Characterization of the Organic Matter for Some Crude Oils from the North Western Part of the Western Desert, Egypt

A direct method for crude oil evaluation based on spectral techniques is demonstrated. This direct method is demonstrated for five crude oils from the north western part of the western desert, Egypt. FTIR spectroscopy was used to study the distribution of functional groups contained in the crude oil samples. Some ratios calculated from peak heights of selected infrared bands allow for a better comparison of the spectra. These ratios will be useful to give valuable informations about the origin and thermal maturation of the organic matters. ¹³C NMR spectroscopy could provide a measure of the relative proportions of crude oils aliphatic and aromatic carbons so that the technique is proving to be a valuable organic matter maturation and typing tool. The proportion of organic carbon present in aliphatic structures correlates with oil-generating potential of a source rock. These spectroscopic techniques have been used to study the entire structures of crude oil samples. They may provide valuable informations about the aromaticity and diverse functionalities which are important to find out about the thermal history of the crude oil samples.     

Spectroscopic Studies on Some Crude Oils from The North Western Desert,Egypt

Abstract

A direct method for crude oil evaluation based on spectral techniques is demonstrated in this article. This method is demonstrated for four crude oils from the El-Faras and Raml oil fields in the North Western Desert in Abu Gharadeg Basin, Egypt. The crude oils have been studied by ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Several parameters calculated from the ¹³C NMR and FTIR spectra provide useful information about the maturity of the organic matter in term of relative aliphatic, aromatic, and carbonyl/carboxyl concentrations; aliphatic chain length; and type and degree of substitution of aromatic structures. These spectra techniques may provide valuable information about the aromaticity and diverse functionalities that are important to the thermal history of the crude oil samples. Results showed that the composition of crude oil samples have higher aliphatic compounds than that of the aromatic compounds.     

BULK COMPOSITION OF SOME SAUDI ARABIAN CRUDE OILS IN RELATION TO MATURATION,ORIGIN AND DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENTS

ABSTRACT

Ten crude oil samples, covering wide range of maturity (API = 18.5?36.1), were assembled from Safaniya, Abqiq, Ain-Dar, Wafra, Marjan, and Zulf oil fields in the area of Arabian Gulf. Different analytical techniques, including liquid chromatographic separation, gas chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, were used to characterize the oil samples. Some bulk and specific compositional parameters were used for oil-oil correlations in order to evaluate thermal maturation, origin, biodegradation and depositional environments of the crude oils. Considering the maturity relationships, it was suggested that the bulk composition of Wafra/Iucene crude oil was altered due to biodegradation and vertical migration. Correlation between API gravity and PAP of aromatic fraction indicated two maturity levels of onshore and offshore oil fields. The distribution of n-alkanes reflected the marine origin of the crude oils. Isoprenoids/n-alkanes and pristane/phytane ratios were determined by capillary GC of a middle distillate of the crude oil samples. The correlations showed that the oil samples, except for those collected from Wafra oil field, are normal mature crude oils which were deposited under oxidizing environments. The much lower Pr/Ph ratio of Wafra/Iucene oil field could be considered as an indicator of reducing depositional environments.     

Oil:Oil Correlation for Some Oil Fields in the North Western Part of the Western Desert,Egypt

Abstract

Physical and specific geochemical analyses are used in detail for the petroleum geochemical studies to permit the correlation of six crude oil samples from Western Desert Egypt. Different analytical techniques, including liquid chromatographic separation, gas chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), were used to characterize the oil samples. The oils were identified using oil characterization parameters including specific gravity (°API), sulfur content, distribution of n-alkanes, carbon preference index (CPI), pristane/phytane ratio, isoprenoid/n-alkane ratios, and detailed biological marker analysis. All these parameters showed that the studied oil samples are correlated with each other, where they are similar in their oil type maturation and source depositional environments.     

