Source Rock Characteristic of Sargelu and Kurrachine Formations from the Selected Wells in Northern Iraq

Abstract

A total of 56 cuttings samples of Sargelu and Kurrachine formations from different wells (Ain Zalah, Baiji, and Jabal Kand) in northern Iraq have been investigated in this study. Both the Sargelu and Kurrachine formations were examined using Rock-Eval pyrolysis to assess the richness of organic matter and thermal maturity level. The Sargelu Formation Have Total Organic Carbon wt.% ranged from 0.22–2.52 wt.%, average 1.26 wt.% in Ain Zalah Well, and between 0.57–8.90 wt.%, average 2.95 wt.% in Baiji Well, and between 0.81–11.80 wt.%, average 5.01wt.% in for Kand Well. It is considered a potential source rock based on total organic carbon content. total organic carbon wt. % in Ain Zalah and Kand in the Kurrachine Formation is considered poor source rock with a total organic carbon content of 0.17, 0.39 wt. %, respectively, while in Baiji Well is considered moderate source rock with total organic carbon content 0.53 wt. %. The Rock-Eval data are not always sufficient to define the kind of organic matter through the use of the van Krevelen diagram because HI and OI are affected by both matrix mineralogy and the kerogen mixture. For accurate assessments of the source rocks, gas chromatography has been relied on, which provides a direct indication of the kerogen type as well as the type of hydrocarbons that kerogen can generate during maturity. Gas chromatography analysis indicates that all selected samples contained type II kerogen. The highest value of the TAS/ (MAS+TAS) ratio was found in Ain Zalah samples (Sargelu Formation), and this result indicates the occurrence of an aromatization process with increasing thermal maturation.