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Petroleum geology and geochemistry of middle Proterozoic McArthur basin, northern Australia II: Assessment of source rock potential

Journal Article · · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)
OSTI ID:5113856
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Bureau of Mineral Resources Geology and Geophysics, Canberra (Australia)
Five potential source rocks have been discovered in the middle Proterozoic of the McArthur basin. The lacustrine Barney Creek Formation (McArthur Group) and the marine Velkerri Formation (Roper Group) compare favorably in thickness and potential with demonstrated petroleum source rocks in the Phanerozoic. The former contains up to 7% total organic carbon (TOC) and kerogen types I and II. TOC values in the latter range up to 6.5% and the kerogen is type H. Maturation levels in McArthur Group sediments vary from marginally mature to overmature with abrupt changes over short distances associated with faults. Hydrocarbon generation occurred prior to the deposition of the younger Proterozoic sediments of the Roper Group. In contrast, the source rocks in the Roper Group are marginally mature to mature throughout the study area and are overmature only where they are affected by igneous intrusions. Considerations of burial history suggest that hydrocarbon generation may have occurred during deposition of the Roper Group although an early Paleozoic timing cannot be excluded. 16 figs., 1 tab.
OSTI ID:
5113856
Journal Information:
AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA) Vol. 72:12; ISSN AABUD; ISSN 0149-1423
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English