Bulk Geochemical Characteristics of Crude Oils From Wells in the North Western Desert,Egypt

Abstract

Different oil samples were collected from oil fields in the North Western Desert; namely, Meleiha, Razaak, and North Qarun fields. These oils were analyzed geochemically, including sulfur content, American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity, and gas chromatography The results showed that API gravity and sulfur content indicate that the crude oils have high mature level of marine origin. Distribution of n-alkanes (Carbon Preference Index [CPI], pr/ph, and isoprenoide/n-alkanes ratios) reflects that the oil samples originated mainly from marine organic sources deposited in a reducing environment. This indicates that the oil samples under investigation are well correlated with each other in the western part of the North Western Desert.     

Organic and Carbon Isotope Geochemistry of Crude Oils from Ashrafi Field,Southern Gulf of Suez Province,Egypt: Implications for the Processes of Hydrocarbon Generation and Maturation

Abstract

Four crude oil samples representing the Miocene formations of Belayim, Kareem, and Nukhul, and the Pre-Miocene Nubia Sandstone of Ashrafi Field, offshore southern Gulf of Suez, Egypt. These crude oil samples were analyzed using a variety of organic geochemical techniques including both C₇ and whole oil Gas Chromatography (GC), Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) in addition to stable carbon isotopes to the saturate and aromatic fractions. The organic geochemical results revealed that the Miocene and Pre-Miocene Nubia Sandstone oils generated from two different source rocks subjected to different maturation levels. The Miocene crude oil possesses geochemical properties rich in tricyclic terpanes and extended hopanes typical characteristics of oils generated from marine siliciclastic source rocks with angiosperm land plants input like Rudeis Formation as indicated from the oleanane index which exceeds 30% and low gammacerane index around 10%. Meanwhile the Pre-Miocene crude oil correlates with the marine carbonate sources of high salinity waters like Brown Limestone of Upper Cretaceous age as indicated from the oleanane index <10% and high gammacerane index >30%. The maturity parameters based on both ratios of 20S/(20S + 20R)-C₂₉ ααα cholestane and TAS/(MAS + TAS) were found to be around 0.5 for the Miocene crude oils, meanwhile both the ratios for the Pre-Miocene crude oil were >0.5. The concluded results further support the very high maturation level of the Pre-Miocene crude oil than the Miocene crude of Ashrafi Field which concordant with the reservoir stratigraphic depths.     

Characterization and correlation of crude oils from some wells in the North Western Desert,Egypt

Characterization and correlation of crude oils from some wells in the North Western Desert, based on six crude oil samples, were studied by different analytical techniques, including API gravity, sulfur content, nickel and vanadium, bulk compositions and saturated fraction obtained from gas chromatography have been studied. The results show that the crude oils are normal to medium aromatic oils, with high API gravity and high sulfur content. V, Ni, V/Ni and V/(V + Ni) reflecting oils might be sourced from non-clastic source rocks, possibly carbonates, deposited under anoxic-suboxic conditions. Bulk compositions revealing that the crude oils were derived from marine organic sources. While, the paraffins and naphthenes percent indicates that the oils belong to paraffinic to naphthenic oil types, deposited in slightly anoxic to suboxic conditions and contained marine organic matter. Thermal maturity data showed that the oil samples were generated from mature source rocks. This indicates the studied oil samples are well correlated with each other, where they are similar in their oil type maturation and source depositional environments.     

ISOLATION,CHARACTERIZATION AND GEOCHEMICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF PORPHYRINS IN CRUDE OILS FROM GULF OF SUEZ

ABSTRACT

Five crude oil samples, covering a wide range of maturation, were collected from the major producing fields in the Gulf of Suez area. The oil fields were West Bakr, Um-Elyse, Morgan, Ras Gharib, and Shoab Ali. Demetallated petroporphyrins and metalloporphyrins were isolated from residua] fraction > 200°C of the crude oils using acetic acid/HCl-HBr system and chromatographic adsorption method, respectively. The isolated porphyrins were characterized and estimated by UV-visible spectroscopy. The adsorption method not only isolated metalloporphyrins but also separated vanadyl porphyrins and nickel porphyrins individually. The results indicated the presence of deoxophylloerythreoetioprphyrins [DPEP] and etioporphyrins in the studied crude oil samples. The amount of vanadyl porphyrins exhibited a good relationship with the contents of both sulfur and asphaltene in the crude oils whereas no evident relation was observed with the concentration of nickel porphyrins. The effect of reservoir depth and maturation level of the crude oils on the concentration of metalloporphyrins were geochemically assessed.     

