Alternative interpretations as to the origin of the hydrocarbons of the Guajira Basin,Colombia

The origins of the hydrocarbon gases recovered from the Chuchupa, Ballena, and Riohacha fields, located in the Guajira basin, northeast Colombia, are examined. These gases are composed of methane with trace amounts of wet gas components (C₂₊<0.5%). The methane is isotopically light (δ¹³C₁<?50‰), as are the other hydrocarbon components. The Ballena and Riohacha fields are considered to have a biogenic origin and the Chuchupa gas is thought to have a mixed biogenic-thermogenic origin. The presence of a thermogenic contribution at Chuchupa need not, however, indicate that the sedimentary sequence was exposed to elevated temperatures. The generative kitchen located to the northwest of the three gas fields would preferentially feed into the Chuchupa Field.The gases recovered at three onshore seep localities appear to include a thermogenic component. As a result of fractionation it is unclear whether they represent ‘pure’ thermogenic gases or a mixed thermogenic-biogenic origin similar to Chuchupa.An examination of oil microseepage observed in soil samples recovered from the onshore Guajira region point to another hydrocarbon system apparently not related to the three gas fields. Some of these microseeps include ‘fresh’ (nonbiodegraded) oils. These microseeps did not correlate with either of the Tertiary oil families from the Sinú Urabá basin located to the southwest of the study area or with Cretaceous oils from that basin. A better correlation was observed with the La Luna Formation, but significant differences remain implying that the source for the microseeps was less calcareous and deposited in a less restricted environment than associated with ‘classical’ La Luna facies. This could indicate either a facies change or that a different source unit is present within the region.