BURIAL,TEMPERATURE AND MATURATION HISTORY OF THE AUSTRAL AND WESTERN MALVINAS BASINS,SOUTHERN ARGENTINA,BASED ON 3D BASIN MODELLING

This paper presents a numerical petroleum systems model for the Jurassic‐Tertiary Austral (Magallanes) Basin, southern Argentina, incorporating the western part of the nearby Malvinas Basin. The modelling is based on a recently published seismo‐stratigraphic interpretation and resulting depth and thickness maps. Measured vitrinite reflectance data from 25 wells in the Austral and Malvinas Basins were used for thermal model calibration; eight calibration data sets are presented for the Austral Basin and four for the Malvinas Basin. Burial history reconstruction allowed eroded thicknesses to be estimated and palaeo heat‐flow values to be determined. Six modelled burial, temperature and maturation histories are shown for well locations in the onshore Austral Basin and the western Malvinas Basin. These modelled histories, combined with kinetic data measured for a sample from the Lower Cretaceous Springhill Formation, were used to model hydrocarbon generation in the study area. Maps of thermal maturity and transformation ratio for the three main source rocks (the Springhill, Inoceramus and Lower Margas Verdes Formations) were compiled. The modelling results suggest that deepest burial occurred during the Miocene followed by a phase of uplift and erosion. However, an Eocene phase of deep burial leading to maximum temperatures cannot be excluded based on vitrinite reflectance and numerical modelling results. Relatively little post‐Miocene uplift and erosion (approx. 50–100 m) occurred in the Malvinas Basin. Based on the burial‐ and thermal histories, initial hydrocarbon generation is interpreted to have taken place in the Early Cretaceous in the Austral Basin and to have continued until the Miocene. A similar pattern is predicted for the western Malvinas Basin, with an early phase of hydrocarbon generation during the Late Cretaceous and a later phase during the Miocene. However, source rock maturity (as well as the transformation ratio) remained low in the Malvinas Basin, only just reaching the oil window. Higher maturities are modelled for the deeper parts of the Austral Basin, where greater subsidence and deeper burial occurred.     

BURIAL,TEMPERATURE AND MATURATION HISTORY OF CRETACEOUS SOURCE ROCKS IN THE NW PERSIAN GULF,OFFSHORE SW IRAN: 3D BASIN MODELLING

This study presents a 3D numerical model of a study area in the NW part of the Persian Gulf, offshore SW Iran. The purpose is to investigate the burial and thermal history of the region from the Cretaceous to the present day, and to investigate the location of hydrocarbon generating kitchens and the relative timing of hydrocarbon generation/migration versus trap formation. The study area covers about 20,000 km² and incorporates part of the intra‐shelf Garau‐Gotnia Basin and the adjacent Surmeh‐Hith carbonate platform. A conceptual model was developed based on the interpretation of 2700 km of 2D seismic lines, and depth and thickness maps were created tied to data from 20 wells. The thermal model was calibrated using bottom‐hole temperature and vitrinite reflectance data from ten wells, taking into account the main phases of erosion/non‐deposition and the variable temporal and spatial heat flow histories. Estimates of eroded thicknesses and the determination of heat‐flow values were performed by burial and thermal history reconstruction at various well and pseudo‐well locations. Burial, temperature and maturation histories are presented for four of these locations. Detailed modelling results for Neocomian and Albian source rock successions are provided for six locations in the intra‐shelf basin and the adjacent carbonate platform. Changes in sediment supply and depocentre migration through time were analyzed based on isopach maps representing four stratigraphic intervals between the Tithonian and the Recent. Backstripping at various locations indicates variable tectonic subsidence and emergence at different time periods. The modelling results suggest that the convergence between the Eurasian and Arabian Plates which resulted in the Zagros orogeny has significantly influenced the burial and thermal evolution of the region. Burial depths are greatest in the study area in the Binak Trough and Northern Depression. These depocentres host the main kitchen areas for hydrocarbon generation, and the organic‐rich Neocomian and Albian source rock successions have been buried sufficiently deeply to be thermally mature. Early oil window maturities for these successions were reached between the Late Cretaceous (90 Ma) and the early Miocene (18 Ma) at different locations, and hydrocarbon generation may continue at the present‐day.     

POTENTIAL PETROLEUM SOURCE ROCKS IN THE TERMIT BASIN,NIGER

Potential source rocks from wells in the Termit Basin, eastern Republic of Niger, have been analysed using standard organic geochemical techniques. Samples included organic‐rich shales of Oligocene, Eocene, Paleocene, Maastrichtian, Campanian and Santonian ages. TOC contents of up to 20.26%, Rock Eval S₂ values of up to 55.35 mg HC/g rock and HI values of up to 562 mg HC/g TOC suggest that most of the samples analysed have significant oil‐generating potential. Kerogen is predominantly Types II, III and II–III. Biomarker distributions were determined for selected samples. Gas chromatograms are characterized by a predominance of C₁₇– C₂₁ and C₂₇– C₂₉ n‐alkanes. Hopane distributions are characterized by 22S/(22S+22R) ratios for C₃₂ homohopanes ranging from 0.31 to 0.59. Gammacerane was present in Maastrichtian‐Campanian and Santonian samples. Sterane distributions are dominated by C₂₉ steranes which are higher than C₂₇ and C₂₈ homologues. Biomarker characteristics were combined with other geochemical parameters to interpret the oil‐generating potential of the samples, their probable depositional environments and their thermal maturity. Results indicate that the samples were in general deposited in marine to lacustrine environments and contain varying amounts of higher plant or bacterial organic matter. Thermal maturity varies from immature to the main oil generation phase. The results of this study will contribute to an improved understanding of the origin of the hydrocarbons which have been discovered in Niger, Chad and other rift basins in the Central African Rift System.     

HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL OF UPPER CRETACEOUS MARINE SOURCE ROCKS IN THE TERMIT BASIN,NIGER

Upper Cretaceous mudstones are the most important source rocks in the Termit Basin, SE Niger. For this study, 184 mudstone samples from the Santonian–Campanian Yogou Formation and the underlying Cenomanian–Coniacian Donga Formation from eight wells were analyzed on the basis of palaeontological, petrographical and geochemical data, the latter including the results of Rock‐Eval, biomarker and stable isotope analyses. Samples from the upper member of the Yogou Formation contain marine algae and ostracods together with freshwater algae (Pediastrum) and arenaceous foraminifera, indicating a shallow‐marine to paralic depositional environment with fresh‐ to brackish waters. Terrestrial pollen and spores are common and of high diversity, suggesting proximity to land. Samples from the lower member contain marine algae and ostracods and arenaceous foraminifera but without freshwater algae, indicating shallow‐marine and brackish‐water settings with less freshwater influence. The wide range of gammacerane index values, gammacerane/C₃₀ hopane (0.07–0.5) and Pr/Ph ratios (0.63–4.68) in samples from the upper member of the Yogou Formation suggest a low to moderately saline environment with oxic to anoxic conditions. In samples from the lower member, the narrower range of the gammacerane index (0.23～0.35) and Pr/Ph ratios (0.76–1.36) probably indicate a moderately saline environment with suboxic to relatively anoxic conditions. Petrographic analyses of the Yogou Formation samples show that organic matter is dominated by terrestrial higher plant material with vitrinite, inertinite and specific liptinites (sporinite, cutinite and resinite). Extracts are characterized by a dominance of C₂₉ steranes over C₂₇ and C₂₈ homologues. Results of pyrolysis and elemental analyses indicate that the organic matter is composed mainly of Type II kerogen grading to mixed Type II‐III and Type III material with poor to excellent petroleum potential. Mudstones from the upper member of the Yogou Formation have higher petroleum generation potential than those from the lower member. Mudstones in the Donga Formation are dominated by Type III organic matter with poor to fair petroleum generation potential. Geochemical parameters indicate that in terms of thermal maturity the Yogou Formations has reached or surpassed the early phase of oil generation. Samples have T_max values and 20S/(20S+20R) C₂₉ sterane ratios greater than 435°C and 0.35, respectively. 22S/(22S+22R) ratios of C₃₁ homohopanes range from 0.50 to 0.54. The results of this study will help to provide a better understanding of the hydrocarbon potential of Upper Cretaceous marine source rocks in the Termit Basin and also in coeval intracontinental rift basins such as the Tenere Basin (Niger), Bornu Basin (Nigeria) and Benue Trough (Nigeria).     

