Application of isotopic type curves to multiple source oil-source rock correlation in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Conference · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5865253

Zein El Din, M Y; Shaltout, E M

Isotopic type curves are obtained by plotting carbon isotopic ratios of the saturate, aromatic, NOS/sub S/, and asphaltene fractions according to increasing polarity. Extrapolating the regression line, a good approximation of the measured delta/sup 13/C values of the genetically related kerogen can be obtained. Isotopic type curves for 46 crude oil samples from 15 fields in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, were constructed. In all the analyzed samples the delta/sup 13/C values of asphaltene fractions were found to deviate from the regression line towards the more negative delta/sup 13/ values. The data suggest that these oils were generated from multiple sources. The main part of saturate and aromatic fractions is derived from a relatively more mature source rock. By linear extrapolation of delta/sup 13/C values of saturate and aromatic fractions, the delta/sup 13/C value of kerogen of the mature source rock can be calculated. The main part of the asphaltene fraction might have been derived from a relatively less-mature source rock, and its delta/sup 13/C value was used to calculate delta/sup 13/C value of the genetically related kerogen. The oil in each field is thought to be sourced from two different source rocks. The more mature one has delta/sup 13/C values of kerogen that vary from one field to another, while the second, less-mature source has commonly provided oil to all studied fields. This conclusion may prove to be very helpful in oil prospecting in the studied area.

• Research Organization: Al Azhar Univ., Cairo, Egypt
• OSTI ID: 5865253
• Report Number(s): CONF-870606-
• Journal Information: AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States), Vol. 71:5; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologists annual meeting, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 7 Jun 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
EGYPTIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
GULF OF SUEZ
SOURCE ROCKS
MATURATION
ASPHALTENES
CARBON 13
ISOTOPE RATIO
KEROGEN
AFRICA
ASPHALTS
BITUMENS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBON ISOTOPES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MATTER
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RED SEA
RESOURCES
SEAS
STABLE ISOTOPES
SURFACE WATERS
TAR
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration