Palynostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental significance of the Cretaceous palynomorphs in the Qattara Rim-1X well,North Western Desert,Egypt

Palynological and palynofacies analyses were carried out on some Cretaceous samples from the Qattara Rim-1X borehole, north Western Desert, Egypt. The recorded palynoflora enabled the recognition of two informal miospore biozones arranged from oldest to youngest as Elaterosporites klaszii-Afropollis jardinus Assemblage Zone (mid Albian) and Elaterocolpites castelainii–Afropollis kahramanensis Assemblage Zone (late Albian–mid Cenomanian). A poorly fossiliferous but however, datable interval (late Cenomanian–Turonian to ?Campanian–Maastrichtian) representing the uppermost part of the studied section was also recorded. The palynofacies and visual thermal maturation analyses indicate a mature terrestrially derived organic matter (kerogen III) dominates the sediments of the Kharita and Bahariya formations and thus these two formations comprise potential mature gas source rocks. The sediments of the Abu Roash Formation are mostly dominated by mature amorphous organic matter (kerogen II) and the formation is regarded as a potential mature oil source rock in the well. The palynomorphs and palynofacies analyses suggest deposition of the clastics of the Kharita and Bahariya formations (middle Albian and upper Albian–middle Cenomanian) in a marginal marine setting under dysoxic–anoxic conditions. By contrast, the mixed clastic-carbonate sediments of the Abu Roash Formation (upper Cenomanian–Turonian) and the carbonates of the Khoman Formation (?Campanian–Maastrichtian) were mainly deposited in an inner shallow marine setting under prevailing suboxic–anoxic conditions as a result of the late Cenomanian and the Campanian marine transgressions. This environmental change from marginal to open (inner shelf) basins reflects the vertical change in the type of the organic matter and its corresponding hydrocarbon-prone types. A regional warm and semi-arid climate but with a local humid condition developed near/at the site of the well is thought to have prevailed.     

Palynology and palynofacies of the Upper Cretaceous succession of the El-Noor-1X borehole,northwestern Egypt

Palynological and palynofacies analyses were carried out on some middle–upper Cretaceous samples from the El-Noor-1X borehole, northern Western Desert, Egypt. Palynological age has lead to a refinement of the original ages suggested by the drilling company. Upper Albian–Lower Cenomanian, Upper Cenomanian, and Turonian–Coniacian were recognized. The palaeoenvironment was interpreted on the basis of the ecological preferences of the palynomorphs. It was fluctuating between marginal to inner-middle shelf environment. Distribution of araucaroid pollen and xerophytes suggests that arid or semi-arid paleclimate prevailed during the deposition of the studied sediments. A warm tropical palaeoclimate is suggested on the basis of abundance of hygrophilous plants. Based on the recovered palynological organic matter, two palynofacies were recognized: palynofacies A for the Bahariya Formation, which suggests kerogen type III, and palynofacies B for the upper Bahariya and Abu Roash Formations, which suggests kerogen type IX. Data gathered from the theoretically estimated vitrinite reflectances, which are based on spore/pollen coloration, and visual pterographic kerogen analysis are used to define the source rock potentialities of the studied sediments.     

苏丹Muglad盆地Fula坳陷油气地球化学特征与成藏意义

Fula坳陷位于Muglad盆地东北部,面积约5 000 km2,FN油田是该坳陷最大的亿吨级油田。油气储层主要为白垩系Abu Gabra、Bentiu和Aradeiba组。应用油藏地球化学的方法对FN油田的成藏期次进行了探讨。FN油田Abu Gabra、Bentiu和Aradeiba组原油特征相似,来源于同一套烃源岩,原油既表现出正构烷烃、藿烷、甾烷系列分布完整等正常油特征,又表现出色谱基线抬升、高峰度UCM、25 降藿烷出现等生物降解油特征,这些特征表明FN油田经历了至少两期成藏过程,早期充注的原油遭受生物降解后又接受后期成熟度较高的原油充注。根据构造演化、埋藏史和生排烃史可以研究生烃期次及油气成藏特征。Abu Gabra组烃源岩发生了两次生烃作用,第一次生烃作用发生在晚白垩世,Ro达到0.6%以上,进入生排烃作用阶段,晚白垩世末构造抬升作用使这次生烃产物遭受较为严重的生物降解;第二次生烃作用发生在古近纪,Abu Gabra组烃源岩进入生油高峰阶段,是本区最重要的一次生油作用和成藏过程,与该次成藏事件相关的构造圈闭是Fula坳陷油气勘探的重点。     

