Geochemical and Tectonic Characterization of Oil–Source Rocks in the Shadegan Oilfield, Dezful Embayment, SW Iran

Abstract

Geochemical methods allow us to develop a systematic understanding of petroleum system elements. Geochemical analyses were done out on the shale samples of the Pabdeh and Asmari Formations and on the Asmari reservoir oil samples in the Shadegan oilfield, southwest Iran. Rock–Eval pyrolysis, gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) data were utilized. Oil–oil and oil–source correlations using GC and GC–MS analyses indicated that the Pabdeh Formation and the Asmari Formation basal shale layer are two possible sources of Asmari reservoir oil. The results of Rock–Eval pyrolysis revealed the values of the organic matter in the samples of the Asmari Formation basal shale layer are consider poor to fair in total organic carbon content. Therefore, this layer cannot be known as the source rock for the oil in the Asmari reservoir. Based on the thermal maturity parameters including the sterane isomerization ratios and homohopanes isomerization ratio together with Rock–Eval data and 1D burial history model, both Pabdeh and Kazhdumi Formations are in the maturity levels for oil generation. Different biomarker ratios in two oil samples (for well numbers 4 and 17) compared to samples from the Shadegan oilfield, revealed that the oil of these two wells originated from carbonate source rock(s) unlike oils of other wells that originated from a shaly source rock. Oil migration from adjacent oilfields with carbonate source rock (e.g., the Maroon, Ahvaz and Mansouri oilfields) into these wells through natural fractures in paleohighs is considered as one of the controlling factors of observed difference in biomarker ratios.