Petroleum geochemical characterization of the shales from tertiary formation of Western Cambay Basin, India

Abstract

The Cambay basin of Western India has been proved as the most prominent and promising basin for major shale oil and gas discoveries. The present work is an exploration study of shales of different tectonic blocks of Cambay basin, which characterizes it as potential source as well as a reservoir for hydrocarbon generation and expulsion. Major experimental work was done on the Cambay shale of North tectonic block of Cambay basin and it was found that the shale has good to excellent organic richness, hybrid oil/gas bearing potential, mature shale potential, good hydrocarbon generation potential and good kerogen transformation. On the contrary, shales of south tectonic block are at the immature phase of hydrocarbon generation and may generate hydrocarbons upon thermal maturation and deep burial. The performed analysis and interpretation are explaining the true hydrocarbon potential of shales of Cambay basin and hence providing with a roadmap for the shale geochemical characterization which may be useful for development of shale plays at large scale.