Cretaceous petroleum system of the Khasib and Tannuma oil reservoir, East Baghdad oil field, Iraq

Gas chromatography, palynomorph constituents, and maturation are analyzed for oil samples of the Campanian Khasib and Tannuma Formations in the wells of East Baghdad oil field for biomarker studies, while palynomorph constituents and their maturation, Rock Eval pyrolysis, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis are carried on for the Upper Jurassic and the Cretaceous Formations of core samples from the same wells for dating and evaluation of the source rocks. The gas chromatography of these oils have shown biomarkers of abundant ranges of n-alkanes of less than C₂₂(C₁₇–C₂₁) with C₁₉ and C₁₈ peaks to suggest mainly liquid oil constituents of paraffinic hydrocarbons from marine algal source of restricted palaeoenvironments in the reservoir as well as low nonaromatic $ {\hbox{C}}_{15}^{+} $ peaks to indicate their slight degradation and water washing. Oil biomarkers of $ \Pr ./{\hbox{Ph}}{.} = {0}{.85,}{{\hbox{C}}_{31}}/{{\hbox{C}}_{30}} < 1.0 $ , location is in the triangle of C₂₇–C₂₉ sterane, C28/C29 of 0.6 sterane, oleanane of 0.01, and CPI = 1.0, could indicate anoxic marine environment with carbonate deposition of Upper Jurassic–Early Cretaceous source. The recorded palynomorph constituents in this oil and associated water are four miospore, seven dinoflagellates, and one Tasmanite species that could confirm affinity to the Upper most Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Chia Gara and Ratawi Formations. The recorded palynomorphs from the reservoir oil (Khasib and Tannuma Formations) are of light brown color of $ {\hbox{TAI}} = 2.8 - 3.0 $ and comparable to the mature palynomorphs that belong to Chia Gara and Lower part of Ratawi Formations. Chia Gara Formation had generated and expelled high quantity of oil hydrocarbons according their TOC weight percent of 0.5–8.5 with ${S_2} = 2.5 - 18.5\,{\hbox{mg}}\,{\hbox{Hc/g}}\;{\hbox{rock}} $ , high hydrogen index of the range 150–450 mg Hc/g Rock, good petroleum potential of 4.5–23.5 mg Hc/g rock, mature ( $ {\hbox{TAI}} = 2.8 - 3.0 $ and $ {\hbox{T}}\max = 428 - 443{\hbox{C}} $ ), kerogen type II, and palynofacies parameters of up to 100 amorphous organic matters with algae deposited in dysoxic–anoxic to suboxic–anoxic basin, while the palynomorphs of the rocks of Khasib Formation are of amber yellow color of TAI = 2.0 with low TOC and hence not generated hydrocarbons. But, this last formation could be considered as oil reservoir only according their high porosity (15–23%) and permeability (20–45 mD) carbonate rocks with structural anticline closure trending NW-SE. That oil have generated and expelled during two phases; the first is during Early Palaeogene that accumulated in traps of the Cretaceous structural deformation, while the second is during Late Neogene’s.     

Palynofacies and hydrocarbon generation potential of the upper Triassic Kurrachine Formation and lower part of the Baluti Formation, Mosul Block, Northwestern Iraq