Applications of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to Assess the Source and Thermal Maturity of the Crude Oils from the Lower Indus Basin,Pakistan

Abstract

A suite of six crude oils from Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan, were analyzed for geochemical characterization of source organic matter (OM) and thermal maturity. Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylnaphthalenes, alkylphenanthrenes, alkyldibenzothiophenes, and aromatic biomarkers were reported from aromatic fractions of the crude oils. The aromatic hydrocarbons parameters revealed a higher thermal maturity of OM of source rock-generated Lower Indus Basin oils. Calculated vitrinite reflectance values from the methylphenanthrenes index 1 (MPI-1) and methyldibenzothiophene ratio (MDR) indicate that most of the oils reached a late oil generation window of thermal maturity. PAH distributions revealed the oils of two different origins are present in the Lower Indus Basin; two oil samples indicate aquatic source of OM and the aromatic biomarker distributions of retene, 1-MP, and 1,7-DMP indicate a significant contribution of land plant OM in the other four oils. This is the first study to report the distribution of aromatic hydrocarbons from Lower Indus Basin crude oils.     

Oil:Oil Correlation for Some Oil Fields in the North Western Part of the Western Desert, Egypt

Physical and specific geochemical analyses are used in detail for the petroleum geochemical studies to permit the correlation of six crude oil samples from Western Desert Egypt. Different analytical techniques, including liquid chromatographic separation, gas chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), were used to characterize the oil samples. The oils were identified using oil characterization parameters including specific gravity (°API), sulfur content, distribution of n-alkanes, carbon preference index (CPI), pristane/phytane ratio, isoprenoid/n-alkane ratios, and detailed biological marker analysis. All these parameters showed that the studied oil samples are correlated with each other, where they are similar in their oil type maturation and source depositional environments.     

BULK COMPOSITION OF SOME SAUDI ARABIAN CRUDE OILS IN RELATION TO MATURATION, ORIGIN AND DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENTS

Ten crude oil samples, covering wide range of maturity (API = 18.5-36.1), were assembled from Safaniya, Abqiq, Ain-Dar, Wafra, Marjan, and Zulf oil fields in the area of Arabian Gulf. Different analytical techniques, including liquid chromatographic separation, gas chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, were used to characterize the oil samples. Some bulk and specific compositional parameters were used for oil-oil correlations in order to evaluate thermal maturation, origin, biodegradation and depositional environments of the crude oils. Considering the maturity relationships, it was suggested that the bulk composition of Wafra/Iucene crude oil was altered due to biodegradation and vertical migration. Correlation between API gravity and PAP of aromatic fraction indicated two maturity levels of onshore and offshore oil fields. The distribution of n-alkanes reflected the marine origin of the crude oils. Isoprenoids/n-alkanes and pristane/phytane ratios were determined by capillary GC of a middle distillate of the crude oil samples. The correlations showed that the oil samples, except for those collected from Wafra oil field, are normal mature crude oils which were deposited under oxidizing environments. The much lower Pr/Ph ratio of Wafra/Iucene oil field could be considered as an indicator of reducing depositional environments.     

Oil-source correlation and the impact of oil-filling process on geochemical composition of the different states of oils in the Upper Triassic Chang 7 Formation,Ordos basin,China

