A review of oil and gas seepage in the Nuussuaq Basin, West Greenland – implications for petroleum exploration

The Nuussuaq Basin in West Greenland has an obvious exploration potential. Most of the critical elements are well documented, including structures that could form traps, reservoir rocks, seals and oil and gas seepage that documents petroleum generation. And yet, we still lack a full understanding of the petroleum systems, especially the distribution of mature source rocks in the subsurface and the vertical and lateral migration of petroleum into traps. A recently proposed anticlinal structural model could be very interesting for exploration if evidence of source rocks and migration pathways can be found. In this paper, we review all existing, mostly unpublished, data on gas observations from Nuussuaq. Furthermore, we present new oil and gas seepage data from the vicinity of the anticline. Occurrence of gas within a few kilometres on both sides of the mapped anticline has a strong thermogenic fingerprint, suggesting an origin from oil-prone source rocks with a relatively low thermal maturity. Petroleum was extracted from an oil-stained hyaloclastite sample collected in the Aaffarsuaq valley in 2019, close to the anticline. Biomarker analyses revealed the oil to be a variety of the previously characterised “Niaqornaarsuk type,” reported to be formed from Campanian-age source rocks. Our new analysis places the “Niaqornaarsuk type” 10 km from previously documented occurrences and further supports the existence of Campanian age deposits developed in source rock facies in the region.

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Petroleum generation and migration in the Mesopotamian Basin and Zagros Fold Belt of Iraq: results from a basin-modeling study

GeoArabia ◽

10.2113/geoarabia090441 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 41-72 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Janet K. Pitman ◽

Douglas Steinshouer ◽

Michael D. Lewan

Keyword(s):

Late Cretaceous ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Peak Oil ◽

Fold Belt ◽

Hydrous Pyrolysis ◽

Oil Generation ◽

Petroleum Generation ◽

And Migration ◽

Migration Pathways

ABSTRACT A regional 3-D total petroleum-system model was developed to evaluate petroleum generation and migration histories in the Mesopotamian Basin and Zagros fold belt in Iraq. The modeling was undertaken in conjunction with Middle East petroleum assessment studies conducted by the USGS. Regional structure maps, isopach and facies maps, and thermal maturity data were used as input to the model. The oil-generation potential of Jurassic source-rocks, the principal known source of the petroleum in Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Tertiary reservoirs in these regions, was modeled using hydrous pyrolysis (Type II-S) kerogen kinetics. Results showed that oil generation in source rocks commenced in the Late Cretaceous in intrashelf basins, peak expulsion took place in the late Miocene and Pliocene when these depocenters had expanded along the Zagros foredeep trend, and generation ended in the Holocene when deposition in the foredeep ceased. The model indicates that, at present, the majority of Jurassic source rocks in Iraq have reached or exceeded peak oil generation and most rocks have completed oil generation and expulsion. Flow-path simulations demonstrate that virtually all oil and gas fields in the Mesopotamian Basin and Zagros fold belt overlie mature Jurassic source rocks (vertical migration dominated) and are situated on, or close to, modeled migration pathways. Fields closest to modeled pathways associated with source rocks in local intrashelf basins were charged earliest from Late Cretaceous through the middle Miocene, and other fields filled later when compression-related traps were being formed. Model results confirm petroleum migration along major, northwest-trending folds and faults, and oil migration loss at the surface.

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Source Rock Distribution and Thermal Maturity in the Southern Arabian Peninsula

GeoArabia ◽

10.2113/geoarabia0303339 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 339-356

Author(s):

Penelope A. Milner

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Source Rock ◽

Structural Model ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Arabian Peninsula ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Burial History ◽