Three exploration wells were selected near Mosul city (Az-29, Bm-15, and Kd-1) to study the palynozones and hydrocarbon generation potential of the Upper Triassic Baluti and Kurrachine Formations. This study was completed in two phases: The first was a study of palynofacies and their paleoenvironmental indications, degree of preservation, diversity of palynomorphs, and organic maturity of the rocks according to palynomorphs’ color using a refracted light microscope. More than 80 slides of organic matter were used for this study. Four palynofacies were tentatively recognized. (1) The first palynofacies is diagnostic of the Baluti Formation in the Az-29 and Kd-1 wells; (2) The second palynofacies appeared at different depths in the Kurrachine Formation in three wells. (3) The third was only found between the depths of 4,534 to 4,685 m in the well Az-29. (4) The fourth was only found between 3,500- and 3590-m depth in the well Bm-15. A distal coastal marine environment is suggested for the Baluti Formation and restricted lagoonal environment for the Kurrachine Formation. The second phase used organic geochemical analyses to confirm the suggested paleoenvironmental and hydrocarbon generation material. Three techniques were used, namely total organic carbon, pyrolysis, and pyrolysis gas chromatography, on more than 35 samples from different depths in three wells. The analyses proved that a sufficient quantity of organic matter occurs that and has suitable maturity for hydrocarbon generation potential of oil and gas.     

东海盆地椒江凹陷古新统烃源岩地球化学特征及生烃历史

为揭示东海盆地椒江凹陷油气勘探潜力,基于地球化学和盆地数值模拟方法对古新统月桂峰组、灵峰组和明月峰组烃源岩开展生烃能力和生烃过程研究.结果表明,月桂峰组和灵峰组泥岩有机质丰度高,以Ⅱ型干酪根为主,为水生生物和陆源高等植物混合来源,且形成于偏还原环境.夹有薄层炭质泥岩和煤的明月峰组泥岩有机质丰度低,以Ⅲ型干酪根为主,为陆源高等植物来源且形成于氧化环境.古新世至始新世,椒江凹陷大幅度沉降且古热流较高,是古新统烃源岩热演化程度增加的主要时期.受埋藏史和成熟度史共同控制,月桂峰组和灵峰组经历了2次生烃作用,第1次发生在古新世晚期,第2次发生在始新世中期至晚期,生烃强度高.明月峰组仅在始新世末期经历了1次生烃作用,生烃强度低.椒江凹陷古新统烃源岩生烃潜力强,具有广阔的油气勘探前景,应围绕生烃中心尤其是月桂峰组生烃中心选择形成于中新世之前的有效圈闭进行钻探.      

泌阳凹陷核桃园组湖相碳酸盐岩系孢粉相及烃源岩评价

孢粉相是反映一定沉积物以及成岩作用环境的显微沉积有机质组合。对我国河南泌阳凹陷下第三系核桃园组核三上段至核二段湖相碳酸盐岩系孢粉相进行了详细研究。基于有机质组分的鉴定和统计将碳酸盐岩系划分为五个孢粉相带;并利用孢粉相结合有机质成熟度地化指标,对其生油潜能进行了评价。     

Hydrocarbon source potential of the Jurassic sediments of Salam-3X borehole,Khalda Concession,Northern Western Desert,Egypt

A total of 51 samples, collected from the Jurassic sediments (Ras Qattara, Yakout, Khatatba, Masajid, and Alam El Bueib (member 6) formations) of Salam-3X well, were subjected to organic geochemical analysis. Of the samples, nine have been subjected to palynofacies investigation. Based on the sedimentary organic matter, these sediments show only one palynofacies type, indicating the presence of gas- and oil-prone source rocks and reflecting deposition under marginal dysoxic–anoxic to shelf-to-basin transition conditions. The total organic content of the samples analyzed is characterized by a wide range of content, including fair, good, very good, and excellent. The organic matter quality of these samples is concentrated around types III (gas prone), III–II (gas and oil prone), and II (oil prone), reflecting gas- and oil-prone sediments, with a tendency to generate gas rather than oil; the result matches with the palynological analysis data. The temperature of maximum pyrolytic hydrocarbon generation of analyzed samples are ranging between 440 and 457 °C, reflecting thermally mature organic matter.     