BURIAL AND THERMAL HISTORY MODELLING OF THE MANNAR BASIN,OFFSHORE SRI LANKA

The Mannar Basin is a Late Jurassic – Neogene rift basin located in the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka which developed during the break‐up of Gondwana. Water depths in the Gulf of Mannar are up to about 3000 m. The stratigraphy is about 4 km thick in the north of the Mannar Basin and more than 6 km thick in the south. The occurrence of an active petroleum system in the basin was confirmed in 2011 by two natural gas discoveries following the drilling of the Dorado and Barracuda wells, located in the Sri Lankan part of the Gulf. However potential hydrocarbon source rocks have not been recorded by any of the wells so far drilled, and the petroleum system is poorly known. In this study, basin modelling techniques and measured vitrinite reflectance data were used to reconstruct the thermal and burial history of the northern part of the Mannar Basin along a 2D profile. Bottom‐hole temperature measurements indicate that the present‐day geothermal gradient in the northern Mannar Basin is around 24.4 ^oC/km. Optimised present‐day heat flows in the northern part of the Mannar Basin are 30–40 mW/m². The heat flow histories at the Pearl‐1 and Dorado‐North well locations were modelled using SIGMA‐2D software, assuming similar patterns of heat flow history. Maximum heat flows at the end of rifting (Maastrichtian) were estimated to be about 68–71 mW/m². Maturity modelling places the Jurassic and/or Lower Cretaceous interval in the oil and gas generation windows, and source rocks of this age therefore probably generated the thermogenic gas found at the Dorado and Barracuda wells. If the source rocks are organic‐rich and oil‐ and gas‐prone, they may have generated economic volumes of hydrocarbons.     

叠合盆地的热演化史与油气生成——以吐鲁番-哈密盆地南部构造带为例

叠合盆地演化的长期性和构造作用的多阶段性,造成盆地内多套烃源岩发育和多阶段的热演化作用,以及油气生成的复杂性。吐鲁番-哈密盆地南部构造带的研究表明,自晚古生代以来,该地区遭受多期次的构造作用与改造。构造热体制和热演化经历了5个不同的阶段,即石炭-早二叠世为伸展裂谷、快速埋藏与超高温阶段,中二叠世为裂谷后凹陷、较快速埋藏与高温阶段;晚二叠世至三叠纪为克拉通内凹陷、稳定沉降与较高温阶段;侏罗纪至白垩纪为广覆式坳陷、稳定沉降与较低温阶段;新生代为挤压造山、较快速沉降与低温阶段。不同地区不同层位的烃源岩具有不同的有机质成熟演化史。台南凹陷二叠系芦草沟组烃源岩和托克逊凹陷中上三叠统小泉沟组烃源岩均具有两次油气生成过程。由于埋藏史和油气生成史的不同,台南凹陷和托克逊凹陷油气藏类型和油气性质出现明显差异。     

尼日尔三角洲盆地油气地质与成藏特征

尼日尔三角洲盆地油气资源十分丰富，根据该盆地50余年油气勘探开发主要成果及其主要地质资料，研究其石油地质特征，总结其成藏和油气富集规律。尼日尔三角洲盆地是早白垩世开始发育的被动大陆边缘盆地，包括裂谷期和漂移期两个演化阶段，盆地形成发育与冈瓦纳大陆裂解和南大西洋、赤道大西洋张开有关。始新世以来长期海退形成了现今的尼日尔三角洲，自下而上发育阿卡塔组、阿格巴达组和贝宁组3个岩性地层单元。三角洲前积推进过程中，在大陆边缘重力作用下，自北向南形成了尼日尔三角洲伸展构造区、底辟构造区和逆冲推覆构造区。深水区的大型底辟逆冲构造圈闭和陆地-浅海伸展构造区的深层大型断块圈闭、断鼻构造圈闭、构造翼部大型的岩性圈闭是尼日尔三角洲盆地今后寻找大油气田的主要地区。图4表1参43     

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.     