The North ◽

And Migration

ABSTRACT Recent work by Phillips Petroleum in the Southern Arabian Peninsula has elucidated the source potential of the Palaeozoic strata. A group of newly drilled and older wells, together with exclusive and non-exclusive reports, have been used in order to develop improved maturation and migration models for emerging plays, and to gain a better understanding of the subsidence and maturation history of this large and diverse area. It has been possible to conduct comprehensive burial history modelling for a number of wells from Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This, together with the modelling of hypothetical wells derived from depth structure maps, has improved our understanding of oil- and gas-prone source rocks in the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Palaeozoic strata. The resultant maturity distribution has been developed with the aid of a more detailed structural model for the Southern Arabian Peninsula. In tandem with this study, available cores and cuttings were analysed to measure source rock total organic carbon, maturity and richness parameters and summarised using proprietary techniques. It is concluded that the Jurassic Hanifa Formation is less mature and not source facies to the south and west of the Rub’ Al-Khali. The oil and gas mature source facies is present in the north and east of the Rub’ Al-Khali and in the Western Emirates. In addition, it is concluded that the oil mature Silurian source facies is confined to the narrow southern and western margins of the Rub’ Al-Khali. Outside this area the overmature area is in the core of the Rub’ Al-Khali extending northeast to the United Arab Emirates. The remaining area is modelled as gas mature in western Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

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Petroleum system modeling in cenozoic sediments, Block 05-1a, Nam Con Son Basin

Science and Technology Development Journal ◽

10.32508/stdj.v20ik4.1123 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (K4) ◽

pp. 91-102

Author(s):

Xuan Van Tran ◽

Huy Nhu Tran ◽

Chuc Dinh Nguyen ◽

Tuan Nguyen ◽

Ngoc Ba Thai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Source Rock ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

System Modeling ◽

Model Development ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Early Miocene ◽

North East ◽

Petroleum System Modeling ◽

And Migration ◽

Migration Pathways

Based on the update of exploration data the oil and gas potential within block 05-1 are studied through define the source rocks, Hydrocarbon (HC) generation, expulsion and migration, focusing on source rock Oligocene /Early Miocene and Middle Miocene; Define the accumulation of hydrocarbon in Lower Miocene targets; The results of assessments for source rock, oil sampling analysis is used to determine the relationship between in–situ oil or oil migrated from other places. The workflow of basin modeling is assigned to get output (migration pathways, volume of accumulation), as well as data calibration. Main source rocks include H150, H125 shales and H150 coal with Total organic carbon (TOC)~1 and 47 respectively. These source rocks are medium to good potential. At the present time, most of the source rocks are in oil window, while the deep parts is in gas window. Oil started to be generated in Early Miocene, and started to be expulsed in Late Miocene. Gas started to be generated in Quaternary, about to be expulsed. The oil migrated mainly from the troughs at the West and minorly from the East and South to Dai Hung High. Gas started to migrate from West to East and South West to North East at the Western part. However, at the Eastern part, gas migrated from the opposite direction. The results of sensitive analyses show more oil in max source rock case, therefore, a 3D model development is recommended and identify the differences in generation characteristics between Nam Con Son and Cuu Long basins.

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Modeling petroleum expulsion in sedimentary basins: The importance of igneous intrusion timing and basement composition

Geology ◽

10.1130/g46578.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (10) ◽

pp. 904-908 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

David Gardiner ◽

Nick Schofield ◽

Alex Finlay ◽

Niall Mark ◽

Liam Holt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oil And Gas ◽

Sedimentary Basins ◽

Upper Jurassic ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Petroleum Exploration ◽

