Organic Geochemical Evaluation of Shale Units of Bokh Formation, Ogaden Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract

Shale sample from Bokh Formation, Ogaden basin, Ethiopia was assessed for their petroleum potential by Rock-Eval pyrolysis. The Total Organic Carbon (TOC) values range from 0.76 to 0.86 wt%. These values exceed the minimum value of 0.5 wt% required for potential petroleum source rocks. The genetic potential (GP) and hydrogen index (HI) values range from 0.09 to 0.5 mg/g and 8 - 32 mgHC/gTOC, respectively. These values are generally lower than the minimal 2 mg/g GP and 200 mgHC/g HI required for a potential source rock. Several plots from the Rock-Eval pyrolysis data classify the samples as type IV kerogen with no potential to generate hydrocarbons. The Tmax and Production Index (PI) values range from 388˚C to 453˚C and 0.28˚C to 0.46˚C, respectively. These values indicate that the shales are thermally matured. These results show that the shales from the Bokh Formation in Ogaden basin have no potential to ...