Evaluation of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the Pimenteiras Formation, Parnaiba Basin (Brazil) based on total organic carbon content and Rock-Eval pyrolysis data

Abstract

The Parnaiba Basin is a Paleozoic to Mesozoic intraplate volcano-sedimentary basin where the Pimenteiras Formation (Devonian) is the main sequence with potential of hydrocarbon generation, mostly natural gas. The present paper evaluates the potential of hydrocarbon generation of Pimenteiras Formation based on Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Rock-Eval pyrolysis parameters. In this work, 1077 shale samples of the Pimenteiras Formation distributed in 32 wells were evaluated. The TOC content varies between 0.1 to 4.7 wt.%, partially reflecting the accumulation and preservation rates of the organic matter in marine and coastal depositional environments controlled by regressive-transgressive cycles. The oxic and anoxic conditions vary significantly with deposition in this situation, which were evidenced by HI and OI variations through sample profiles. In the north and center of the basin, the Pimenteiras Formation has a higher potential for hydrocarbon generation relative to the south, probably due to higher anoxic conditions during deposition. The Hydrogen Index indicates the predominance of kerogen types II and III with minor occurrences of types I and IV. The Tmax values indicate general immature conditions and locally postmature, where the lowest temperatures represent the basin´s burial history, whereas the higher ones were influenced by igneous intrusions and thermogenic anomalies related to the Transbrasiliano Lineament. In addition, the excessive heat around the intrusions altered the Rock-Eval pyrolysis parameters as well as the type of organic matter, resulting in a relative increase of the kerogen types III and IV, which explains the great potential for gas generation in this basin.