Biomarker characteristics of organic shale beds of Alam El Bueib Formation in Tut Oil Field, Shushan Basin, North western Desert, Egypt: Insights from oil/source rock correlation

Hadeer A. Hassan, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Suez University, P.O.Box: 43221, Suez, Egypt
Sherif Kharbish, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Suez University, P.O.Box: 43221, Suez, Egypt
Saada A. Saada, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Suez University, P.O.Box: 43221, Suez, Egypt
Fatma S. Ramadan, Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Hoda A. Mohammed, Analysis and Evaluation Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), Ahmed El Zommor St. Nasr City, Cairo, 11727, Egypt
Naira M. Lotfy, Exploration Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), Ahmed El Zommor St. Nasr City, Cairo, 11727, EgyptFollow

Article Type

Research Paper

Abstract

The organic shale beds in the Alam El Bueib (AEB) are thought to provide an excellent source for producing hydrocarbons. Consequently, defining the role of the AEB Formation in hydrocarbon generation in the Tut Oil Field is the primary objective of this research. This research presents an analysis of biomarkers in a set of Tut Oil Field AEB extracts and oils to appreciate the basin's hydrocarbon exploration and development. AEB shales have low Pr/Ph ratios (0.5–0.83), low to high values of C22/C21 tricyclic terpanes, low values of C19/C23 tricyclic terpanes, high values of C31R homohopanes /C30hopanes, and high concentration of regular steranes C27 decode that the OM was primarily derived from marine algae/ bacterial derived organic matter, along with small amounts of land plant formed in reducing environment. In addition, the maturity-related parameters display values ranging from low to high. The oils recovered from Bahariya and AEB reservoirs have higher Pr/Ph ratios, high values of tricyclic terpanes (C22/C21) decode that the OM was primarily derived from marine algae/ bacterial derived organic matter, and an elevated concentration of C29 steranes interpret that the OM was primarily derived from mixed marine algae/ landplant derived organic matter formed in suboxic environment. The maturity-related parameters display high maturity values. Based on various biomarker criteria, the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of crude oils and AEB extract reveals no genetic relationship between the AEB source rock and the studied oils.

Keywords

Alam El Bueib Fm, Tut Oil Field, Biomarkers, Paleodepositional environment, Oil-source correlation.

Recommended Citation

Hassan, Hadeer A.; Kharbish, Sherif; Saada, Saada A.; Ramadan, Fatma S.; Mohammed, Hoda A.; and Lotfy, Naira M. (2024) "Biomarker characteristics of organic shale beds of Alam El Bueib Formation in Tut Oil Field, Shushan Basin, North western Desert, Egypt: Insights from oil/source rock correlation," Egyptian Journal of Petroleum: Vol. 33 : Iss. 2 , Article 1.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.62593/2090-2468.1019