Burial Depth ◽

Radiogenic Heat ◽

Critical Moment ◽

The North ◽

Petroleum Generation

Abstract The concept of a critical moment in a petroleum system (the time of highest probability of entrapment and preservation of oil and gas) has underlain petroleum exploration for over 25 years. However, one area where understanding the critical moment is challenging is the Faroe-Shetland Basin (FSB; offshore UK). Isotopic dating of oils suggests that petroleum generation began between ca. 68 and 90 Ma; however, most basin models invoke an earlier generation beginning in the mid-Cretaceous at ca. 100 Ma, predating deposition of Paleocene and Eocene reservoirs. This time discrepancy has previously been explained by remigration from intermediary accumulations (“motel” hypothesis) and/or overpressure retardation of kerogen maturation. The FSB is characterized by a thick Cretaceous stratigraphic package (up to 5 km) that includes a large net thickness (up to 2 km) of Paleogene igneous material. In our model, separating sedimentary and igneous material and adding the igneous material at the correct time between ca. 58 and 55 Ma shallows the modeled burial depth of the Upper Jurassic source rocks during the Cretaceous sufficiently to delay maturation by 17 m.y. in comparison to results of previous studies. Additionally, previous studies have invoked crustal radiogenic heat production (RHP) based on the Phanerozoic crust averaging ∼2.8 µW/m3 in the North Sea (300 km to the east). However, the FSB basement is composed of significantly older, colder Neoarchean orthogneisses (ca. 2.7–2.9 Ga), reducing RHP by up to 50% to ∼1.6 µW/m3 (σ = 0.74). For the first time, our model unifies geological, geochronological, and geochemical observations, delaying the onset of petroleum expulsion by up to 40 m.y. in comparison to previous models.

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NEW PETROLEUM MODELS IN THE PEDIRKA BASIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA

The APPEA Journal ◽

10.1071/aj01015 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 259 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

G.J. Ambrose ◽

K. Liu ◽

I. Deighton ◽

P.J. Eadington ◽

C.J. Boreham

Keyword(s):

Oil And Gas ◽

South Australia ◽

Sedimentary Basins ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Northern Territory ◽

Early Jurassic ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Late Triassic ◽

Hydrocarbon Expulsion ◽

Migration Pathways

The northern Pedirka Basin in the Northern Territory is sparsely explored compared with its southern counterpart in South Australia. Only seven wells and 2,500 km of seismic data occur over a prospective area of 73,000 km2 which comprises three stacked sedimentary basins of Palaeozoic to Mesozoic age. In this area three petroleum systems have potential related to important source intervals in the Early Jurassic Eromanga Basin (Poolowanna Formation), the Triassic Simpson Basin (Peera Peera Formation) and Early Permian Pedirka Basin (Purni Formation). They are variably developed in three prospective depocentres, the Eringa Trough, the Madigan Trough and the northern Poolowanna Trough. Basin modelling using modern techniques indicate oil and gas expulsion responded to increasing early Late Cretaceous temperatures in part due to sediment loading (Winton Formation). Using a composite kinetic model, oil and gas expulsion from coal rich source rocks were largely coincident at this time, when source rocks entered the wet gas maturation window.The Purni Formation coals provide the richest source rocks and equate to the lower Patchawarra Formation in the Cooper Basin. Widespread well intersections indicate that glacial outwash sandstones at the base of the Purni Formation, herein referred to as the Tirrawarra Sandstone equivalent, have regional extent and are an important exploration target as well as providing a direct correlation with the prolific Patchawarra/Tirrawarra petroleum system found in the Cooper Basin.An integrated investigation into the hydrocarbon charge and migration history of Colson–1 was carried out using CSIRO Petroleum’s OMI (Oil Migration Intervals), QGF (Quantitative Grain Fluorescence) and GOI (Grains with Oil Inclusions) technologies. In the Early Jurassic Poolowanna Formation between 1984 and 2054 mRT, elevated QGF intensities, evidence of oil inclusions and abundant fluorescing material trapped in quartz grains and low displacement pressure measurements collectively indicate the presence of palaeo-oil and gas accumulation over this 70 m interval. This is consistent with the current oil show indications such as staining, cut fluorescence, mud gas and surface solvent extraction within this reservoir interval. Multiple hydrocarbon migration pathways are also indicated in sandstones of the lower Algebuckina Sandstone, basal Poolowanna Formation and Tirrawarra Sandstone equivalent. This is a significant upgrade in hydrocarbon prospectivity, given previous perceptions of relatively poor quality and largely immature source rocks in the Basin.Conventional structural targets are numerous, but the timing of hydrocarbon expulsion dictates that those with an older drape and compaction component will be more prospective than those dominated by Tertiary reactivation which may have resulted in remigration or leakage. Preference should also apply to those structures adjacent to generative source kitchens on relatively short migration pathways. Early formed stratigraphic traps at the level of the Tirrawarra Sandstone equivalent and Poolowanna Formation are also attractive targets. Cyclic sedimentation in the Poolowanna Formation results in two upward fining cycles which compartmentalise the sequence into two reservoir–seal configurations. Basal fluvial sandstone reservoirs grade upwards into topset shale/coal lithologies which form effective semi-regional seals. Onlap of the basal cycle onto the Late Triassic unconformity offers opportunities for stratigraphic entrapment.