Five crude oil samples from five wells and 33 oil-containing sandstone reservoir rock samples from six wells of Chang 7 sub-unit were systematically studied to determine hydrocarbons in these oil reservoirs whether are the mixtures of oil components derived from different source rocks or from the same source rock during oil filling process over geological times. Sequential extraction was applied to the oil-containing reservoir rocks to deserve the free and adsorbed oils. The distribution of alkanes, hopanes and steranes and the correlation diagram of Pr/n-C₁₇ versus Ph/n-C₁₈ show that these oil components and crude oils have similar parent materials. And on this basis we compared the thermal maturity of the crude oils, the free oils and adsorbed oils and found that the thermal maturity of these oils is different. The cross plot of C₂₉αα-20S/(20S+20R) versus C₂₉ββ/(αα+ ββ) and the correlation diagram of Pr/n-C₁₇ versus Ph/n-C₁₈ both show that the crude oils have highest thermal maturity, followed by the free oils and then the adsorbed oils. The ratios of ∑C₂₁^?/∑C₂₂⁺ for the crude oils and free oils are greater than the adsorbed oils, indicating the crude oils and free oils have suffered more thermal stress and extensive cracking than that of the adsorbed oils. These geochemical data reveal that hydrocarbons in these oil reservoirs and crude oils were derived from the same source rock with different thermal maturity over geological times.     

OILS FROM CENOZOIC RIFT-BASINS IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN THAILAND: SOURCE AND THERMAL MATURITY

Oil is produced from the Suphan Buri, Phitsanulok and Fang Basins onshore central and northern Thailand. Most of the Cenozoic rift‐basins onshore Thailand are 2–4 km deep, but the Phitsanulok Basin is the deepest with a basin‐fill up to 8 km thick. In this basin, the Sirikit field produces ～18,000–24,000 bbl/day of crude oil. In the Suphan Buri Basin, about 400 bbl/day of crude oil is produced from the U Thong and Sang Kajai fields. Approximately 800 bbl/day of crude oil is produced from the Fang field (Fang Basin), which in reality consists of a number of minor structures including Ban Thi, Pong Nok, San Sai, Nong Yao and Mae Soon. A total of eight oil samples were collected from these structures and from the Sirikit, U Thong and Sang Kajai fields. The oils were subjected to MPLC and HPLC separation and were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS and GC‐MS‐MS). The U Thong oil was investigated in more detail by separating the oil into a number of fractions suited for the analysis of various specific compounds. The Sirikit oil appears to be the most mature, whereas the Suphan Buri oils and the oil from the San Sai structure (Fang Basin) are the least mature. Apart from the San Sai oil, the other oils in the Fang Basin are of similar maturity. The oils contain small amounts of asphaltenes and the asphaltene‐free fractions are completely dominated by saturated hydrocarbons (generally >60%). Long‐chain n‐alkanes extend to at least C₄₀ and the oils are thus highly waxy. In general the oils were generated from freshwater lacustrine source rocks containing a large proportion of algal material, as indicated by the presence of long‐chain n‐alkanes, low C₃₁22R/C₃₀ hopane ratios, the presence of 28‐Nor‐spergulane, T26/T25 (tricyclic triterpanes) ratios of 1.07–1.57 and tetracyclic polyprenoid (TTP) ratios close to 1. Occasional saline conditions may have occurred during deposition of the Sirikit, Ban Thi and Pong Nok source rocks. The Fang Basin oils were sourced from two different kitchens, one feeding the Ban Thi and Pong Nok structures and one feeding the Mae Soon, Nong Yao and San Sai structures. The presence ofcadalene, tetracyclic C₂₄ compounds, oleanane, lupane, bicadinane and trace amounts ofnorpimarane or norisopimarane indicate a contribution from higher land plant organic matter to the oils. The terrestrial organic matter may occur disseminated in the lacustrine facies or concentrated in coal seams associated with the lacustrine mudstones. Thermally immature oil shales (lacustrine mudstones) and coals exposed in numerous basins in central and northern Thailand could upon maturation generate oils with a composition comparable to the investigated oils.     

Light hydrocarbon geochemistry of crude oils from Eastern Niger Delta

Abstract

Geochemical evaluation of oil samples from the eastern part of the Niger Delta divided into western, eastern, and central sections of the study area was carried out for the characterization of their light hydrocarbons content in order to correlate oils from different parts. The hydrocarbons in the oil samples were determined using gas chromatographic (GC) technique. The results obtained showed that CPI, Pr/Ph, Pr/nC₁₇, and Ph/nC₁₈ ratios ranged from 0.99–1.55, 2.19–4.79, 0.92–2.35, and 0.27–0.47, respectively. The Pr/nC₁₇ versus Ph/nC₁₈ plot showed that the oils were derived from terrestrial organic materials that were deposited under oxic to suboxic conditions. They are moderately matured with minimal effect of biodegradation on most of the oil samples although two of the oils showed relatively higher degradation. Both bivariate and multivariate plots of the light hydrocarbon ratios differentiated the western and central oils from the eastern oils. The classification of the oils into families was not based on origin but rather on post generative alterations that include reservoir conditions and possibly migration effects. The light hydrocarbon parameters identified can be used in the correlation tools.     