BURIAL AND THERMAL HISTORY MODELLING OF THE MURZUQ AND GHADAMES BASINS (LIBYA) USING THE GALO COMPUTER PROGRAMME

The GALO computer programme was used to model the thermal and burial histories of the Murzuq and Ghadames Basins, Libya. The model was based on recent drilling and seismic data from the basins, and used published deep temperature and vitrinite reflectance measurements. The model provides more accurate results than previous studies which were based on constant geothermal gradients during the basins' histories, and variations in heat flux at the base of the sedimentary cover were chosen so that calculated values of vitrinite reflectance coincide with those observed. The Murzuq Basin and Libyan part of the Ghadames Basin contain similar source rock units but have different burial histories. In the Murzuq Basin, maximum present‐day burial depths of Cambrian sediments range from 2200 to 2800 m and only locally reach 3000 – 3600 m; in the Ghadames Basin, however, burial depths can exceed 4–5 km. The burial history of the Murzuq Basin includes several periods of intense erosion and lithospheric heating which produced significant lateral variations in thermal maturity, leading in places to unexpected results. For example, relatively shallow‐buried Lower Silurian source rocks in the A‐76 area on the flank of the Murzuq Basin have a thermal maturity of R_o = 1.24% which is higher than the maturity of the same interval in more deeply buried areas (wells D1‐NC‐58 or J1‐NC101). In the central part of the Ghadames Basin, the modelling suggests a higher level of thermal maturity for organic matter in Silurian strata (R_o 0.8 to 1.3%), confirming the generation potential of Lower Silurian “hot shales”. Significant hydrocarbon generation began here in the Late Carboniferous and continues at the present day. Modelling of the Late Devonian (Frasnian) Aouinat Ouinine Formation “hot shales” suggests limited hydrocarbon generation depending strongly on burial depth, with the main phase of hydrocarbon generation taking place during the final episode of thermal activation in the Cenozoic. In the wells studied in the Ghadames Basin, the “oil window” extends over a considerable part of the present‐day sedimentary column.     

PETROLEUM GEOLOGY OF THE NOGAL BASIN AND SURROUNDING AREA,NORTHERN SOMALIA: PART 1, STRATIGRAPHY AND TECTONIC EVOLUTION

In this study, 92 closely‐spaced reflection seismic profiles (～4000 line‐km) were tied to biostratigraphic and lithological data from six deep exploration wells in the poorly‐known Nogal rift basin, northern Somalia, and were integrated with outcrop and aeromagnetic data to investigate the basin stratigraphy and tectonic evolution. Aeromagnetic data show NW‐SE trending magnetic anomalies which are interpreted as plutonic bodies intruded during the Early Cretaceous, probably contemporaneously with a pre‐Cenomanian uplift phase. The aeromagnetic data also suggest a change of basement type from Inda Ad Series metasediments in the SE of the study area to igneous and high‐grade metamorphic basement in the NW. Biostratigraphic data and seismic reflection profiles define the Nogal Basin as a WNW–ESE striking half‐graben, approximately 250 km long and 40 km wide, which formed as a result of mainly Cenomanian–Maastrichtian and Oligocene–Miocene intracontinental rifting. The depocentre contains at least 7000 m of Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments and is located in the centre of the basin (east of well Nogal‐1), to the south of the Shileh Madu Range. To the north, the basin is bounded by a major border fault along which significant variations in the thickness of sedimentary units are observed, suggesting that the fault controlled basin architecture and patterns of sedimentation. Oligocene–Miocene normal faults which resulted in north‐tilted fault blocks are widespread within the main basin; smaller‐scale sub‐basins oriented NW‐SE to WNW‐ESE are observed to the NW of the basin and probably developed contemporaneously. The Late Jurassic rift phase which has been documented elsewhere in northern Somalia is either missing in the Nogal Basin or is preserved only in localised grabens in the western and central parts of the basin. This is probably due to the pre‐Cenomanian uplift and erosion which removed almost the entire Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous successions over a wide area referred to as the Nogal‐Erigavo Arch. A more pronounced rifting episode followed this erosional event in the Cenomanian–Maastrichtian and resulted in the deposition of well‐sorted fluvio‐deltaic sandstones (Gumburo and Jesomma Formations), more than 2000 m thick. In wells in the Nogal Basin, these formations are between two and three times thicker than in wells drilled in footwall locations, and include excellent reservoir rocks sealed by transgressive mudstones and carbonates. A final rifting event in the Oligocene–Miocene was related to the opening of the Gulf of Aden. A rift sag phase which accommodated the Early Oligocene continental sediments of the Nogal Group initially developed at the centre of the basin. This was followed by a period of strong rotational faulting and tilting, which reactivated the Cenomanian–Maastrichtian structures.     