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NEW DIRECTIONS IN GEOSCIENCE TECHNOLOGY FOR PETROLEUM EXPLORATION IN THE NEW AGE

The APPEA Journal ◽

10.1071/aj93019 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 189

Author(s):

T. L. Burnett

Keyword(s):

Oil And Gas ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Seismic Energy ◽

Oil And Gas Industry ◽

Transport Processes ◽

Source Rocks ◽

P Wave ◽

Petroleum Exploration ◽

S Wave ◽

Seismic Acquisition

As economics of the oil and gas industry become more restrictive, the need for new means of improving exploration risks and reducing expenses is becoming more acute. Partnerships between industry and academia are making significant improvements in four general areas: Seismic acquisition, reservoir characterisation, quantitative structural modelling, and geochemical inversion.In marine seismic acquisition the vertical cable concept utilises hydrophones suspended at fixed locations vertically within the water column by buoys. There are numerous advantages of vertical cable technology over conventional 3-D seismic acquisition. In a related methodology, 'Borehole Seismic', seismic energy is passed between wells and valuable information on reservoir geometry, porosity, lithology, and oil saturation is extracted from the P-wave and S-wave data.In association with seismic methods of determining the external geometry and the internal properties of a reservoir, 3-dimensional sedimentation-simulation models, based on physical, hydrologic, erosional and transport processes, are being utilised for stratigraphic analysis. In addition, powerful, 1-D, coupled reaction-transport models are being used to simulate diagenesis processes in reservoir rocks.At the regional scale, the bridging of quantitative structural concepts with seismic interpretation has led to breakthroughs in structural analysis, particularly in complex terrains. Such analyses are becoming more accurate and cost effective when tied to highly advanced, remote-sensing, multi-spectral data acquisition and image processing technology. Emerging technology in petroleum geochemistry, enables geoscientists to infer the character, age, maturity, identity and location of source rocks from crude oil characteristics ('Geochemical Inversion') and to better estimate hydrocarbon-supply volumetrics. This can be invaluable in understanding petroleum systems and in reducing exploration risks and associated expenses.

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HYDROCARBON HABITAT OF THE SURAT/BOWEN BASIN

The APPEA Journal ◽

10.1071/aj81017 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 213 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B. M. Thomas ◽

D. G. Osborne ◽

A. J. Wright

Keyword(s):

Oil And Gas ◽

Lower Jurassic ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Lateral Migration ◽

