scholarly journals Organic geochemical and petrographical characteristics of the major lower cretaceous petroleum source rock (Makhul Formation) in Kuwait - Arabian Gulf

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma K. Bahman ◽  
◽  
Fowzia H. Abdullah ◽  
Abbas Saleh ◽  
Hossein Alimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Carbon Isotope Ratio ◽  
Middle Part ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Peak Oil ◽  
Rock Composition

The Lower Cretaceous Makhul Formation is one of the major petroleum source rocks in Kuwait. This study aims to evaluate the Makhul source rock for its organic matter richness and its relation to the rock composition and depositional environment. A total of 117 core samples were collected from five wells in Raudhatain, Ritqa, Mutriba, Burgan, and Minagish oil fields north and south Kuwait. The rock petrographical studies were carried out using a transmitted and polarized microscope, as well as SEM and XRD analyses on selected samples. Total organic matter TOC and elemental analyses were done for kerogen type optically. The GC and GC-MS were done as well as the carbon isotope ratio. The results of this study show that at its earliest time the Makhul Formation was deposited in an anoxic shallow marine shelf environment. During deposition of the middle part, the water oxicity level was fluctuating from oxic to anoxic condition due to changes in sea level. At the end of Makhul and the start of the upper Minagish Formation, the sea level raised forming an oxic open marine ramp depositional condition. Organic geochemical results show that the average TOC of the Makhul Formation is 2.39% wt. High TOC values of 6.7% wt. were usually associated with the laminated mudstone intervals of the formation. The kerogen is of type II and is dominated by marine amorphous sapropelic organic matter with a mixture of zoo- and phytoplankton and rare terrestrial particles. Solvent extract results indicate non-waxy oils of Mesozoic origin that are associated with marine carbonate rocks. The formation is mature and at its peak oil generation in its deepest part in north Kuwait.

scholarly journals Effective source rock selection and oil–source correlation in the Western Slope of the northern Songliao Basin, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 398-415
Author(s):  
He Bi ◽  
Peng Li ◽  
Yun Jiang ◽  
Jing-Jing Fan ◽  
Xiao-Yue Chen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
Thermal Evolution ◽  
Songliao Basin ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Crude Oils ◽  
Western Slope ◽  
Geochemical Parameters ◽  
Group I ◽  
Oil Source

AbstractThis study considers the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, Yaojia Formation, and the first member of the Nenjiang Formation in the Western Slope of the northern Songliao Basin. Dark mudstone with high abundances of organic matter of Gulong and Qijia sags are considered to be significant source rocks in the study area. To evaluate their development characteristics, differences and effectiveness, geochemical parameters are analyzed. One-dimensional basin modeling and hydrocarbon evolution are also applied to discuss the effectiveness of source rocks. Through the biomarker characteristics, the source–source, oil–oil, and oil–source correlations are assessed and the sources of crude oils in different rock units are determined. Based on the results, Gulong and Qijia source rocks have different organic matter primarily detrived from mixed sources and plankton, respectively. Gulong source rock has higher thermal evolution degree than Qijia source rock. The biomarker parameters of the source rocks are compared with 31 crude oil samples. The studied crude oils can be divided into two groups. The oil–source correlations show that group I oils from Qing II–III, Yao I, and Yao II–III members were probably derived from Gulong source rock and that only group II oils from Nen I member were derived from Qijia source rock.

scholarly journals Source rock characterization of mesozoic to cenozoic organic matter rich marls and shales of the Eratosthenes Seamount, Eastern Mediterranean Sea

2018 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Grohmann ◽  
Susanne W. Fietz ◽  
Ralf Littke ◽  
Samer Bou Daher ◽  
Maria Fernanda Romero-Sarmiento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Potential Source Rock ◽  
Levant Basin ◽  
Rock Characterization ◽  
Rock Eval

