Palynostratigraphy and palynofacies indications of depositional environments and source potential for hydrocarbons: the mid Cretaceous Nahr Umr and lower Mauddud formations, Iraq

Abstract

Palynomorphs recovered from core and cuttings samples from five boreholes in the East Baghdad Oilfield indicate a mid Albian–early Cenomanian age-range for the Nahr Umr Formation and the lower part of the overlying Mauddud Formation. Two palynomorph zones and four types of palynofacies have been identified. The latter are interpreted to indicate delta-top swamp and marsh, silty–muddy deltaic, inner silty and carbonate-rich platform, and limestone-platform environments. The palynofacies of the two types of platform accumulations suggest that these are potential sources of biogenic methane and condensates, and may yield more liquid hydrocarbons in areas where the formations are at greater depths than within the region studied.