Cretaceous source rock characterization of the Atlantic Continental margin of Morocco

Conference · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:5941827

Jabour, H ^[1]

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1. ONAREP, Rabat (Morocco)

Characterization of the petroleum potential for the Atlantic margin of Morocco has been based primarily on limited, antiently acquired organic geochemical data. These indicate the area of drilling behind the paleoshelf edge to be only fair in organic carbon and C15+ extract values with predominantly terrestrial kerogen types. Recently acquired geochemical data obtained from relatively recent drilling both behind and beyond the paleoshelf edge indicate 4 depositional facies containing hydrogen rich amorphous kerogen assemblages. These are: (1) Lower to Mid Jurassic inner shelf facies probably deposited in algal rich lagoon-like, (2) Lower Cretaceous non marine coaly facies probably deposited in algal rich swamplike environments, (3) Middle Cretaceous facies characterized by restrited anoxic environment with sediments rich in marine kerogen types deposited under sluggish wather circulation, (4) Upper Cretaceous to Tertiary outer-shelf to Upper slope facies probably deposited under algal-rich upwelling systems. Of these, the Cretaceous facies is the most widespread and represents the best source rock potential characteristics. Correlation of these facies to recently acquired good quality seismic packages allows for extrapolation of probable organic facies distribution throughout the continental margin. This should enhance the hydrocarbon potential of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments both landward and seaward of the paleoshelf edge and thus permits refinement of strategies for hydrocarbon exploration in the area.

• OSTI ID: 5941827
• Report Number(s): CONF-930306--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Journal Volume: 77:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
AFRICA
ARAB COUNTRIES
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMISTRY
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DRILLING
EVALUATION
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
KEROGEN
MATERIALS
MATTER
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
MOROCCO
ORGANIC MATTER
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SOURCE ROCKS
SURVEYS