Evaluation of hydrocarbon potential in the Egyptian Red Sea: A focus on the southern province and implications for future exploration

The southern province of the Egyptian Red Sea, located between Marsa Alam and Halaib (Latitudes 34° 54`N and 36° 45`N) is regarded as a potential frontier basin with limited seismic and well data availability. Despite minimal exploration efforts (only 12 wells in an area covering ca. 70,000 km2), adjacent sub-basins in Sudan that were targeted by the Suakin and Bashayer wells have yielded significant proven hydrocarbon volumes. Additionally, deep-water presalt plays in this area remain entirely unexplored. This study aims to provide new insights into the regional geology and potential hydrocarbon plays within the pre- and post-salt successions, with a particular focus on the southern sector of the Egyptian Red Sea basin. By integrating the latest regional seismic data and relevant analogs, we assess the area’s hydrocarbon potential. Our approach leverages recent studies and data, extending the analysis further southward.