Investigation of Source and Reservoir Rock Petroleum Generative Potential of Early Eocene and Paleocene Sequences of the Punjab Platform Basin, Pakistan: A Geochemical and Petrophysical Approach

Abstract

––Investigating Early Eocene and Paleocene deposits within the Punjab Platform, Pakistan, involved comprehensive analysis using advanced geochemical and petrophysical techniques. This study evaluates the source potential of three formations: Nammal and Sakesar of Early Eocene age and Dungan and Ranikot of Palaeocene age. The Sakesar Formation, a reservoir rock, was evaluated through interpretation of wireline logs to estimate key petrophysical properties—porosity, water saturation, and hydrocarbon saturation. Geochemical investigations focused on total organic carbon content and Rock-Eval pyrolysis of twenty-one cutting samples from a well. These samples displayed TOC values ranging from 0.21 to 2.04 wt.% and S2 values ranging from 0.09 to 2.14 mg HC/g rock. Analysis positioned all samples within the immature window zone with Type II/III and Type III kerogen, suggesting limited generative potential. Findings suggest limited hydrocarbon generation from these formations. Petrophysical analysis indicated average porosity of 11.2%, water saturation of 32.58%, and hydrocarbon saturation of 67.42% for the Sakesar Formation, categorizing it as average to good reservoir potential. This study highlights complex geochemical and petrophysical characteristics of these formations. While Sakesar shows promising reservoir qualities, significant hydrocarbon generation potential from Nammal, Dungan, and Ranikot formations is constrained. Informed decision-making is crucial when considering these formations as hydrocarbon sources.