Source Rock Deposition Research Articles

Environmental conditions in the South Atlantic (Angola Basin) during the Early Cretaceous

The South Atlantic has experienced periods of intense anoxia and black shale deposition that form an important hydrocarbon source. Here we have investigated the depositional environment during the initial opening phase of the South Atlantic during the Early Cretaceous. The period is crucial as it is characterized by extensive source rock deposition and because it sets the stage for subsequent periods of anoxia within the northern sub-basin of the South Atlantic. Within an Aptian sequence of organic-rich sediments (up to 40% total organic carbon, TOC) from Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 364, we found a distinct biomarker distribution, including the presence of isorenieratane and an array of thiophenic (S-containing) compounds. Our results indicate that, during the time of deposition, corresponding to the initial phase of opening of the South Atlantic, most of the water column in the Angola Basin was hypersaline (>40‰) and euxinic, with euxinia episodically reaching the photic zone. The low relative abundance of marine biomarkers in the samples suggests that these extreme conditions were unfavourable for typical marine organisms. Stratigraphically up-section, the biomarker distribution changed as the TOC content gradually decreased (< 20wt.%), isorenieratane and thiophenic compounds became less abundant and marine biomarkers became more abundant. We interpret the results to reflect a shift towards more open marine conditions, with less extensive euxinia/anoxia and normal marine salinity as the opening of the South Atlantic continued and the basin became less restricted. Our results demonstrate that the opening of the South Atlantic was the dominant control on the deposition of organic rich shales in the Angola Basin during the Aptian, highlighting the control of local basin geography on the depositional environment and formation of organic rich black shales during the Early Cretaceous.

GENETIC CLASSIFICATION OF OIL FAMILIES IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SECTORS OF THE GULF OF SUEZ, EGYPT

The results of geochemical analyses were used to classify ten oil samples from six fields in the central and southern sectors of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. The samples were collected from sandstone pay‐zones ranging in age from Early Palaeozoic (Nubia‐C) to Miocene (Kareem Formation) at various present‐day depths. Molecular and stable isotope analyses indicate the presence of two genetic oil families (Families I and II) and suggest their probable source rocks.The biomarker characteristics of Family 1 oils include low Pr/Ph ratio, CPI &lt; 1.0, depleted rearranged steranes, very low diahopane concentrations, high sulphur content, high metal content and V/Ni ratio, low oleanane index, abundance of gammacerane and C27 steranes, and high relative abundance of homohopanes and C30 24‐n‐propylcholestanes. Source rock deposition took place under anoxic marine‐carbonate and hypersaline conditions. The NCR and NDR 24‐norcholestane ratios together with the presence of highly‐branched isoprenoids in this oil family are consistent with Upper Cretaceous – Lower Paleogene source rocks. These characteristics suggest that the Upper Cretaceous Duwi Formation/Brown Limestone or Lower Eocene Thebes Formation are the source rocks for the oils in this family, which occur in the central sector of the Gulf of Suez.Family II oils have geochemical characteristics that point to a mature source rock deposited in a weakly reducing or suboxic setting under normal salinity conditions. Abundant oleananes, high 24‐ to 27‐norcholestane ratios and abundant C25 highly‐branched isoprenoids suggest a Paleogene source rock. The Lower Miocene Rudeis Formation is the best candidate to have generated these oils which occur in the southern sector of the Gulf of Suez.

Tectono-sedimentary evolution and source rock distribution of the mid to Late Cretaceous succession in the Great South Basin, New Zealand

The Great South Basin, off New Zealand’s southeast coast, has attracted renewed exploration interest from major petroleum companies since 2005. The distribution of the mid Cretaceous to Paleocene source rocks (coals and coaly mudstones) is a critical component in evaluating basin prospectivity. This paper delineates source rock distribution from seismic facies characterisation, and presents a series of updated paleogeographic maps over the initial (Cretaceous) phases of basin evolution. Basin evolution has been analysed from mapped sequence stratigraphic boundaries and isochron maps. Seismic facies were characterised based on the amplitude, continuity, and stacking pattern of the reflection packages. The identified facies were calibrated with well data for age, gross lithology, and gross depositional environment. Areas of source rock deposition were demarcated using seismic attribute interval maps, from which a series of updated paleogeographic maps was prepared. Four second-order sequences have been identified within the Cretaceous succession. The lower two sequences are mainly fault bounded and were deposited in a syn-rift phase. In contrast, the upper two sequences reflect a change in basin character from rifting to a post-rift thermal sag phase. Source facies within both the syn- and post-rift sequences were deposited in mainly non-marine to marginal marine settings, although there is also the possibility of lacustrine source rocks in isolated syn-rift depocentres. The wide geographic spread of source rock intervals within the Cretaceous sequences allows for a variety of petroleum generation and exploration play scenarios.

