Geochemical Evaluation of Nayband and Shemshak Formations as
Transcription
Geochemical Evaluation of Nayband and Shemshak Formations as
The 1 st International Applied Geological Congress, Department of Geology, Islamic Azad University - Mashad Branch, Iran, 26-28 April 2010 Geochemical Evaluation of Nayband and Shemshak Formations as Possible Source Rocks in Tabas Basin, Central Iran Alipour, Majid; Alizadeh, Bahram and Hosseini, Seyed Hossein Department of Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Remote Sensing, S. Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran Corresponding Author: [email protected] Abstract The Tabas Basin, a small part of the Central East Iranian Micro-continent (CEIM), is an intracontinental depression with a complex structural and stratigraphic history. Occurrence of numerous coal seams intercalated with Jurassic shaly units, emphasizes their importance as possible source units in this basin. Due to the lack of any exploratory wells for finding hydrocarbon accumulations, geochemical characterization of the studied source rocks are mainly based on data gathered by analyzing outcrop samples. In order to determine the TOC content, level of thermal maturation and hydrocarbon potential of these formations a total of 54 samples were collected from outcrops of both Nayband and Shemshak formations in the Shotori Range (The Eastern border of the Tabas Basin). Rock-Eval 6 pyrolysis was carried out on samples. Screening the data (mainly on the basis of their TOC content and Rock-Eval Tmax values), some samples were selected for supplementary petrographic studies to acquire reliable data on thermal maturity of the studied samples. According to the TOC values from Rock-Eval pyrolysis, samples from Nayband and Shemshak formations show a fair source rock potential with an average TOC of 0.62 and 0.53 wt% respectively. Average HI values for all of the studied samples are below 50 (mg HC/gr TOC) and are consistent with type IV kerogen. The observed pyrolysis S2 values, generally lower than 0.2 (mg HC/gr rock), has left the Tmax values ineffective for a precise maturity assessment (i.e. thermal maturity of the samples is needed to be further supplemented by vitrinite reflectance measurements). According to average Tmax values, all the studied samples are grouped in post-mature category. However, some of the observed Tmax values are not consistent with Ro values. This is assumed to be a result of low TOC content and weathering of some samples in the outcrop. Keywords: Rock-Eval 6 pyrolysis, Vitrinite Reflectance, Nayband and Shemshak Formations, Source Rock Potential, Tabas Basin, Shotori Range. 1. Introduction The Tabas Basin is an intra-continental depression and part of the Central East Iranian Micro-continent, (CEIM; Takin, 1972) that has experienced a complex structural history (Fig. 1). From Precambrian to Permian, central Iran was part of the northwestern Gondwana (Fursich et al., 2009a). During Permian the CEIM was detached from Gondwana and moved towards the Eurasia, thereby closing the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. Final collision between CEIM and Eurasia in the Middle-Late Triassic time (Early Cimmerian tectonic phase) resulted in the formation of highlands which served as a source for thick molassic type sediments of the Nayband and Shemshak Formations (Seyed-Emami et al., 2004; Wilmsen et al., 2009b; Fursich et al., 2009a). Due to the occurrence of coal seems in these formations they have been the subject of study by numerous authors. In this study 1546 The 1 st International Applied Geological Congress, Department of Geology, Islamic Azad University - Mashad Branch, Iran, 26-28 April 2010 outcrop samples were collected from Southern most section of the Shotori Mountains (Kamarmacheh Kuh Section). In this section, marine sediments of Nayband Formation were deposited with no sharp boundary with the overlying Shemshak Formation. The section has a thickness of up to 1560 m and is composed mainly of shale and sandstone with some rare intercalations of limestone. 2. Materials and Methods: Selected samples (54 outcrop samples) were analyzed using Rock-Eval 6 pyrolysis instrument. A subset of 4 samples was selected for further petrographic analysis in order to obtain a reliable estimate of the level of thermal maturity. Zeiss Axioplane II microscope equipped with a J&M photo-multiplayer was used in petrographic studies. 