GEOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF CRUDE OILS FROM THE CARACARA AND TIPLE AREAS,EASTERN LLANOS BASIN,COLOMBIA: PALAEO BIODEGRADATION AND OIL MIXING

This study presents an organic geochemical characterization of heavy and liquid oils from Cretaceous and Cenozoic reservoir rocks in the Tiple and Caracara blocks in the eastern Llanos Basin, Colombia. Samples of heavy oil were recovered from the Upper Eocene Mirador Formation and the C7 interval of the Oligocene – Miocene Carbonera Formation; the liquid oils came from these intervals and from the Cretaceous Guadalupe, Une and Gachetá Formations. The heavy oil and most of the liquid oils probably originated from multiple source rocks or source facies, and showed evidence of biodegradation as suggested by the coexistence of n‐alkanes and 25‐norhopanes. The results indicate a close genetic relationship between the samples in the Carbonera (C7 interval), Mirador and Guadalupe Formation reservoirs. These petroleums are interpreted to result from at least two separate oil charges. An early charge (Oligocene to Early Miocene) was derived from marine carbonate and transitional siliciclastic Cretaceous source rocks as indicated by biomarker analysis using GC/MS. This initial oil charge was biodegraded in the reservoir, and was mixed with a later charge (or charges) of fresh oil during the Late Miocene to Pliocene. A relatively high proportion of the unaltered oil charge was recorded for heavy oil samples from the Melero‐1 well in the Tiple block, and is inferred to originate from Cenozoic carbonaceous shale or coaly source rocks. Geochemical parameters suggest that oils from the Gachetá and Une Formations are similar and that they originated from a source different to that of the other oil samples. These two oils do not correlate well with extracts from transitional siliciclastic source rock from the Upper Cretaceous Gachetá Formation in the Ramiriqui‐1 well, located in the LLA 22 block to the north. By contrast, one or more organofacies of the Gachetá Formation may have generated the heavy oil and most of the liquid oil samples. The results suggest that the heavy oils may have formed as a result of biodegradation at the palaeo oil‐water contact, although deasphalting cannot entirely be dismissed.     

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

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.     

Oil: Source rock correlations of Al Baraka oil field,Komombo basin,South Egypt: An implication from biomarkers characteristics

The objectives of this study are the correlation between the oil samples recovered from the Lower Cretaceous reservoirs and Lower and Upper Cretaceous source rocks. The investigated biomarkers of five oils indicated the oils were derived from mixed marine and terrigenous (lacustrine) organic matter and deposited under suboxic to anoxic conditions. These oils were also generated from source rocks of high thermal maturity at the peak oil window. So, based on the molecular indicators of organic source input,depositional environment and maturity parameters of oils and extracts, we can conclude that the oil recovered from Al Baraka oil field were derived from Lower Cretaceous source rocks especially KomOmbo (B) source rocks where it reached the oil window. Furthermore, we can indicate that the other lower Cretaceous formations as Abu Ballas Formation will have the opportunity to generate and expel oil at the deeper part of the basin as shown in the eastern part of the basin.     

SEVERE BIODEGRADATION OF CRUDE OILS FROM THE QUIRIQUIRE FIELD,EASTERN VENEZUELAN BASIN

Five crude oil samples from the Quiriquire field (Maturin sub-basin, Eastern Venezuelan Basin) were analysed to evaluate their levels of biodegradation. The oils were obtained from coarse sandstones and conglomerates of the Pliocene Quiriquire Formation at depths <1000 m. Analyses of the samples’ bulk physicochemical parameters indicate variations in API gravity and in the content of saturated hydrocarbons and NSO+asphaltenes, and also in the saturate/aromatic ratio which increases in more biodegraded oils. n-Alkane distributions are characterized by a dominant unresolved complex mixture (UCM) or hump under an envelope of peaks which lack the acyclic isoprenoids pristane and phytane. The alteration of steranes and terpanes together with the presence of 25-norhopanes and 17-nor-tricyclic terpanes, and the alteration of low molecular-weight (C₂₀-C₂₁) triaromatic steroids, phenanthrene, methyl-phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene and methyl-dibenzothiophene, indicate that the oils have undergone severe biodegradation. The oils contain compounds with different susceptibilities to biodegradation which is probably a consequence of the mixing of different oil charges in the Quiriquire Formation reservoir. The oils were derived from underlying source rocks in the Upper Cretaceous Guayuta Group (Querecual and San Antonio Formations), and migration into the shallow reservoir at Quiriquire field likely occurred continuously through time. Although the oils have undergone severe biodegradation, it was possible to make some inferences about their origin. Thus, the analyzed oils are interpreted to have originated from marine shale or marl source rocks containing mixed organic matter deposited under anoxic-suboxic conditions and were generated at near peak oil window maturities.     