Multiple hydrocarbon charging events in Kuh‐e‐Mond oil field, Coastal Fars: evidence from biomarkers in oil inclusions

AbstractOil inclusions were retrieved from dolomite and calcite fracture fills in upper, middle and lower reservoir zones in Kuh‐e‐Mond Field, Zagros Basin, Iran. They are assumed to be persevered samples of primary oil; hence, their biomarkers were analysed to determine the maturity gradient and source facies of petroleum at the time of migration. A variety of specific parameters were obtained including n‐alkanes, hopanes, steranes from aromatic hydrocarbons in oil inclusions and reservoir hydrocarbons petroleum. The Pr/Ph ratio varies from 0.5 to 1, which is indicative of dominant reducing conditions during source rock deposition. The fluid inclusion oils with dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene ratios ranging from 0.68 to 1.4, Pr/Ph ratios from 0.8 to 1.2 and with C34/C35 ratios of homohopanes in the range from 1.1 to 1.76, suggest regional variations of organic facies in their source rocks. Biomarker parameters obtained from fluid inclusion oils differ slightly from those of reservoired oil. The biomarker data indicate that the reservoir oil in the Kuh‐e‐Mond Field was generated and expelled predominantly from carbonate–marly sources deposited in anoxic environments. A terrestrial material source seems plausible here, and the presence of C29/C27 ααα 20R steranes supports this finding. The maturity levels of fluid inclusion oils inferred from C12+ parameters are slightly higher in the dolomite and calcite cements from the upper reservoir zone, which may be due to continuous reservoir filling.

Evidence for euphotic zone anoxia during the deposition of Aptian source rocks based on aryl isoprenoids in petroleum, Sergipe–Alagoas Basin, northeastern Brazil

Four crude oil samples from the Sergipe–Alagoas Basin, northeastern Brazil, were analyzed using full scan gas chromatography–quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC–qMS) for biomarkers, in order to correlate them using aromatic carotenoids thereby enhancing knowledge about the depositional environment of their source rocks. The geochemical parameters derived from saturated fractions of the oils show evidence of little or no biodegradation and similar thermal maturation (Ts/(Ts+Tm) for terpanes, C29αββ/(αββ+ααα), C27, and C29 20S/(20S+20R) for steranes). Low pristane/phytane ratios and the abundance of gammacerane and β-carotane are indicative of an anoxic and saline depositional environment for the source rocks. Moreover, we identified a large range of diagenetic and catagenetic products of the aromatic carotenoid isorenieratene, including C40, C33, and C32 diaryl isoprenoids and aryl isoprenoid derivatives with short side chains and/or additional rings. These results indicate anoxia in the photic zone during the deposition of the source rocks.

Carbon-isotope signatures of Albian to Cenomanian (Cretaceous) shelf carbonates of the Natih Formation, Sultanate of Oman

