Abstract: Miocene evaporite is widely developed in the Gulf of Suez. Industrial oil run has been found in some wells in the test of evaporite formations, indicating bright prospects for oil and gas exploration and development. In order to clarify the reservoir characteristics and distribution law of evaporite formations, in a case study of Miocene South Gharib Formation (referred to as the SG Formation) in the North West Gemsa block (referred to as the NWG block) in Egypt, the lithology and reservoir characteristics of the SG Formation were studied according to core, cast slice, mercury injection test, physical property analysis and logging data. The results showed that the SG Formation was composed of various rock, mainly salt rock, mixed with anhydrite, polyhalite, carnallite and dolomite; the reservoir space was mainly inter-granular pores; the mercury injection curve shape and the pore throat radius distribution presented fine skewness, micro throat, and other characteristics, with poor seepage; dolomite and foliated anhydrite were in relatively good physical properties, which were important rock types for reservoir development in the study area; the other evaporites were generally poor in physical properties and could not be used as reservoirs; the distribution area of favorable reservoirs was mainly located in the west of the block and was the key area for next exploration of the SG Formation. The study results play a guiding role in the oil and gas exploration and development of Miocene evaporite formations in the Gulf of Suez.

Key words: evaporite, reservoir characteristics, reservoir prediction, Miocene, Gulf of Suez