A new TOC, Rock-Eval, and carbon isotope record of Lower Jurassic source rocks from the Slyne Basin, offshore Ireland

Abstract

This paper presents an integrated assessment of total organic carbon, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, carbonate δ13C and δ18O, and total organic carbon δ13C record of Upper Sinemurian–Aalenian age from the Slyne Basin (well 18/25-1), offshore Ireland. Total organic carbon (up to 5.2 wt%) and Rock-Eval pyrolysis data highlights the Portree Shale Formation Equivalent (Lower–?Middle Toarcian) as a mature (Tmax ∼440 °C) source rock dominated by type II kerogens. This interval is more than 90 m thick.In a previously unexplored paleogeographical domain regarding stable carbon isotopes, the δ13C record shows positive values during the Upper Sinemurian, a negative trend followed by a minor positive trend during the uppermost Sinemurian–Lower Pliensbachian, a negative trend during the lowermost Lower Toarcian, and then the return to more positive δ13C values. Despite the biostratigraphic uncertainty, the coarse resolution of the dataset, and the complex assessment of diagenetic effects, we suggest that the δ13C record of the studied well records the Raricostatum Zone positive CIE, the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian Boundary Event, and the negative CIE associated with the T-OAE. The T-OAE positive CIE is not clearly defined in the obtained dataset. The slight post T-OAE negative CIE recovery to more positive values and the continuation of a relatively high organic content is coeval with a regional organic matter preservation interval observed in several Northern-European locations.These new datasets and their interpretation add to the understanding of the paleoenvironmental dynamics during the Early–?Middle Jurassic in the Northern European domain and opens new possibilities for hydrocarbon exploration in Ireland's offshore.