南美Llanos盆地中部地区烃源岩与原油地球化学特征

南美Llanos盆地中部地区为盆地内的重要产油区,对其烃源岩及原油的地球化学特征分析,能揭示出盆地内的排烃和运聚过程及原油的生物降解特征。通过岩石热解、原油组分分析等方法和手段,结合多种生标参数,对这一地区的烃源岩及原油的地球化学特征进行了系统和全面的分析,结果表明:Gacheta组烃源岩沉积在较少的陆源有机质、咸水和弱氧化—弱还原环境,为腐泥—腐殖混合型干酪根;Los Cuervos组烃源岩沉积在较多的陆源有机质、半咸水和氧化环境,为腐泥—腐殖混合型和腐殖型干酪根,2套烃源岩都处于低—中等的成熟程度,均具有较强的生烃潜力;盆地中部地区存在A、B、C三类原油,其中A类为白垩系烃源岩油;B类为古近系烃源岩油;C类系前两者的混合;在大部分的油样中含有丰富的重排甾烷,二苯并噻吩/菲含量低,而Pr/Ph值较高,这说明原油对应的烃源岩为海相页岩而非碳酸盐岩;原油组分受生物降解及二次充注过程的控制,从Santiago油田沿北东方向到La Gloria等油田生物降解作用呈减弱的趋势,而Cupiagua和Buenos Aires油田的样品受二次充注的轻质油的影响,其API远远超过La Gloria等油田。     

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.     

SOURCE ROCK EVALUATION AND PETROLEUM GEOCHEMISTRY, OFFSHORE SW IRAN

Mesozoic and Tertiary source rocks and crude oils from six oilfields in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf (Hendijan, Bahrgansar, Abouzar, Nowruz, Dorood and Foroozan) were studied using a variety of organic-geochemical techniques. Biomarker characteristics were combined with other geochemical data to identify the source rocks which generated the oil in these fields and to reconstruct their depositional environments, and also to characterize the diagenetic and catagenic processes which have occurred. The analyzed oils show a wide range of densities (19 to 39° API) and high sulphur contents. They were generated by Type II-S organic matter; they are not biodegraded and their maturity level is generally low.
Two main oil groups were identified from statistical analysis and can be correlated with different source rocks using age-specific biomarkers and isotope data. Group 1 oils include those from the Hendijan, Bahrgansar and Abouzar fields and were probably generated by a mid-Cretaceous argillaceous source rock. Group 2 oils include those from the Nowruz, Dorood and Foroozan fields, and originated from Jurassic to Early Cretaceous carbonate-rich source rocks.     

Organic geochemistry characterisation of crude oils from Mishrif reservoir rocks in the southern Mesopotamian Basin,South Iraq: Implication for source input and paleoenvironmental conditions

Seven crude oils from Cretaceous Mishrif reservoir rocks in the southern Mesopotamian Basin, South Iraq were studied to describe oil characteristics, providing information on the source of organic matter input and the genetic link between oils and their potential source rock in the basin. This study is based on biomarker and non-biomarker analyses performed on oil samples. The analysed oils are aromatic intermediate oils as indicated by high aromatic hydrocarbon fractions with more that 50%. These oils are also characterized by high sulfur and trace metal (Ni, V) contents and relatively low API gravity values (19.0–27.2° API). The results of this study indicate that these oils were derived from a marine carbonate source rocks bearing Type II-S kerogen that were deposited under sulphate-reducing conditions. This is primary achieved from their biomarkers and bulk carbon isotope and inorganic element contents (i.e., S, Ni and V). The absence of 18a (H)-oleanane biomarker also suggests a source age older than Late Cretaceous. The biomarker characteristics of these oils are consistent with those of the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous source rocks in the basin. However, biomarker maturity data also indicate that the oils were generated from early maturity source rocks. This appears to result from the type of kerogen of the source rock, characterized by a high-S kerogen (Type II-S).     

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.     