3. Results and Discussion: Rock-Eval pyrolysis data were used to determine the type, level of thermal maturity and generative potential of the organic matter. The Rock-Eval pyrolysis maturity parameter (Tmax) may give erroneous estimate of maturity in poor/lean source rocks (Peters, 1986). Hence, additional petrogrphic analysis was performed on selected samples for reliable assessment of thermal maturity. Results from Rock-Eval pyrolysis, clearly demonstrate the quantity, quality (type) and thermal maturity of the contained Organic Matter (Table 1). Amount of the OM contained in a source rock determines the source rock capability to generate and expel hydrocarbons (Hunt, 1996; Alizadeh et al., 2006). This vital parameter is achieved by determining Total Organic Carbon (TOC). The TOC content of the studied samples, are determined to be lean. Plotting the HI versus OI values, from Rock-Eval pyrolysis data, is the most common method to determine the type of OM. The OM in the studied samples is mixed Type III and IV kerogen (Fig. 2). A precise estimate of the level of thermal maturation in a basin can be extremely useful in hydrocarbon exploration strategy. Thermal maturity of the OM can be determined by Rock-Eval data (Tmax and PI) and/or by visual analysis of samples under reflected light. As for the outcrop samples, the Tmax data have limited usability due to the effects of processes as sub-aerial weathering. Tmax values for samples from Nayband and Shemshak Formations range from 454-609 C and 228-612 C respectively. The average Tmax values for Nayband and Shemshak Formations (518 C and 498 C respectively) put them in the post-mature stage. Another maturity indicator from Rock-Eval pyrolysis is PI, which is defined as S1/(S1+S2) ratio. The average PI values for Nayband and Shemshak Formations are 0.21 and 0.18 respectively, indicating a maturity corresponding to end of oil window. Among the data provided by Rock-Eval pyrolysis, HI and the ratio of S2/S3 are used to determine the type of hydrocarbons a source rock may generate upon maturation (Peters, 1986). Average HI values for Nayband and Shemshak Formations clearly indicate that the samples are capable of generating gas (Table 1). Moreover the average S2/S3 values for Nayband and Shemshak Formations are in accordance with the previous data and indicate that the source rocks are gas-prone (Peters, 1986). 1547 The 1 st International Applied Geological Congress, Department of Geology, Islamic Azad University - Mashad Branch, Iran, 26-28 April 2010 To achieve the most reliable maturity assessment organically rich samples were selected for organic petrographic studies. Polished pellets of selected samples were prepared from bulk rock samples according to the method described by Stach et al., 1982 (Table 2). Average Ro values of 0.89 and 0.86 % for Nayband and Shemshak Formations are consistent with peak stage of maturity for the OM contained (Peters et al. 2005) in these formations (Table 2). 4. Conclusion This study shows that the OM contained in the Nayband and Shemshak Formations in the studied section, is mainly mixed Type III and IV kerogen, with some potential to generate gaseous hydrocarbons. According to the observed Tmax and Ro values, the studied samples are in the peak to late stage of thermal maturation. The high level of maturity along with low average HI and S2/S3 values demonstrate that these formations are considered to be poor source rocks with some potential to generate gas. Hence, the possibility of generation of some gaseous hydrocarbons in geologic past by these formations cannot be ignored. References [1] Alizadeh B., Tezhe, F., Adabi, M. (2006). Hydrocarbon Potential of probable source rock in Marun Oilfield using Rock-Eval 6 Pyrolysis, Journal of Science University of Tehran, Vol. 32, No. 3. pp. 267-274, autumn 2006. [2] Akinlua, A. Akinlua A., Jarvie D. M., Ajayi T. R., 2005. A pre-appraisal of the application of rock-eval pyrolysis to source rock studies in the Niger Delta, Journal of Petroleum Geology, vol. 28, pp. 39-48. [3] Hunt, J.M., 1996. Petroleum Geochemistry and Geology. Freeman, New York, p. 743. [4] Peters, K. E., 1986, Guidelines for evaluating petroleum source rock using programmed pyrolysis: AAPG Bulletin, v. 70, p. 329. [5] Peters, K. E., Clifford, C. E. and Moldowan, J. M., 2005. The Biomarker Guide. 