Abstract
The Lower Oligocene succession of the Ihsaniye Formation, exposed at Karaburun on the Turkish (Thrace) coast of the Black Sea, provides insights into potential hydrocarbon source rock extent in the southwestern part of the Black Sea Basin. Presently, no detailed study of the Ihsaniye Formation exists with regards to organic matter content and type. We analyzed 78 fine-grained samples from a c. 70-m-thick section near Karaburun. Relatively high total organic carbon (TOC) contents (average 1.45 wt.%) are present in the lower part of the Ihsaniye Formation; the hydrogen index values reach a maximum of 252 mg HC/g TOC, indicating the presence of type III-II kerogen, and the organic matter is thermally immature (Tmax 418 °C). The presence of foraminifera and TOC/S ratios below 2.8 confirm a fully marine environment. Elevated TOC contents and very low pristane/phytane ratios indicate an oxygen-depleted environment during deposition of the lower part of the Ihsaniye Formation. The quartz/clay minerals ratio suggests a deepening trend in the lower part of the succession and a shallowing trend in the upper part. Peculiarly, the low salinity Solenovian Event (in nannofossil zone NP23) is not developed although Sr isotope ratios indicate that the basin was only connected to the Mediterranean for short periods during deposition of the Ihsaniye Formation.
Highlights
The Black Sea is one of the last frontier petroleum basins in Europe
The results of the analytical work carried out on 78 samples are presented below focusing on lithology, geochemical characteristics, biomarkers, and strontium isotope ratios
The İhsaniye Formation is exposed along the Black Sea shore in 50-m-high cliffs and includes fine-grained sediments overlain by thick mass transport sediments
Summary
The Black Sea is one of the last frontier petroleum basins in Europe. Detailed investigations in recent years have shown that the petroleum potential of Oligocene (“Maikop-type”) rocks in the Eastern Paratethys, including the Black Sea area, varies significantly and is partly limited (Pupp et al, 2018; Sachsenhofer et al, 2018a, 2018b). A more detailed examination of the hydrocarbon source potential of the Oligocene successions in the Black Sea region is advisable. Lower Oligocene rocks of the İhsaniye Formation, exposed near Karaburun (Thrace, NW of İstanbul) are investigated to expand regional knowledge of source rocks in the southwestern part of the Black Sea. The Karaburun section is located in the West Black Sea Basin near the Çatalca gap, which formed a marine
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