Several significant hydrocarbon accumulations were discovered over the past decade in the Levant Basin, Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Onshore studies have investigated potential source rock intervals to the east and south of the Levant Basin, whereas its offshore western margin is still relatively underexplored. Only a few cores were recovered from four boreholes offshore southern Cyprus by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) during the drilling campaign Leg 160 in 1995. These wells transect the Eratosthenes Seamount, a drowned bathymetric high, and recovered a thick sequence of both pre- and post-Messinian sedimentary rocks, containing mainly marine marls and shales. In this study, 122 core samples of Late Cretaceous to Messinian age were analyzed in order to identify organic-matter-rich intervals and to determine their depositional environment as well as their source rock potential and thermal maturity. Both Total Organic and Inorganic Carbon (TOC, TIC) analyses as well as Rock-Eval pyrolysis were firstly performed for the complete set of samples whereas Total Sulfur (TS) analysis was only carried out on samples containing significant amount of organic matter (>0.3 wt.% TOC). Based on the Rock-Eval results, eight samples were selected for organic petrographic investigations and twelve samples for analysis of major aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds. The organic content is highly variable in the analyzed samples (0–9.3 wt.%). TS/TOC as well as several biomarker ratios (e.g. Pr/Ph < 2) indicate a deposition under dysoxic conditions for the organic matter-rich sections, which were probably reached during sporadically active upwelling periods. Results prove potential oil prone Type II kerogen source rock intervals of fair to very good quality being present in Turonian to Coniacian (average: TOC = 0.93 wt.%, HI = 319 mg HC/g TOC) and in Bartonian to Priabonian (average: TOC = 4.8 wt.%, HI = 469 mg HC/g TOC) intervals. A precise determination of the actual source rock thickness is prevented by low core recovery rates for the respective intervals. All analyzed samples are immature to early mature. However, the presence of deeper buried, thermally mature source rocks and hydrocarbon migration is indicated by the observation of solid bitumen impregnation in one Upper Cretaceous and in one Lower Eocene sample.

scholarly journals Petroleum system analysis of the Mishrif reservoir in the Ratawi, Zubair, North and South Rumaila oil fields, southern Iraq

GeoArabia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 91-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thamer K. Al-Ameri ◽  
Amer Jassim Al-Khafaji ◽  
John Zumberge
Keyword(s):  
Source Rock ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Isotopic Analysis ◽  
Upper Jurassic ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Core Samples ◽  
Biomarker Analysis ◽  
Sulaiy Formation ◽  
Rock Analysis

ABSTRACT Five oil samples reservoired in the Cretaceous Mishrif Formation from the Ratawi, Zubair, Rumaila North and Rumaila South fields have been analysed using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). In addition, fifteen core samples from the Mishrif Formation and 81 core samples from the Lower Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic have been subjected to source rock analysis and palynological and petrographic description. These observations have been integrated with electric wireline log response. The reservoirs of the Mishrif Formation show measured porosities up to 28% and the oils are interpreted as being sourced from: (1) Type II carbonate rocks interbedded with shales and deposited in a reducing marine environment with low salinity based on biomarkers and isotopic analysis; (2) Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous age based on sterane ratios, analysis of isoprenoids and isotopes, and biomarkers, and (3) Thermally mature source rocks, based on the biomarker analysis. The geochemical analysis suggests that the Mishrif oils may have been sourced from the Upper Jurassic Najma or Sargelu formations or the Lower Cretaceous Sulaiy Formation. Visual kerogen assessment and source rock analysis show the Sulaiy Formation to be a good quality source rock with high total organic carbon (up to 8 wt% TOC) and rich in amorphogen. The Lower Cretaceous source rocks were deposited in a suboxic-anoxic basin and show good hydrogen indices. They are buried at depths in excess of 5,000 m and are likely to have charged Mishrif reservoirs during the Miocene. The migration from the source rock is likely to be largely vertical and possibly along faults before reaching the vuggy, highly permeable reservoirs of the Mishrif Formation. Structural traps in the Mishrif Formation reservoir are likely to have formed in the Late Cretaceous.

