Interpretation of Bouguer Anomaly Maps, Geothermal Gradient Data and Exploratory Wells Results - A Case Study of Dungunab Area in Red Sea Coast Region, Northeastern Sudan

The Sudanese Red Sea region have been surveyed and explored by AGIP Companey since 1965 and three wells have been drilled where no oil has been encountered. The general stratigraphic succession of Red Sea coastal plain is divided from the youngest to several Formations Shagara (Pliocene-Pliestocene), Wardan, Zeit, Dungunab, Belayim, Hamamit and Mukawar (Upper Cretaceous) and including four major tectonic phases. The main objective of this study is to use the available gravity and geothermal gradient data in Dungunab area to delineating the sedimentary extension of the study area and surrounding coastal areas by use of gravity indicator. And to emphasize on the rifting effects on the Red Sea coastal area the gravity interpretations. In addition to make use of the temperature gradient data available for the area in assessing the hydrocarbon generation type. Bougure anomaly maps showed the extinction of the sediments along the coastal plain of the Red Sea region and also showed locations of major structures which may be related to tectonic rifting. Temperature gradient indicator gave a good potentiality of oil generation in Abu Shagara-1 and Mughersum-1 wells where a sufficient thickness for entrance to oil zone has been encountered, but Dungunab-1 well area has no enough sedimentary thickness to produce oil. The correlation model from the well results indicated gas potentiality in the area between Abu Shagara-1 and Mughersum-1 well and the surroundings but Dungunab-1 well area and surrounding area have no any type of potentiality or hydrocarbon shows.