Evaluation of the nature,origin and potentiality of the subsurface Middle Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous source rocks in Melleiha G-1x well,North Western Desert,Egypt

The present work aims to evaluate the nature and origin of the source rock potentiality of subsurface Middle Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous source rocks in Melleiha G-1x well. This target was achieved throughout the evaluation of total organic carbon, rock Eval pyrolysis and vitrinite reflectance for fifteen cutting samples and three extract samples collected from Khatatba, Alam El Bueib and Kharita formations in the studied well. The result revealed that the main hydrocarbon of source rocks, for the Middle Jurassic (Khatatba Fm.) is mainly mature, and has good capability of producing oil and minor gas. Lower Cretaceous source rocks (Alam El Bueib Fm.) are mature, derived from mixed organic sources and have fair to good capability to generate gas and oil. Kharita Formation of immature source rocks originated from terrestrial origin and has poor to fair potential to produce gas. This indicates that Khatatba and Alam El Bueib formations take the direction of increasing maturity far away from the direction of biodegradation and can be considered as effective source potential in the Melleiha G-1x well.     

Evaluation of possible source rocks and extracts characteristics from Safir-1x well,North Western Desert,Egypt

The pyrolysis and vitrinite reflectance estimations for fifteen shale rock tests and additionally, geochemical burial history, and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry parameters were talked about to explore the hydrocarbon generation and maturation level and time, type of hydrocarbon produced of rock units of Safir-1x well. The results assign that the Bahariya Formation is poor to great source rock to create oil and gas, with a lower thermal maturation degree than the Khatatba and Alam El Bueib formation. Alam El Bueib is viewed as good to excellent source rock for oil and gas age, having marginally high level of thermal maturation at oil window at around 40 million years. Khatatba formation achieved the oil and gas generation window at about 80 and 50 million years separately and considered excellent source rock.

The molecular gas chromatography and mass spectrometry parameters demonstrated that the extracts of source rocks reflected that the Bahariya and Alam El Bueib extracts have a mixed sources formed under transitional conditions at low grad of thermal maturation. Khatatba source rock extracts originated from marine sources formed under reducing conditions at high grade of maturation.     

Crude Oil Geochemistry and Its Relation to the Potential Source Beds for Some Meleiha Oil Fields in the North Western Desert, Egypt

The results of the geochemical evaluation for eleven crude oil samples from some Meleiha oil fields revealed that, these oils have high specific gravity (°API), low sulfur content and rich in saturated hydrocarbons. Two oil classes were recognized. The first is carbonate oils of high maturity level, originated from marine origin. The second, deltaic oils of moderately level of maturation, derived mainly from terrigenous sources. Oil: source correlation for the productive oils and the extracts of the potential source beds revealed a genetic close relationship between oils and extracts of Khatatba and Alam El Bueib formations. This indicates that the source of the oils in the study area may be related to mixed sources of these formations.     

Isopach,lithofacies changes,and source rocks chracteristics of Khatatba and Alam El Bueib formations of some wells in North East Western Desert,Egypt

The present work deals with isopach, lithofacies changes, and source rock chracteristics of Khatatba and Alam El Bueib formations of some wells in North East Western Desert. Isopach and lithofacies changes showed that the thickness of Khatatba Formation increases toward the south western direction and decreases toward northern parts, and the sediments consisting of sandstone and shale facies indicate a shallow marine environment. Alam El-Bueib sediments increase toward the north direction, and argillaceous sandstone facies reflect terrestrial-to-shallow marine environment. The geochemical analysis showed that Khatatba Formation bears a mature source rock and has poor-to-good generating capability for both oil and gas and lie within the early generation window and oil window. Alam El Buieb Formation constitutes a mature source rock and has poor-to-good generating capability for both oil and gas. It can be stated that Khatatba and Alam El Buieb are the main source rock for hydrocarbon accumulations rich with organic sediments and could be considered as effective source rocks for generating hydrocarbons in the the studied wells.     