Liquid hydrocarbon characterization of the lacustrine Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, China: Organic-matter source variation and thermal maturity

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. SF225-SF242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xun Sun ◽  
Quansheng Liang ◽  
Chengfu Jiang ◽  
Daniel Enriquez ◽  
Tongwei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
Ordos Basin ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Type I ◽  
Hydrocarbon Generation ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Thermal Maturity ◽  
Yanchang Formation

Source-rock samples from the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin of China were geochemically characterized to determine variations in depositional environments, organic-matter (OM) source, and thermal maturity. Total organic carbon (TOC) content varies from 4 wt% to 10 wt% in the Chang 7, Chang 8, and Chang 9 members — the three OM-rich shale intervals. The Chang 7 has the highest TOC and hydrogen index values, and it is considered the best source rock in the formation. Geochemical evidence indicates that the main sources of OM in the Yanchang Formation are freshwater lacustrine phytoplanktons, aquatic macrophytes, aquatic organisms, and land plants deposited under a weakly reducing to suboxic depositional environment. The elevated [Formula: see text] sterane concentration and depleted [Formula: see text] values of OM in the middle of the Chang 7 may indicate the presence of freshwater cyanobacteria blooms that corresponds to a period of maximum lake expansion. The OM deposited in deeper parts of the lake is dominated by oil-prone type I or type II kerogen or a mixture of both. The OM deposited in shallower settings is characterized by increased terrestrial input with a mixture of types II and III kerogen. These source rocks are in the oil window, with maturity increasing with burial depth. The measured solid-bitumen reflectance and calculated vitrinite reflectance from the temperature at maximum release of hydrocarbons occurs during Rock-Eval pyrolysis ([Formula: see text]) and the methylphenanthrene index (MPI-1) chemical maturity parameters range from 0.8 to [Formula: see text]. Because the thermal labilities of OM are associated with the kerogen type, the required thermal stress for oil generation from types I and II mixed kerogen has a higher and narrower range of temperature for hydrocarbon generation than that of OM dominated by type II kerogen or types II and III mixed kerogen deposited in the prodelta and delta front.

scholarly journals Organic geochemical and palynological studies of the Maastrichtian source rock intervals in Bida Basin, Nigeria: implications for hydrocarbon prospectivity

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 3191-3206
Author(s):  
Olusola J. Ojo ◽  
Ayoola Y. Jimoh ◽  
Juliet C. Umelo ◽  
Samuel O. Akande
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Thermal Maturity ◽  
Hydrocarbon Source Rock ◽  
Moderate Amount ◽  
Oxic Condition ◽  
Freshwater Swamp

Abstract The Patti Formation which consists of sandstone and shale offers the best potential source beds in the Bida Basin. This inland basin is one of the basins currently being tested for hydrocarbon prospectivity in Nigeria. Fresh samples of shale from Agbaja borehole, Ahoko quarry and Geheku road cut were analysed using organic geochemical and palynological techniques to unravel their age, paleoecology, palynofacies and source bed hydrocarbon potential. Palynological data suggest Maastrichtian age for the sediments based on the abundance of microfloral assemblage; Retidiporites magdalenensis, Echitriporites trianguliformis and Buttinia andreevi. Dinocysts belonging to the Spiniferites, Deflandrea and Dinogymnium genera from some of the analysed intervals are indicative of freshwater swamp and normal sea conditions. Palynological evidence further suggests mangrove paleovegetation and humid climate. Relatively high total organic carbon TOC (0.77–8.95 wt%) was obtained for the shales which implies substantial concentration of organic matter in the source beds. Hydrocarbon source rock potential ranges from 0.19 to 0.70 mgHC/g.rock except for a certain source rock interval in the Agbaja borehole with high yield of 25.18 mgHC/g.rock. This interval also presents exceptionally high HI of 274 mgHC/g.TOC and moderate amount of amorphous organic matter. The data suggests that in spite of the favourable organic matter quantity, the thermal maturity is low as indicated by vitrinite reflectance and Tmax (0.46 to 0.48 Ro% and 413 to 475 °C, respectively). The hydrocarbon extracts show abundance of odd number alkanes C27–C33, low sterane/hopane ratio and Pr/Ph > 2. We conclude that the source rocks were terrestrially derived under oxic condition and dominated by type III kerogen. Type II organic matter with oil and gas potential is a possibility in Agbaja area of Bida Basin. Thermal maturity is low and little, or no hydrocarbon has been generated from the source rocks.