A RAPID METHOD OF QUANTIFYING THE RESOLUTION LIMITS OF HEAT-FLOW ESTIMATES IN BASIN MODELS

Deterministic forward models are commonly used to quantify the processes accompanying basin evolution. Here, we describe a workflow for the rapid calibration of palaeo heat‐flow behaviour. The method determines the heat‐flow history which best matches the observed data, such as vitrinite reflectance, which is used to indicate the thermal maturity of a sedimentary rock. A limiting factor in determining the heat‐flow history is the ability of the algorithm used in the software for the maturity calculation to resolve information inherent in the measured data. Thermal maturation is controlled by the temperature gradient in the basin over time and is therefore greatly affected by maximum burial depth. Calibration, i.e. finding the thermal history model which best fits the observed data (e.g. vitrinite reflectance), can be a time‐consuming exercise. To shorten this process, a simple pseudo‐inverse model is used to convert the complex thermal behaviour obtained from a basin simulator into more simple behaviour, using a relatively simple equation. By comparing the calculated “simple” maturation trend with the observed data points using the suggested workflow, it becomes relatively straightforward to evaluate the range within which a best‐fit model will be found. Reverse mapping from the simple model to the complex behaviour results in precise values for the heat‐flow which can then be applied to the basin model. The goodness‐of‐fit between the modelled and observed data can be represented by the Mean Squared Residual (MSR) during the calibration process. This parameter shows the mean squared difference between all measured data and the respective predicted maturities. A minimum MSR value indicates the “best fit”. Case studies are presented of two wells in the Horn Graben, Danish North Sea. In both wells calibrating the basin model using a constant heat‐flow over time is not justified, and a more complex thermal history must be considered. The pseudo‐inverse method was therefore applied iteratively to investigate more complex heat‐flow histories. Neither in the observed maturity data nor in the recorded stratigraphy was there evidence for erosion which would have influenced the present‐day thermal maturity pattern, and heat‐flow and time were therefore the only variables investigated. The aim was to determine the simplest “best‐fit” heat‐flow history which could be resolved at the maximum resolution given by the measured maturity data. The conclusion was that basin models in which the predicted maturity of sedimentary rocks is calibrated solely against observed vitrinite reflectance data cannot provide information on the timing of anomalies in the heat‐flow history. The pseudo inverse method, however, allowed the simplest heat‐flow history that best fits the observed data to be found.     

PETROLEUM SYSTEMS OF THE WEST IBERIAN MARGIN: A REVIEW OF THE LUSITANIAN BASIN AND THE DEEP OFFSHORE PENICHE BASIN

The relatively well‐studied Lusitanian Basin in coastal west‐central Portugal can be used as an analogue for the less well‐known Peniche Basin in the deep offshore. In this paper the Lusitanian Basin is reviewed in terms of stratigraphy, sedimentology, evolution and petroleum systems. Data comes from published papers and technical reports as well as original research and field observations. The integration and interpretation of these data is used to build up an updated petroleum systems analysis of the basin. Petroleum systems elements include Palaeozoic and Mesozoic source rocks, siliciclastic and carbonate reservoir rocks, and Mesozoic and Tertiary seals. Traps are in general controlled by diapiric movement of Hettangian clays and evaporites during the Late Jurassic, Late Cretaceous and Late Miocene. Organic matter maturation, mainly due to Late Jurassic rift‐related subsidence and burial, is described together with hydrocarbon migration and trapping. Three main petroleum systems may be defined, sourced respectively by Palaeozoic shales, Early Jurassic marly shales and Late Jurassic marls. These elements and systems can tentatively be extrapolated offshore into the deep‐water Peniche Basin, where no exploration wells have so far been drilled. There are both similarities and differences between the Lusitanian and Peniche Basins, the differences being mainly related to the more distal position of the Peniche Basin and the later onset of the main rift phase which was accompanied by Early Cretaceous subsidence and burial. The main exploration risks are related to overburden and maturation timing versus trap formation associated both with diapiric movement of Hettangian salt and Cenozoic inversion.     

