Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Biomarker analysis of the upper Jurassic Naokelekan and Barsarin formations in the Miran Well-2, Miran oil field, Kurdistan region, Iraq

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Miran oilfield is one of the new oil fields in Kurdistan region, northern Iraq, located in the Sulaimani Governorate. Twelve Cuttings samples from the Upper Jurassic Naokelekan and Barsarin formations in well Miran-2 were selected for detailed organic geochemical investigations. All the samples were subjected to bitumen extraction in order to study any biomarkers present using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The dominance of low-molecular-weight n-alkanes and other calculated parameters indicate a marine source for the organic matter derived from planktonic algal and bacterial precursors deposited under anoxic conditions. The isoprenoids/n-alkanes ratios indicate type II and mixed II/III kerogen for both formations. The type II/III kerogen is characteristic of transitional environment under anoxic to dysoxic conditions as also indicated by the homohopane index for studied samples. More argillaceous carbonate rocks were deposited when reducing conditions were prevalent. Medium to high gammacerane index values in the rock extracts probably indicate a stratified water column during deposition of both formations. The studied samples from both formations have entered peak oil window maturity as reflected from the biomarker ratios from both aliphatic and aromatic fractions of the extracts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdula R (2016) Stratigraphy and lithology of Naokelekan Formation in Iraqi Kurdistan-review. The International Journal of Engineering and Science (IJES) 5(8):45–52

  • Abdula R (2017) A source rock assessment of Naokelekan Formation in Iraqi Kurdistan. J Zankoy Sulaimani 19(1). https://doi.org/10.17656/jzs.10589

  • Abeed Q, Alkhafaji A, Littke R (2011) Source rock potential of the Upper Jurassic Lower Cretaceous succession in the southern part of the Mesopotamian Basin (Zubair subzone), southern Iraq. J Pet Geol 34(2):117–134. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.2011.00497.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abeed Q, Leythaeuser D, Littke R (2012) Geochemistry, origin and correlation of crude oils in Lower Cretaceous sedimentary sequences of the southern Mesopotamian Basin, southern Iraq. Org Geochem 46:113–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2012.02.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adegoke AK, Abdullah WH, Hakimi MH, Yandoka BMS (2014) Geochemical characterisation of Fika Formation in the Chad (Bornu) basin, northeastern Nigeria: implications for depositional environment and tectonic setting. Appl Geochem 43:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2014.01.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, S.M., 2007, Source rock evaluation of Naokelekan and Barsarin formations (Upper Jurassic), Kurdistan region/N Iraq, M Sc thesis, Unpublished, University of Sulaimani, 174p

  • Al-Ameri TK, Zumberge J (2012) Middle and Upper Jurassic hydrocarbon potential of the Zagross Fold Belt, North Iraq. Mar Pet Geol 36(1):13–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2012.04.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Badry, A.M.S., 2012, Stratigraphy and geochemistry of Jurassic formations in selected sections—North Iraq, Ph.D. Dissertation (unpublished), Science College, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, 183 p

  • Al-Hakari, S. H. S., 2011, Geometric analysis and structural evolution of NW Sulaimani area, Kurdistan region, Iraq, Ph.D. dissertation, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

  • Al-Husseini MI (1997) Jurassic sequence stratigraphy of the western and southern Arabian gulf. GeoArabia 2:361–382

    Google Scholar 

  • Alsharhan AS, Nairn AEM (1997) Sedimentary basins and petroleum geology of the Middle East. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Aqrawi, A.A.M. and Badics, B., 2015, Geochemical characterisation, volumetric assessment and shale-oil/gas potential of the Middle Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous source rocks of NE Arabian Plate, GeoArabia, 2015, Vol. 20, No. 3, Gulf PetroLink, Bahrain, pp. 99–140

  • Aqrawi, A.A.M., A.D. Horbury, J.C. Goff, and F.N. Sadooni, 2010, The petroleum geology of Iraq: Scientific Press Ltd., UK, 604 p

