Mathematical approach to hydrocarbon generation history and source rock potential in the Thrace Basin, Turkey

Abstract

A mathematical approach is presented to hydrocarbon generation history and source rock potential in the Thrace Basin, which is one of the most important hydrocarbon provinces in Turkey. The basin formed by extension in Late-Middle Eocene to latest Oligocene times and contains thousands of metres of thick marine clastic sediments deposited as turbiditic sequences over a metamorphic and crystalline basement. Among these sequences the Soǧucak and Ceylan Formations (Upper Eocene-Lower Oligocene), Mezardere Formation (Lower Oligocene-Upper Oligocene) and Dani§men and Osmancik Formations (Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene) contain potential source rocks. Four wells were selected to assess the thermal history of the basin and estimate the source rock potential and the timing of hydrocarbon generation. Cohen's method was used for the computations and the time-temperature indices were calculated with and without the cooling effect of the uplift. The results indicate that of the potential source rocks, the Ceylan and the Mezardere formations are found to have probable source rock potential in the Thrace Basin and that the timing of hydrocarbon generation varies between 22 and 4.5 Ma for these formations in different wells.