Organic geochemistry investigations of crude oils from Bayoot oilfield in the Masila Basin,east Yemen and their implication for origin of organic matter and source-related type

Thirteen crude oil samples from fractured basement reservoir rocks in the Bayoot oilfield, Masila Basin were studied to describe oil characteristics and to provide information on the source of organic matter input and the genetic link between oils and their potential source rock in the basin. The bulk geochemical results of whole oil and gasoline hydrocarbons indicate that the Bayoot oils are normal crude oil, with high hydrocarbons of more than 60%. The hydrocarbons are dominated by normal, branched and cyclic alkanes a substantial of the light aromatic compounds, suggesting aliphatic oil-prone kerogen. The high abundant of normal, branched and cyclic alkanes also indicate that the Bayoot oils are not biodegradation oils.The biomarker distributions of isoprenoid, hopane, aromatic and sterane and their cross and triangular plots suggest that the Bayoot oils are grouped into one genetic family and were generated from marine clay-rich source rock that received mixed organic matter and deposited under suboxic conditions. The biomarker distributions of the Bayoot oils are consistent with those of the Late Jurassic Madbi source rock in the basin. Biomarker maturity and oil compositions data also indicate that the Bayoot oils were generated from mature source rock with peak oil-window maturity.     

陈家庄凸起中部地区双向油源及其地球化学证据

陈家庄凸起中部地区油气资源丰富。应用族组成碳同位素和生物标志化合物相结合的分析方法，对该区馆陶组的原油进行了分类，并进行了精细油源对比。研究结果表明，该区馆陶组存在2类原油，且2类原油分别来自南北2个凹陷。北部沾化凹陷为主要油源，原油主要来自干渤南洼陷沙四段上亚段烃源岩；南部东营凹陷沙四段上亚段的烃源岩为凸起中部提供了部分油源。     

Geochemical investigation of Yamama crude oils and their inferred source rocks in the Mesopotamian Basin,Southern Iraq

Ten oil samples from the Yamama reservoirs and ten extracts of purported source rocks from sixteen wells in the Mesopotamian Basin, Southern Iraq have been analyzed using GC, GC/MS and Stable Carbon Isotope. Yamama oils were non-biodegraded, moderate to higher maturity based on C₂₇Ts of range from 0.17 to 0.77and TAS3 of 0.3 to 0.63, marine carbonate and marl source rocks, deposited under saline, anoxic conditions. Two oil groups were investigated based on the results of the geochemical analysis. These oils have similarly biomarkers ratios to those of the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous source rocks in the Mesopotamian Basin.     

中国南方高、过成熟区海相油源对比问题

中国南方古生界海相高成熟（R0值大于1.3%）、过成熟（R0值大于2%）烃源岩的分布很广，其中古油藏沥青和油苗十分丰富。以往利用常规生物标志物（类异戊二烯烷烃、甾烷、萜烷等）进行油源对比问题不少，因为随着成熟度增高，原油，沥表和烃源岩的常规生物标志物分布趋于一致，失去了指示原始生物组成特征的意义，也完全区分不开不同层系的烃源央，碳同位素组成因为有明显的热演化分镏作用，也难以用于精细的油源对比。广西十万大山盆地的研究证明：在高、过成熟条件下，三芳甾烷仍能区分不同层系，不同岩性（泥岩、灰岩）的烃源岩，且不受成熟度的影响，很有希望作为高、过成熟区油源对比的有效指标，对比结果表明：南方海相有效烃源岩主要是泥质岩而不是碳酸盐岩。中国南、北方的海相、陆相烃源岩中都有高、过成熟烃源岩，因此，关于高、过成熟烃源岩区的烃源对比问题具有普遍的意义。图12表2参15     

Biomarkers and isotopic characteristics of crude oils from a central Niger delta depobelt field,Nigeria

Twelve crude oils samples from a field in the central depobelt in the Niger delta, Nigeria were analyzed for their biomarkers and isotopic composition by Gas chromatography–Mass spectrometry and Isotope mass spectrometry. The percentage C_27, C₂₈ and C₂₉ steranes in the oils ranged from 35.80 to 39.9, 28.1 to 30.8 and 29.9 to 35.0, respectively. The distribution of molecular biomarkers and isotopic composition in the oils indicated that they were formed from source rocks of a mixed source (marine and terrestrial kerogen) but with greater input from marine organic matter. The Pr/Ph ratios of the oil samples ranged from 1.2 to 2.3 and this indicated organic matter deposited under suboxic conditions. The vitrinite reflectance (%VRc) values calculated from methylphenanthrene index-1 (MPI-1) parameter ranged from 0.89 to 1.07 indicating oils generated at the peak of oil window.     