四川盆地热演化异常成因及热场演化特征分析

为探讨四川盆地热演化异常成因,分析不同地史时期热场分布及其主控因素,通过四川盆地不同构造单元典型井、剖面露头镜质体反射率与深度热演化剖面的建立,分析了四川盆地纵向上热演化异常成因;在热演化剖面建立的基础上,通过镜质体反射率梯度法求取了四川盆地晚古生代—中三叠世、晚三叠世—侏罗纪及现今的热场分布,并进行了热史演化特征分析。研究认为:（1）烃源岩生烃作用产生超压并对镜质体反射率和烃类裂解产生差异性抑制,是四川盆地纵向有机质热演化“负”异常的主要原因。（2）盆地不同时期构造运动及盆地性质控制着四川盆地热场纵向的演化:中二叠世晚期区域性拉张作用改变了四川盆地早期统一的低热场,导致断陷内热流值不断升高,平均地温梯度在3.5℃/hm以上;晚燕山—早喜马拉雅期,盆地东部开始隆升剥蚀,盆地逐渐向西萎缩,周缘冲断作用趋于平静,高热场开始降温;至喜马拉雅晚期的快速隆升及降温作用,形成现今低地温场分布面貌,地温梯度总体小于2.5℃/hm。      

PETROLEUM GEOLOGY AND HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL OF THE GUBAN BASIN,NORTHERN SOMALILAND

The Guban Basin is a NW‐SE trending Mesozoic‐Tertiary rift basin located in northern Somaliland (NW Somalia) at the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden. Only seven exploration wells have been drilled in the basin, making it one of the least explored basins in the Horn of Africa – southern Arabia region. Most of these wells encountered source, reservoir and seal rocks. However, the wells were based on poorly understood subsurface geology and were located in complex structural areas. The Guban Basin is composed of a series of on‐ and offshore sub‐basins which cover areas of 100s to 1000s of sq. km and which contain more than 3000 m of sedimentary section. Seismic, gravity, well, outcrop and geochemical data are used in this study to investigate the petroleum systems in the basin. The basin contains mature source rocks with adequate levels of organic carbon together with a variety of reservoir rocks. The principal exploration play is the Mesozoic petroleum system with mature source rocks (Upper Jurassic Gahodleh and Daghani shales) and reservoirs of Upper Jurassic to Miocene age. Maturity data suggest that maximum maturity was achieved prior to Oligocene rift‐associated uplift and unroofing. Renewed charge may have commenced during post‐ Oligocene‐Miocene rifting as a result of the increased heat flows and the increased depth of burial of the Upper Jurassic source rocks in localised depocentres. The syn‐rift Oligocene‐Miocene acts as a secondary objective owing to its low maturity except possibly in localised offshore sub‐basins. Seals include various shale intervals some of which are also source rocks, and the Lower Eocene evaporites of the Taleh Anhydrite constitute an effective regional seal. Traps are provided by drag and rollover anticlines associated with tilted fault blocks. However, basaltic volcanism and trap breaching as a consequence of the Afar plume and Oligocene‐Miocene rifting of the Gulf of Aden cause considerable exploration risk in the Guban Basin.     

Burial and thermal history simulation of the subsurface Paleozoic source rocks in Faghur basin,north Western Desert,Egypt: Implication for hydrocarbon generation and expulsion history

