The reconstruction of the depositional evolution and of the stratigraphic pattern of the Plio-Pleistocene succession contributed to put in a context the recent discoveries and to outline the residual potential of the post-Messinian section from onshore to distal offshore of the Central Nile Delta. Besides the traditional DHI supported sand prone targets, this sector of the Nile Delta wedge, characterized for most of the Pliocene, by a generalized sediment bypass, has being revealed prone of unconventional silty reservoirs, referable to turbidite channel-levee complexes and late stage fine grained channel fill facies, which, notwithstanding their less attractive petrophysical parameters, have been proved to have a good production performance in recently drilled wells.
Some additional unrealized potential for the area is related to the no DHI supported gas bearing elements that have been successfully tested within the lower Pliocene section. A deeper understanding of petro-elastic model allowing to overcome the traditional DHI/AVO indicators is needed. In addition a detailed interpretation and understanding of their relation with some gas chimneys recognized in the area can contribute to the reduction of the high exploration risk connected to these targets