scholarly journals Preliminary investigation of the hydrocarbon generation potential from the post-rift Abbas shale Formation (Pliocene) in the Tihamah Basin, south-eastern Yemeni Red Sea

Author(s):  
Mohammed Hail Hakimi ◽  
Abbas F. Gharib ◽  
Nor Syazwani Z. Abidin ◽  
Madyan M. A. Yahya

AbstractPliocene shales included in the post-rift Abbas Formation were recovered from an exploratory well (Kathib-01) in the Tihamah Basin and geochemically analyzed. A preliminary evaluation of the organic facies of the Abbas shales and their petroleum generation potential was conducted based on basic organic geochemical results. Most Abbas shale samples had total organic carbon (TOC) contents < 1% and a fair source potential, while the remaining samples, with TOC contents > 1%, had a relatively good potential. Overall, the Rock–Eval hydrogen index values of the shales analyzed were between 96 and 234 mg of hydrocarbon per gram of TOC (mg HC/g TOC), indicating two dominant organic facies: types III and II/III kerogen, which indicate the presence of mainly gas- and oil-prone source rocks. We conclude that the Pliocene Abbas shales in the Tihamah Basin are still in a very early-mature stage (with respect to the oil window) and, hence, have not generated petroleum yet.

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 871
Author(s):  
I. Pyliotis ◽  
A. Zelilidis ◽  
N. Pasadakis ◽  
G. Panagopoulos ◽  
E. Manoutsoglou

Rock-Eval method was used to analyze 53 samples from late Miocene Metochia Formation of Gavdos Island (south of Crete Island) in order to characterize the contained organic matter and to evaluate its potential as source rock. The samples were collected from Metochia Section which consists of about 100 m thick marlssapropels alternations. Organic matter analysis showed that the studied succession could be subdivided into two parts. The lower one, which is generally rich in organic matter and the upper one, which is poor. In the lower part the rich horizons in organic matter are characterized by Kerogen type II, III and IV, with low oxygen content, and with fair to very good potential for gas and/or oil hydrocarbon generation. Additionally, the studied samples are thermally immature. Taking into account that the studied area has never been buried in such a depth to reach conditions of maturation, as well as, that the studied section in Gavdos is connected with Messara basin located in the northeastern and, finally, that the main part of Gavdos basin, which is situated between Gavdos and Crete islands, has continuously encountered subsidence, we could conclude that sediments of Metochia Formation could act as source rocks but in the more deep central part of the Gavdos basin.


1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger E. Summons ◽  
Dennis Taylor ◽  
Christopher J. Boreham

Maturation parameters based on aromatic hydrocarbons, and particularly the methyl-phenanthrene index (MPI-1), are powerful indicators which can be used to define the oil window in Proterozoic and Early Palaeozoic petroleum source rocks and to compare maturities and detect migration in very old oils . The conventional vitrinite reflectance yardstick for maturity is not readily translated to these ancient sediments because they predate the evolution of the land plant precursors to vitrinite. While whole-rock geochemical tools such as Rock-Eval and TOC are useful for evaluation of petroleum potential, they can be imprecise when applied to maturity assessments.In this study, we carried out a range of detailed geochemical analyses on McArthur Basin boreholes penetrating the Roper Group source rocks. We determined the depth profiles for hydrocarbon generation based on Rock-Eval analysis of whole-rock, solvent-extracted rock, kerogen elemental H/C ratio and pyrolysis GC. Although we found that Hydrogen Index (HI) and the Tmax parameter were strongly correlated with other maturation indicators, they were not sufficiently sensitive nor were they universally applicable. Maturation measurements based on saturated biomarkers were not useful either because of the low abundance of these compounds in most Roper Group bitumens and oils.


2022 ◽  
pp. 1-42
Author(s):  
Xiaojun Zhu ◽  
Jingong Cai ◽  
Feng Liu ◽  
Qisheng Zhou ◽  
Yue Zhao ◽  
...  

