Generative potential, thermal maturity, and TOC modeling of petroleum systems in Southwestern Khuzestan Province, Zagros Basin, Iran

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, a series of analytical geochemistry and petro-physical studies has been done to a number of effective source rock samples in the southwestern region of Khuzestan province and it illustrates that some strata’s in investigated wells have high hydrocarbon generation potential with the existence of commercial hydrocarbon production. There are some practical drawbacks to these analytical strategies, which can be solved through a combination of the results of different analyses, such as Thermal maturity, TOC, Rock Eval analysis that the main reason behind implementing different strategies in this paper. Twenty-five samples were analyzed in terms of TOC, PI, HI, OI, S3, S2, Tmax and we could determine oil/gas prone samples (resource areas) and distinguish them from strata’s with very low organic matter content Larter & Douglas, (1982). These predictions are quite crucial to E&P stage hydrocarbon exploitation as they will lead to solid predictions and they would avoid substantial expenses and eliminate uncertainties. In conclusion, after in depth comparison and study of organic carbon content, hydrogen and oxygen index, Type of organic matter content and Maturity of organic matter, we determined that studied resource areas are considered for medium to large size hydrocarbon discoveries and should be considered favorable.