GEOCHEMISTRY OF SEEP AND PRODUCED OIL SAMPLES FROM SOUTHERN CAMEROON

Crude oil samples from surface seeps in the Douala Basin (southern Cameroon) and from producing fields in the nearby Rio del Rey and Kribi‐Campo sub‐basins were analysed for bulk and molecular geochemical parameters by inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The aims of the study were to assess the composition of the oils, to evaluate the relationship between the seep oils and the oils from producing fields, and to highlight the significance of the data for oil exploration in the region. Chromatograms of the saturate fractions of the oils exhibit biodegradation ranging from very light (PM1 on the scale of Peters and Moldowan, 1993) in oil from the offshore Lokele field in the Rio del Rey sub‐basin, to severe (PM 6+) for seep oils from the Douala Basin. A plot of Pr/n‐C₁₇ (1.3– 5.0) versus Ph/n‐C₁₈ (0.8–2.6) for the samples further supports mild biodegradation in some samples (Lokele, Kole, Ebome), and demonstrates that the oils from the Lokele and Kole fields (Rio Del Rey sub‐basin) and from Ebome field (Kribi‐Campo sub‐basin) originated from mixed organic matter with a dominant marine contribution. The Pr/Ph ratio (1.8–2.3) for the Lokele, Kole and Ebome oil samples, and the V/(V+Ni) ratios (< 0.5) for the seep oils (Douala Basin) and the oils from the Lokele, Kole and Ebome fields, indicate derivation from source rocks deposited in oxic – dysoxic environments. The CPI (1.0–1.1) demonstrates that the Lokele and Ebome oils originated from mature source rocks, with the ratios of C₃₁ 22S/(S+R) (0.57 to 0.63) and C₃₀‐βαH/C₃₀‐αβH (0.18–0.23) for the Lokele, Kole and Moudi samples indicating early oil window maturity. Both V/(V+Ni) ratios (0.06–0.22) and δ¹³C (‐26.96 to ‐24.89 ‰) were used for correlation of the oils, with the seep oils from the Douala Basin showing the closest relationship to the oil from the Lokele field. The presence of mature Type II / III source rocks in different basins in southern Cameroon suggests significant potential for oil exploration in the region.     

珠江口盆地珠三坳陷不同沉积环境下烃源岩和原油中长链三环萜烷、二环倍半萜烷分布特征及地球化学意义

应用长链三环萜烷、二环倍半萜烷系列标志化合物,对珠江口盆地珠三坳陷文昌A、B凹陷3类重要烃源岩及相关原油的沉积环境和油源进行了研究。结果显示,3类烃源岩及相关原油中萜烷分布特征差异明显,这种差异性主要受控于烃源岩的沉积环境及有机质输入类型,表现在：①文昌B凹陷文昌组中深湖相烃源岩及相关原油中,长链三环萜烷以C₂₁为主峰碳,C₂₀—C₂₁—C₂₃呈山峰型分布,二环倍半萜烷高含8β(H)?升补身烷,含很低的重排补身烷和补身烷,揭示其有机质输入以低等水生生物为主,形成于偏还原的沉积环境;②文昌B凹陷文昌组浅湖相烃源岩及相关原油中,代表沉积环境和有机质输入类型的指标分布形态和相对含量具有双重特征,其母源兼有湖相低等水生生物及陆源高等植物输入贡献,形成于弱氧化—氧化的沉积环境;③文昌A凹陷恩平组浅湖相烃源岩及相关原油中,长链三环萜烷以C₂₀为主峰碳,峰形呈快速下降型,二环倍半萜烷高含重排补身烷,而含较低的8β(H)?升补身烷和补身烷,揭示其有机质输入以陆源高等植物为主,形成于偏氧化—氧化的沉积环境。     

GEOCHEMISTRY OF CRUDE OILS,SEEPAGE OILS AND SOURCE ROCKS FROM BELIZE AND GUATEMALA: INDICATIONS OF CARBONATE‐SOURCED PETROLEUM SYSTEMS

