Abstract
The Nkporo Group of the Anambra Basin consists mostly of dark-grey to black shales, mudstones,
sandstone and siltstone. The aim of this study is to evaluate the source rocks and paleoenvironments of the Nkporo Group in the Anambra Basin. The objectives are to: determine the organic
richness of the source rock and the type of organic matter (kerogen type), determine their thermal
maturity and evaluate the hydrocarbon generation potentials of the source rocks of the Nkporo
Group (Nkporo Formation and Enugu Shale). The study was undertaken in three stages: desk
work, field and laboratory studies. Twenty-five samples from the Nkporo Formation and Enugu
Shale were analyzed using Leco CS 125 and HAWK pyrolyser for the organic geochemical parameters. This parameter was used to assess the source rock quantity and quality, type of organic
matter, maturity and generating potential of the source rocks (shales). From the results of the
geochemical analysis, the Total Organic Carbon (TOC ) contents of the Nkporo Formation and
Enugu Shale varied from 0.41 to 2.42wt.% and 0.53 to 3.15 wt.% respectively. This shows that
Nkporo Formation and Enugu Shale has fair to very good organic matter contents. The organic
matter richness varies from 0.08 to 4.40mgHC /g for the Nkporo Formation and 0.36 to
3.97mgHC /g for the Enugu Shale. Hydrogen Index versus Oxygen Index plots and visual kerogen
shows that the Nkporo Formation was of Type III/IV while Enugu Shale was of Type II/III kerogen.
The Thermal maturity index (Tmax) of the Nkporo Formation and Enugu Shale varies from 418 to
443°C and 430 to 443°C respectively. These suggest that the Nkporo Formation is marginally
mature to mature while Enugu Shale is mature. The results of this study has shown that the source
rocks of the Nkporo Formation is immature and has not generated hydrocarbon while that of the
Enugu Shale is mature and has generated hydrocarbon.
sandstone and siltstone. The aim of this study is to evaluate the source rocks and paleoenvironments of the Nkporo Group in the Anambra Basin. The objectives are to: determine the organic
richness of the source rock and the type of organic matter (kerogen type), determine their thermal
maturity and evaluate the hydrocarbon generation potentials of the source rocks of the Nkporo
Group (Nkporo Formation and Enugu Shale). The study was undertaken in three stages: desk
work, field and laboratory studies. Twenty-five samples from the Nkporo Formation and Enugu
Shale were analyzed using Leco CS 125 and HAWK pyrolyser for the organic geochemical parameters. This parameter was used to assess the source rock quantity and quality, type of organic
matter, maturity and generating potential of the source rocks (shales). From the results of the
geochemical analysis, the Total Organic Carbon (TOC ) contents of the Nkporo Formation and
Enugu Shale varied from 0.41 to 2.42wt.% and 0.53 to 3.15 wt.% respectively. This shows that
Nkporo Formation and Enugu Shale has fair to very good organic matter contents. The organic
matter richness varies from 0.08 to 4.40mgHC /g for the Nkporo Formation and 0.36 to
3.97mgHC /g for the Enugu Shale. Hydrogen Index versus Oxygen Index plots and visual kerogen
shows that the Nkporo Formation was of Type III/IV while Enugu Shale was of Type II/III kerogen.
The Thermal maturity index (Tmax) of the Nkporo Formation and Enugu Shale varies from 418 to
443°C and 430 to 443°C respectively. These suggest that the Nkporo Formation is marginally
mature to mature while Enugu Shale is mature. The results of this study has shown that the source
rocks of the Nkporo Formation is immature and has not generated hydrocarbon while that of the
Enugu Shale is mature and has generated hydrocarbon.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1161-1175 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Petroleum and Coal |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 19 Oct 2018 |
Keywords
- Nkporo Formation
- HAWK Pyrolysis
- Kerogen
- Organic Matter
- Hydrocarbon