Forward Stratigraphic Modeling of Kuwait Formation, Linking Facies Architecture to Hydrocarbon Occurrence

The objective of this study is to perform forward stratigraphic modeling on the Kuwait Formation (also known as Kuwait Group) exposed stratigraphic succession along the Jal Az-Zor escarpment to explain the enigmatic occurrence of an elongated NW-SE geobody mapped from subsurface data at northern Kuwait. Outcrop measurements such as; stratigraphic successions, facies distribution, critical facies trends, and paleocurrent analysis have been collected along the 60 km length of the Jal Az-Zor escarpment. Such measurements were combined with thin section lab analysis to reveal the various sedimentary processes such as wave activity, grain size distribution, sediment supply sources, accommodation space, and erosional rates. These measurements were combined with subsurface data such as seismic attributes to reconstruct the paleography of the area and run a forward stratigraphic model simulation. The vertical succession was also utilized to reconstruct the relative sea-level fluctuation through time to develop an accurate model. Forward stratigraphic modeling resulted in building a robust and reliable facies distribution 3D model for the Jal Az-Zor escarpment that demonstrates the complex facies architecture. The model shows the various stacking patterns of several depositional sequences that are observed in the field as well as the subsurface. The enigmatic geobody mapped from seismic as a channel system in previous publications turned out to be a paleoshoreline. This shoreline is composed of high-quality sands as a result of an elevated level of wave activity. Reworking of barrier island sands was also found to be responsible for the enhanced reservoir quality. Consequently, regardless of the subsurface structure, the main driver of successful hydrocarbon accumulation is directly linked to the NW-SE trending paleoshoreline. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time forward-stratigraphic modeling is performed along the Jal Az-Zor escarpment in north Kuwait and using such an approach to unravel Kuwait Formation heavy hydrocarbon subsurface occurrences.

A Study on the Export of Saudi Arabian Dates in the Global Markets

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is among the leading producers of quality dates where the per capita consumption of dates is highest in the world. We studied the global markets in terms of date importing and date exporting countries. Among the five groups of importing countries, the first group comprised of European Union, North America, Australia and New Zealand, group two comprised of Eastern Europe, Turkey and Russia, group three of the Gulf countries in the Middle-East including the States of Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Kuwait, group four of the Arab States of Jordan, Syria, Morocco, Lebanon and Yemen while the fifth group from South Asia comprised of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The date exporting countries were categorized into three groups namely, the first group being USA, Mexico, South Africa and Israel, the second comprising of Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq and Oman while the third group of exporting countries being Tunisia and Algeria. We calculated the average price of dates for each of the groups of importing and exporting countries and studied the status of Saudi Arabian dates in the global markets and their suitability for exports. Five potential strengths of Saudi Arabian dates were identified that may be used either individually or collectively to strengthen the exports of dates from the Kingdom in each of the five date importing groups of countries where we also determined the potential market opportunities.

Assessment of Groundwater Salinization and Soil Degradation in Abdally Farms, Kuwait

Kuwait is a part of the arid and semi arid region, where irrigation is necessary for any realistic agricultural activities. There are no surface fresh water resources in Kuwait. Fresh water is provided from desalination of seawater. However, this water is used mainly for potable purposes. A total of 100,000 cubic meters of brackish groundwater is annually produced from the Kuwait Group and Dammam Formation aquifers. This water is mainly used for mixing at 5-10% with distilled water and for irrigation of specific crops. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of brackish groundwater irrigation on groundwater and soil. A total of 161 water and soil samples from 25 selected farms were collected and analyzed for chemical and physical parameters It was concluded that soil salinity was directly proportional to that of groundwater and a high increase in soil salinity was recognized since the establishment of the farms in Abdally. That was mainly related to the mismanagement of groundwater resources, which causes soil degradation in addition to the losses and inefficiency in water usage. It is recommended to use tertiary treated wastewater for irrigation activities in order to have a wider range of crops to be grown and to prevent the deterioration in both soil and groundwater resources.