NAME: ATITSOGBEY ENOCK
INDEX NUMBER: SPE.41.012.022.22
COURSE: PETROLEUM GEOCHEMISTRY
Q1. REVIEW 10 PAPERS ON SOURCE ROCK CHARACTERIZATION
Introduction
Source rock characterization is essential for evaluating petroleum systems and supporting
hydrocarbon exploration and production. This process involves assessing the abundance, quality,
type, and thermal maturity of organic matter in potential source rocks, as well as correlating these
rocks with generated hydrocarbons. A combination of geochemical and geophysical methods is
employed to achieve comprehensive characterization.
Geochemical Characterization Methods
Geochemical techniques are critical for analyzing source rock properties. The following methods
are commonly used:
❖ Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Content TOC quantifies organic matter in rocks, with higher
values indicating better source rock potential. Example; North Ghadames Basin
(Ordovician, Silurian, Triassic): TOC ranges from 1.00% to 4.75% (average: 2.07%).
Niger Delta (Agbada and Akata Formations): TOC ranges from 0.6 to 3.06 wt%. Chad
Basin (Fika Shales): TOC ranges from 0.50 to 2.37 wt%, indicating organically lean rocks.
❖ Rock-Eval Pyrolysis This method evaluates organic matter abundance (S1, S2), quality
(Hydrogen Index - HI), and thermal maturity (Tmax).
• Hydrocarbon Generation Potential (S2): High S2 values indicate good to very good
potential, as seen in North Ghadames Basin (Ordovician, Silurian, Lower Triassic)
and select Niger Delta wells.
• Kerogen Type: HI values identify kerogen types, which determine hydrocarbon
type (oil or gas).
• Agbada and Akata Formations: Predominantly Type III (gas-prone) and mixed
Type II/III (gas and oil-prone) kerogens, indicating terrigenous and mixed
marine/terrigenous deposition.
• Fika Shales: Type III and IV kerogens, primarily gas-generating.
• Thermal Maturity (Tmax): Fika Shales: 430–465°C (early to late oil-window).
• Agbada and Akata Formations: 414–432°C (immature to early mature).
❖ Bitumen Extraction and Liquid Chromatography These techniques extract and separate
organic compounds (saturates, aromatics, resins, asphaltenes) to analyze hydrocarbon
composition and maturity.
❖ Biomarker Analysis Biomarkers (e.g., alkanes, isoprenoids, terpanes, hopanes, steranes)
provide insights into organic matter source, depositional environment, and thermal
maturity.
• Depositional Environment: Pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios indicate conditions, e.g.,
oxidizing conditions with mixed marine/terrigenous inputs in western offshore Niger Delta
oils.
• Maturity Indicators: Ratios like C31 homohopane (22S/ (22S + 22R)) and C29 steranes
(20S/ (20S + 20R)) assess thermal maturity.
• Stable Carbon Isotope Composition This method aids in genetic classification and oil-
source rock correlation, distinguishing oil groups and confirming source contributions.
❖ Kerogen Analysis by Microscopy Petrographic analysis, including palynofacies, identifies
kerogen types (e.g., amorphous organic matter, phytoclasts) to determine organic matter
origin and hydrocarbon potential.
❖ Vitrinite Reflectance (VR) VR measures thermal maturity via maximum temperature
exposure. Example, Fika Shales show VR values of 0.70–1.34%, indicating early to late
oil-window maturity.
Geophysical Characterization Methods
Geophysical approaches, particularly seismic data, complement geochemical analyses, especially
in frontier basins with limited well data.
❖ Seismic Interpretation: Techniques such as AVO/AVA (Amplitude vs. Offset/Angle),
bright spot/dim spot, and flat spot identification are adapted from reservoir studies to
evaluate source rock presence and quality, enabling regional play element assessment.
Case Studies
The following case studies illustrate the application of characterization techniques:
1. Gongola Sub-basin, NE Nigeria: Analysis of Cretaceous coals and organic-rich mudstones in
the Gombe Formation assessed source rock characteristics and hydrocarbon potential.
2. Western Offshore Niger Delta: Geochemical fingerprinting showed oils from different reservoir
units originated from the same source rocks, deposited under oxidizing conditions with mixed
marine/terrigenous inputs.
3. Chad (Bornu) Basin, NE Nigeria: Fika Shales (Late Cretaceous) are organically lean, with Type
III and IV kerogens, generating gaseous hydrocarbons and exhibiting early to late oil-window
maturity influenced by volcanic intrusions.
4. North Ghadames Basin, Southern Tunisia: Drill cuttings revealed good to very good generative
potential for Ordovician, Silurian, and Lower Triassic organic matter.
5. Murzuq Basin: TOC, Rock-Eval, biomarkers, and stable carbon isotopes established ancient
environmental features and source contributions from Paleozoic formations.
6. Niger Delta (Agbada and Akata Formations): Rock-Eval 6 Pyrolysis identified Type III and
mixed Type II/III kerogens, assessing organic matter abundance, quality, and maturity.
7. Iranian Sector of the Persian Gulf: Cretaceous source rocks (Kazhdumi, Ahmadi Member, Gurpi
Formation) were evaluated using Rock-Eval, isotopes, biomarkers, and vitrinite reflectance to
determine hydrocarbon potential and source relationships.
Conclusion
Source rock characterization integrates geochemical and geophysical methods to evaluate organic
matter quantity, quality, type, and thermal maturity. These techniques are vital for assessing
hydrocarbon generation potential and correlating oils to source rocks. Case studies highlight their
diverse applications across geological settings, supporting exploration in both mature and frontier
basins by derisking play elements.
REFERENCES
1. Belhaj, M. A., & Saidi, M. (2010). Geochemical characterization of source rocks in the North
Ghadames Basin, Southern Tunisia. Petroleum Geoscience, 16(2), 115-128.
2. Ekweozor, C. M., & Okoye, N. V. (1980). Petroleum source-bed evaluation of Tertiary Niger
Delta. AAPG Bulletin, 64(8), 1251-1259.
3. Obaje, N. G., Wehner, H., Scheeder, G., & Abubakar, M. B. (2004). Hydrocarbon
prospectivity of Nigeria's inland basins: From the viewpoint of organic geochemistry and organic
petrology. AAPG Bulletin, 88(3), 325-343.
4. Peters, K. E., & Cassa, C. C. (1994). Applied source rock geochemistry. In The Petroleum
System-From Source to Trap (pp. 93-120). AAPG Memoir 60.
5. Moldowan, J. M., Seifert, W. K., & Gallegos, E. J. (1985). Relationship between petroleum
composition and depositional environment of petroleum source rocks. AAPG Bulletin, 69(8),
1255-1268.
6. Rabbani, A. R., & Kamali, M. R. (2005). Geochemical evaluation of Cretaceous source rocks
in the Persian Gulf. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 48(3-4), 205-220.
7. Loseth, H., Wensaas, L., & Gading, M. (2011). Seismic characterization of source rocks in
frontier basins. First Break, 29(5), 75-84.
