SOURCE ROCK EVALUATION AND BASIN MODELLING OF THE CRETACEOUS SUCCESSION AT QARUN AREA, NORTH WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT

Abstract

The aim of this work provides a better understand of the generation, migration, accumulation of hydrocarbons and multivariable processes that occur during the long basin history by the application of petroleum system modelling. Applying basin modelling makes it possible to evaluate the four dimensional controls on source, reservoir and seal rocks distribution, the master tectonic mechanism, as well as, source rock maturation, migration and trap formation. Petroleum potential therefore is influenced not only by the complex distribution of source, seal and reservoir rocks, but also by the effects of burial, uplift and erosion, which all undergo rapid variations in time and space. With the results of the 1-D basin modelling, a zone favorable for the generation of hydrocarbon from the proposed source rocks was defined based on the deposition and the thickness of the overburden rocks and the timing of the generation and migration of the generated and expelled amounts of petroleum. The evaluation of the results of vitrinite reflectance measurements for two wells in the studied basin was performed to obtain calibration data for 1-D basin modelling. In this context, the influence of temperature on organic matter had to be evaluated; maturity data also allowed calculating paleo-temperatures for the time of maximum burial or maximum temperatures. The result of the 1-D simulation shows the difference in burial, thermal and maturity history for the principle tectonic events.