Application of Light Hydrocarbon (C7+) and Biomarker Analyses in Characterizing Oil from Wells in the North and North Central Sinai,Egypt

Abstract

Seven representative oil show samples from wells in the north and north central Sinai have been characterized by means of a variety of organic geochemical techniques (C₇ hydrocarbon and biomarker analyses), to illustrate origin, differences, and similarity among oils. These oils were obtained from Cretaceous and Jurassic reservoirs. The C₇ oil correlation star diagram (OCSD) suggests closely related oils, derived mainly from similar source rocks, while the C₇ oil transformation star diagram (OTSD) and C₇ light hydrocarbon analyses indicate a minor degree of transformation of some oils, as Misri-1, Halal-1, and Nakhl-1 oils were subjected to evaporative fractionation. Moreover, the studied oils show no sign of water washing and biodegradation. Molecular characteristics suggest pre-Tertiary shales and carbonate source rocks, deposited under a saline oxic environment, rich in terrigeneous organic sources with significant bacterial and algal input. Since the studied oils are of mixed marine and terrestrial origin, C₇ signature of these oils is not representative of their origin and should be supported by other geochemical evidence (e.g., biomarkers) to predict their origin.     

GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF POTENTIAL JURASSIC/CRETACEOUS SOURCE ROCKS IN THE SHUSHAN BASIN, NORTHERN WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT

Some 180 core and cuttings samples of shales and limestones from the Middle Jurassic – Late Cretaceous succession (Khatatba, Masajid, Alam El-Bueib, Alamein, Kharita, Bahariya and Abu Roash Formations) were collected from wells Ja 27–2, Tarek-1 and Jb 26–1 in the central, structurally-low part of the Shushan Basin and from well Lotus-1 in the structurally-elevated western part of the basin. All samples were screened for total organic carbon (TOC) content. Selected samples were then analyzed by Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and extracted for biomarker analyses. Visual kerogen analysis and vitrinite reflectance measurements were also undertaken and oil - source rock correlations were attempted. The results indicate that the thermal maturity of the samples can be correlated closely with burial depth. Samples from the central part of the basin are more mature than those from the west. Samples from the central part of the basin (except those from the Albian Kharita Formation) have reached thermal maturities sufficient to generate and expel crude oils. Extracts from the Middle Jurasic Khatatba and Early Cretaceous Alam El-Bueib Formations can be correlated with a crude oil sample from well Ja 27–2.
In well Lotus-1 in the west of the basin, four distinct organic facies can be recognized in the Jurassic-Cretaceous interval. One of the facies ("facies 4") has a sufficiently high TOC content to act as a source rock. Thermal maturities range from immature to peak oil generation, and the top of the oil window occurs at approximately 8000 ft.     

ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS IN THE WEST DIKIRNIS AND EL‐TAMAD FIELDS,ONSHORE NILE DELTA,EGYPT: INTERPRETATION OF POTENTIAL SOURCE ROCKS

Crude oil in the West Dikirnis field in the northern onshore Nile Delta, Egypt, occurs in the poorly‐sorted Miocene sandstones of the Qawasim Formation. The geochemical composition and source of this oil is investigated in this paper. The reservoir sandstones are overlain by mudstones in the upper part of the Qawasim Formation and in the overlying Pliocene Kafr El‐Sheikh Formation. However TOC and Rock‐Eval analyses of these mudstones indicate that they have little potential to generate hydrocarbons, and mudstone extracts show little similarity in terms of biomarker compositions to the reservoired oils. The oils at West Dikirnis are interpreted to have been derived from an Upper Cretaceous – Lower Tertiary terrigenous, clay‐rich source rock, and to have migrated up along steeply‐dipping faults to the Qawasim sandstones reservoir. This interpretation is supported by the high C₂₉/C₂₇ sterane, diasterane/sterane, hopane/sterane and oleanane/C₃₀ hopane ratios in the oils. Biomarker‐based maturity indicators (Ts/Tm, moretanes/hopanes and C₃₂ homohopanes S/S+R) suggest that oil expulsion occurred before the source rock reached peak maturity. Previous studies have shown that the Upper Cretaceous – Lower Tertiary source rock is widely distributed throughout the on‐ and offshore Nile Delta. A wet gas sample from the Messinian sandstones at El‐Tamad field, located near to West Dikirnis, was analysed to determine its molecular and isotopic composition. The presence of isotopically heavy δ¹³ methane, ethane and propane indicates a thermogenic origin for the gas which was cracked directly from a humic kerogen. A preliminary burial and thermal history model suggests that wet gas window maturities in the study area occur within the Jurassic succession, and the gas at El‐Tamad may therefore be derived from a source rock of Jurassic age.     

ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY OF CRUDE OILS AND UPPER CRETACEOUS SOURCE ROCKS FROM CONCESSION 11, WEST SIRTE BASIN,LIBYA

This paper reports the results of Rock‐Eval pyrolysis and total organic carbon analysis of 46 core and cuttings samples from Upper Cretaceous potential source rocks from wells in the West Sirte Basin (Libya), together with stable carbon isotope (δ¹³C) and biomarker analyses of eight oil samples from the Paleocene – Eocene Farrud/Facha Members and of 14 source rock extracts. Oil samples were analysed for bulk (°API gravity and δ¹³C) properties and elemental (sulphur, nickel and vanadium) contents. Molecular compositions were analysed using liquid and gas chromatography, and quantitative biological marker investigations using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry for saturated hydrocarbon fractions, in order to classify the samples and to establish oil‐source correlations. Core and cuttings samples from the Upper Cretaceous Etel, Rachmat, Sirte and Kalash Formations have variable organic content and hydrocarbon generation potential. Based on organofacies variations, samples from the Sirte and Kalash Formations have the potential to generate oil and gas from Type II/III kerogen, whereas samples from the Etel and Rachmat Formations, and some of the Sirte Formation samples, have the potential to generate gas from the abundant Type III kerogen. Carbon isotope compositions for these samples suggest mixed marine and terrigenous organic matter in varying proportions. Consistent with this, the distribution of n‐alkanes, terpanes and steranes indicates source rock organofacies variations from Type II/III to III kerogen. The petroleum generation potential of these source rocks was controlled by variations in redox conditions during deposition together with variations in terrigenous organic matter input. Geochemical analyses suggest that all of the oil samples are of the same genetic type and originated from the same or similar source rock(s). Based on their bulk geochemical characteristics and biomarker compositions, the oil samples are interpreted to be derived from mixed aquatic algal/microbial and terrigenous organic matter. Weak salinity stratification and suboxic bottom‐water conditions which favoured the preservation of organic matter in the sediments are indicated by low sulphur contents and by low V/Ni and Pr/Ph ratios. The characteristics of the oils, including low Pr/Ph ratio, CPI ～l, similar ratios of C₂₇:C₂₈:C₂₉ ααα‐steranes, medium to high proportions of rearranged steranes, C₂₉ <C₃₀‐hopane, low Ts/Tm hopanes, low sulphur content and low V/Ni ratio, suggest a reducing depositional environment for the source rock, which was likely a marine shale. All of the oil samples show thermal maturity in the early phase of oil generation. Based on hierarchical cluster analysis of 16 source‐related biomarker and isotope ratios, four genetic groups of extracts and oils were defined. The relative concentrations of marine algal/microbial input and reducing conditions decrease in the order Group 4 > Group 3 > Group 2 > Group1. Oil – source rock correlation studies show that some of the Sirte and Kalash Formations extracts correlate with oils based on specific parameters such as DBT/P versus Pr/Ph, δ¹³C_saturates versus δ¹³C_aromatics, and gammacerane/hopane versus sterane/hopane.     

Stratigraphic distribution of the palynomorphs and the particulate organic matter in subsurface Lower/Middle Cretaceous deposits,Western Desert of Egypt: Palynological and geochemical approach

The stratigraphic distribution of the palynomorphs and particulate organic matter was studied in the subsurface Lower/Middle Cretaceous sections in Ii-26-1 and Ig-30-1 wells, located in north Western Desert of Egypt. Some important palynofacies parameters were employed as indicators of proximal–distal trends. The spatial and stratigraphical variations of six palynofacies categories had been illustrated. Optically, the type and nature of the recovered particulate organic matter together with their quantity were combined to reveal the prevailing paleoenvironmental conditions during deposition of the concerning sections. Thirty-seven samples were selected from the two wells to carry the total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock–Eval Pyrolysis analyses in order to geochemically evaluate the source rock.TOC and Rock–Eval Pyrolysis analyses illustrate extremely low TOC and HI values, demonstrating that the Alam El Bueib, Alamein, Dahab, Kharita and Bahariya formations are comprised principally of type IV kerogen and a few type III kerogen components. Therefore, they are inert to slightly gas prone, signifying a strong deficiency of hydrogen-enriched organic matter. Palynofacies analysis implies that all the studied formations have highly oxidized terrestrial organic matter (brown phytoclasts and black woods).     