APPLICATION OF BIOMARKERS AND STABLE CARBON ISOTOPES TO ASSESS THE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF SOURCE ROCKS AND THE MATURATION OF CRUDE OILS, EAST ZEIT FIELD, SOUTHERN GULF OF SUEZ, EGYPT

Four crude oil samples were collected from the producing wells EZ A-11, EZ A-1, EZ A-14 and EZ A-7 of East Zeit Field, offshore southern Gulf of Suez, Egypt. These crude oil samples represent the producing Kareem, Rudeis, Nukhul and Nubia reservoirs respectively. The crude oils were subjected to a variety of organic geochemical analyses including Gas Chromatography (GC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition to stable carbon isotopes were done for the saturate and aromatic fractions and trace elements analysis. The organic geochemical results suggest the presence of two different types of oils that were originated from two different source environments. The Lower Miocene Kareem, Rudeis and Nukhul oils have a V/Ni ratios of 2, Ts/Tm ratio less than 1, Oleanane index of more than 20% and a gammacerane index of around 10%. Such results suggest that the Miocene crude oils were generated from an angiosperm-rich, Tertiary source rocks with high terrestrial input. The Nubian crude oil has a V/Ni ratio equal 3.2, Ts/Tm ratio less than 1, Oleanane index less than 20% and high gammacerane index of more than 30% suggesting a marine saline-source depositional environment of Late Cretceous or younger rich in type-II kerogen with minor terrestrial influence. The maturation parameters of the Miocene and Nubian crude oils obtained from aromatic and fraction imply marginally mature to mature oils. The Nubian crude oil however, was generated at a relatively higher maturation level than that of the Miocene oils. Also, the maturation level of the Miocene oils is in accordance with their relative stratigraphic position with the Nukhul reservoired oil being the most mature.     

APPLICATION OF BIOMARKERS AND STABLE CARBON ISOTOPES TO ASSESS THE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF SOURCE ROCKS AND THE MATURATION OF CRUDE OILS,EAST ZEIT FIELD,SOUTHERN GULF OF SUEZ,EGYPT

Four crude oil samples were collected from the producing wells EZ A-11, EZ A-1, EZ A-14 and EZ A-7 of East Zeit Field, offshore southern Gulf of Suez, Egypt. These crude oil samples represent the producing Kareem, Rudeis, Nukhul and Nubia reservoirs respectively. The crude oils were subjected to a variety of organic geochemical analyses including Gas Chromatography (GC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition to stable carbon isotopes were done for the saturate and aromatic fractions and trace elements analysis. The organic geochemical results suggest the presence of two different types of oils that were originated from two different source environments. The Lower Miocene Kareem, Rudeis and Nukhul oils have a V/Ni ratios of 2, Ts/Tm ratio less than 1, Oleanane index of more than 20% and a gammacerane index of around 10%. Such results suggest that the Miocene crude oils were generated from an angiosperm-rich, Tertiary source rocks with high terrestrial input. The Nubian crude oil has a V/Ni ratio equal 3.2, Ts/Tm ratio less than 1, Oleanane index less than 20% and high gammacerane index of more than 30% suggesting a marine saline-source depositional environment of Late Cretceous or younger rich in type-II kerogen with minor terrestrial influence. The maturation parameters of the Miocene and Nubian crude oils obtained from aromatic and fraction imply marginally mature to mature oils. The Nubian crude oil however, was generated at a relatively higher maturation level than that of the Miocene oils. Also, the maturation level of the Miocene oils is in accordance with their relative stratigraphic position with the Nukhul reservoired oil being the most mature.     