ABSTRACT The δ13C values of Albian to Cenomanian shallow-marine carbonate sequences of the Natih Formation have been collected from subsurface cores of a key location in Oman. The 450-m-thick stack of shelf carbonates is without significant gaps in deposition. The δ13C data range between 1‰ and 6‰, more-or-less tracking the evolution over time of δ13C in seawater established elsewhere in time-equivalent pelagic carbonate sequences. Anchored by biostratigraphy the isotope profile suggests several additional time correlations. It thus provides significantly enhanced stratigraphic resolution and a key section for regional correlations. In particular, the onset of Natih deposition (Natih F and G members) coincides with the Albian/Cenomanian boundary event, thus placing the base Natih into the Albian. The Natih C and D members were deposited mainly during the Mid-Cenomanian oceanic anoxic event, while the carbon-isotopes signature of the Natih A Member, which is at this locality incomplete due to erosion, documents the onset of the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary event (OAE2). This indicates a latest Cenomanian, possibly Early Turonian age for the top Natih at this subsurface location and suggests an Early Turonian age for the more complete Natih section exposed in the nearby Oman Mountains sections. Both organic-rich intervals of the Natih Formation (Natih E4b and B2) do not correlate with global Oceanic Anoxic Events indicating a rather local setting for source-rock deposition. This is further supported by an isotopic anomaly associated with the organic-rich Natih B. The anomaly is likely related to near-seabed diagenesis or a temporary limited water exchange of the intra-shelf basin with the open ocean and the incorporation of recycled carbon from oxidized organic matter into the water column and the inorganic carbon pool. The subsurface carbon-isotope profile correlates well with those from nearby outcrop and other subsurface sections adding further confidence that primary signatures are preserved and can be used for correlations. As in other Early Cretaceous shelf sequences of the Arabian Plate oxygen isotopes are lighter than expected for calcite deposited in equilibrium with Cretaceous seawater indicating most likely whole-scale recrystallization and stabilization during shallow burial at slightly elevated temperatures.

Late Jurassic ocean anoxic event: evidence from voluminous sulphide deposition and preservation in the Panthalassa

The historically productive copper-bearing Besshi-type sulphide deposits in the Japanese accretionary complex were formed as volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits on the deep-sea floor of the Panthalassa Ocean. Here we report that eleven typical Besshi-type deposits yielded Re-Os isochron ages around 150 Ma (148.4 ± 1.4 Ma from the composite isochron) in Late Jurassic time. This date coincides with the lowest marine 87Sr/86Sr ratio and highest atmospheric CO2 concentration of the past 300 million years. We infer that intense mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal and volcanic activity in the Late Jurassic produced huge sulphide deposits and large emissions of CO2 gas, leading to global warming and a stratified Panthalassa Ocean with anoxic deep seas that favored preservation of sulphides in the pelagic environment. The emergence of ocean anoxia triggered by seafloor volcanism is also consistent with a positive δ13C excursion and widespread deposition of petroleum source rocks and black shales.

A biomarker study of depositional paleoenvironments and source inputs for the massive formation of Upper Cretaceous lacustrine source rocks in the Songliao Basin, China

The abundance and composition of total organic carbon, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons including biomarkers, and the δ13C composition of total organic matter and individual compounds in core samples of the Nenjiang Formation from the SK-1 borehole of the Songliao Basin provide information on the paleoenvironmental conditions of lacustrine sediments formed during the Upper Cretaceous. The distribution of n-alkanes, and their δ13C composition, and 4-methylsteranes and dinosteranes in the first member of the Nenjiang Formation (K2n1) indicate that the organic matter largely originated from algal organisms and is dominated by types I and II kerogen. The occurrence of gammacerane, aryl isoprenoids isorenieratane and low pristane/phytane and diasterane/sterane ratios further suggest a salinity stratified water column associated with anoxic bottom waters, as well as possible photic zone oxygen depletion conditions during major source rock deposition of the K2n1. The organic geochemical data also indicate significantly different depositional environments for the second member of the Nenjiang Formation (K2n2) sediments, which are interpreted to have been deposited under a uniform salinity (non-stratified) oxic water column. Consequently, although the organic matter in the K2n2 sediments was largely derived from algal and bacterial sources, the kerogen types are dominantly IIb and III due to the oxidative degradation of organic matter, combined with a gradual increase in land–plant input. Furthermore, the occurrence and shift of two saw-toothed distribution patterns of the δ13C composition of C29 to C33 n-alkanes, with “W” and “M” patterns being isotopically heavy odd- and even-numbered alkanes, respectively, is suggestive of organic input shift or an unknown mechanism of carbon uptake or isotopic fractionation. In particular, the heavy even carbon numbered high molecular weight n-alkanes is rare and needs further investigation.

The Cenozoic Song Hong and Beibuwan Basins, Vietnam

The Vietnamese offshore margin holds a substantially underexplored petroleum potential. The key to unravelling this potential lies in understanding the tectono-stratigraphic framework of the region including the Cenozoic mechanisms governing syn-rift and source rock deposition. This is essential for prediction of, for instance the presence and nature of source rocks in South-East Asia and possible reservoir intervals in the syn-rift packages. The Vietnamese part of the Song Hong and Beibuwan Basins (Fig. 1) differs from other basins along the western margin of the South China Sea in that the Palaeogene syn-rift succession is sporadically exposed due to uplift and inversion. These exposures provide a unique glimpse into the Cenozoic syn-rift succession of the basin.