GEOCHEMISTRY AND ORIGIN OF UPPER CRETACEOUS OILS FROM THE TERMIT BASIN,NIGER

Crude oil samples (n = 16) from Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks together with cuttings samples of Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene mudstone source rocks (n = 12) from wells in the Termit Basin were characterized by a variety of biomarker parameters using GC and GC‐MS techniques. Organic geochemical analyses of source rock samples from the Upper Cretaceous Yogou Formation demonstrate poor to excellent hydrocarbon generation potential; the samples are characterized by Type II kerogen grading to mixed Types II–III and III kerogen. The oil samples have pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios ranging from 0.73 to 1.27, low C₂₂/C₂₁ and high C₂₄/C₂₃ tricyclic terpane ratios, and values of the gammacerane index (gammacerane/C₃₀hopane) of 0.29–0.49, suggesting derivation from carbonate‐poor source rocks deposited under suboxic to anoxic and moderate to high salinity conditions. Relatively high C₂₉ sterane concentrations with C₂₉/C₂₇ sterane ratios ranging from 2.18–3.93 and low values of the regular steranes/17α(H)‐hopanes ratio suggest that the oils were mainly derived from kerogen dominated by terrigenous higher plant material. Both aromatic maturity parameters (MPI‐1, MPI‐2 and R_c) and C₂₉ sterane parameters (20S/(20S+20R) and ββ/ (αα + ββ)) suggest that the oils are early‐mature to mature. Oil‐to‐oil correlations suggest that the Upper Cretaceous oils belongs to the same genetic family. Parameters including the Pr/Ph ratio, gammacerane index and C₂₆/C₂₅ tricyclic terpanes, and similar positions on a sterane ternary plot, suggest that the Upper Cretaceous oils originated from Upper Cretaceous source rocks rather than from Paleogene source rocks. The Yogou Formation can therefore be considered as an effective source rock.     

BIOMARKER GEOCHEMISTRY OF PALEOGENE CRUDE OILS AND SOURCE ROCKS FROM THE RAOYANG SAG,BOHAI BAY BASIN,NE CHINA: AN OIL – SOURCE ROCK CORRELATION STUDY

This study presents a systematic geochemical analysis of Paleogene crude oils and source rocks from the Raoyang Sag in the Jizhong sub-basin of the Bohai Bay Basin (NE China). The geochemical characteristics of fifty-three oil samples from wells in four sub-sags were analysed using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty core samples of mudstones from Members 1 and 3 of the Eocene-Oligocene Shahejie Formation were investigated for total organic carbon (TOC) content and by Rock-Eval pyrolysis and GC-MS to study their geochemistry and hydrocarbon generation potential. The oils were tentatively correlated to the source rocks. The results show that three groups of crude oils can be identified. Group I oils are characterized by high values of the gammacerane index and low values of the ratios of Pr/Ph, Ts/Tm, 20S/(20S+20R) C₂₉ steranes, ββ/(ββ+αα) C₂₉ steranes, C₂₇ diasteranes/ C₂₇ regular steranes and C₂₇/C₂₉ steranes. These oils have the lowest maturity and are interpreted to have originated from a source rock containing mixed organic matter deposited in an anoxic saline lacustrine environment. The biomarker parameter values of Group III oils are the opposite to those in Group I, and are interpreted to indicate a highly mature, terrigenous organic matter input into source rocks which were deposited in suboxic to anoxic freshwater lacustrine conditions. The parameter values of Group II oils are between those of the oils in Groups I and III, and are interpreted to indicate that the oils were generated from mixed organic matter in source rocks deposited in an anoxic brackish–saline or saline lacustrine environment. The results of the source rock analyses show that samples from Member 1 of the Shahejie Formation were deposited in an anoxic, brackish – saline or saline lacustrine environment with mixed organic matter input and are of low maturity. Source rocks in Member 3 of the Shahejie Formation were deposited in a suboxic to anoxic, brackish – saline or freshwater lacustrine environment with a terrigenous organic matter input and are of higher maturity. Correlation between rock samples and crude oils indicates that Group I oils were probably derived from Member 1 source rocks, while Group III oils were more likely generated by Member 3 source rocks. The Group II oils with transitional characteristics are likely to have a mixed source from both sets of source rocks.     