Paleozoic Zeitoun, Desouqy and Dhiffah formations represent source rocks to hydrocarbon in Faghur basin, north Western Desert, Egypt. They are characterized by a sufficient amount of organic matter belonging to kerogen type III and mixed type II/III, which are in maturation stage. A 1D-basin modeling was performed by using geological and geochemical data of the Paleozoic source rocks from five wells in Faghur basin, north Western Desert, Egypt. These data used in 1D basin modeling for constructing and understanding of burial and thermal geo-histories of Faghur basin and for simulating and predicting the timing of petroleum and expulsion for the Paleozoic source rocks in the studied wells. Burial and thermal history models indicate that the Zeitoun Formation entered onset of oil generation in the studied wells during Late Cretaceous (100.10–91.65 my) with transformation ratio (TR) 10–25, peak oil during Late Cretaceous (91.65–79.30 my) with TR 25–50 and late oil stage at Late Cretaceous (79.30 my-0) to present day with TR 50–60.45. Desouqy Formation entered onset of oil generation also during Late Cretaceous (94.43–73.60 my) with TR 10–25 in the studied wells, peak oil during Late cretaceous (73.60–62.40 my) with TR 25–50 and Late oil stage during Late Cretaceous to present day (62.40 my-0) with TR 50–61.82. Dhiffah Formation entered onset of oil generation in the studied wells during Early to Late Cretaceous (102.11–92.27 my) with TR 10–25, peak oil during Late Cretaceous (92.27–86.40 my) with TR 25–50 and late oil stage at Late Cretaceous to present day (86.40 my-0) with TR 50–67.27. No cracking oil to gas in the studied Paleozoic source rocks in the studied wells. These basin modeling results also suggest that the Paleozoic source rocks act as an effective source rock where a significant amount of petroleum is expected to be generated and expelled to any nearby prospect reservoir rocks in the Faghur basin.     

塔里木盆地东北缘孔雀河地区烃源岩演化特征及成藏条件研究

对孔雀河地区3套烃源岩地球化学、热演化参数统计分析表明：寒武系-奥陶系烃源岩分布广、有机质丰度高，演化程度为过成熟；石炭系-三叠系烃源岩主要分布在草湖凹陷，有机质丰度低，热演化程度为中-晚期；侏罗系烃源岩全区分布，有机质丰度高，除英吉苏凹陷部分区域进入生油门限，其它大部分区域热演化程度为未熟-低熟，生排烃量有限。通过对全区13口井单井盆地模拟研究，总结了孔雀河地区3套烃源的3种埋藏热演化模式，即持续深埋型、二次深埋型和早期深埋、晚期浅埋型，和2种生排烃模式，即多段式、单段式。通过生排烃模拟表明，本区生排烃量主要以寒武系-奥陶系烃源岩的生排烃量为主，其它2套烃源岩生烃区域局限且生烃量有限。指出孔雀河地区成藏组合研究应围绕寒武系-奥陶系这套主力生烃源岩生排烃史进行，其具有自生自储、下生上储2种成藏组合模式。综合研究认为寻找寒武系-奥陶系烃源岩主要生排烃期形成的古油藏、分析不同期次构造运动对古油藏破坏程度和研究不同期次断裂系统对油气的疏导、调整作用和对油气分布规律的控制是进一步深化该区勘探的关键。     

西非Termit叠合裂谷盆地构造沉积演化及控藏机理

基于区域地质背景分析,充分应用钻井与地震资料,开展Termit叠合裂谷盆地构造沉积演化及其控藏机理研究。研究表明：Termit盆地主要经历3大构造沉积演化阶段：1早白垩世裂谷期,以湖泊、三角洲沉积为主;2晚白垩世坳陷期,以浅海、三角洲和远岸水下扇沉积为主,发育主力烃源岩;3古近纪裂谷期,以短轴辫状河三角洲、湖泊沉积为主,发育主力储集岩与区域性盖层。构造沉积演化控制了生、储、盖层,断裂体系及构造圈闭的展布,决定了盆地油气的空间分布：1沉积演化控制了生、储、盖层分布,形成了上、中、下3套成藏组合,控制了油气纵向分布;2构造演化控制了输导体系和构造圈闭分布,形成了多个复杂构造带,控制了油气平面分布;3沉积相带控制储集砂体微观结构及宏观展布规律,控制了油气富集程度。综合地质研究成果,建立叠合裂谷复合油气成藏模式,明确白垩系-古近系下一步勘探领域,有效指导盆地油气勘探。     