Comparative sequence stratigraphy and organic geochemistry of gas shales: Commonality or coincidence?

Comparison of some Paleozoic and Mesozoic gas shales has revealed a generally common sequence stratigraphy, consisting of, from the base upward: combined sequence boundary/transgressive surface of erosion (SB/TSE) upon which sits a transgressive systems tract (TST) enriched in organic matter, then a somewhat ‘cleaner gamma-ray’ highstand or regressive systems tract (HST/RST). When resolvable, this stratigraphy occurs at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th order relative sea level cyclicity, forming couplets of relatively organic-rich (TST and condensed section-CS) and organic-poor (HST/RST) strata at these time scales. A higher order sequence stratigraphy can be developed for Mesozoic shales than for Paleozoic shales owing to greater biostratigraphic age resolution of the former. The higher frequency cycles are superimposed upon lower frequency cycles, giving rise to a complex stratigraphy of several couplets of differing thickness and distribution. These documented common characteristics provide the basis for a unifying, general sequence stratigraphic model for shales which can be utilized to identify, predict and map the most productive facies within a shale stratigraphic interval.There also are several commonalities in geochemistry of gas shales. Prolific gas shales are usually >200 ft (65 m) thick, contain >3% TOC, have Hydrogen Index values >350 mg HC/g, contain Type II kerogen and have organic maturity values >1.1% Ro. Organic-rich shales typically contain minerals such as pyrite and phosphates (apatite) and show biomarker ratios (pristane/phytane, steranes distribution, C13–C20 regular isoprenoids and C18 aryl isoprenoids) indicative of anoxic conditions during source rock deposition. In high maturity areas, there is a reversal in ethane isotope abundance owing to secondary cracking of hydrocarbons; such a reversal is normally associated with best gas production. Relative hydrocarbon potential (S1 + S2/TOC) is a geochemical parameter which reflects oxygenation conditions in the depositional environment. It can be related to relative sea level fluctuations within a sequence stratigraphic context.Understanding the sequence stratigraphy of shale provides a powerful tool not only for regional-to-local stratigraphic correlations from well logs and seismic reflection records, but also for high-grading stratigraphic intervals most favorable for preservation of organic matter and gas generation and storage.

Neoproterozoic deglacial sediments and their hydrocarbon source rock potential

Abstract Many Neoproterozoic successions contain viable hydrocarbon source rocks, even though they were deposited before most extant life forms evolved. Eukaryotic microalgae, bacteria, chlorophyte micoalgae, marine pelagophyte algae and dinoflagellates may have contributed organic matter. Major global-scale glaciations, which are commonly attributed to a ‘snowball’ or ‘slushball’ Earth scenario, or deposited under a ‘zipper rift’ scenario, are believed to have played an important role in the deposition of hydrocarbon source rocks during the mid- Neoproterozoic (Cryogenian). Phases of Cryogenian deglaciation may have culminated in the deposition of high total organic carbon shales and ‘cap carbonates’ in restricted anoxic basins, which may have been carved by ice sheets themselves or, alternatively, formed as restricted extensional half graben as Rodinia began to fragment. One example of these organically enriched deglacial sediments comprises shales and dolostones deposited following the Sturtian glaciation in the Centralian Superbasin of Australia, an amalgam of basins that extends almost continent-wide across Australia. Data from the Marmot MMDD-1 drill core on the Stuart Shelf in the southern part of the Centralian Superbasin, together with previously published data on organic enrichment in the Amadeus Basin in the central part of the Centralian Superbasin, suggest that the deposition of organically enriched shales was widespread during the Sturtian deglaciation.

