Classical Biomarker and Quantitative Extended Diamondoid Analysis Fingerprints for Crude Oils from Deepwater Developments in Block 17, Lower Congo Basin, Angola

Carlos Boente, Gonzalo Márquez, Patricia Marín, Emilio Romero, Cristina Rodrigues and Marco Antonio Guzmán
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Carlos Boente: Department of Mining, Mechanical, Energetic and Civil Engineering, University of Huelva, 21819 Huelva, Spain
Gonzalo Márquez: Department of Mining, Mechanical, Energetic and Civil Engineering, University of Huelva, 21819 Huelva, Spain
Patricia Marín: Department of Geochemistry, Petrology and Geological Exploration, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Emilio Romero: Department of Mining, Mechanical, Energetic and Civil Engineering, University of Huelva, 21819 Huelva, Spain
Cristina Rodrigues: Energy, Environment and Health Research Unity, University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
Marco Antonio Guzmán: Department of Mining, Mechanical, Energetic and Civil Engineering, University of Huelva, 21819 Huelva, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-14

Abstract: The organic geochemistry of six oil samples from the offshore Block 17 (Lower Congo Basin, northwestern Angola) was studied by a combination of classical biomarker and extended diamondoid analyses to elucidate source rock facies, the extent of biodegradation, and thermal maturity. Based on molecular data, oils are interpreted as depicting a mixture of two pulses of hydrocarbon generation probably from the Bucomazi and Malembo formations. Geochemical results also gave evidence of mixing of a lacustrine siliciclastic-sourced oil charge and a second more terrestrially derived oil type in the samples analyzed. A single genetic oil family was identified through hierarchical cluster analysis; however, two groups of oils were identified on the basis of their biodegradation levels using the Peters/Moldowan scale. Lower and upper Malembo oils have a slight depletion and a notable absence of n -alkanes, suggesting PM levels of 1 and 2, respectively. Most molecular maturity parameters of the oil samples suggest a maturity level equivalent to the onset of the peak of the oil generative window.

Keywords: Block 17; mixed oils; QEDA analysis; PM biodegradation scale; Lower Congo Basin (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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