Geochemical Evaluation for the Hydrocarbon Potential of Source Rocks in Central Sirt Basin (concession -59), case study, Libya
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Geochemical Evaluation, Source Rocks, Organic Geochemical Analyses, Organic Petrographic Analysis, Thermal Maturation, Petroleum Potential, Sirt Basin
Abstract
The Sirt Basin, an important oil-producing area in Libya, is one of the richest regions in terms of hydrocarbon resources. Exploration studies of this area have shown that the oils are mixtures of several charges and may be from different source rocks, particularly in the upper Cretaceous sediments. This study is based on organic geochemistry and organic petrographic analysis carried out on 179 cutting samples collected from four wells. From Cenomanian to upper Eocene succession within the central Sirt basin, the main aim of this study is to geochemically evaluate source rocks, thermal maturation, and estimate the other source rock in the area. The recorded geochemical values varied in these wells from one formation to another depending on lithology, paleoenvironment, and tectonic events. Our results exposed that the total organic carbon (TOC) values using Rock-Eval analysis showed that the Sirt Shale is considered the most important with regard to hydrocarbon source potential, since it was found to reflect a high total organic carbon content of 4.98% (TOC) ranging from 2.61 (average), type–II kerogen (oil prone), and a hydrogen index (HI) mostly below 500. Rachmat average HI = 176 (kerogen types II, III). Organic facies analysis classified Sirt Shale in class B with dominantly amorphous high-quality organic matter deposited in an anoxic marine environment. Maturity evaluation results of Ro %, SCI, and Tmax oC, formations are late immature to early mature stages.
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