Late Albian–Middle Cenomanian palynofacies and palynostratigraphy, Abu Gharadig-5 well, Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Quantitative analyses of palynomorph assemblages, particulate organic matter (kerogen), and total organic carbon (TOC) have been made on samples of the Albian–Cenomanian Kharita and Bahariya formations encountered in the Abu Gharadig-5 well, Western Desert, Egypt. Two assemblage palynozones are defined: Assemblage Zone A (Kharita Formation) of late Albian–early Cenomanian age and Assemblage Zone B (Bahariya Formation) of early–middle Cenomanian age. Palynofacies of the Kharita Formation suggest that sedimentation of these strata took place in a warm, shallow, nearshore-marine environment. The deposition of the lower Bahariya Formation took place initially in similar conditions but subsequently further offshore in somewhat deeper water of the inner shelf. The relatively high percentage of Ephedripites, Afropollis and elaterate pollen in both formations indicates an arid climate. The Kharita Formation yields kerogen types III and IV whereas the assemblages recovered from the Bahariya Formation contain types II and III. The TOC is generally between 0.42 and 0.65% in the Kharita Formation, while it ranges between 0.42 and 0.80% in samples of the Bahariya Formation. The spores and pollen grains are pale in colour; hence little source potential for hydrocarbons is indicated.