This study reviews the stratigraphy and the poorly documented petroleum geology of the Belize‐Guatemala area in northern Central America. Guatemala is divided by the east‐west trending La Libertad arch into the North and South Petén Basins. The arch is the westward continuation of the Maya Mountains fault block in central Belize which separates the Corozal Basin in northern Belize from the Belize Basin to the south. Numerous petroleum seeps have been reported in both of these basins. Small‐scale oil production takes place in the Corozal Basin and the North and South Petén Basins. For this study, samples of crude oil, seepage oil and potential source rocks were collected from both countries and were investigated by organic geochemical analyses and microscopy. The oil samples consisted of non‐biodegraded crude oils and slightly to severely biodegraded seepage oils, both of which were generated from source rocks with similar thermal maturities. The crude oils were generated from marine carbonate source rocks and could be divided into three groups: Group 1 oils come from the North Petén Basin (Guatemala) and the western part of the Corozal Basin (Belize), and have a typical carbonate‐sourced geochemical composition. The oils correlate with extracts of organic‐rich limestones assigned to the Upper Cretaceous “Xan horizon” in the Xan oilfield in the North Petén Basin. The oils were generated from a single source facies in the North Petén Basin, but were charged from two different sub‐basins. Group 2 oils comprise crudes from the South Petén Basin. They have characteristics typical of carbonate‐sourced oils, but these characteristics are less pronounced than those of Group 1 oils. A mixed marine/lacustrine source facies deposited under strongly reducing conditions in a local kitchen area is inferred. Group 3 oils come from the Corozal Basin, Belize. A carbonate but also a more “shaly” source rock composition for these oils is inferred. A severely biodegraded seepage oil from Belmopan, the capital of Belize, resembles a nearby crude oil. The eastern sub‐basin in the North Petén Basin may potentially be the kitchen area for these oils, and for the seepage oils found in the western part of the Corozal Basin. The seepage oils from the Corozal and Belize Basins are moderately to severely biodegraded and were generated from carbonate source rocks. Some of the seepage oils have identical C_27–29 sterane distributions to the Group 2 oils, but “biodegradation insensitive” biomarker ratios show that the seepage oils can be divided into separate sub‐groups. Severely and slightly biodegraded seepage oils in the Belize Basin were probably almost identical prior to biodegradation. Lower Cretaceous limestones from the Belize Basin have petroleum generation potential, but the samples are immature. The kitchen for the seepage oils in the Belize Basin remains unknown.     

哈拉哈塘凹陷奥陶系原油芳烃生物标志物特征及油源

哈拉哈塘凹陷是近些年的勘探热点地区,为了进一步明确其原油母源输入、沉积环境、成熟度和可能烃源层,对26个哈拉哈塘凹陷和塔河奥陶系原油样品、4个台盆区烃源岩样品进行了系统的芳烃生物标志物分析。研究结果表明,哈拉哈塘原油均具有高萘、高菲、低联苯、贫1,2,5-和1,2,7-三甲基萘而富1,3,6-三甲基萘、高4-MDBT/DBT和（2+3）-MDBT/DBT比值、轻芳烃碳同位素的特点,与塔河奥陶系原油非常相似,反映出其属于典型的海相成因,且以低等藻类和细菌占生源优势。高丰度的二苯并噻吩和较低的DBT/P、Pr/Ph比值,指示其源岩沉积于强还原的碳酸盐沉积环境。等效镜质体反射率R_c1和R_c2揭示哈拉哈塘原油成熟演化处于中等-较高范畴。甲基三芳甾烷异构体组成型式对比表明,中-上奥陶统烃源岩与哈拉哈塘和塔河奥陶系原油对比良好,推测其为本区奥陶系原油的烃源层。     

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PETROLEUM COMPOSITION AND DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF PETROLEUM SOURCE ROCKS FROM THE GULF OF SUEZ AND THE WESTERN DESERT OF EGYPT

Crude oils from the Gulf of Suez and the North Western Desert of Egypt have been analyzed for geochemical biomarkers using GC and GC-MS techniques. The biomarker compositions of the crude oils have been used to differentiate crude oils of non-marine, normal marine and marine carbonate sources. The geochemical features of Zaafarana crude oil from the Gulf of Suez Basin indicate a marine carbonate depositional setting. One crude oil from Budran however, possesses geochemical characteristics consistent with an origin from source rock deposited in normal marine conditions. Bahar and Morgan show normal marine source rock deposition environment with terrigenous organic matter input. On the other hand, the crude oils from the North Western Desert have bulk and biomarker characteristics cosistent with non-marine depositional setting, with the exception of one oil sample which appears to have a mixed marine/terrestrial sources. The presence of oleanane in some of these oils suggests source rocks deposited in deltaic or near shore environment in Post Cretaceous Basin.     

Fingerprinting of biomarker characteristics of some Egyptian crude oils in Northern Western Desert as evidence for organic matter input and maturity level assessment

This study describes the fingerprinting of crude oils from different Egyptian oil formations using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The samples were obtained from Gindi, Abu El gharadig, south deep Abu El gharadig, Dahab- Merier and Faghur basins from Western Desert. Diagnostic biomarkers parameters applied in this study provide evidences about the source of organic matter, the depositional environment and maturity of the studied oils. The results showed that the crude oils of Faghur basin are believed to be originated from mixed source predominately terrestrial with chief contribution of clastic rocks deposited under oxic conditions. However, the crude oils from Gindi, Abu El gharadig, South deep Abu El gharadig and Dahab- Merier basins were generated from marine carbonate source rock deposited under anoxic depositional environment.