1-3 December, 2025

6th Edition: Siliciclastic Reservoirs of the Middle East


Kuwait City, Kuwait - Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa

This workshop will incorporate studies on a wide variety of topics of these prolific clastic reservoirs of the Arabian Plate, including regional and subregional petroleum potential, sequence stratigraphy, depositional systems, and integrated geological controls on reservoir development.

Program
Monday 1st December
07.00–08.30 Workshop Registration
08.30–08.45 Workshop Co-Chairs' Welcome and Introduction
08.45–09.00 Welcome Address: Talal Al Adwani, AAPG Middle East President
09.00–09.15 INAUGURAL KEYNOTE
Khalid Al-Mulla, Deputy CEO, Exploration and Drilling Directorate, KOC
09.15–09.45 TECHNICAL KEYNOTE
Abdulaziz Ben Laboun, Independent
Session 1: Stratigraphic Architecture and Depositional Characteristics of Clastic Systems
Session Co-Chairs: Yaqoub Al-Refaei, Kuwait University & KGS & TBC
09.45–10.10 The Occurrence of the Misfar Group in the Eastern Flank of South Oman: Palynological Assemblages of Saudi Arabian Jauf/Jubah Aspect
Prof. Mike Stephenson, Stephenson Geoscience Consulting
10.10–10.35 A Revised Understanding of the Awali Field: Employing Combined Palynology and Chemostratigraphy to Identify Key Unconformities and Improve Reservoir Correlation in the Palaeozoic Rocks of the Awali Field, Bahrain
Clare Tansell, Petrostat
10.35–11.00 Sedimentological and Ichnological Variability of Wave and River-Induced Stresses; What Can We Learn from Trace Fossils?: An Example from the Upper Ordovician Quwarah Member, Qasim Formation, Saudi Arabia
Camilo Polo, Aramco
11.00–11.20 Coffee Break & Posters
11.20–11.45 The Role of Paleoclimate, Eustasy, and Basin Configuration in Governing Mixed Clastic–Carbonate Deposition: Insights from the Zubair Formation, Southern Iraq
Gamal Sultan, Slb
11.45–12.10 Fluvial Channel Trends, Gross Depositional Environments and Trapping Mechanisms of the Permian Gharif Formation, Sultanate of Oman
James Moss, PDO
12.10–12.35 Unlocking Hydrocarbon Production Potential: A Study of Reservoir Quality Assessment and Depositional Architecture of Minjur Formation (Late Triassic), Burgan Oil Field, Kuwait
Rushdy Ali, Premier Corex
12.35–13.40 Lunch
Session 2: Regional and Sub-Regional Structural Controls on the Sedimentation of Clastic Systems: An Implication for Play Concept
Session Co-Chairs: Husam Rawahi, PDO & TBC
13.40–14.05 Unlocking the Exploration Potential of the South Oman Haima Play Through Integrated, Data-Driven, Play-Based Exploration
Marwa Al Abri, PDO
14.05–14.30 Reservoir Sedimentology, Sequence Stratigraphy and Seismic Geomorphology of the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic Minjur Formation, Abu Dhabi
Nigel Cross, Independent Consultant
14.30–14.55 Unveiling the Precambrian Basement Terrain in Eastern Arabia
Abdulrahman Al Harthi, PDO
14.55–15.10 Coffee Break & Posters
15.10–15.35 Palynological Evidence for the Hiatus of the Hercynian Unconformity (HU) Across the Arabian Plate: Implications for Exploration
Prof. Mike Stephenson, Stephenson Geoscience Consulting
15.35–16.00 The Contribution of an Emerging Play in South Oman Portfolio (Mesozoic Clastic Formation)
Aisha Al Riyami, PDO
16.00–17.00 Breakout Session / Open Discussion
Tuesday 2nd December
Session 3: Integrated Clastic Reservoir Studies
Session Co-Chairs: Homoud Al Anzi, Aramco & Sharif Al Bahri, OQEP
08.30–08.55 Decoding the Complexity of the Major Clastic Reservoir Systems in the Greater Burgan Field
Mona Rashaid, KOC
08.55–09.20 Unveiling Permian Upper Gharif Stratigraphic Traps in North Oman: A Geological Basis for Drilling Strategy
Mohammed Al Shamli, PDO
09.20–09.45 Experimental Formation of Authigenic Chlorite: Assessing the Role of Kaolinite as a Precursor
Abdulwahab Bello, KFUPM