Late Aptian to Turonian stratigraphy of the eastern Arabian Plate – depositional sequences and lithostratigraphic nomenclature

ABSTRACT This stratigraphic article summarizes a number of observations on the mid-Cretaceous stratigraphy of Arabia made during the 2nd Arabian Plate Geology Workshop held in Abu Dhabi in January 2010. These observations pertain to the lithostratigraphic nomenclature applied on the eastern Arabian Plate and its relationship to mid-Cretaceous (Late Aptian–Turonian) depositional systems and sequences recognized plate-wide. It appears that several of the commonly applied lithostratigraphic terms are diachronous as a result of (i) plate-wide migration of carbonate and siliciclastic facies belts; (ii) the occurrence of intra-shelf basins at different times and locations; (iii) differential preservation beneath erosional unconformities; and (iv) simple differences in usage across political boundaries. A plate-wide sequence stratigraphic scheme is thus a powerful tool for regional correlation and mapping, and for reconciling lithostratigraphic differences. The studied interval can be subdivided into two primary sedimentary systems that differ in lithology, depositional geometries and dominant faunal assemblages. First, latest Aptian- and Albian-aged systems, which are characterized by volumetrically significant Arabian Shield-derived siliciclastics (both sandstones and claystones) that alternate with carbonate beds. The carbonate beds thicken up-section and have generally very low-angle, muddy ramp depositional geometries. Organic-rich basinal facies are found only in the Kazhdumi Basin in SW Iran at this time. The faunal composition of the carbonates is dominated by benthic foraminifera (notably orbitolinids). Within this succession three third-order depositional sequences are distinguished (MFS K90, K100 and K110). Secondly, Cenomanian–early Turonian-aged sedimentary systems are characterized by a marked reduction in siliciclastic influx, the development of carbonate platform to intra-shelf basin topography and deposition of basinal source rocks. Rudists are the dominant component of grainy, high-energy platform margin/barrier facies, and are also present in the platform top sediments. Within this succession three Cenomanian sequences can be correlated clearly at the scale of the plate (MFS K120, K130 and K140), whereas the number of sequences in the Turonian interval is less well known owing to significant local erosion and/or non-deposition during a period of tectonic instability. Applying this robust sequence stratigraphic framework in combination with a synthesis of biostratigraphic age calibration demonstrates the diachronous character of the Mauddud, Safaniya, Ahmadi and Mishrif formations and equivalents from the southern to the northern part of the Arabian Plate.

Lacustrine source rock deposition in response to co-evolution of environments and organisms controlled by tectonic subsidence and climate, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Three Paleogene syn-rift intervals from the Bohai Bay Basin, the most petroliferous basin in China, were analyzed with sedimentological and geochemical techniques to characterize the lateral source rock heterogeneities, to reveal the environmental and ecological changes through geologic time and to construct depositional models for lacustrine source rocks under different tectonic and climatic conditions. The third (Es 3) and first (Es 1) members of the Eocene Shahejie Formation and the Oligocene Dongying Formation (Ed) display widely variable total organic carbon contents, hydrogen indices and visual kerogen compositions, suggesting changes in organic facies from deep to marginal sediments. Carefully selected deep-lake facies samples from any interval, however, display fairly uniform biomarker composition. These three intervals have distinctly different biomarker assemblages, which indicate weakly alkaline, freshwater lakes with a moderately deep thermocline during Es 3 deposition, alkaline-saline lakes with shallow chemocline during Es 1 deposition and acidic, freshwater lakes with deep, unstable thermocline during the deposition of the Dongying Formation. Such environmental changes corresponded to changes in subsidence rate and paleoclimate, from rapid subsidence and wet climate during Es 3 deposition, through slow subsidence and arid climate during Es 1 deposition to rapid subsidence and wet climate during Ed deposition and resulted in synchronous changes in terrigenous organic matter input, phytoplankton community and primary productivity. The co-evolution of environments and organisms controlled by tectonic subsidence and climate accounted for the deposition and distribution of high quality lacustrine source rocks with distinctly different geochemical characteristics. Most rift basins experienced changes in subsidence rates and possibly changes in climates during their syn-rift evolutions. The models constructed in this paper may have important implications for source rock prediction in other lacustrine rift basins.

