Application of X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Rock–Eval Analysis for the Evaluation of Middle Eastern Petroleum Source Rock

Golam Muktadir, Moh’d Amro, Nicolai Kummer, Carsten Freese and Khizar Abid
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Golam Muktadir: Institute of Drilling and Fluid Mining Engineering, Freiberg University of Technology, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
Moh’d Amro: Institute of Drilling and Fluid Mining Engineering, Freiberg University of Technology, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
Nicolai Kummer: Institute of Drilling and Fluid Mining Engineering, Freiberg University of Technology, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
Carsten Freese: Institute of Drilling and Fluid Mining Engineering, Freiberg University of Technology, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
Khizar Abid: Petroleum and Gas Engineering Department, NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology, Multan 60000, Pakistan

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-16

Abstract: In this study, collected samples of nine different wells from the Middle East are used for various geochemical analyses to determine the hydrocarbon generation potential. The determination is carried out following the grain density, specific surface area, XRD, and Rock–Eval pyrolysis analyses. Four different types of kerogen are plotted based on the Rock–Eval analysis result. Kerogen type I usually has high hydrogen index (e.g., HI > 700) and low oxygen index, which is considered oil-bearing. Kerogen Type II has hydrogen index between type I and type II and oxygen index higher than type I (e.g., 350 < HI < 700) and is also considered to have oil-bearing potential. Kerogen type III has a lower hydrogen index (e.g., HI < 350) and is considered to have a primarily gas-generating potential with terrigenous organic matter origination. Kerogen type IV has a very low hydrogen index and higher oxygen index (compared with other types of kerogen), which is considered the inert organic matter. The kerogen quality of the analyzed samples can be considered as very good to fair; the TOC content ranges from 1.64 to 8.37 wt% with most of them containing between 2 and 4 wt%. The grain density of these examined samples is in the range of 2.3–2.63 g/cc. The TOC and density of the samples have an inversely proportional relationship whereas the TOC and the specific surface area (BET) has a positive correlation. The specific surface area (BET) of the examined samples is in the range of 1.97–9.94 m 2 /g. The examined samples are dominated by clay, primarily kaolinite and muscovite. Additionally, few samples have a higher proportion of quartz and calcite. The examined samples from the Middle East contain kerogen type III and IV. Only two samples (JF2-760 and SQ1-1340) contain type I and type II kerogen. Considering T max and Hydrogen Index (HI), all of the samples are considered immature to early mature. Rock–Eval (S 2 ) and TOC plotting indicate that most of the samples have very poor source rock potential only with an exception of one (JF2-760), which has a fair-to-good source rock potential.

Keywords: Rock–Eval; XRD; Middle Eastern shale; TOC; hydrocarbon potential (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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