Seismic attributes analysis and petrophysical modeling for reservoir characterization and prospect identification in...

The Upper Ordovician Mamuniyat Formation represents the principal hydrocarbon reservoir in the I/R oil fields, Murzuq Basin, Libya, where reservoir quality and distribution are strongly influenced by glacial depositional processes and structural complexity. This study presents an integrated reservoir characterization workflow combining multi-well petrophysical analysis, 3D seismic interpretation, seismic attribute analysis (variance, RMS amplitude, and energy), spectral decomposition, and 3D static reservoir modeling. Petrophysical evaluation from eleven wells indicates that the reservoir is dominated by quartz-rich sandstones with shale volume generally < 25%, effective porosity ranging from ~ 12 to 15%, and water saturation varying between ~ 20 and 55%. Seismic attribute analysis reveals a dominant NW-SE-trending fault system controlling reservoir compartmentalization, while amplitude-based attributes delineate sand-prone fairways associated with improved reservoir quality. Spectral decomposition further enhances imaging of channelized depositional elements and demonstrates lateral continuity of reservoir bodies. The integration of seismic-derived indicators with petrophysical properties within a 3D modeling framework identifies zones of enhanced reservoir quality concentrated in the central, northwestern, and southwestern parts of the field. Two new prospective zones are delineated on the upthrown side of the main fault, characterized by favorable seismic responses, higher porosity, and reduced water saturation. Blind well validation confirms good agreement between modeled and observed properties, demonstrating the predictive capability of the approach. Compared to previous studies relying on isolated datasets, this integrated workflow provides a more quantitative and spatially consistent characterization of reservoir heterogeneity, significantly reducing uncertainty and supporting improved exploration and development strategies in structurally complex clastic systems.