Chapter 30 The genetic evolution of Arctic North America and Greenland and implications for petroleum systems

Abstract The sedimentary basins of Arctic North America and Greenland are diverse in their genesis. This diversity controls petroleum systems within these basins as well as their exposure to post-accumulation destructive forces. The Canadian Shield has been a significant influence on basin development due to its 60 km thick core of well-annealed, highly buoyant continental crust. This large, stable craton facilitated the deposition of multiple Early Palaeozoic source rocks and resisted subsequent collisions which could have been destructive to petroleum systems. The Ellesmerian collision quickly segregated the Sverdrup Basin from the Franklinian platform. The Ellesmerian–Caledonian suture attempted to rift numerous times. These failed rifts were conducive to source rock accumulation with lacustrine and marine (Kimmeridgian) sources being deposited. Opening of the Arctic Basin in the Early Cretaceous provided a restricted locus for the deposition of high organic carbon sediments throughout the Cretaceous. The movement of the High Arctic Large Igneous Province from the Arctic in the Cretaceous into the North Atlantic drove rifting to the east side of Greenland. Cenozoic opening of the Atlantic, with abundant associated volcanism, propagated into the Arctic with the opening of the Eurasian Basin. Atlantic rifting drove Greenland into the Sverdrup Basin producing the Eurekan Orogeny which initiated maturation and trap formation as well as some trap breaching. Pacific subduction generated the Western Cordillera and the Brooks Range. Associated forelands began to be rapidly loaded with Cretaceous–Cenozoic sediment driving all source rocks into maturity. The Cenozoic draining of the continent produced the Mackenzie Delta, which entered an inside corner of the transform rift margin and has been constantly ‘forced’ by ongoing Cordilleran tectonics, resulting in significant trap rupture in the Western Mackenzie Delta. Cenozoic deltaic sediments contain ‘coaly’ source rocks responsible for the offshore petroleum systems in that area.

Global neoproterozoic petroleum systems: The emerging potential in North Africa, by Jonathan Craig, J. Thurow, B. Thusu, A. Whitham, and Y. Abutarruma. Geological society special publication, 326, 2009. No. of pages: 309. ISBN 978‐1‐86239‐287‐8 (hardback).

Global neoproterozoic petroleum systems: The emerging potential in North Africa, by Jonathan Craig, J. Thurow, B. Thusu, A. Whitham, and Y. Abutarruma. Geological society special publication, 326, 2009. No. of pages: 309. ISBN 978‐1‐86239‐287‐8 (hardback).

Structural and stratigraphic evolution of Abu Dhabi in the context of Arabia

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is famed for its coastal carbonate, sabkhas and sand dunes; it is located in the NE part of the Arabian Plate, which formed during the Late Neoproterozoic (~820–750 Ma) by the accretion of island arcs and microcontinents to early Gondwana. Most of Arabia seems to have spent its existence within the Southern Hemisphere until it crossed the Equator during the Mesozoic; parts were involved in four glaciations, two in the Proterozoic (~750–630 Ma—Iceball or Slushball Earth?), and two more in the Palaeozoic (Late Ordovician and Permo-Carboniferous transition). In the early Palaeozoic the Arabian Plate was oriented about 90° counter clockwise relative to today’s poles. Gondwana later skirted the South Pole, migrating to the other side of the planet, eventually emerging the ‘right-way up’ with the Arabian Plate oriented to the poles more or less as seen today. Cold and temperate climate conditions ensured that for much of its early existence, Arabia was the site of mainly quartz-rich deposits. Later in the Neoproterozoic, however, extensive stromatolitic carbonate deposition took the lead, culminating around the Cambro-Precambrian boundary with deposition of the extensive Ara and Hormuz evaporites. Since south Arabia’s Permo-Carboniferous glaciation, the Arabian plate has been drifting northward, crossing temperate climatic zones conducive to fluvial and aeolian sandstone deposition and, from the later Permian, to tropical shallow-marine carbonates and evaporites In parallel with the above, the rifting of Gondwana opened an oceanic trough in the Late Permian off the NE flank of Arabia. Slope carbonates and deepwater Hawasina turbidites with a clear flow to the NE were deposited until they were obducted (together with associated ophiolites) in the Late Cretaceous on the edge of the Arabian plate in Oman and Iran. The deposition of widespread Early Silurian hydrocarbon source rocks in east-central Arabia was followed in the later Permian by extensive reservoir rocks with more during the mid-Late Mesozoic, giving rise to major oilfields both on- and off-shore, including Abu Dhabi. Arabia and Africa began to separate late in the Miocene with the opening of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. SSW–NNE compressive stresses caused uplift and volcanic activity in west Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Some products of erosion flowed eastward into Abu Dhabi. At the NE margin of Arabia, the Tethys Ocean narrowed, the NE flank of the newly forming Zagros Mountains of Iran is being subducted beneath southern Asia. To the SE, roughly coeval crustal compression adjacent to the Gulf of Oman led to uplift of the Oman Mountains and deposition of erosional products flanking the mountains mainly to the W and SW. The Oman Mountains are currently rising at about 2 mm/a, while northern Musandam is subsiding into the Strait of Hormuz at some 6 mm/a in association with subduction of the Arabian plate margin below the Eurasian plate. Alternations between polar glaciations and interglacials over the past few 100 ka resulted in considerable climatic changes over Arabia; slow glacial build-ups lasting some 80 to 120 ka led, somewhat erratically, to a fall in sea level of up to 130 m, to strong winds and the building of systems of extensive sand dunes such as the Rub’ al Khali. The joint Tigris–Euphrates river system flowed through a desert landscape, reaching the ocean only SE of the Strait of Hormuz. The peak of the last glaciation about 21 ka was followed by its rapid collapse and flooding of the Arabian Gulf to its present level between about 12 or 10 and 6 ka, a horizontal marine advance of some 200–300 m/a. Abu Dhabi is now the site of shallow-marine carbonates offshore and classical sabkhas and carbonate-rich sand dunes onshore.

