Triassic structural evolution of the Argana Valley and implications on the kinematics and impact of the Atlantic rifting in the High Atlas, Journal of African Earth Sciences, 65, 91-104.

    Rarity, F. X. M. T. van Lanen, D. Hodgetts, R. L. Gawthorpe, P. Wilson, I. Fabuel-Perez, and J. Redfern (2013), LiDAR-based digital outcrops for sedimentological analysis: workflows and techniques. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 387, doi:10.1144/SP387.5

    PhD Theses:

    2006: Dr Nadine Mader (now working for Maersk): Sedimentology, third order sequence stratigraphy and controlling factors on facies distribution in the Triassic of North Africa. NARG Funded

    2009: Dr Ivan Fabuel Perez (now in Exxon): 3D Modelling of Late Triassic Continental mixed fluvial systems; integrating LIDAR with high resolution sedimentology of fluvial facies: High Atlas, Morocco NARG Funded

    2011: Dr Xavier Van Lanen (now with Statoil): Quantitative Outcrop Analysis / Integrated Reservoir Modelling of Triassic Fluvial Facies, Minas Basin, Nova Scotia, Canada. Shell International funded.

  • Deepwater Slope Channel and Mass Flow Complexes, Nile Delta.

    This research was undertaken by PhD student Victoria Catterall, supervised by Prof Jonathan Redfern and Prof Rob Gawthorpe. PostDoc researcher Dr Dorthe Hansen (now Statoil) also contributed to the work. This project studied deepwater depositional processes, controls and evolution of the Nile Delta, Egypt, in the context of submarine channel evolution, and generation and interaction with mass-transfer-complexes. It utilized an extensive 3D database provided by BG Group. This work was undertaken within a sequence stratigraphic framework, with the results providing new and important quantification of the slope system evolution in terms of architecture, structure and morphology.

    Publications:

    Catterall, V., Redfern, J., Gawthorpe, R.L., Hansen, D.M & Thomas, M.H.F (2010), Architectural Style and Quantification of a Submarine Channel-Levee Systems located in a structurally complex area: Offshore Nile Delta, Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 80; no. 11; pp. 991-1017; DOI: 10.2110/jsr.2010.084

    PhD thesis:

    2010: Dr Victoria Catterall (now with ExxonMobil): Evolution and morphology or deepwater channels, offshore Nile Delta, Egypt. NERC/ BG Group Case funded.

  • Ordovician Glaciogenic Reservoir Systems, Murzuq Basin, Libya.

    This project undertaken by PhD student Gregg Pyke at Heriot Watt (now at Oxy) was supervised, Dr Andy Gardiner, Prof Patrick Corbett, and also Prof Jonathan Redfern, and examined the Controls on Reservoir Quality within the Cambro-Ordovician Sandstones of the Saharan Platform. Extensive fieldwork was been undertaken in the Murzuk Basin, integrated with a large subsurface dataset, built into a regional Petrel model. Diagenesis of the Memouniat reservoir has been modeled using the Touchstone software ™.

    Publications:

    No publications have been forthcoming from this work. A number of ppt presentations and extended abstracts are available on the NARG secure server.

    PhD Thesis:

    This work has still to be submitted for a PhD. A number of ppt presentations and preliminary reports are available to the sponsors.

  • Source Rock Hunter Project and Basin Modelling.

    Early work on regional source rocks was undertaken by postdoctoral researcher Dr Sebastian Luning, supported by Stefan Lubeseder and Dr Jonathan Redfern. This work aimed to assess the source rock quality of Palaeozoic shales from outcrop studies, that had proved difficult to quantify due to intense weathering. The project included the analysis of a number of methods to allow more accurate regional mapping of source rock facies including surface exposures. Based on their characteristic uranium gamma-radiation and pyrite framboid distribution, the original organic richness of the Silurian / Upper Devonian shales in weathered outcrops was mapped in Libya. A model for the distribution of the rich source rocks was developed. Fieldwork was carried in the Moroccan Anti-Atlas where the Frasnian and Silurian hot shales were studied at outcrop using a portable gamma-ray spectrometer. The unit is typically marked by enrichment in uranium. Additional fieldwork was carried out on the Silurian Tannezuft Shales outcrops documented in Ghat (SW Libya) and Algeria for the Silurian and Devonian source facies.

