Hydrocarbon generation potential of South Geisum Oilfield, Gulf of Suez, Egypt: Source rock evaluation and basin modeling for unconventional hydrocarbon prospects

Abstract

This study aims to define the hydrocarbon generation potential of source rocks by assessing various factors including quantity of organic matter, types of kerogen, thermal maturity, and source of organic matter input. Depositional conditions of source rocks from Thebes, Brown Limestone, and Matulla formations in Well G-9, Well GA-2 and Well GW-6, are assessed through pyrolysis, vitrinite reflectance and 1D basin modeling. Results show the source rocks of Thebes and Brown Limestone formations exhibit favorable to excellent source rock characteristics with Type I–II kerogen and have the capacity to generate oil. Conversely, the source rocks of the Matulla Formation show fair to good source rock characteristics with Type II–III kerogen and have the capacity to produce both oil and gas. Thermal maturity shows the source rocks are at an immature stage. A 1D basin model is constructed for Well G-9 to simulate multi-tectonic episodes, burial events, and the history of thermal maturity. Sedimentation rates of Cretaceous to Eocene deposits are characterized by a low burial rate, which contrasts with the high burial and sedimentation rates for Miocene and post Miocene (Pliocene–Recent) strata. Overall, the South Geisum oilfield petroleum system is found to be immature based on integration of source rock evaluation and petroleum basin modelling.