La contraception chez la femme diabétique

The abundance and composition of total organic carbon, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons including biomarkers, and the δ13C composition of total organic matter and individual compounds in core samples of the Nenjiang Formation from the SK-1 borehole of the Songliao Basin provide information on the paleoenvironmental conditions of lacustrine sediments formed during the Upper Cretaceous. The distribution of n-alkanes, and their δ13C composition, and 4-methylsteranes and dinosteranes in the first member of the Nenjiang Formation (K2n1) indicate that the organic matter largely originated from algal organisms and is dominated by types I and II kerogen. The occurrence of gammacerane, aryl isoprenoids isorenieratane and low pristane/phytane and diasterane/sterane ratios further suggest a salinity stratified water column associated with anoxic bottom waters, as well as possible photic zone oxygen depletion conditions during major source rock deposition of the K2n1. The organic geochemical data also indicate significantly different depositional environments for the second member of the Nenjiang Formation (K2n2) sediments, which are interpreted to have been deposited under a uniform salinity (non-stratified) oxic water column. Consequently, although the organic matter in the K2n2 sediments was largely derived from algal and bacterial sources, the kerogen types are dominantly IIb and III due to the oxidative degradation of organic matter, combined with a gradual increase in land–plant input. Furthermore, the occurrence and shift of two saw-toothed distribution patterns of the δ13C composition of C29 to C33 n-alkanes, with “W” and “M” patterns being isotopically heavy odd- and even-numbered alkanes, respectively, is suggestive of organic input shift or an unknown mechanism of carbon uptake or isotopic fractionation. In particular, the heavy even carbon numbered high molecular weight n-alkanes is rare and needs further investigation.

An atypical early mature oil in Block 35/1, Norwegian North Sea – hypersaline, carbonate Jurassic environment?

Block 35/1 with the dry Sturlason structure, is located on the northernmost part of the Marflo Ridge in the Norwegian part of the Northern North Sea. It is separated by deep faults from the Sogn Graben to the east and the Marulk Basin to the west. The 35/1-1 well proved only minor shows of gas and oil in the well. The Sturlason structure comprises a series of upthrown fault blocks in a structurally complex area. The well-established Brent Formation carrier and reservoir sandstone has shaled out this far north and the stratigraphically deeper Lower Jurassic Statfjord Formation and Triassic Lunde Formation sandstones were, in the exploration model, suggested as both carrier beds and reservoirs. The prolific Upper Jurassic Draupne (Type II organic matter, OM) and Heather (Type II/III OM) Formation source rocks were, based on seismic data, interpreted to be absent or thin over the prospect, thus implying lateral migration for filling the structure with petroleum. Structural back-stripping suggests that part of Block 35/1 was sub-aerially exposed as an island during deposition of the Upper Jurassic source rocks. This may have impacted the quality and nature of the fringing organic material due to a more oxic environment and a greater influx of Type III organic matter. The geochemical analyses were hampered by contamination from the use of oil-based mud (C 13–23 range hydrocarbons) while drilling. Despite this, traces of true indigenous C 4–10 and C 25+ range hydrocarbon are demonstrated. These results suggest presence of an evaporative condensate and heavy oil fraction originating from a source rock related to a hypersaline carbonate depositional environment. A buoyancy-driven fluid flow study, without taking faults into account, shows the difficulty in charging the prospect and clearly suggests the presence of sealing faults. The latter are also substantiated by a separate fault-seal analysis. Traps in flanking areas could, however, receive petroleum. Gas is also interpreted to be present in shallower sediments over the eastern flank of the Sturlason structure.