  • Bechtel A, Widera RF, Sachsenhofer R, Luck A, Woszczyk M (2007) Biomarker and stable carbon isotope systematics of fossil wood from the second Lusatian lignite seam of the Lubstow deposit, Poland. Org Geochem 38(11):1850–1864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2007.06.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellen, R. C. van, Dunnington, H.V., Wetzel, R., and Morton, D.M., 1959, Lexique Stratigraphique International Paris, Iraq: Fascicule 10 a, 333 p

  • Bohacs, K.M., Carroll, A.R., Neal, J.E., Mankiewicz, P.J., 2000. Lake-basin type, source potential, and hydrocarbon character. An integrated sequence-stratigraphicgeochemical framework In: Gierlowski-Kordesch, E.H., Kelts, K.R. (Eds.), Lake Basins through Space and Time, pp. 3e34. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Studies in Geology 46

  • Buday, T., 1980, The regional geology of Iraq. Stratigraphy and paleogeography (Vol. 1) Mosul, Iraq: Dar Al-Kutib Publishing house, University of Mosul, 445 P

  • Ding X, Liu G, Zha M, Gao C, Huang Z, Qu J, Lu X, Wang P, Chen Z (2016) Geochemical characterization and depositional environment of source rocks of small fault basin in Erlian Basin, northern China. Mar Pet Geol 69:231–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.11.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dutta S, Bhattacharya S, Raju SV (2013) Biomarker signatures from Neoproterozoic-Early Cambrian oil, western India. Org Geochem 56:68e80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fatah. S.S., 2014, Source rock characterization and biomarker distribution of middle Jurassic Sargelu formation, Miran oil field, Sulaimani area, Kurdistan region NE-Iraq, MSc thesis, Unpublished, University of Sulaimani, 116p

  • Fatah, S.S., and Mohialdeen. I.M.J., 2016, Hydrocarbon generation potential and thermal maturity of Middle Jurassic Sargelu formation in Miran field, Sulaimani area, Kurdistan region, NE Iraq (Journal of Zankoy Sulaimani, Special Issue, GeoKurdistan II, pp. 213–228

  • Hakimi MH, Abdulla WH (2013) Geochemical characteristics of some crude oils from Alif field in the Marib-Shabowah Basin, and related types. Mar Pet Geol 45:304–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2013.05.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hegazi AH, El-Gayer MS (2009) Geochemical characterization of a biodegraded oil, Assran Field, Central Gulf Suez. J Pet Geol 32(4):343–355. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.2009.00454.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heritage report, Project Ref: ECV1851, 2012

  • Holba AG, Dzou LI, Wood GD, Ellis L, Adam P, Schaeffer P, Albrecht P, Greene T, Hughes WB (2003) Application of tetracyclic polyprenoids as indicators of input from fresh-brackish water environments. Org Geochem 34:441e469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hosseiny E, Rabbani AR, Moallemi SA (2016) Source rock characterization of the cretaceous Sarvak formation in the eastern part of the Iranian sector of Persian gulf. Org Geochem, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2016.06.005 99:53–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang WY, Meinschein WG (1979) Sterols as ecological indicators. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 43:739e745

  • Huang DF, Li JC, Zhang DJ, Huang XM, Zhou ZH (1991) Maturation sequence of tertiary crude oils in the Qaidam Basin and its significance in petroleum resource assessment. J Southeast Asian Earth Sci 5:359–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunt JM (1996) Petroleum geochemistry and geology, 2nd edn. WH Freeman and Company, New York, 743 P

    Google Scholar 

  • Hussein FS, El Kammar MM, Sherwani GH (2013) Organic geochemical assessment of Jurassic source rock from Duhok, North Iraq. J Am Sci 9(1):258–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Jassim, S. Z., and Buday, T.,2006, Chapter 6: units of the unstable shelf and the Zagros suture, in Geology of Iraq, (1st ed.), edited by Jassim, S.Z., and Goff, J.C., P. 71–83. Brno, Czech Republic: Dolin, Prague and Moravian Museum

  • Jassim SZ, Goff C (2006) Geology of Iraq. Dolin, Prague and Moravian Museum, Brno, 341p