Early Maturity ◽

Oil And Gas Fields ◽

Basement Rocks ◽

Origin Of Oil ◽

Gas Fields ◽

Geochemical Studies

Ever since the early discoveries at Cabawin (1960) and Moonie (1961), the origin of oil and gas in the Surat/Bowen Basin has been a subject of speculation. Hydrocarbons have been found in reservoirs ranging in age from Permian to Early Jurassic; even fractured pre-Permian 'basement' rocks have occasionally recorded shows.Recent geochemical studies have identified rich source rocks within the Jurassic, Triassic and Permian sequences. The Middle Jurassic Walloon Coal Measures are thermally immature throughout the Surat Basin and are unlikely to have generated significant amounts of hydrocarbons. Lower Jurassic Evergreen Formation source rocks have reached 'nominal early maturity' (VR = 0.6) in parts of the basin. The Middle Triassic Moolayember Formation lies within the oil generation zone in the northern Taroom Trough. However, no oil has yet been confidently correlated with either a Jurassic or a Triassic source. On geochemical and geological grounds it is likely that most, if not all, of the hydrocarbons discovered to date were generated from Permian source rocks.The probability of finding gas as well as oil in Permian, Triassic or Jurassic reservoirs increases from south to north, in accord with organic maturity trends in the Permian of the Taroom Trough. On the narrow thrust-bounded eastern flank, vertical migration has occurred, resulting in oilfields at Moonie and Bennett. In contrast, extensive lateral migration of hydrocarbons across the gentle western flank of the basin is indicated by numerous small oil and gas fields on the Roma Shelf and Wunger Ridge.

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Constraining fluid migration in low density data area: successful use of integrated modelling in the Southern Perth Basin

The APPEA Journal ◽

10.1071/aj13107 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 534

Author(s):

Laurent Langhi ◽

Bozkurt Ciftci ◽

Julian Strand

Keyword(s):

Structural Model ◽

Integrated Modelling ◽

Low Density ◽

Lateral Migration ◽

First Order ◽

Hard Data ◽

Hydraulic Behaviour ◽

Migration Potential ◽

And Migration ◽

Definition Of

Constraining trap integrity or CO2 containment potential in areas with low density of data is challenging. We show here how the integration of hard data and modelling improved our understanding of the subsurface tectonic and stratigraphic architecture and ensured an initial definition of hydraulic behaviour of faults and fractures in the onshore Southern Perth Basin. A first-order geomodel was built based on interpretation of low-density 2D-seismic data and constrained by well, geophysical, and outcrop data. Forward stratigraphic models were deformed and implemented in the geomodel to predict the distribution of the phyllosilicate content. Membrane fault-seal prediction was performed based on the Shale Gouge Ratio algorithm to estimate the lateral migration potential. Characterisation of the stress state of fault planes was used to define the likelihood of reactivation and to predict vertical migration and caprock bypass. The elastic dislocation method was used to model the density and mode of failure of subsidiary sub-seismic faults that can impact on the caprock integrity. This was also used to constrain and validate the structural model. The integrated modelling significantly decreased uncertainties on the subsurface architecture and ensured the first-order definition of the CO2 migration and containment potential for the Wonnerup reservoir in the SW Hub. The maximum CO2 column heights supported by faults and potential leak points were estimated and migration scenarios and risks were defined.

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PETROLEUM SYSTEMS IN TASMANIA'S FRONTIER ONSHORE BASINS

The APPEA Journal ◽

10.1071/aj99002 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 26

Author(s):

M.R. Bendall C.F. Burrett ◽

H.J. Askin

Keyword(s):

Oil And Gas ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Petroleum Exploration ◽

