Appraisal of Stress Impact on Distribution Pattern and Faults Displacement in Salman Oilfield

Structural geology studies are important stages of exploration and production of oilfields since familiarity with the existing structures could have a substantial role in the development of oilfields. Salman oilfield located in the Persian Gulf is among those which have been formed in salty dome regions where several faults have been created by diapers. Since stress is the main factor in the formation of tectonic structures, in this study the main stresses on Salman oilfield were studied. For this purpose, contribution of stresses in creation and evolution of tectonic structures of the region was investigated. Then, fault plane of the oilfield designed and distribution pattern of faults and their displacement were studied by using Petrel software. In this regard, UGC maps and Fault Stick data were considered as input parameters. The results indicate compressive stress of Arabian plate movement towards Iran causing the formation of Salman oilfield dome. After three-dimensional modeling of faults plane, it is concluded that these faults were formed in two stages during different tectonic phases. The faults arrangement particularly is manipulated by direction of stresses which formed perpendicular to the tensile stresses. Measurements performed on the faults indicate increase in dip by increase in burial depth until it reaches near normal sate. Vertical displacement of the faults decreased relative to depth which could be in association with increase in fault plane dip. Finally, by considering observing horizontal displacements along fault planes, it is delineated that the main type of Salman field faults are normal with strike-slip component.