Abstract
The present study focuses on source rock evaluation of the Sargelu Formation by using core chips of rocks collected from well Atrush-2, Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq. The Rock-Eval pyrolysis and vitrinite reflectance were executed. Subsequently, the selected parameters were used for source rock evaluation and 1-D Basin Modelling calibration. The upper part of the formation mainly comprises argillaceous limestone with low content of organic matter (0.64% - 1% TOC). By contrast, the lower part is dominated with shale interval and contains high amounts of TOC values (>4% for 1272 - 1278 m) reveling good to very good quality source rock. Accordingly, good to very good hydrocarbon generation potential is suggested for this formation. Organic matter of the Sargelu Formation contains type II and mixed-type II-III kerogen. The values of Tmax and vitrinite reflectance (Ro%) demonstrate that the formation is thermally mature and in the oil zone. In order to construct a thermal history of the formation and determine the timing of hydrocarbon maturation and generation, the 1-D basin modelling PetroMod 2019.1 was used in this study. Based on the 1-D Basin modelling simulation and its outputs, about 3500 m of overburden have been eroded at the study area. The present-day heat flow was found to be 30 mW/m2. The organic matter of Sargelu Formation entered the early oil zone in 64 Ma and reached the main oil zone ca. 5 Ma. The formation is still in the main oil zone at present-day. In well Atrush-2, the highest rate of oil generation for the Sargelu Formation was in the 8.5 Ma, the onset of oil expulsion from Sargelu Formation was in 50 Ma and the expulsion mass has been reached 0.5 Mtons at present-day.
Highlights
The Mid-Late Jurassic megasequence was deposited during a period of isolation of main intra-shelf basin of Mesopotamia, the base of this megasequence with deposition of the Sargelu and Muhawir formations in Rutbah subzone [1]
The present study focuses on source rock evaluation of the Sargelu Formation by using core chips of rocks collected from well Atrush-2, Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq
A potential petroleum source rock is referred as any rock that has the competency to generate and expel sufficient amounts of hydrocarbons to form an accumulation of oil and gas [21]
Summary
The Mid-Late Jurassic megasequence was deposited during a period of isolation of main intra-shelf basin of Mesopotamia, the base of this megasequence with deposition of the Sargelu and Muhawir formations in Rutbah subzone [1]. The Atrush Oil Field is located northeast of Duhok City in Iraqi Kurdistan Region. This block is one of the biggest and challenging oil developments in the area. According to the Iraqi tectonic division, the study area (well Atrush-2) is located within the High Folded Zone (Figure 1). The Sargelu Formation was first recognized and described by Wetzel in 1948 [3] from Surdash Anticline of the High Folded Zone of NE Iraq. In well Atrush-2, the total thickness of the formation is 40 m (1250 - 1290 m), and it is mainly composed of dark grey argillaceous limestone interbedded with black shale in the lower part (Figure 1). Pitman et al [7] and Sachsenhofer et al [8] believe that
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