    The project was continued by Dr Alvaro Jimenez Berracosso (now with Repsol). New field investigations were carried out in north central Tunisia, examining the organic-rich sediments of the Bou Dabbous Fm (lower Eocene). The research addressed the controls on the development of the organic richness and assess its distribution stratigraphicaly and aerially, in order to improve source rock quality predictions.

    Other research (oncluding proprietary consulting projects) has focused on the Silurian (Tanezuft Shales) in Libya and Morocco, Cenomanian/ Turonian and Toarcian source rocks.

    Future work will initially focus on the Cenomanian / Turonian in Morocco, with Prof Kevin Taylor from the University of Manchester. These outcrops, integrated with available offshore well and seismic data, will provide an analogue for offshore source intervals along the Atlantic margin. Development of the online database is continuing for all the main source horizons and potentially significant intervals.

    NARG has also been working on basin modelling projects, integrated to petroleum system analysis, since its inception. We have access to the lasts basin modelling software, and through collaborations, can undertake heat flow and subsidence history analysis (FT, Vr etc). The capability is enhanced now through the membership of TU Delft.

    Publications:

    Burwood R., Redfern J., and Cope M. (2003) Geochemical evaluation of East Sirte Basin (Libya) petroleum systems and oil provenance. In Petroleum Geology of Africa: New Themes and Developing Technologies, Vol. 207 (ed. T. J. Arthur, D. S. MacGregor, and N. R. Cameron), pp. 203-204. Geological Society of London Special Publication.

    Lüning, S., Craig, J., Loydell, D. K., Storch, P. & Fitches, W. R. (2000): Lowermost Silurian 'hot shales' in North Africa and Arabia: Regional Distribution and depositional model. Earth Science Reviews 49: 121-200.

    Lüning, S., Adamson, K., Craig, J. (2003a): Frasnian 'Hot Shales' in North Africa: Regional Distribution and Depositional Model. In: Arthur, T. J., Macgregor, D. S., Cameron, N. (Eds.), Petroleum Geology of Africa: New Themes and developing technologies, Geol. Soc. (London) Sp. Publ. 207: 165-184.

    Lüning, S., S. Kolonic, D. Loydell, J. Craig (2003b): Reconstruction of the original organic richness in weathered Silurian shale outcrops (Murzuq and Kufra basins, southern Libya). GeoArabia 8: 299-308.

    Lüning, S., S. Kolonic, E. M. Belhadj, Z. Belhadj, L. Cota, G. Baric, T. Wagner (2004): Integrated depositional model for the Cenomanian-Turonian organic-rich strata in North Africa. Earth-Science Reviews 64: 51-117.

    Underdown, R., and Redfern, J., (2007), The importance of constraining regional exhumation in basin modelling: a hydrocarbon maturation history of the Ghadames Basin, North Africa., Petroleum Geoscience, V 13, p 1-19

    Underdown, R., and Redfern J., (2007), Constraining the burial history of the Ghadames Basin, North Africa: An integrated analysis using sonic velocities, vitrinite reflectance data and apatite fission track ages. Basin Research, Volume 19, Number 4, pp. 557-578 (22)

    Underdown, R., and Redfern, J., (2008), Petroleum Generation and Migration in the Ghadames Basin, North Africa: A 2D Basin Modelling Study, AAPG Bulletin, V. 92, No. 1 , pp. 53-76.

    Bodin S., E. Mattioli, S. Frohlich, J.D. Marshall, L. Boutib, S. Lahsini, J.Redfern (2010). "Toarcian carbon isotope shifts and nutrient changes from the Northern margin of Gondwana (High Atlas, Morocco, Jurassic): Palaeoenvironmental implications." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 297, pp 377-390.

    Reports:

    Additional reports are available of the Jurassic source rocks of Fuerteventura, and regional source rock analysis of the Silurian in Morocco and Libya.

    PhD Thesis:

    2006: Dr Ruth Underdown (now a school teacher): Assessing the impact of regional unconformities on the maturation and migration of hydrocarbons within the Ghadames Basin, North Africa. NARG Funded.