In natural environments, organic-clay interactions are strong and cause organo-clay composites (a combination between organic matter [OM] and clay minerals) to be one of the predominant forms for OM occurrence, and their interactions greatly influence the hydrocarbon (HC) generation of OM within source rocks. However, despite occurring in nature, dominating the OM occurrence, and having unique HC generation ways, organo-clay composites have rarely been investigated as stand-alone petroleum precursors. To improve this understanding, we have compared the Rock-Eval pyrolysis parameters derived from more than 100 source rocks and their corresponding <2 μm clay-sized fractions (representing organo-clay composites). The results show that all of the Rock-Eval pyrolysis parameters in bulk rocks are closely positively correlated with those in their clay-sized fractions, but in clay-sized fractions the quality of OM for HC generation is poorer, in that the pyrolysable organic carbon levels and hydrogen index values are lower, whereas the residual organic carbon levels are higher than those in bulk rocks. Being integrated with the effects of organic-clay interactions on OM occurrence and HC generation, our results suggest that organo-clay composites are stand-alone petroleum precursors for HC generation occurring in source rocks, even if the source rocks exist in great varieties in their attributes. Our source material for HC generation comprehensively integrates the original OM occurrence and HC generation behavior in natural environments, which differs from kerogen and is much closer to the actual source material of HC generation in source rocks, and it calls for further focus on organic-mineral interactions in studies of petroleum systems.


1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
A. R. Martin ◽  
J. D. Saxby

The geology and exploration history of the Triassic-Cretaceous Clarence-Moreton Basin are reviewed. Consideration of new geochemical data ('Rock-Eval', vitrinite reflectance, gas chromatography of extracts, organic carbon and elemental analysis of coals and kerogens) gives further insights into the hydrocarbon potential of the basin. Although organic-rich rocks are relatively abundant, most source rocks that have achieved the levels of maturation necessary for hydrocarbon generation are gas-prone. The exinite-rich oil-prone Walloon Coal Measures are in most parts relatively immature. Some restraints on migration pathways are evident and igneous and tectonic events may have disturbed potentially well-sealed traps. Further exploration is warranted, even though the basin appears gas-prone and the overall prospects for hydrocarbons are only fair. The most promising areas seem to be west of Toowoomba for oil and the Clarence Syncline for gas.


1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 393 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. L. Passmore ◽  
M. J. Sexton

The Adavale Basin of southwestern Queensland consists of a main depression and several isolated synclinal extensions, traditionally referred to as troughs. The depressions and troughs are erosional remnants of a once more extensive Devonian depositional basin, and are now completely buried by sediments of the overlying Cooper, Galilee and Eromanga Basins. Geophysical and drilling investigations undertaken since 1959 are the only source of information on the Adavale Basin. A single sub-economic discovery of dry gas at Gilmore and a few shows of oil and gas are the only hydrocarbons located in the basin to date.In 1980, the Bureau of Mineral Resources in cooperation with the Geological Survey of Queensland commenced a major, multidisciplinary investigation of the basins in southwestern Queensland. Four long (> 200 km) seismic lines from this study over the Adavale Basin region and geochemical data from 20 wells were used to interpret the Adavale Basin's development and its present hydrocarbon potential.The new seismic reflection data allow the well-explored main depression to be correlated with the detached troughs, some of which have little or no well information. The BMR seismic data show that these troughs were previously part of one large depositional basin in the Devonian, the depocentre of which lay east of a north-trending hingeline. Structural features and Devonian depositional limits and patterns have been modified from earlier interpretations as a result of the new seismic coverage. The maximum sediment thickness is re-interpreted to be 8500 m, considerably thicker than previous interpretation.recognised. The first one, a diachronous Middle Devonian unconformity, is the most extensive, and reflects the mobility of the basement during the basin's early history. The second unconformity within the Late Devonian Buckabie Formation reveals that there were two phases of deformation of the basin sediments.The geochemical results reported in this study show that most of the Adavale Basin sediments have very low concentrations of organic carbon and hydrocarbon fractions. Maturity profiles indicate that the best source rocks of the basin are now in the mature stage for hydrocarbon generation. However, at Gilmore and in the Cooladdi Trough, they have reached the dry gas stage. The maturity data provide additional evidence for the marked break in deposition and significant erosion during the Middle Devonian recognised on the seismic records, and extend the limits of this sedimentary break into the northern part of the main depression.Hydrocarbon potential of the Adavale Basin is fair to poor. In the eastern part of the basin, where most of the data are available, the prospects are better for gas than oil. Oil prospectivity may be improved in any exinite-rich areas that exist farther west, where palaeo-temperatures were lower.


