Source Rock Potential of Chichali and Samana Suk Formations Deposits in Panjpir Oilfield Subsurface, Punjab Platform, Pakistan

Abstract

By using total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock-Eval pyrolysis analysis measurements, the  hydrocarbon source rock potential of Chichali and Samana Suk formations found in the subsurface of Panjpir oilfield in Punjab platform located in the eastern part of the middle Indus Basin was investigated. Twenty two core samples were collected from producing well. The analysed samples of Chichali formation contains TOC ranging between 0.99-4.61 wt.% having average TOC of 1.51 wt.% and the S2 values of Rock-Eval show the poor to fair generative potential with values ranging from 0.99-3.08 mg HC/g rock. The samples have low hydrogen index values ranging from 21-302 mg HC/g TOC and also most of the samples have low T_(max ) values ranging from 422-432 °C and have OI values ranging from 15-82 mg CO2/g TOC. Samana Suk formation samples have TOC ranging between 0.28-1.38 wt.% having average TOC of 0.84 wt.%. S2 values of Rock-Eval shows poor generative potential with values ranging from 0.05-2.99 mg HC/g rock. The samples have low hydrogen index values ranging from 13-322 mg HC/g TOC and T_(max) values ranging from 423-435 °C, and have OI values ranging from 41-182 mg CO2/g TOC. On the basis of analysis performed only one sample from Chichali and five samples of Samana Suk formations have entered early maturity zone, while all remaining samples lie in immature zone as indicated by HI vs T_(max) plot. HI vs OI plot and HI vs T_ (max) indicates the presence of kerogen Type III. All of the samples from Samana Suk formation shows poor generative potential as compared to Chichali formation having fair generative potential as indicated by S2 vs TOC plot. Hence, from the results some minor gas could be expected to have been generated from Chichali formation in Panjpir oilfield subsurface.