2nd ed. Prentice Hall, New Jersey. [6] Seyed- Emami, K., Fursich, F.T. & Wilmsen, M., 2004 - Documentation and significance of tectonic events in the northern Tabas Block (east central Iran) during the Middle and late Jurassic. Riv. Ital. Paleont. Strat. 110(1), 163-171. [7] Takin, M. 1972. Iranian geology and continental drift in the Middle East. Nature, 235, 147150. [8] Stach, E., M.-Th. Mackowsky, W. Teichmuller, G. H. Taylor, D. Chandra, and R. Teichmuller, 1982, Coal petrology: Gebruder Borntraeger, berlin, 535 p. [9] Tissot, B., Welte, D.H., 1984. Petroleum Formation and Occurrence. Second Ed. Springer Verlag, Berlin. [10] Wilmsen, M., Fursich, F. T., Seyed-Emami, K. & Majidifard, M. R. 2009b. An overview of the stratigraphy and facies development of the Jurassic System on the Tabas Block, eastcentral Iran. In: Brunet, M.-F., Wilmsen, M. & Granath, J. W. (eds) South Caspian to Central Iran Basins. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 312, 323343. 1548 The 1 st International Applied Geological Congress, Department of Geology, Islamic Azad University - Mashad Branch, Iran, 26-28 April 2010 [11] Fursich, F. T., Wilmsen, M., Seyed-Emami, K. & Majidifard, M. R. 2009a. The MidCimmerian tectonic event (Bajocian) in the Alborz Mountains, Northern Iran: evidence of the break-up unconformity of the South Caspian Basin. In: BRUNET, M.-F., WILMSEN, M. & GRANATH, J. W. (eds) South Caspian to Central Iran Basins. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 312, 189203. Table 1. Selected Samples Showing Rock-Eval Parameters From Nayband and Shemshak Formations. Formation Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Nayband Shemshak Shemshak Shemshak Shemshak Shemshak Shemshak Shemshak Shemshak Shemshak Shemshak Shemshak Shemshak Sample MZY-869 MZY-870 MZY-871 MZY-872 MZY-873 MZY-874 MZY-875 MZY-876 MZY-877 MZY-878 MZY-879 MZY-880 MZY-881 MZY-882 MZY-883 MZY-884 MZY-885 MZY-886 MZY-887 MZY-888 MZY-889 MZY-890 MZY-891 MZY-895 MZY-896 MZY-908 MZY-909 MZY-911 TOC 0.54 0.47 0.51 0.57 0.62 0.57 0.57 0.58 0.52 0.59 0.56 0.56 0.42 1.27 0.91 0.67 0.68 0.91 1.92 0.52 0.61 0.94 0.58 0.57 0.26 0.51 0.55 0.46 S1 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.14 0.03 0.04 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.05 S2 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.08 0.03 0.02 0.4 0.02 0.05 0.03 0.18 0.01 0.32 0.29 0.13 0.26 0.25 0.61 0.13 0.08 0.23 0.18 0.03 0.02 0.2 0.13 0.21 S3 0.42 0.31 0.39 0.31 0.34 0.47 0.49 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.34 0.46 0.18 0.35 0.15 0.31 0.12 0.25 0.45 0.22 11 0.27 0.13 0.31 0.24 0.23 0.25 0.13 Tmax 521 522 516 520 609 525 525 523 515 518 525 496 454 526 489 514 508 506 461 490 605 517 513 531 604 610 484 380 HI 3.70 4.26 5.88 7.02 12.90 5.26 3.51 68.97 3.85 8.47 5.36 32.14 2.38 25.20 31.87 19.40 38.24 27.47 31.77 25.00 13.11 24.47 31.03 5.26 7.69 39.22 23.64 45.65 OI 77.78 65.96 76.47 54.39 54.84 82.46 85.96 51.72 76.92 67.80 60.71 82.14 42.86 27.56 16.48 46.27 17.65 27.47 23.44 42.31 1803.28 28.72 22.41 54.39 92.31 45.10 45.45 28.26 S2/S3 0.05 0.06 0.08 0.13 0.24 0.06 0.04 1.33 0.05 0.13 0.09 0.39 0.06 0.91 1.93 0.42 2.17 1.00 1.36 0.59 0.01 0.85 1.38 0.10 0.08 0.87 0.52 1.62 PI 0.33 0.33 0.25 0.20 0.11 0.25 0.33 0.02 0.33 0.17 0.25 0.05 0.50 0.06 0.09 0.13 0.07 0.14 0.19 0.19 0.33 0.08 0.14 0.25 0.33 0.17 0.19 0.19 TABLE 2. Average Ro Values for Selected Samples From Nayband and Shemshak Formations. Formation Nayband Fm. Shemshak Fm. Sample MZY-872 MZY-876 MZY-885 MZY-887 MZY-909 Ro (%) 0.89 0.88 0.8 0.75 0.82 Figure 1. Generalized geological map of the Tabas Area with location of the studied section shown by asterisk (modified after Seyed-Emami et al., 2004). 1549 The 1 st International Applied Geological Congress, Department of Geology, Islamic Azad University - Mashad Branch, Iran, 26-28 April 2010 A)( B)( Figure 2. Plots of HI versus OI (A), and HI versus Tmax (B), to determine the type and thermal maturity of the studied formations (modified after Hunt, 1996 and Akinlua et al., 2005). 1550