Source Rock Evaluation of Some Mesozoic and Paleozoic Rocks, Faghur Basin, Neith Field, North Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Faghur Basin is one of the most important hydrocarbon provinces inthe northern Western Desert of Egypt. Some of the Mesozoic (Alam ElBueib and Khatatba formations) and Paleozoic rocks at this basin wereevaluated as source rocks based on certain parameters including: thequantity, quality and maturation of the contained organic matter.PetroMode 1D software was used for the construction and prediction ofgeological and geochemical models. Results from organic geochemicalanalysis have clarified that the TOC, HI, S1, S2, %Ro and Tmax values ofAlam El Bueib source rock units range from 0.27 to 6.39 wt.%, 34 to114 mg/g, 0.12 to 0.38 mg/g, 0.23 to 4.3 mg/g, 0.58 to 1.07 % and 409to 450 oC, respectively. While for the Khatatba source rock these valuesrange from 0.41 to 30.09 wt.%, 27 to 155 mg/g, 0.1 to 0.53 mg/g, 0.15 to26.41 mg/g, 1.02 to 1.09 %, 363 to 454 oC, respectively. As for thePaleozoic source rock they are ranging from 0.53 to 4.83 wt.%, 52 to136 mg/g, 0.06 to 0.4 mg/g, 0.29 to 6.57 mg/g, 0.97 to 1.1 % and 406 to467 oC, respectively. Such results indicate that the Alam El Bueib sourcerocks are characterized by type (III) kerogen while Khatatba andPaleozoic source rocks are of type (III) kerogen with inputs of kerogentype (II). Burial history analysis indicates that most of these source rocksare mature and reached their maximum temperature at Neogene time.