  • Carbonate Reservoir Studies: Dolomitisaton of Late Cretaceous Reservoirs, North Africa and Spain.

    The influence of dolomitisation on Late Cretaceous carbonates in North Africa is often critical to reservoir development. The study has analysed the superbly exposed section along the Jeffara escarpment of southern Tunisia, together with analogue outcrops in Northern Spain.  These outcrops provide an excellent opportunity to study the extensively dolomitised Upper Albian-Lower Turonian shallow water carbonates of the Zebbag Formation (Rhadouane, Kerker and Gattar Members), and similar facies in Spain, which are potential outcrop analogues for reservoirs currently under production and appraisal in North Africa. This study comprised a multi-disciplinary, multi-scale approach using field, petrographical and geochemical data to better constrain the depositional history, diagenetic history and source of diagenetic fluids.

    Publications:

    3 papers in preparation.

    PhD Thesis:

    Richard Newport (2014), passed viva and currently undertaking minor correction prior to final submission. The thesis will be available in early 2015.

  • FRAC - Fractured Reservoir Analogues Carbonates.

    This project was led by postdoctoral fellow Dr Guy Spence. Outcrop analogues of subsurface naturally fractured carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs in Egypt were studied to improve our understanding of fracture development and prediction in these complex reservoirs. Field studies were undertaken in Egypt prior to the political situation changing. The project involved the use of DGM/ LiDAR 3-D field mapping of fractured carbonate outcrops, sedimentary logging, sampling and mapping. Data processing and analysis used the Manchester in-house software VRGS and Schlumberger's Petrel software. The aim was to improve understanding of fracture characterisation and property modeling.

    Publications:

    Spence, G.H., Redfern, J., Aguilera R., Bevan, T., Cosgrove, J.W., Couples, G., Daniel, J-M. (eds) (2014), Advances in the Study of Fractured Reservoirs. Geological Society, London, Special Publication v. 374. and papers therein

  • Associated (non NARG funded) projects

  • Diagenesis and thermal history of the Illizi Basin during the Ordovician, Algeria.

    Kara English (2nd Year) is funded by (and works for) Petroceltic (providing data and funding).

    This study focuses on the southern Illizi basin in Algeria, where a substantial new dataset has been acquired by Petroceltic International as part of the recent appraisal of the Ain Tsila gas-condensate discovery. A number of complementary methods are being used to constrain the thermal and burial history of the Ordovician reservoirs in the Ain Tsila field.

    These techniques include: estimates of missing stratigraphy based on regional observations and cross-sections, estimates of the magnitude of exhumation based on sonic velocity 'over-compaction' of regionally homogeneous shale and sandstone packages, estimates of peak burial temperature and paleo-geothermal gradients based on vitrinite reflectance data, and constraints on thermal history provided by apatite fission track (AFT) data.

    The resulting burial history models combine all available fluid inclusion and source rock data to generate a model of the timing of hydrocarbon generation and migration from the primary source rocks within the basin. These models are being used to predict the timing of a potential early-oil fill within the Ordovician reservoirs in the Ain Tsila field, and also the timing of the main gas- condensate charge.

    These burial history models will be utilized in order to construct some conceptual sandstone diagenesis models using Touchstone software, and to determine if any predictions can be made regarding the (spatial and vertical) variation of reservoir quality across the Ain Tsila field.

  • Controls on carbonate reservoir development, Kotla Graben, Sirt Basin, Libya.

    Mohammed Salem (2nd year) is funded by the Libyan Government, with data supplied by AGOCO:

    The evolution of the Western Sirt Basin in the region of the Dahra Platform, Amin High and Kotla Graben is being evaluated by integrating 2D/ 3D seismic and data from 36 wells. Three tectonic styles can be identified involving regional Pre-rift intra-continental sag, complex multi-stage rifting and modification by wrenching. A major horst-graben system configuration has been delineated, which allows mapping fault distribution and timing throughout the area. Time, interval velocity, isochron, depth, isopach and lithofacies contour maps of the selected (12) horizons have been constructed. These maps are being used to interpret the subsurface architecture of the area from thickness, depth variations and velocity anomalies, in terms of tectonic effect and its control on thickness and facies distribution throughout the Dahra Platform and Kotla Graben area .

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