scholarly journals Timing of oil expulsion from source rocks and a revitalization of the pre-1970 model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per Arne Bjørkum
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Upper Jurassic ◽  
Hydrogen Gas ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Co2 Gas ◽  
Chemical Attributes ◽  
Oil Expulsion

New data from North Sea Upper Jurassic source rock samples show no decline in the total amount of organic matter (TOC) within the oil expulsion window between 120 and 150°C which is a key prediction by today’s model for oil expulsion. However, today’s model for oil expulsion is not consistent with either subsurface source rock TOC data or chemical attributes of shallow oils. Instead, these data are more consistent with oil expulsion occurring at much lower temperatures and shallower depths, more similar to models advocated by most oil explorers prior to 1970 where the oil was assumed to have expelled at burial depths less than ~2km. In this paper, main oil expulsion has been determined to be take place at burial depths less than 1km and approximately 30°C. The oil is mobilized by CO2 gas which is generated from decomposing organic matter and is predicted to migrate out of the source rock and into nearby high-permeable rocks via horizontal fractures that originate from loadbearing swelling organic lamina and in a direction towards decreasing overburden. The thermally immature (heavy) oil is then converted to light crude within the reservoir oil starting at 60-70°C by hydrogenation. Hydrogen gas is common in subsurface fluids and is provided to pooled oil from coalification of organic matter in mudstones. Thus, if the supply of hydrogen is limited, in-reservoir thermal upgrading will be hampered. In this model, most of the heavy oil accumulations encountered are immature rather than due to biodegradation of mature oil at low temperatures.

scholarly journals Organic matter identification in source and reservoir carbonate in the Lower Cretaceous Mauddud Formation in Kuwait

GeoArabia ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 17-34
Author(s):  
Fowzia H. Abdullah ◽  
Bernard Carpentier ◽  
Isabelle Kowalewski ◽  
Frans van Buchem ◽  
Alain-Yves Huc
Keyword(s):  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Carbonate Rocks ◽  
Total Organic Matter ◽  
The South ◽  
Core Samples ◽  
The North ◽  
Kerogen Type

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to identify the source rock, reservoirs and nonproductive zones in the Lower Cretaceous Mauddud Formation in Kuwait, using geochemical methods. This formation is one of the major Cretaceous oil reservoirs. It is composed mainly of calcarenitic limestone interbedded with marl and glauconitic sands. Its thickness ranges from almost zero in the south to about 100 m (328 ft) in the north. A total of 99 core samples were collected from six oil fields in Kuwait: Raudhatain, Sabiriyah and Bahra in the north, and from the Burgan, Ahmadi and Magwa in the south. Well logs from these fields (gamma ray GR, sonic, resistivity, density) were correlated and used in the study. The core samples were screened for the amount and nature of the organic matter by Rock-Eval 6 pyrolysis (RE6) using reservoir mode. A set of samples was selected to study the properties of the organic matter including the soluble and insoluble organic parts. The geochemical characterisation was performed using different methods. After organic solvent extraction of rock samples, the solvent soluble organic matter or bitumen was characterised in terms of saturates, aromatics and heavy compounds (resins and asphaltenes). Then the hydrocarbon distribution of saturates was studied using gas chromatography (GC/FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for tentative oil-source rock correlation. After mineral matrix destruction of previously extracted rocks, insoluble organic matter or kerogen was analysed for its elemental composition to identify kerogen type. The geology and the analytical results show similarities between the wells in the southern fields and the wells in the northern fields. Average Total Organic Matter (TOC) in the carbonate facies is 2.5 wt.% and the highest values (8.0 wt.%) are in the northern fields. The clastic intervals in the northern fields show higher total organic matter (1.3 wt.%) relative to the southern fields (0.6 wt.%). The total Production Index is higher in the carbonate (0.6) than the clastic section (0.3). This reflects the amount of extractable hydrocarbons, which are usually associated with the carbonate section in this formation, representing its reservoir section. Although the carbonate rocks are dominated by richer total organic matter, there are some intervals, with low total organic matter values (0.07 wt.%), representing its poor reservoir sections. The kerogen type varies between type II-III and III in the shales with a slightly better quality in the carbonate section. It is immature in almost all the studied fields. The composition of the rock extract has no relation with the rock type. Some sandstone show similar extract composition to the carbonate rocks in the reservoir intervals. The extracts from these intervals show different genetic nature than those in the shales. The maturity level in the reservoir extract is much higher than in the shale intervals. Thus, the oil accumulated in the reservoir might be largely related to migrated oil from a more mature source rock deposited in a clearly different environment than the associated shaly intervals. The best candidates being a more deeply buried Early Cretaceous Sulaiy Formation and Upper Jurassic Najmah Formation.

