Characterization of Selected Egyptian Oil Shales from the Red Sea Area: Composition of Inorganic Matrix and Potential of Organic Matters

Abstract

Nine Egyptian oil shale samples were assembled from the main producing mines (Abu-Shigeili, El-Beida, El-Nakheil, and Abu-Tundub) in the Red Sea area. The oil shale rocks were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction and optical microscopic techniques in order to identify minerals of the oil shales. It was found that montmorillonite, quartz, gypsum, kaolinite, calcite, and dolomite constitute the main bulk composition of the inorganic matrix. In addition, photomicrographs of the oil shales indicated that pyrite crystals may also be present. Bitumen and kerogen concentrates were extracted from the studied oil rocks. Genetic potential of organic matters in the oil shales was studied by means of Rock-Eval pyrolysis and FTIR spectroscopy. It was suggested that Abu-Shigeili oil shales are moderate source rocks with some potential for gas, whereas the other oil shales showing high values of S1 + S2 are good sources for oil.