A new approach to bridge the effect of organofacies variations on kinetic modelling and geological extrapolations

Reliable prediction of petroleum formation is impeded by significant variations in organofacies that result from varying conditions during source rock deposition. Basin simulation programs can model lateral variations but are limited in their ability to account for vertical variations due to the impact on computation time and lack of representative kinetic parameters. Here we present a model that merges the petroleum formation characteristics of different organofacies, vertically distributed in a heterogeneous source rock, prior to kinetic modelling. This approach allows the evaluation of one single overall kinetic model that accounts for the different petroleum generation characteristics of a variety of organofacies preserved in a source rock and balance the different petroleum formation processes according to their importance within the different organofacies. Bulk petroleum generation kinetics were determined on eleven Draupne Formation samples taken from a well in the Tampen Spur area using programmed temperature open system pyrolysis at 0.1, 0.7 and 5.0 K/min. The samples covered the entire Draupne Formation from its bottom to its top in the studied well. Individual measurements taken at the same heating rate were summed to one pyrolysis yield curve and normalized to the average Rock-Eval S2 value. The three summed curves were then used as input to determine a kinetic model that is representative of the Draupne Formation in this well. Enhanced kinetic modelling was applied in order to account for the expected variations of frequency factors. After geological extrapolation, the resulting kinetic model represents the petroleum generation characteristics of the entire Draupne Formation in the study area, accounting for the variability in source potential across organofacies.

Sedimentary characteristics of the source rocks in fluctuation from lake facies: an example from the Well Niu-38 in the Dongying Depression, China

以东营凹陷牛38井为例,研究显示,该井沙河街组沙三段烃源岩的沉积特征具有明显的波动性．宏观上体现为, 构造因素控制湖盆的整体升降和沉积构造旋回,但季节性气候及其它因素的影响使湖盆呈现次级旋回的复合性沉积．微观上表现为纹层的不连续性及生物扰动构造等事件性沉积.古湖面不同幅度的波动和变化导致相对稳定的泥岩沉积的不稳定性,有机质的分布也呈现较显著的非均质性．湖泊的沉积过程影响了微量元素、有机质以及烃源物质的分布,水体较深、盐度较高的沙三段下部多数微量元素含量较高以及B/Ca、Sr/Ba呈现高值;水体较浅、盐度较低的沙三段中部各元素的分布较为稳定,B/Ca、Sr/Ba比值及Sr的含量均显著降低.波动性沉积导致烃源岩呈现明显的优劣性分布,沙三段下部中的有机质富集,为优质烃源岩;沙三段中部的有机质分布较为分散,生排烃的资源潜力有限．;The sedimentary course controls the distribution of minerals and source rocks. The characteristics of source rocks in the Member 3 of Shahejie Formation in Dongying Depression revealed the obvious fluctuation of the sedimentary course of lake. Tectonic movement controlled the rise and settle of the whole lake, and with the influence of climate and the other geological factors, the lake deposit was a result of complex sedimentary course which was a main sedimentary cycle contained many hypo-cycles. The heterogeneity and the unstable deposition in the stable deposition of source rocks were believed as a result of the lacustrine cyclothemic sedimentation and the Jake-level fluctuation. The environment of deep water-body and high salinity in the Member 3 of Shahejie Formation was characterized by high content of many trace elements and high value of B/Ca, Sr/Ba. The deposition in fluctuation contributed to the distribution of organic matter in different manners; organic matter was enrichment in the lower part of the Member 3 ol Shahejie Formation, and it was source rocks in high quality; the organic matter was dispersed in the middle part of the Member 3 of Shahejie Formation, whose resource potential for hydrocarbon generation and expulsion was restricted.