我国东部晚白垩世和早第三纪海侵与油气关系

本文综合我国有关沉积和古生物资料，尤其对有孔虫的研究和对各门类化石资料的综合分析，认为我国东部晚白垩世和早第三纪各受过两期海侵，晚白垩世海侵主要发生在松辽盆地，，与早期海侵相应的半咸水沉积为青山口组一段，晚期相应的半咸水沉积如嫩江组一，二段，早第三纪古新世到始新世早期，与其相应的半咸水沉积，如：苏北－南黄海盆地泰州组二段和阜宁组，三水盆地布心组，江汉盆地洞庭坳隐沅江组。始新世晚期到渐新世，与其相应     

1D PetroMod software modeling of the Basrah oil fields, Southern Iraq

1D (Petromod) hydrocarbon charge modeling and source rock characterization of the Lower Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic underlying the prolific Cretaceous and Tertiary reservoirs in the Basra oilfields in southern Iraq. The study is based on well data of the Majnoon, West Qurna, Nahr Umr, Zubair, and Rumaila oil fields. Burial histories indicate complete maturation of Upper Jurassic source rocks during the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene followed by very recent (Neogene) maturation of the Low/Mid Cretaceous succession from early to mid-oil window conditions, consistent with the regional Iraq study of Pitman et al. (Geo Arab 9(4):41–72, 2004). These two main phases of hydrocarbon generation are synchronous with the main tectonic events and trap formation associated with Late Cretaceous closure of the neo-Tethys; the onset of continent–continent collision associated with the Zagros orogeny and Neogene opening of the Gulf of Suez/Red Sea. Palynofacies of the Lower Cretaceous Sulaiy and Lower Yamama Formations and of the Upper Jurassic Najmah/Naokelekan confirm their source rock potential, supported by pyrolysis data. To what extent the Upper Jurassic source rocks contributed to charge of the overlying Cretaceous reservoirs remains uncertain because of the Upper Jurassic Gotnia evaporite seal in between. The younger Cretaceous rocks do not contain source rocks nor were they buried deep enough for significant hydrocarbon generation.     

The potential of hydrocarbons generation in the Chia Gara Formation at Amadia area, north of Iraq

Sixteen rock samples of outcrop of Chia Gara Formations from the type locality area, south of Amadia, North Iraq showed evidences for hydrocarbon generation potential by palynological studies. These analyses include age assessment of Upper Jurassic (Tithonian) to Lower Cretaceous (Berriasian) age based on assemblages of mainly dinoflagellate cyst constituents. Qualitative studies are done in this study by textural microscopy used in assessing amorphous organic matter for palynofacies type belong to kerogen type A of Thompson and Dembiki (Int J Coal Geol 6:229–249, 1986) which contain brazinophyte algae, Tasmanites, and foraminifera test linings, as well as the dinoflagellate cysts and spores, deposited in dysoxic–anoxic environment. The palynomorphs are of dark orange and light brown, on the spore species Cyathidites australis, that indicate mature organic matters with thermal alteration index of 2.7–3.0 by Staplin’s scale. These characters and total organic carbon of 0.5–8.5 wt% have rated the succession as a source rock for high efficiency for generation and expulsion of oil with ordinate gas that charged mainly oil fields of Tawqi. Some oil is released from the Chia Gara Formation to charge the Cretaceous–Tertiary total petroleum system.     

Organic geochemistry and petrography of Kazhdumi (Albian–Cenomanian) and Pabdeh (Paleogene) potential source rocks in southern part of the Dezful Embayment,Iran

There are several source rock units in the Zagros Basin, but the Cretaceous Kazhdumi and Paleogene Pabdeh formations probably have produced the majority of the commercial hydrocarbons in this area. Among the hydrocarbon provinces of Iran, the Dezful Embayment, which is located southwest of Zagros Mountains, is one of the most prolific regions in the Middle East. Numerous studies have been made in the northern part of the Dezful Embayment, but relatively few have been done in its southern part. The present study focuses on organic matter characterization of two potential source rocks (Kazhdumi and Pabdeh formations) in southern part of the Dezful Embayment. Cuttings samples (114) were collected from 10 wells and evaluated using Rock–Eval pyrolysis and organic petrography in order to characterize the content and type of organic matter and thermal maturity. The results showed that the average total organic carbon (TOC) content of Kazhdumi and Pabdeh formations are 2.48 and 1.62 wt%, respectively. The highest TOC contents for both formations are found in the northern compartment and decreased gradually toward the south. Pyrolysis data reveal that organic matter has a fair to very good hydrocarbon generation potential and are classified as Type II–III and Type III. Rock–Eval T_max and vitrinite reflectance show that the majority of samples are in the early mature to mature stage of the oil generation window.     