09.45–10.00 Coffee Break & Posters
10.00–10.25 The Role of Fluid Chemistry on the Diagenetic Transformation of Detrital Clay Minerals: Experimental Insights from Modern Estuarine Sediments
Anas Salisu, KFUPM
10.25–10.50 Decoding Reservoir Complexity: Facies Architecture and Sedimentological Insights into Reservoir Quality in Mixed Aeolian–Fluvial Systems
Ahmed A. Kassem, Aramco
11.15–11.40 Breaking the Decline: A New Paradigm for Injection Enhancement in Low-Temperature, Clay-Sensitive Reservoirs — Southeast Kuwait Case Study from the Greater Burgan Field
Laila Hayat, KOC
11.40–12.40 Breakout Session / Panel Discussion
12.40–13.40 Lunch
Session 4: Carbon Capture and Storage in Clastic Depositional Systems
Session Co-Chairs: Hezam Al-Awah, Qatar University & Anas Salisu, KFUPM
13.40–14.05 Impacts of Mineralogy, Rock Fabric, Architecture in the Selection of a Site for CCS
François Bouchet, Slb
14.05–14.30 Does Quartz Wettability Hold the Secret to More Effective CO₂ Residual?
Ahmed Yaseri, KFUPM
14.30–14.45 Coffee Break & Posters
14.50–15.15 Achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions through CCUS in West Kuwait Fields
Mishery Zamanan, KOC
15.15–17.00 Core display
Wednesday 3rd December
Session 5: The Application and Management of Digital Transformation in Clastic Reservoirs
Session Co-Chairs: TBC & TBC
09.00–09.25 Digitally Transforming Log Data QC: An AI-Driven Workflow for Clastic Environments
Mohamed Saif, Slb
09.25–09.50 Multiscale Reservoir Characterization in a Marine-Transitional Setting: Leveraging Automated Core Data Integration and Digital 3D Outcrop Models
Claudia Ruiz-Graham, Imaged Reality
09.50–10.10 Coffee Break & Posters
10.10–10.35 Revolutionizing Reservoir Characterization: High-Resolution Rock Typing Modeling of The Wara Sands in Magwa Field, South and East Kuwait
Abdelrahman Elkhateeb, Slb
10.35–11.00 TBC
11.00–12.00 Breakout Session / Panel Discussion
12.00–13.00 Lunch
Session 6: Emerging Topics and Clastic Reservoir Exploration and Production
Session Co-Chairs: Khitam Al-Zughoul, University of Jordan & Marwa Al Abri, PDO
13.00–13.25 Sandstone-Hosted Sedimentary Copper Deposits
Murray Hitzman, University College Dublin
13.25–13.50 An Overview Study on the Origin, Occurrence, and Modeling of Sand Injectites in the Bahrah Area, Northern Kuwait Bay
Dr. Mubarak Al Hajeri, KOC
13.50–14.15 Towards a Quantitative Modeling of Kuwait Sand Injectities
Renzo Di Felice, University of Genoa, Italy
14.15–14.35 Coffee Break & Posters
14.35–15.00 Minerals
Khitam Al-Zughoul, University of Jordan
15.00–15.25 Assessing the Geothermal Potential and Carbon Capture and Storage Potential on the Al-Wajh Formation of the Yanbu Basin Through Coupled Reservoir Modeling and Simulations
Mauricio Lozano Castro, KAUST
15.25–16.20 Breakout Session / Open Discussion
16.20–16.30 Workshop Wrap Up and Adjournement
POSTERS
Name Company Poster Title
Abdulrahman Almassari Aramco Unraveling Clastic Reservoir Heterogeneities: Characterizing Depositional Environments and Reservoir Quality Through Advanced Sedimentological and Petrographic Techniques
Ali Al Ibraheem Aramco Integrated Reservoir Sedimentology: Unlocking Insights into Coeval depositional interaction between Aeolian-Fluvial-Marine Deposits, Using Advanced Characterization and AI-Assisted Tools
Sharif Al Bahri Sharif Al Bahri New Evidence for Oman’s Western Deformation front from the Block 60 Area: Implications for the Miqrat Depositional trends at the Fahud Basin Margin
Clare Tansell PetroStrat Chemostratigraphyand Provenance of the Neoproterozoic and Early Palaeozoic Outcrops in the Hatat Window, Northern Oman
Rushdy Ali Premier Corex Unlocking Hydrocarbon Production Potential: A Study of Reservoir Quality Assessment and Depositional Architecture of Minjur Formation (Late Triassic), Burgan Oil Field, Kuwait
Activities
Dec 4, 2025

