Geochemical evaluation of organic matter in Jurassic source rocks, bekhme-1 well, Erbil governorate, Kurdistan region, Iraq

Abstract EN

Samples from Sarki, Sehkaniyan, Sargelu, Naokelekan, and Chia Gara formations in Bekhme-1 Well, Akri-Bijeel Block about 10 Km northwest of Harir town, Erbil Governorate have been analysed for organic geochemistry.

The hydrocarbon potentiality parameters, including type and amount of kerogen and thermal maturity of 34 samples were assessed using Rock-Evalpyrolysis technique.

In general, the samples from Sarki and Sehkaniyan formations have production index values of 0.41 – 0.46 (average 0.44) and Tmax values varying between 437 °C and 453 °C (average 445 °C), suggesting early to late thermal maturity stage, but they are considered as poor source rocks, because the total organic carbon (TOC) content ranges from 0.22 to 0.33 wt.% (average 0.28 wt.%).

The samples from Chia Gara, Naokelekan, and Sargelu formations can be considered good source rocks with average TOC content of 1.50, 2.86, 1.44, and 0.63 wt.%, respectively.

They contain kerogen types II and III, indicating marine and non-marine organic matter proposing oil and gas prone sources.