SUPPRESSION AND RETARDATION OF VITRINITE REFLECTANCE, PART 2. DERIVATION AND TESTING OF A KINETIC MODEL FOR SUPPRESSION

The presence of suppressed and retarded vitrinite reflectance (VR) data introduces a number of dificulties into the prediction of hydrocarbon generation in sedimentary basins. Although the effects of suppression can be removed from measured VR values manually, a kinetic model for suppressed vitrinite maturation would enable both suppressed and unsuppressed VR values to be predicted using thermal histories derived from basin modelling. The evaluation of hydrocarbon generation fiom suppressed and unsuppressed vitrinite shows that both have similar reaction kinetics. While hydrocarbon generation involves the rupture of the bonds holding volatiles into the vitrinite structure, increases in VR are mainly produced by aromatisation and condensation reactions which take place after volatiles have been expelled. The reactions involved in hydrocarbon generation are diyerent from those responsible for increases in VR, and it is not therefore appropriate to derive kinetic models of vitrinite maturation from laboratory hydrocarbon generation experiments. During the maturation of normal (unsuppressed) vitrinite, the volatiles generated are expelled via the microporous network; the expulsion efficiency is not limited by the capacity of the microporous network. In hydrogen‐rich (suppressed) vitrinites, excess volatiles saturate the microporous network, restricting further aromatisation and condensation processes within the vitrinite, which results in suppression of VR. Kinetically, this has been modelled by using a variable pre‐exponential or “A” value. Two versions of a kinetic model of vitrinite maturation (SMod‐1 and SMod‐2) have been prepared, based on the amount of suppression predicted by HI‐VR calibration models published by Lo (1993) and Samuels son and Middleton (1998). Two case studies, involving wells Bunga Orkid‐1 (Malay Basin) and 2013–4 (Outer Moray Firth, North Sea), are discussed. Both wells contain suppressed VR values; well 20/3–4 is also overpressured and contains VR data that are both retarded and suppressed. The application of the SMod model to the wells enables heat flow histories derived from tectonic (rift) histories to be used for the prediction of VR data, although in the case of well 20/3–4, the use of a pressure retardation model was also required. Complementary evidence to support the use of the heat flow history applied to well 2013–4 is provided by palaeotemperature data obtained from diagenetic concretions.     

ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY,BURIAL HISTORY AND HYDROCARBON GENERATION MODELLING OF THE UPPER JURASSIC MADBI FORMATION,MASILA BASIN,YEMEN

The Masila Basin is an important hydrocarbon province in Yemen but the origin of its hydrocarbons is not fully understood. In this study, we evaluate Upper Jurassic source rocks in the Madbi Formation and assess the results of basin modelling in order to improve our understanding of burial history and hydrocarbon generation. This source rock has generated commercial volumes of hydrocarbons which migrated into Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous reservoir rocks. Cuttings samples of shales from the Upper Jurassic Madbi Formation from boreholes in the centre-west of the Masila Basin were analysed using organic geochemistry (Rock-Eval pyrolysis, extract analysis) and organic petrology. The shales generally contain more than 2.0 wt % TOC and have very good to excellent hydrocarbon potential. Kerogen is predominantly algal Type II with minor Type I. Thermal maturity of the organic matter is R_r 0.69–0.91%. Thermal and burial history models indicate that the Madbi Formation source rock entered the early-mature to mature stage in the Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary. Hydrocarbon generation began in the Late Cretaceous, reaching maximum rates during the Early Tertiary. Cretaceous subsidence had only a minor influence on source rock maturation and OM transformation.     

鄂尔多斯盆地东部上古生界现今地层压力分布特征及成因

现今地层压力分布是地史过程中盆地构造演化、沉积环境、烃源岩有机质热演化等多种地质因素在孔隙流体中综合作用的最终结果。抽水实验和试井获得的地层压力资料显示,鄂尔多斯盆地白垩系、三叠系均具有低压特征。盆地东部上古生界正常压力、异常低压和异常高压并存,正常压力类型比例达56.76%,异常低压类型比例为30.63%,高压最少;下石盒子组、山西组、太原组和本溪组随地层深度增加,压力系数总体呈现降低趋势。以子洲气田为例,采用压力梯度曲线法,将山2段划分为多个压力系统,单个压力系统之间互相分隔、互不连通。流体包裹体实验表明,早白垩世末期地层压力为超压,地层压力系数为1.14~1.66。现今盆地东部正常压力是盆地压力演化过程中的最后一幕。地层抬升剥蚀和构造热事件消退引起地层温度下降,从而导致压力下降了8.6~11.1 MPa,占整个压力降幅的32%~40%;天然气散失引起压力降低占整个压力降幅的20%~30%。盆地东部压力系数较高的主要原因是,东部现今地层埋藏深度浅;而沟壑纵横的地形和天然气富集程度的差异,导致了气田内压力系数各异。