Geochemical features of oils and condensates from the upper producing play on the north of Western Siberia

Geological and geochemical data on the composition of crude oils and condensates from Aptian-Cenomanian sediments of the northern regions of Western Siberia have been summarized and systematized in order to identify the characteristics of hydrocarbon fluids generated by weakly transformed organic matter of terrigenic carbonaceous lithofacies. It has been shown that these sediments are characterized by a peculiar form of condensate and crude oil. The absence of n-alkanes and the distribution of cyclic hydrocarbons (mono-, bi-, tri-, and tetracyclanes) distinguish these accumulations represented by chemical types B-1 and B-2. The presence of biomarkers, their composition, and values of their ratios in the oils suggest the early (immature) evolution stage of oil generation. Immature Western Siberia crude oils form a single nickel type of fluid (V/Ni < 1). Their significant differences in trace element composition from the oils generated by a more transformed organic matter have been revealed.     

THE MIDDLE CAMBRIAN SUCCESSION IN THE CENTRAL BALTIC BASIN: GEOCHEMISTRY OF OILS AND SANDSTONE RESERVOIR CHARACTERISTICS

Some 36 oilfields, all producing from Middle Cambrian (Deimena Group) sandstones, are located in the central Baltic Basin in an area covering onshore Lithuania and Kaliningrad (Russia) and the adjacent offshore. This paper presents new data on the composition of crude oils from fields in this area and reviews the reservoir properties of the Deimena Group sandstones. Twenty‐one crude oil samples from fields in Lithuania and Kaliningrad were analysed by standard techniques including GC and GC‐MS. The oils had densities of 790.5 to 870.0 kg/m³, and had low asphaltene (<2.2%) and sulphur (<0.44%) contents. The gasoline fraction (b.p. >200°C) ranged from 12–34%. The saturated hydrocarbon content was 35.3 to 77.8%, and the ratio of saturate to aromatic hydrocarbons was 2.1–5.2, indicating long‐distance migration or high thermal maturities. GC analyses of saturate fractions indicated a composition dominated by n‐alkanes with a maximum at C₁₃–C₁₅ and reduced abundance in the C₂₀–C₃₅ range. The analysed crude oil samples are characterized by relatively low concentrations of steranes and triterpanes. Biomarker data indicated an algal origin for the precursor organic matter and a clastic‐dominated source rock. Sterane isomerization ratios imply that the oils are in general relatively mature. Exceptions are samples from the Juzno Olempijskoye and Deiminskoye fields, Kaliningrad, which were early mature. Oil from well Gondinga‐l (Lithuania) was lightly fractionally evaporated and has a relatively higher density, higher viscosity, higher asphaltene content and lower content of saturated fractions. Stable carbon isotope ratios of crude oils and saturated and aromatic fractions were analysed. Whole oils showed little carbon isotope variation, but there were significant differences in δ¹³C ratios for saturated and aromatic fractions. The geochemical data show differences in oil sourcing and indicate the possible existence of different kitchen areas in the Kaliningrad region. Vertical and lateral variations in Deimena Group reservoir properties are controlled by variations in quartz cementation. In fields in western Lithuania, sandstone porosity ranges from 0.7 to 20% and permeability from 20 mD to 300 mD; in fields onshore Kaliningrad, porosity is up to 34% and gas permeability up to 4.8 D. Wide variations in porosity and permeability occur at a field scale.     

Bulk Compositions,Genetic Origin,Classifications, and Maturation of Crude Oils in the Gulf of Suez,Egypt

Abstract

API gravity, sulfur content, gas chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses were carried out for eight oil samples collected from different wells in the Gulf of Suez. The results showed that two types of oils could be recognized: (a) heavy oils, which are oils from Zafarana, Rahmi, West Bakr, and Ras Gharib wells, are of low maturation and originated mainly from terrestrial organic sources; and (b) light oils, which are oils from Um El Yuser, Ras El Ush, Gemsa-SE, and Hurghada wells, have a high level of maturation and orginate mainly from marine organic sources.     

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.