2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-596
Author(s):  
A. Emanuel ◽  
C.H. Kasanzu ◽  
M. Kagya

Abstract Triassic to mid-Jurassic core samples of the Mandawa basin, southern Tanzania (western coast of the Indian Ocean), were geochemically analyzed in order to constrain source rock potentials and petroleum generation prospects of different stratigraphic formations within the coastal basin complex. The samples were collected from the Mihambia, Mbuo and Nondwa Formations in the basin. Geochemical characterization of source rocks intersected in exploration wells drilled between 503 to 4042 m below surface yielded highly variable organic matter contents (TOC) rated between fair and very good potential source rocks (0.5 to 8.7 wt%; mean ca. 2.3 wt%). Based on bulk geochemical data obtained in this study, the Mandawa source rocks are mainly Type I, Type II, Type III, mixed Types II/III and Type IV kerogens, with a predominance of Type II, Type III and mixed Type II/III. Based on pyrolysis data (Tmax 417 to 473oC; PI = 0.02 to 0.47; highly variable HI = 13 to 1 000 mg/gTOC; OI = 16 to 225 mg/g; and VR values of between 0.24 to 0.95% Ro) we suggest that the Triassic Mbuo Formation and possibly the mid-Jurassic Mihambia Formation have a higher potential for hydrocarbon generation than the Nondwa Formation as they are relatively thermally mature.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinliang Zhang ◽  
Jiaqi Guo ◽  
Jinshui Liu ◽  
Wenlong Shen ◽  
Na Li ◽  
...  

The Lishui Sag is located in the southeastern part of the Taibei Depression, in the East China Sea basin, where the sag is the major hydrocarbon accumulation zone. A three dimensional modelling approach was used to estimate the mass of petroleum generation and accumulated during the evolution of the basin. Calibration of the model, based on measured maturity (vitrinite reflectance) and borehole temperatures, took into consideration two main periods of erosion events: a late Cretaceous to early Paleocene event, and an Oligocene erosion event. The maturation histories of the main source rock formations were reconstructed and show that the peak maturities have been reached in the west central part of the basin. Our study included source rock analysis, measurement of fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures, and basin history modelling to define the source rock properties, the thermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation history, and possible hydrocarbon accumulation processes in the Lishui Sag. The study found that the main hydrocarbon source for the Lishui Sag are argillaceous source rocks in the Yueguifeng Formation. The hydrocarbon generation period lasted from 58 Ma to 32 Ma. The first period of hydrocarbon accumulation lasted from 51.8 Ma to 32 Ma, and the second period lasted from 23 Ma to the present. The accumulation zones mainly located in the structural high and lithologic-fault screened reservoir filling with the hydrocarbon migrated from the deep sag in the south west direction.


2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 433 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Deighton ◽  
J.J. Draper ◽  
A.J. Hill ◽  
C.J. Boreham

