Geochemical investigation of oil seepages and Paleozoic sediments for determining probable source rock in the Bandar Abbas Hinterland

Abstract

A remarkable characteristic of the Bandar Abbas Hinterland is the frequent presence of oil seepages that can serve as an indicator of probable oilfields in the region. The Seeps A and B are located in the main Zagros Suture Zone, 150 km to the northeast of Bandar Abbas and 30 km to the west of the same city, respectively. The presence of well-known Paleozoic source rocks (e.g., Seyahou, Sarchahan, and Gurpi formations) in the vicinity of the mentioned oil seepages shows that the seeping oil is coming from an oil source. The present research is aimed investigating the petroleum system and determining the source of the mentioned oil seepages. Results of the Rock-Eval analyses showed that the samples of the Seyahou Formation are thermally overmatured, making them exhibit inadequate oil generation potential. These samples contain Type-III kerogen and were found to be in the metagenesis stage. However, compared to other formations, Sarchahan and Gurpi exhibited good hydrocarbon generation potentials. On the other hand, based on the PI – Tmax diagram, the Sarchahan Formation was found to be in the early oil and condensate production window (i.e., catagenesis stage) while the Gurpi Formation was seen to be immature. Biomarker analysis results showed that the samples were deposited in a mixed marine environment and contained Type-II and Type II/III kerogen. The reason behind the occurrence of the oil seepages in an oxidative environment could be the sever impact of the biological degradation. The stable carbon isotope composition of the crude samples supported the biomarker data in general. Therefore, it can be concluded that the studied oil seepages were probably sourced from the Sarchahan Formation.