scholarly journals Geochemical Characterization of the Eocene Coal-Bearing Source Rocks, Xihu Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin, China: Implications for Origin and Depositional Environment of Organic Matter and Hydrocarbon Potential

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 909
Author(s):  
Xiong Cheng ◽  
Dujie Hou ◽  
Xinhuai Zhou ◽  
Jinshui Liu ◽  
Hui Diao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
East China Sea ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Depositional Environment ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
East China ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Peak Oil ◽  
China Sea ◽  
East China Sea Shelf

Eocene coal-bearing source rocks of the Pinghu Formation from the W-3 well in the western margin of the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin were analyzed using Rock-Eval pyrolysis and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to investigate the samples’ source of organic matter, depositional environment, thermal maturity, and hydrocarbon generative potential. The distribution patterns of n-alkanes, isoprenoids and steranes, high Pr/Ph ratios, abundant diterpanes, and the presence of non-hopanoid triterpanes indicate predominant source input from higher land plants. The contribution of aquatic organic matter was occasionally slightly elevated probably due to a raised water table. High hopane/sterane ratios and the occurrence of bicyclic sesquiterpanes and A-ring degraded triterpanes suggest microbial activity and the input of microbial organisms. Overwhelming predominance of gymnosperm-derived diterpanes over angiosperm-derived triterpanes suggest a domination of gymnosperms over angiosperms in local palaeovegetation during the period of deposition. The high Pr/Ph ratios, the plot of Pr/n-C17 versus Ph/n-C18, the almost complete absence of gammacerane, and the distribution pattern of hopanes suggest that the samples were deposited in a relatively oxic environment. Generally, fluctuation of redox potential is coupled with source input, i.e., less oxic conditions were associated with more aquatic organic matter, suggesting an occasionally raised water table. Comprehensive maturity evaluation based on Ro, Tmax, and biomarker parameters shows that the samples constitute a natural maturation profile ranging from marginally mature to a near peak oil window. Hydrogen index and atomic H/C and O/C ratios of kerogens suggest that the samples mainly contain type II/III organic matter and could generate mixed oil and gas.

scholarly journals A source rock evaluation of the Mesozoic Sediments of the Well Hyllebjerg-1 Danish Subbasin

1988 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1-105
Author(s):  
Birthe J Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
Geothermal Gradient ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Lower Jurassic ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Marginal Areas ◽  
Algal Material ◽  
Clay Formation ◽  
Promising Source