The aim of the National Geoscience Mapping Accord Cooper-Eromanga Basins Project was to develop a quantitative petroleum generation model for the Cooper and Eromanga Basins by delineating basin fill, thermal history and generation potential of key stratigraphic intervals. Bio- and lithostratigraphic frameworks were developed that were uniform across state boundaries. Similarly cross-border seismic horizon maps were prepared for the C horizon (top Cadna-owie Formation), P horizon (top Patchawarra Formation) and Z horizon (base Eromanga/Cooper Basins). Derivative maps, such as isopach maps, were prepared from the seismic horizon maps.Burial geohistory plots were constructed using standard decompaction techniques, a fluctuating sea level and palaeo-waterdepths. Using terrestrial compaction and a palaeo-elevation for the Winton Formation, tectonic subsidence during the Winton Formation deposition and erosion is the same as the background Eromanga Basin trend—this differs significantly from previous studies which attributed apparently rapid deposition of the Winton Formation to basement subsidence. A dynamic topography model explains many of the features of basin history during the Cretaceous. Palaeo-temperature modelling showed a high heatflow peak from 90–85 Ma. The origin of this peak is unknown. There is also a peak over the last two–five million years.Expulsion maps were prepared for the source rock units studied. In preparing these maps the following assumptions were made:expulsion is proportional to maturity and source rock richness;maturity is proportional to peak temperature; andpeak temperature is proportional to palaeo-heatflow and palaeo-burial.The geohistory modelling involved 111 control points. The major expulsion is in the mid-Cretaceous with minor amounts in the late Tertiary. Maturity maps were prepared by draping seismic structure over maturity values at control points. Draping of maturity maps over expulsion values at the control points was used to produce expulsion maps. Hydrocarbon generation was calculated using a composite kerogen kinetic model. Volumes generated are theoretically large, up to 120 BBL m2 of kitchen area at Tirrawarra North. Maps were prepared for the Patchawarra and Toolachee Formations in the Cooper Basin and the Birkhead and Poolowanna Formations in the Eromanga Basins. In addition, maps were prepared for Tertiary expulsion. The Permian units represent the dominant source as Jurassic source rocks have only generated in the deepest parts of the Eromanga Basin.


2012 ◽  
Vol 622-623 ◽  
pp. 1642-1645
Author(s):  
Zong Lin Xiao ◽  
Qing Qing Hao ◽  
Zhong Min Shen

The Tarim basin is an important petroleum basin in China, and the Cambrian strata are the major source rock successions in the basin. Integrated the source rock depositional and structural history with its geochemical and thermal parameters, this paper simulates the evolution of the Cambrian source rocks with the software Basinview. The simulation result shows that the main hydrocarbon-generation centers of the Manjiaer sag in the Tabei depression and the Tangguzibasi sag in the Southwest depression are characterized by their early hydrocarbon generation, and in the late Ordovician depositional age, they reached dry gas stage. The Kuqa and Southwest depressions developed in the Cenozoic foreland basins made the Cambrian source rocks mature rapidly in the Cenozoic period. The source rock maturity in the Tarim basin now is characterized by high in the east and west and low in the middle, and most of the area is in the over-mature stage in the present. This study can provide available maturity data for the next petroleum exploration work.


1984 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
K. S. Jackson D. M. McKirdy ◽  
J. A. Deckelman

The Proterozoic to Devonian Amadeus Basin of central Australia contains two hydrocarbon fields — oil and gas at Mereenie and gas at Palm Valley, both within Ordovician sandstone reservoirs. Significant gas and oil shows have also been recorded from Cambrian sandstones and carbonates in the eastern part of the basin. The hydrocarbon generation histories of documented source rocks, determined by Lopatin modelling, largely explain the distribution of the hydrocarbons. The best oil and gas source rocks occur in the Ordovician Horn Valley Siltstone. Source potential is also developed within the Late Proterozoic sequence, particularly the Gillen Member of the Bitter Springs Formation, and the Cambrian.Consideration of organic maturity, relative timing of hydrocarbon generation and trap formation, and oil/source typing leads to the conclusion that the Horn Valley Siltstone charged the Mereenie structure with gas and oil. At Palm Valley, only gas and minor condensate occur because the trap was formed too late to receive an oil charge. Differences in organic facies may also, in part, account for the dry gas and lack of substantial liquid hydrocarbons at Palm Valley. In the eastern Amadeus Basin, the Ordovician is largely absent but Proterozoic sources are well placed to provide the gas discovered by Ooraminna 1 and Dingo 1. Any oil charge here would have preceded trap development.


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