Assessment the hydrocarbon potentiality of the middle Jurassic Sargelu formation, northern Iraq

Abstract EN

The Middle Jurassic Sargelu Formation is evaluated for its hydrocarbon generation potential in three wells near Duhok Governorate, Northern Iraq using ten borehole cutting samples analyzed by Rock-Evil pyrolysis, gas chromatography coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (MSS) and stable isotope.

The results showed that the total organic carbon and genetic potential of the formation ranges from 0.5 to 11.6 wt.% and 1.7 to 66.3 mg HC/g of rock, respectively indicating fair to excellent source rock petroleum potential, with hydrogen index values between 270 to 555 mg HC/g TOC.

The results also show kerogen Types II and mixed II/III reflecting thermal maturity within the oil generation zone.

The estimated ratios of Pr/Ph, Pr/n-C17 and Ph/n-C18 from the extracted bitumen reveal primary accumulations of marine organic matter under reducing conditions.

The δ13CSat and δ13CAro for the extracted bitumen range from -29.5 to -27.5‰ and -28.4 to -27.2‰, respectively.

The biomarkers results indicate a significant contribution of marine organic matters preserved under relatively anoxic conditions.