So, what is the source of the Alaskan Chukchi oils?
- Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, AK (United States)
Publicly available geochemical data, from exploration well tests in the Federal Outer Continental Shelf of the Chukchi Sea, show that hydrocarbons recovered from the Burger (OCS-Y-1413 No.1) and Klondike (OCS-Y-1482 No.1) wells are from the same source. Geochemical comparisons to known North Slope oil types, show Chukchi oils and condensates resemble the Umiat Oil Type, having low sulfur and metal contents, high pristane: phytane ratios, high saturate contents and high API gravities. By contrast, C{sub 27-28-29} sterane distributions, tricyclic terpane contents and the distribution of extended pentacyclic hopanes are more similar to the Prudhoe Oil Type. {sup 13}C isotopic distributions are variable. In addition to resemblances to the North Slope`s two major oil types, the Chukchi oils have sufficient differences to indicate they represent an independent oil type. The regional geology, source rock-reservoir/carrier bed geometry, organic richness and thermal maturity suggest that the Shublik Formation is the best candidate source of these hydrocarbons. However, the Shublik is a mixed carbonate and shale lithology and most other geochemical parameters do not concur with the Shublik as the source. Local shales have gas prone kerogens.
- OSTI ID:
- 75402
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9505199--
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin, Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 79; ISSN 0149-1423; ISSN AABUD2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Hydrocarbon source potential of organic facies of lacustrine Elko formation (Eocene-Oligocene), northeastern Nevada
Geochemical features of oils from western and southern Gulf of Mexico: Reconstruction of the depositional environment of their source rocks