Field Trip: Kuwait Formation Exposure at Jal Az-Zor Escarpment

Partner Society & Field Trip Organizer

We are excited to announce an exclusive geological field trip to the Jal Az-Zor Escarpment in Kuwait, as part of the 6th edition of the AAPG Siliciclastic Reservoirs of the Middle East GTW. This field trip offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the most geologically significant outcrops in the Northern Arabian Gulf region, providing invaluable insights into the complex facies architecture of siliciclastic systems. During this trip, participants will visit key outcrop sites showcasing estuarine, estuarine mouth bar/shoreface, microbial facies, and more. These exposures provide an excellent analogue for understanding the depositional environments and lateral/vertical facies variability critical for reservoir modeling. This field trip is a must-attend for geologists, sedimentologists, and reservoir engineers interested in high-resolution depositional analogues and facies-based reservoir characterization.

Field Trip Information:
  • Date: 4th December 2025
  • Time: 8am – 4pm
  • Field Trip fee: $350
  • Registration Deadline: 6th November 2025
  • Fee includes refreshments and lunch
Field Trip Leaders
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Dr. Aimen Amer
Slb
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Dr. Yaqoub Al-Refaei
Kuwait University & KGS

Dec 1-3, 2025

Core Display

In conjunction to the siliciclastic sessions being presented, we are pleased to hold a session displaying a series of cores from around the Arabian Peninsula.  These cores will focus on understanding shallow marine clastic environments from different localities and ages.  The core sessions will be an interactive environment showcasing elements of fluvial, estuarine, mouth bar and shoreface depositional environments.  Participants will be able to evaluate and discuss variations in transgressive versus regressive cycles, sand-to-shale ratios, facies associations, and dominant sedimentary processes whether fluvial, wave borne or tidal.  In addition there will be a particular focus on understanding of the regional variability of the Jauf Formation, along the depositional dip from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain.


Sponsorship
Become a Sponsor

Become a Sponsor

Venue

Venue
Kuwait City, Kuwait - Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa
Al Ta'awun Street P.O. Box 3522 Safat Kuwait City, Al Ahmadi Kuwait +965 2226 9600

Lodging

Should you wish to secure accommodation at the workshop venue, please complete this form and return to the hotel reservations team ([email protected] & [email protected]) no later than the 23rd November 2025. Please be aware that room availability is limited. The cost is KWD 70 per room per night, inclusive of breakfast and airport transfer.

Booking Info
Hotel
Kuwait City, Kuwait - Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa
Al Ta'awun Street P.O. Box 3522 Safat Kuwait City , Al Ahmadi Kuwait +965 2226 9600

Pricing

We recommend that all participants traveling to Kuwait verify their visa requirements in advance. If a visa is needed, please submit your application through the official portal: kuwaitvisa.moi.gov.kw.

Register Now

Non-Member $1,850
Join & Save $1,850
Member $1,650
Committee/Presenter $1,550
Young Professional $850
Academia $500
Student (Masters) $350

To avail the Member rate you must be an active member of AAPG, DGS, GSO or KGS.

To register as a Young Professional, you must be under the age of 35 with less than 10 years work experience.

Committee

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Hasan Algheryafi
Co-Chair
Aramco
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Ahmed Fateh
Co-Chair
Bapco Energies
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Mubarak Al-Hajeri
Co-Chair
KOC
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Husam Al Rawahi
Co-Chair
PDO
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Homoud Al Anzi
Aramco
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Mohammad Alsuwaidi
Khalifa University
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Khalid Al-Ramadan
KFUPM
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Meshari Al-Qattan
KOC
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Mike Freeman
KOC
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Yaqoub Al-Refaei
Kuwait University & Kuwait Geosciences Society
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Mohammad Naqi
Kuwait University & Kuwait Geosciences Society
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Sharif Al Bahri
OQEP & The University of Leeds
OQEP
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Khalid Al Maharbi
Oxy Oman
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Issam Al-Barram
Petrogas
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Hezam Al-Awah
Qatar University
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Mohamed El-Ghali
Sultan Qoboos Univeristy
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Khitam Al-Zughoul
The University of Jordan

Contacts
Cora Navarro

Marketing Manager, AAPG Middle East & Africa

Email
Paula Agata Hadro

Senior Events Manager, AAPG Middle East & Africa

Email

With Support From

Kuwait Geosciences Society
Kuwait Geosciences Society

Sponsors Razor

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