Palynomorph and palynofacies indications of age, depositional environments and source potential for hydrocarbons: Lower Cretaceous Zubair Formation, southern Iraq

Assemblages of miospores and dinoflagellate cysts encounterd in core samples three boreholes drilled in southern Iraq an Aptian-mid Albian age-range for the Zubair Formation, the largest oil reservoir in southern Iraq and neighbouring Kuwait. Four types of palynofacies have been identified, and are interpreted to indicate delta top swamp and marsh, delta front, prodelta and marine platform environments respectively. Amorphous matter comprises more than 50% of the organic component of some of the palynofacies in the upper part of the Zubair Formation. The rocks with which they are associated are highly rated as a potential source of liquid hydrocarbons. Those deposits yielding less than this (down to 12%) are considered to have moderate potential.     

Palynological and sequence stratigraphic analysis of the Napo Group in the Pungarayacu 30 well, Sub-Andean Zone, Ecuador

The study of palynomorphs and calcareous nannofossils from the Albian–Campanian Napo Group in the Pungarayacu 30 well in the Subandean Zone of Ecuador has led to a new biostratigraphic framework revealing the existence of several hiatuses for this area. The palynological and palynofacies data are used together with other fossils and lithological evidence to define a sequence stratigraphic framework. The distribution of palynomorphs and palynofacies indicates a strong terrestrial input for the lower part of the Napo Group (Napo Basal and Lower Napo formations). In the upper part (Middle and Upper Napo formations), terrestrial input is reduced and a restricted marine environment with several dysoxic–anoxic intervals can be inferred. The hydrocarbons present in the well studied have traditionally been regarded as locally sourced. However, several lines of evidence (TAS, Tmax and VR) prove the immature stage of the source rock in this borehole as well as in a larger area.     

青藏措勤盆地下白垩统烃源岩中可溶有机质的地球化学特征

应用生物标志物分析技术、结合其它地化资料,对青藏高原措勤盆地下白垩统多巴组、郎山组烃源岩,进行了有机质的丰度,生源构成,沉积环境、成熟度及成油潜力等方面的初步研究。研究结果表明,该盆地下白垩统暗色碳酸盐岩的有机质丰度中等,类型较好,成熟度适中,具备了形成油气的条件。为该区进一步开展油气勘探工作提供了可靠的依据。     

Palynostratigraphy and palynofacies indications of depositional environments and source potential for hydrocarbons: the mid Cretaceous Nahr Umr and lower Mauddud formations, Iraq

Palynomorphs recovered from core and cuttings samples from five boreholes in the East Baghdad Oilfield indicate a mid Albian–early Cenomanian age-range for the Nahr Umr Formation and the lower part of the overlying Mauddud Formation. Two palynomorph zones and four types of palynofacies have been identified. The latter are interpreted to indicate delta-top swamp and marsh, silty–muddy deltaic, inner silty and carbonate-rich platform, and limestone-platform environments. The palynofacies of the two types of platform accumulations suggest that these are potential sources of biogenic methane and condensates, and may yield more liquid hydrocarbons in areas where the formations are at greater depths than within the region studied.     

Hydrocarbons generation potential of the Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Formation, Ajeel field, Iraq