MATURITY-DEPENDENT GEOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF CRUDE PETROLEUMS FROM EGYPT

ABSTRACT

Maturity-dependent trends of a number of biomarker and nonbiomarker geochemical parameters were examined in crude oils from the Western Desert and the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Molecular maturity assessments showed that all oils are at an advanced level of thermal maturity, and many ratios, such as CPI, hopane/hopane + moretane, C₃₁ 22S/22S + 22R hopanes and C₂₉ ααα-20S/20S + 20R steranes were almost identical and have reached their thermal equilibrium values. Changes in the Ts/Tm and C₂₉ ββ/(ββ + αα) steranes however, showed a more advanced level of thermal maturity for Umbaraka oil. On the other hand, correlations utilizing the nonbiomarkers API gravity, ΣV, Ni, sulfur content, sat/arom, and Ph/n-C₁₈ ratios did show more distinct differences and are consistent between the oils.     

Characteristics of complex oil and oil-source correlations in heavy oil regions on the Northern Luxi uplift

Many biomarkers are not suitable for complex types of oil at different biodegradation extent, especially multisource heavy oil in many regions. On the southern slope near Luxi Uplift, most oilfields are heavy oil regions while some are mixed heavy and light oil regions. Therefore, some parameters that can better show oil characteristics are needed to correlate complex oil and source. Many biomarkers and parameters, such as isoprene, gammacerane, Ts, Tm, diasterane, oleanane, C₃₀hopane, C₂₉sterane20S/20(R+S), and C₂₉steraneββ/(αα+ββ), are taken into consideration. It is found that some combinations and diagrams of some parameters have better oil-source correlation results, such as the Triangular chart of C₂₉S/S+R, C₂₉β/(β+α) and Ts/Tm, the cross plot of gammacerane/C₃₀hopane and Pr/Ph, the plot of C₂₉S/S+R and Ts/Tm, the plot of Ts/Tm and gammacerane/C₃₀hopane, and the plot of C₂₉S/S+R and C₂₉ββ/(ββ+ααα). Through correlations of oil and source, the oil is classified into three types, and the sources of oil in different areas are found. The oil in Boxing sag is mainly from Es₃ and Es₄ layers. The oil in Chunhua oilfield is mainly from Es₄. The oils in Lean, Bamian, and Wang areas are found to be derived from Es₄ oil source layers in Niuzhuang Sag. To clarify oil characteristics and oil source is meaningful to compare and find the distribution of better oil types.     

泌阳凹陷北部斜坡带生物降解油的油源对比

生物降解油尤其是严重生物降解油,其油源对比一直是个难点。针对严重生物降解油的常规生物标志化合物特征,提出用C29藿烷替代C30藿烷计算伽马蜡烷指数(伽马蜡烷/2×C29藿烷,暂称新伽马蜡烷指数),研究认为它更能反映生物降解油母质形成的水体环境。并用伽马蜡烷/2×C29藿烷和2×C24四环萜烷/C26长链三环萜烷作图版,可以将泌阳凹陷北部斜坡带不同层位原油很好地区分开,达到生物降解油的油源对比目的。油源对比结果,井楼和古城地区核三上段原油和核三下段原油主要源自其相应层段的源岩,新庄以核三上段油源为主,杨楼以核三下段油源为主。     

Compositional variabilities among crude oils from the southwestern part of the Qaidam Basin, NW China

A suite of crude oils have been analyzed by GC/MS in order to understand compositional heterogeneities in the oilfields located in the southwestern part of the Qaidam Basin, NW China. The oil samples investigated in this study can be grouped into two broad groups, A and B, based on the distributions of pentacyclic triterpanes. Group A oils predominately occurred in the northwestern part of the study area contain relatively high amounts of gammacerane and C₃₅ hopanes with the ratio of gammacerane to C₃₀ hopane (G/H) > 0.7 and the C₃₅/C₃₄ hopane ratio (C₃₅/C₃₄) > 1.2. In contrast, Group B oils mainly occurred in the southeastern part of the study area have relatively low values of G/H (~ < 0.7) and C₃₅/C₃₄ (< 1.2). Furthermore, Group A oils can be subdivided into three subgroups (A1, A2, and A3) by detailed investigation of molecular compositions of steranes, hopanes and aromatic sulfur compounds. Subgroup A1 oils, which mainly occurred in the westernmost corner, contain low amounts of dibenzothiophene (DBT) and methyldibenzothiophenes (MDBT) relative to C₃₀ hopane with the ratio of (DBT + MDBT)/C₃₀ hopane (DBT + MDBT/H) < ~ 0.25 and display high abundances of ααα20R C₂₈ sterane relative to C₂₉ compound with the C₂₈/C₂₉ sterane ratio > ~ 0.90. In contrast, subgroup A3 oils, which mainly occurred in depression areas, have relatively high values of (DBT + MDBT)/H (~ > 0.25) and relatively low ratios of C₂₈/C₂₉ sterane (~ < 0.90). Subgroup A2 oils, occurring in Gasikule and nearby oilfields, seem to have intermediate amounts of aromatic sulfur compounds and C₂₈ steranes relative to A1 and A3 oils, indicating a mixing signature of the two subgroups. The oil groups or subgroups revealed by the compositional heterogeneities and genetic affinities, as well as their regular occurrence in different oilfields, may indicate secondary petroleum systems existing within the Tertiary saline lacustrine petroleum in the southwestern Qaidam basin.     

