Structural elements after Abadi (2002);

Facies Distribution incorporates Hallett (2002).

NU
MEDITERRANEAN
D SEA

FL
IA
DO

LH

JA
R

IG

HA
EL

H
AB

M
A
Al Jir Formation

ID

PL
CYRENAICA PLATFORM

TR

AG
D

AT
OU

AH

ED
F
GH

RA
OP EN M A R IN E

OR
• The Al Jir Formation (sensu Barr and Weegar) was deposited during the Early Eocene. It

AB
PL

IA
W
S H ELF M ranges from around 1300 ft thick over the pre-existing Paleocene highs, to over 3000 ft in the

AT
AD A

HA
R

TR
F
LIM ES TON E A troughs. The formation can be subdivided into three members:

O
DA

GF
G

OU
RM
H
N

A
(MESDAR MBR) TR • The Facha Member, comprising mainly dolostone with localised limestone. This

GH
TR
UP
O

RAKB
U member is relatively thin compared to the rest of the formation (usually less than 300

OU
LI

G
H
FT

GH
H LIF T ft), but constitutes an important reservoir in the western part of the Sirt Basin.
IG JAG HB UB UP

ZA
H
A3-103 • The Hun Member, also found in the western part of the basin, comprises a thick
LL SH

ZA
AH sequence of anhydrites and interbedded dolostones, which overlies the Facha and

LT
VVV1-11
AL

GA

AN
B17-NC74A
TRGG2-11 E291-59E
acts as a reservoir seal.

TT
A8-NC74A O LO

PL
HAME

AR
UG

AT
H W I M AT
TR • The Mesdar Member is made up of massive, locally dolomitic limestones with inter

F
C3-NC74B OUGH

RI
A12-NC74B
CO

O
R
bedded calcareous shale and occurs in north central and north-eastern parts of the
DG
AST

M
B10-NC74B

E
A basin.
D3-NC74F
AL BAYDA
D O LO L L A G O O N BR
)
ZALLAH
PLATFORM S T O N E S ( FA C H A M
SALT OF OVE S • Over most of the Sirt Basin, the Al Jir Formation conformably overlies the Khayir Formation,
BASIN B5-NC177
AR R L AIN BY O R ITE ) although it occasionally overlies the Harash Formation. The upper contact of the Al Jir is
ID EV A P R
AL

SHO MB conformably overlain by the Jalu Limestone, except in parts of the northwest, where it is
HA

RLFE L I N E ( H USN
AR thought to be unconformably overlain by the Gedari Formation.
RU

IR
E T
J A

RO
SH UG
N
L A

H
ER LEGEND
• The lime wackestones to packstones at the base of the Facha Member contain common
SW

H
Neogene - Quaternary Volcanics

UT
Sirte Basin Highs(probably emergant) benthonic and planktonic foraminifera indicative of relatively open, inner shelf environments.
AD UPLIF T

SO
S A L M AYA M

Evaporite Basins
N

Fossils in overlying dolostones are frequently leached or recrystallised. However, miliolid

ASI

Carbonate Platform Limestones

Coastal Lagoon and Sabkha
foraminifera, mollusc shells and algal lamination are locally recognised, implying restricted
T B
TA

Dolostones, Anhydrites
ABU

OO1-82 Study Wells

Outline of Sirte Basin
lagoonal to tidal conditions.

AL JIR FORMATION • Although most of the Hun Member is made up of anhydrite and was probably formed in
supra-tidal sabkha environments, the interbedded dolostones are thought to have formed in
similar lagoonal to tidal conditions to those of the Facha. However, biostratigraphic analysis
also identified some inner to mid shelf fauna, hinting at a possible history of intermittent flood-
Lutetian Bartonian Priabonian
Late

ing events.

• No core material from the Mesdar Member was studied in this project. The Mesdar’s domi-
Awjilah nance by limestone suggests a more open marine position on the shelf than that of the
Facha.
Middle
Eocene

Rashda • The Facha Member dolostone exhibits the best reservoir potential within the Al Jir, with
much of the porosity occurring within bioclast moulds. Most of this mouldic porosity remains
Gedari Jalu open, although some porosity has been locally filled by anhydrite cement. Dolomitisation is
interpreted to have been caused by reflux seepage.

Hun Mesdar Other sources: Barr and Weegar (1972), Hallet (2002).
Ypresian

Al Jir
Early

Facha
Khayir

East Libya - Sirt Basin

Map Summarising Reservoir Distribution: Al Jir Formation
Figure IV.3.21a