Integrated Sequence Stratigraphic and Petrophysical Evaluation of Middle Miocene Reservoirs, Offshore East Esh El Mallaha, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

The reservoirs of the Middle Miocene Kareem and Belayim formations in the offshore East Esh El Mallaha area of the southern Gulf of Suez are significant as they represent hydrocarbon zones resulting from an active rift phase in the basin. The difficulty in predicting and correlating the reservoirs arises from their laterally and vertically different facies, in addition to the complicated syn-depositional faulting. As a result, the objective of this research is to characterize the reservoirs in question by using a combination of methods that focus on formation evaluation, sequence stratigraphy, and high-resolution cyclostratigraphy to establish the stratigraphic architecture and depositional cyclicity. Well-log interpretation, further validated by cyclostratigraphy frequency analysis and sedimentation rate modeling, leads to the identification of five third-order depositional sequences within the Miocene Kareem and Belayim formations. These sequences represent the considerable changes in accommodation space, ultimately leading to a significant sea-level regression approximately 15.3 million years ago (Ma), as the Rhami were nonexistent at that time. The stratigraphic succession, consisting of basal evaporites capped by clastic Hammam Faraun sandstones, displays different sediment accumulation rates (SARs) of up to 20 cm/kyr in wells NG-3X and EEMM-39. In contrast, in EEMM-25 and EEMM-37, the rates drop to 6 and 2.5 cm/kyr, respectively, indicating lesser sedimentation over the structural highs. Seismic interpretation has identified three seismic facies, and a structural analysis has demonstrated that NW–SE trending syn-depositional faults played a primary role in controlling sediment distribution and facies organization. The most productive reservoirs are located in the highstand systems tract (HST) of the Hammam Faraun Member and the lowstand systems tract (LST) of the Shagar Member, respectively. The identified intervals comprise sandy, feldspathic facies, which exhibit excellent reservoir characteristics, with porosity reaching as high as 23% and hydrocarbon saturation levels of up to 68%. The present study reported six lithofacies that illustrated the interactions of tectonic activity, sea-level changes, and sediment supply. © 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.