BIOMARKER CHARACTERISTICS OF CRUDE OILS FROM THE MURZUQ BASIN,SW LIBYA

Twenty crude oil samples from the Murzuq Basin, SW Libya (A‐, R‐ and I‐Fields in Blocks NC115 and NC186) have been investigated by a variety of organic geochemical methods. Based on biomarker distributions (e.g. n‐alkanes, isoprenoids, terpanes and steranes), the source of the oils is interpreted to be composed of mixed marine/terrigenous organic matter. The values of the Pr/Ph ratio (1.36–2.1), C₃₀‐diahopane / C₂₉ Ts ratio and diasterane / sterane ratio, together with the low values of the C₂₉/ C₃₀‐hopane ratio and the cross‐plot of the dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene ratio (DBT/P) versus Pr/Ph ratio in most of oil samples, suggest that the oils were sourced from marine clay‐rich sediments deposited in mild anoxic depositional environments. Assessment of thermal maturity based on phenanthrenes, aromatic steroids (e.g. monoaromatic (MA) and triaromatic (TA) steroid hydrocarbons), together with terpanes, and diasterane/sterane ratios, indicates that crude oils from A‐Field are at high levels of thermal maturity, while oils from Rand I‐Fields are at intermediate levels of thermal maturity. Based on the distributions of n‐alkanes and the absence of 25‐norhopanes in all of the crude oils analysed, none of the oils appear to have been biodegraded. Correlation of the crude oils points to a single genetic family and this is supported by the stable carbon isotope values. The oils can be divided into two sub‐families based on the differences in maturities, as shown in a Pr/nC₁₇ versus Ph/nC₁₈ cross‐plot. Sub‐family‐A is represented by the highly mature oils from A‐Field. Sub‐family‐B comprises the less mature oils from R‐ and I‐Fields. The two sub‐families may represent different source kitchens of different thermal maturity or different migration pathways. In summary, the geochemical characteristics of oil samples from A‐, R‐, and I‐Fields suggest that all the crude oils were generated from similar source rocks. Depositional environment conditions and advanced thermal maturities of these oils are consistent with previously published geochemical interpretations of the Rhuddanian “hot shale” in the Tanezzuft Formation, which is thought to be the main source rock in the Murzuq Basin.     

GENETIC CLASSIFICATION OF OIL FAMILIES IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SECTORS OF THE GULF OF SUEZ,EGYPT

The results of geochemical analyses were used to classify ten oil samples from six fields in the central and southern sectors of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. The samples were collected from sandstone pay‐zones ranging in age from Early Palaeozoic (Nubia‐C) to Miocene (Kareem Formation) at various present‐day depths. Molecular and stable isotope analyses indicate the presence of two genetic oil families (Families I and II) and suggest their probable source rocks. The biomarker characteristics of Family 1 oils include low Pr/Ph ratio, CPI < 1.0, depleted rearranged steranes, very low diahopane concentrations, high sulphur content, high metal content and V/Ni ratio, low oleanane index, abundance of gammacerane and C₂₇ steranes, and high relative abundance of homohopanes and C₃₀ 24‐n‐propylcholestanes. Source rock deposition took place under anoxic marine‐carbonate and hypersaline conditions. The NCR and NDR 24‐norcholestane ratios together with the presence of highly‐branched isoprenoids in this oil family are consistent with Upper Cretaceous – Lower Paleogene source rocks. These characteristics suggest that the Upper Cretaceous Duwi Formation/Brown Limestone or Lower Eocene Thebes Formation are the source rocks for the oils in this family, which occur in the central sector of the Gulf of Suez. Family II oils have geochemical characteristics that point to a mature source rock deposited in a weakly reducing or suboxic setting under normal salinity conditions. Abundant oleananes, high 24‐ to 27‐norcholestane ratios and abundant C₂₅ highly‐branched isoprenoids suggest a Paleogene source rock. The Lower Miocene Rudeis Formation is the best candidate to have generated these oils which occur in the southern sector of the Gulf of Suez.     