The source rock potential of Mesozoic sediments (cuttings) from the Hyllebjerg 1 well, Danish Subbasin, has been assessed using a number of different petrographical and organochemical methods. Upper Jurassic sediments (Bream Formation) equivalent to the principal source rocks of the North Sea graben structures (Kimmeridge Clay Formation and lateral equivalents) do not show similar prominent source rock characteristics in this well, although a higher proportion of algal material is observed. Sediments with the most promising source rock characteristics for liquid hydrocarbons were· detected mainly in the lower- Jurassic sequences of the upper Fjerritslev Format ion (F-4 and upper F-3 Member) and in one horizon in the Upper Cretaceous Vedsted Formation which showed a good quality composition and a relatively high content of organic matter. But these sediments may be excluded as actual source rocks in this well as maturity (assuming the threshold value near 0. 60 % R ) is first reached at approximately 8500' 0 depth i.e. at the top of the Gassum Formation (Upper Triassic/ Lower Jurassic). The conditions may only by slightly different off - structure is this area, as the F-4 and F-3 Member sequence according to seismic sections is found at approximately the same depth. But the depth to ( and the thickness of) the Fjerritslev Formation is increasing towards the SE into the rimsynclines of the saltdomes nearby. While sufficient maturity is reached in the deeper part of the well, no commercial accumulations of hydrocarbons were encountered. This is attributed to the mainly reworked, unfavourable type of organic matter and the generally decreasing organic content downwards in the well, approaching the lower 1 imi t for potential source rocks ( set at O, 5% TOC). However, generation and migration of small amounts of gaseous hydrocarbons from Gassum Formation sediments containing more humic-influenced organic matter with only minor reworking cannot generally be excluded either here or elsewhere in the basin. Some more attention should also be paid to the Vinding Formation sediments which contain some algae- ri eh ( Botryocous-type) oil-prone horizons of more favourable source rock conditions. Mature sediments are found at shallower depths ( 8500 ') in this well in the central part of the basin compared to the more marginal areas (8900') where a slightly higher geothermal gradient in Jiyllebjerg 1 ( 28°C/km uncorrected) is seen compared with the marginal areas (23.5°C/km uncorrected) away from the basinal depocenter. The basinal depocenter also has a higher heat flow.

DEPOSITIONAL CONDITIONS OF THE NORTHERN ONSHORE PERTH BASIN (BASAL TRIASSIC)

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 262 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Grice ◽  
R.E. Summons ◽  
E. Grosjean ◽  
R.J. Twitchett ◽  
W. Dunning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Photic Zone ◽  
Diagenetic Alteration ◽  
Green Sulphur Bacteria ◽  
Sulphur Bacteria ◽  
Green Sulphur ◽  
Petroleum Source Rock ◽  
Lines Of Evidence

An oil-source rock correlation has been established for the northern onshore Perth Basin (Western Australia) based on unusual aromatic and polar biomarkers attributed ultimately to a green sulphur bacterial source. Several of these biomarkers have been identified throughout the entire Sapropelic Interval of a proven petroleum source rock intersected within a recently discovered marine Permian- Triassic Perth Basin borehole (Hovea–3) and several Perth Basin crude oils. Today, green sulphur bacteria live in the anaerobic zones of stratified lakes or in marine environments with restricted water circulation, where the upper sulphide limit coincides with the lower limit of oxygen. The presence of photosynthetic pigments and carotenoids of green sulphur bacteria, or their diagenetic alteration products in sediments provide unequivocal evidence for photic zone euxinic conditions in the paleowater column. Multiple lines of evidence for photic zone euxinia and euxinic depositional conditions for the Hovea–3 source rock have been obtained from biomarker analyses. Photic zone euxinia is usually associated with the widespread deposition of organic-matter-rich sediments that constitute important source rocks for petroleum deposits that are being exploited today. With the exception of the Perth Basin, such organic-matter-rich sediments are virtually absent from Upper Permian and Lower Triassic sediments globally. Several lines of evidence indicate localised surface ocean productivity may have played a key role in the deposition of a petroleum source rock at this location, although photic zone euxinia was globally more widespread during the Permian-Triassic Superanoxic Event.

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