Organic geochemical analysis and palynological studies of the organic matters of subsurface Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous Formations for two wells in Ajeel oil field, north Iraq showed evidences for hydrocarbon generation potential especially for the most prolific source rocks Chia Gara and Sargelu Formations. These analyses include age assessment of Upper Jurassic (Tithonian) to Lower Cretaceous (Berriasian) age and Middle Jurassic (Bathonian–Tithonian) age for Chia Gara and Sargelu Formations, respectively, based on assemblages of mainly dinoflagellate cyst constituents. Rock-Eval pyrolysis have indicated high total organic carbon (TOC) content of up to 18.5 wt%, kerogen type II with hydrogen index of up to 415 mg HC/g TOC, petroleum potential of 0.70–55.56 kg hydrocarbon from each ton of rocks and mature organic matter of maximum temperature reached (T_max) range between 430 and 440 °C for Chia Gara Formation, while Sargelu Formation are of TOC up to 16 wt% TOC, Kerogen type II with hydrogen index of 386 mg HC/g TOC, petroleum potential of 1.0–50.90 kg hydrocarbon from each ton of rocks, and mature organic matter of T_max range between 430 and 450 °C. Qualitative studies are done in this study by textural microscopy used in assessing amorphous organic matter for palynofacies type belonging to kerogen type A which contain brazinophyte algae, Tasmanites, and foraminifera test linings, as well as the dinoflagellate cysts and spores, deposited in dysoxic–anoxic environment for Chia Gara Formation and similar organic constituents deposited in distal suboxic–anoxic environment for Sargelu Formation. The palynomorphs are of dark orange and light brown, on the spore species Cyathidites australis, that indicate mature organic matters with thermal alteration index of 2.7–3.0 for the Chia Gara Formation and 2.9–3.1 for the Sargelu Formation by Staplin's scale. These characters have rated the succession as a source rock for very high efficiency for generation and expulsion of oil with ordinate gas that charged mainly oil fields of Baghdad, Dyala (B?aquba), and Salahuddin (Tikrit) Governorates. Oil charge the Cretaceous-Tertiary total petroleum system (TPS) are mainly from Chia Gara Formation, because most oil from Sargelu Formation was prevented passing to this TPS by the regional seal Gotnia Formation. This case study of mainly Chia Gara oil source is confirmed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis for oil from reservoirs lying stratigraphically above the Chia Gara Formation in Ajeel and Hamrine oil fields, while oil toward the north with no Gotnia seal could be of mainly Sargelu Formation source.     

Palynofacies characterization for hydrocarbon source rock evaluation in the Subathu Formation of Marhighat,Sirmaur district,Himachal Pradesh

This paper deals with the hydrocarbon source rock evaluation of the Subathu Formation exposed at Marhighat on Sarahan–Narag road in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Hydrocarbon potential of these sediments is estimated on the basis of palynofacies analysis and thermal alteration index (TAI) values based on the fossil spores/pollen colouration. The analyses are based on the classification and hydrocarbon generation potential of plant derived dispersed organic matter present in the sediments. The palynofacies analysis of Subathu Formation in the area reveal moderate to rich organic matter, with amorphous organic matter constituting the bulk of the total organic matter, followed by charcoal, biodegraded organic matter, fungal remains, spores/pollen and structured terrestrial organic matter. The TAI value for the organic matter in these sediments has been ascertained as 3.00. A dominance of the sapropelic facies (amorphous organic matter) and the measured TAI values for the Subathu sediments in the Marhighat area suggests a good source-rock potential for the hydrocarbon generation.     

Hydrocarbon source rock potential evaluation of the Late Paleocene Patala Formation,Salt Range,Pakistan: Organic geochemical and palynofacies approach

Organic geochemical and palynofacies analyses were carried out on shale intervals of the Late Paleocene Patala Formation at Nammal Gorge Section, western Salt Range, Pakistan. The total organic carbon content and Rock-Eval pyrolysis results indicated that the formation is dominated by type II and type III kerogens. Rock-Eval \({T}_{\mathrm{max}}\) vs. hydrogen index (HI) and thermal alteration index indicated that the analysed shale intervals present in the formation are thermally mature. \(S_{1}\) and \(S_{2}\) yields showed poor source rock potential for the formation. Three palynofacies assemblages including palynofacies-1, palynofacies-2 and palynofacies-3 were identified, which are prone to dry gas, wet gas and oil generation, respectively. The palynofacies assessment revealed the presence of oil/gas and gas prone type II and type III kerogens in the formation and their deposition on proximal shelf with suboxic to anoxic conditions. The kerogen macerals are dominated by vitrinite and amorphinite with minor inertinite and liptinite. The kerogen macerals are of both marine and terrestrial origin, deposited on a shallow shelf. Overall, the dark black carbonaceous shales present within the formation act as a source rock for hydrocarbons with poor-to-moderate source rock quality, while the grey shales act as a poor source rock for hydrocarbon generation.