Late Triassic ◽

Upper Permian ◽

Lower Permian ◽

Peak Oil ◽

Petroleum Systems ◽

Upper Proterozoic ◽

Oil Seep

Sedimentary successions belonging to three petroleum su persy stems can be recognised in and below the Late Carboniferous to Late Triassic onshore Tasmania Basin. These are the Centralian, Larapintine and Gondwanan. The oldest (Centralian) is poorly known and contains possible mature source rocks in Upper Proterozoic dolomites. The Larapintine 2 system is represented by rocks of the Devonian fold and thrust belt beneath the Tasmania Basin. Potential source rocks are micrites and shales within the 1.8 km-thick tropical Ordovician Gordon Group carbonates. Conodont CAI plots show that the Gordon Group lies in the oil and gas windows over most of central Tasmania and probably under much of the Tasmania Basin. Potential reservoirs are the upper reefal parts of the Gordon Group, paleokarsted surfaces within the Gordon Group and the overlying sandstones of the Siluro-Devonian Tiger Range and Eldon Groups. Seal rocks include shales within the Siluro-Devonian and Upper Carboniferous-Permian tillites and shales.The Gondwanan supersystem is the most promising supersystem for petroleum exploration within the onshore Tasmania Basin. It is divided into two petroleum systems— the Early Permian Gondwanan 1 system, and the Late Permian to Triassic Gondwanan 2 system. Excellent source rocks occur in the marine Tasmanite Oil Shale and other sections within the Lower Permian Woody Island and Quamby Formations of the Gondwanan 1 system and within coals and freshwater oil shales of the Gondwanan 2 system. These sources are within the oil and gas windows across most of the basin and probably reached peak oil generation at about 100 Ma. An oil seep, sourced from a Tasmanites-rich, anoxic shale, is found within Jurassic dolerite 40 km WSW of Hobart. Potential Gondwanan 1 reservoirs are the glaciofluvial Faulkner Group sandstones and sandstones and limestones within the overlying parts of the glaciomarine Permian sequence. The Upper Permian Ferntree Mudstone Formation provides an effective regional seal. Potential Gondwanan 2 reservoirs are the sandstones of the Upper Permian to Norian Upper Parmeener Supergroup. Traps consisting of domes, anticlines and faults were formed probably during the Early Cretaceous. Preliminary interpretation of a short AGSO seismic profile in the Tasmania Basin shows that, contrary to earlier belief, structures can be mapped beneath extensive and thick (300 m) sills of Jurassic dolerite. In addition, the total section of Gondwana to Upper Proterozoic to Triassic sediments appears to be in excess of 8,500 m. These recent studies, analysis of the oil seep and drilling results show that the Tasmanian source rocks have generated both oil and gas. The Tasmania Basin is considered prospective for both petroleum and helium and is comparable in size and stratigraphy to other glaciomarine-terrestrial Gondwanan basins such as the South Oman and Cooper Basins.

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Late Cretaceous – Tertiary sediments offshore central West Greenland: lithostratigraphy, sedimentary evolution, and petroleum potential

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1139/e85-105 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. 1001-1019 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Flemming Rolle

Keyword(s):

Upper Cretaceous ◽

Source Rocks ◽

Petroleum Potential ◽

Shallow Marine ◽

West Greenland ◽

Reservoir Rocks ◽

Sedimentary Sequences ◽

Sedimentary Evolution ◽

Petroleum Generation ◽

Exploratory Wells

Five dry exploratory wells were drilled through Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments on the West Greenland shelf in 1976 and 1977. Two of these entered Precambrian basement, two bottomed in Paleocene or Upper Cretaceous basalt, and one in Campanian mudstone. On the basis of samples and logs supplied to the Geological Survey of Greenland the sedimentary sequence has been divided into seven new formations: the Campanian Narssarmiut Formation, consisting of coarse basement wash and black mudstone; the Campanian to Eocene Ikermiut Formation, consisting of marine organic-rich mudstone; the Upper Paleocene to Eocene Hellefisk Formation, comprising shallow-marine to paralic sandstone and mudstone; the Eocene Nukik Formation, consisting of turbiditic sandstone and mudstone; the Eocene to Oligocene Kangâmiut Formation of shelf to shallow-marine clean and argillaceous sandstone; the Oligocene to Neogene Manîtsoq Formation, consisting of coarse paralic to fan delta sandstone; and the Neogene Ataneq Formation, consisting of protected shallow-marine mudstone.The sedimentary evolution of the area fits well with earlier proposed models for the tectonic evolution of the Baffin Bay–Labrador Sea region.Potential petroleum source rocks are present in the Upper Cretaceous to Paleocene mudstone, and, even though they are largely immature in the drilled sections, they are expected to have entered the petroleum generation zone in the deeper parts of the basin. Their potential is mainly for gas, but some oil potential is also present. No reservoir rocks were encountered in the deeper parts of the sedimentary sequences, and the porous sandstones that occur higher in the sequence lack seals.

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