Kemp: Iran's Tantalizing Oil Prize

The basin covers more than 550,000 square kilometres but is relatively narrow - more than 2,500 km long and generally just 500-700 km wide (http://link.reuters.com/bup54w).

Most of Iran's oil and gas fields are found in a narrow belt running along its maritime boundary in the Gulf and the foothills of the Zagros Mountains (http://link.reuters.com/xep54w).

Asmari Formation

In Iran, the sediments comprising the Zagros Basin are up to 12,000 metres thick. Oil and gas have been trapped in and produced from various layers, but by far the most important is the Asmari limestone.

The Asmari formation has been to Iran what the Bakken formation is to North Dakota and Eagle Ford is to Texas.

The Asmari formation is not intrinsically very porous or permeable, which would make it a poor choice for oil and gas production.

But the formation has been heavily fractured because of the folded nature of the Zagros Basin, making it an excellent producer.

A single oil well in some reservoirs can produce up to 80,000 bpd on a sustained basis, and one well can drain a large area through the natural fracture system.


123456

View Full Article

WHAT DO YOU THINK?


Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.


Most Popular Articles