Origin and occurrence of crude oil in the Niger delta, Nigeria

Ten crude oils samples from onshore and offshore Niger delta were characterized based on their biomarkers and isotopic composition by Gas chromatography–Mass spectrometry and Isotope mass spectrometry. Abundance of pentacyclic triterpanes of hopane and oleanane skeletons and C₂₇–C₂₉ steranes in the oils indicates that they were formed from a mixed source (marine and terrestrial kerogen). The oleanane concentrations permit source grouping of the oils into three families.Various maturity parameters computed for the oils, especially those of aromatic biomarkers and aromatic sulfur compounds (thiophenes) to some extent reveal an increasing thermal maturity with increasing reservoir depths. The carbon isotope values lacked sufficient variation to distinguish maturity differences in the oils. This observation is quite revealing in that oils whose associate gases had earlier revealed a consistent increase in maturity with increasing depths, also have similar maturity values.The implication of this is that the oils and associated gases might have been formed at different levels of thermal maturity before being pooled together during migration into their present habitat.     

SOURCE ROCK POTENTIAL AND ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY OF CENOMANIAN-TURONIAN BLACK SHALES,WESTERN TAURUS,SW TURKEY

The depositional environment and hydrocarbon source rock potential of Cenomanian-Turonian black shales of the Dereköy and Ballik Formations in SW Turkey were investigated by organic geochemical methods. In detail, 33 samples from three section of the Dereköy Formation, and 15 samples from one section of the Ballik Formation were analysed for elemental (TOC, Rock -Eval pyrolysis), C₁₅₊-lipid and biomarker compositions. Based on maximum pyrolysis degradation temperatures of not more than 420°C, all the shale samples are classified as immature, corresponding to a vitrinite reflectance of less than 0.45% R_r and a lignite to sub-bituminous coal stage. This is confirmed by relatively high isoprenoid to n-alkane ratios as well as by high biomarker contents. According to this maturity stage, and both total organic carbon contents of 6–41% and hydrogen indices of 255–708 mg HC/g TOC, the Cenomanian-Turonian black shales exhibit fair to excellent source rock potential with mixed Type II and Type I kerogen. Relatively high isoprenoid to n-alkane ratios may indicate at least partial (bio-) degradation/evaporation/waterwashing and selective modification of the lipid composition due to the nature of the outcrop. However, very similar unimodal n-alkane distributions in the gas chromatograms of four selected shale samples, with a predominance in the C₁₆ to C₁₇ region, clearly point to a significant contribution of algal and/or bacterial type organic matter with low terrigenous organic input. C₂₇, C₂₈ and C₂₉ steranes in shales from both formations have similar distributions (C₂₉>C₂₇>C₂₈). High C₃₁ R homohopane / C₃₀ hopane ratios indicate a marine depositional environment. This is confirmed by the presence of gammacerane in all the black shales investigated which in general indicates salinity. Pregnanes in one sample (BA-6) may point to hypersaline conditions.     

Petroleum Geochemistry of Lower Indus Basin,Pakistan: II. Oil-oil and Oil-source Rock Correlation

Nine crude oils and eight source rock samples from Cretaceous sequences, Lower Indus Basin have been characterized by means of diagnostic biomarker parameters in order to establish genetic liaison among them. The biomarker geochemistry indicators such as relative distribution of C₂₇-C₂₈-C₂₉ ααα-20R steranes, C₁₉ and C₂₃ tricyclic terpanes (TT), C₂₄ tetracyclic terpanes (TeT), hopanes distribution, steranes/hopanes ratio, presence of unidentified compound X (C₃₀ pentacyclic triterpane), and pristane (Pr) to phytane (Ph) ratio suggest that the crude oils contain predominantly terrigenous organic matter (OM). Based on these data, the analyzed crude oils from the Lower Indus Basin are genetically associated and could be classified into a single group. Geochemical correlation studies of crude oils and source rock sediments indicate that Lower Goru shales and Sembar could be the probable source rocks for the petroleum generated from Cretaceous strata, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan.