Hydrodynamic Simulation of The Late Jurassic Arabian Intrashelf Basin: Insight on Marine Organic Productivity and Distribution

This study is an attempt to assess the impact of hydrodynamic circulation in shallow intra-shelf basins on the distribution of organic matter and source rock richness. It provides insights into the paleo-current patterns and their potential relationship to organic matter generation and transport within the Late Jurassic Hanifa basin. The hydrodynamic simulation was carried out using the MIT general circulation model (MITgcm) - an open-source simulator - run on KAUST’s supercomputer Shaheen II. Results indicate that both surface and bottom currents are sufficient to cause significant lateral heterogeneity in organic matter richness and distribution. A closer look at basinal rock sequences confirms the presence of current features providing further support for the importance of considering hydrodynamic settings. Hydrodynamic simulations of paleo-basins are likely key to better understand the distribution and accumulation of source rock and generate more realistic subsurface models for exploration and production. © 2022 8th EAGE Arabian Plate Core Geology Workshop. All rights reserved.

Anthropogenic Miocene Supercomputers Current patterns General circulation model Hydrodynamic circulations Hydrodynamic simulation Late Jurassic Open-source