    Google Scholar 

  • Jia J, Liu Z, Bechtel A, Strobl SA, Sun P (2013) Tectonic and climate control of oil shale deposition in the upper cretaceous Qingshankou Formation (Songliao Basin, NE China). Int J Earth Sci 102(6):1717–1734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-013-0903-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kubli, T. E., 2013, Deformation history and thin-skinned vs. thick-skinned tectonics in the Zagros fold and Thrust Belt of southeastern Kurdistan, Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Zagros Mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran, Geological Society Conference, Burlington House, Piccadilly

  • Marynowski L, Narkiewicz M, Grelowski C (2000) Biomarkers as environmental indicators in a carbonate complex, example from the Middle to Upper Devonian, Holy Cross Mountains, Poland. Sediment Geol 137:187–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohialdeen, I.MJ, 2008, Source rock appraisal and oil-source correlation for the Chia Gara Formation, Kurdistan-north Iraq. PhD thesis, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, 140p

  • Mohialdeen IMJ, Hakimi MH (2016) Geochemical characterisation of Tithonian-Berriasian Chia Gara organic-rich rocks in northern Iraq with an emphasis on organic matter enrichment and the relationship to the bioproductivity and anoxia conditions. J Asian Earth Sci 116:181–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2015.11.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohialdeen IMJ, Hakimi MH, Al-Beyati FM (2013) Geochemical and petrographic characterization of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Chia Gara formation in northern Iraq: Palaeoenvironment and oil-generation potential. Mar Pet Geol 43:166–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2013.02.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohialdeen IMJ, Hakimi MH, Al-Beyati FM (2015) Biomarker characteristics of certain crude oils and the oil-source rock correlation for the Kurdistan oilfields, Northern Iraq. Arab J Geosci 8(1):507–523

  • Moldowan JM, Seifert WK, Gallegos EJ (1985) Relationship between petroleum composition and depositional environment of petroleum source rocks. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 69:1255–1268

    Google Scholar 

  • Murris RJ (1980) Middle East: stratigraphic evolution and oil habitat. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 64:597–618

  • Mustafa, K.A., Sephton, M.A., Watson, J.S., Spathopoulos, F., Krzywiec, P.,2015, Organic geochemical characteristics of black shales across the OrdovicianeSilurian boundary in the Holy Cross Mountains, central Poland, Mar Pet Geol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.08.018

  • Peters, K.E., Cassa, M.R., 1994. Applied source rock geochemistry. In: Magoon, L.B., Dow, W.G. (Eds.), the petroleum system e from source to trap, 60. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir, pp. 93e120

  • Peters KE, Moldowan JM (1993) The biomarker guide. Interpreting molecular fossils in petroleum and ancient sediments. Wiley, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

  • Peters KE, Walters CC, Moldowan JM (2005) The biomarker guide: biomarkers and isotopes in petroleum exploration and earth history, volumes 1 and 2. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1155p

    Google Scholar 

  • Philp RP (2004) Formation and geochemistry of oil and gas. In: Treatise on geochemistry, edited by: Holland, H.D., and Turekian, K.K.P. Mackenzie Elsevier, Amesterdam, pp 223–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Philp RP, Gilbert TD (1986) Biomarker distributions in Australian oils predominantly derived from terrigenous source material. Org Geochem 10(1-3):73–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/0146-6380(86)90010-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitman JK, Steinshouer D, Lewan MD (2004) Petroleum generation and migration in the Mesopotamian Basin and Zagros Fold Belt of Iraq: results from a basin-modeling study. GeoArabia 9

  • Rabbani AR, Kotarba MJ, Baniasad AR, Hosseiny E, Wieclaw D (2014) Geochemical characteristics and genetic types of the crude oils from the Iranian sector of the Persian Gulf. Org Geochem 70:23–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radke M (1988) Application of aromatic compounds as maturity indicators in source rocks and crude oils. J Mar Pet Geol 5(3):224–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/0264-8172(88)90003-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sachsenhofer RF, Bechtel A, Gratzer R, Raine TM (2015) Source-rock maturity, hydrocarbon potential and oil-source-rock correlation in well Shorish-1, Erbil Province, Kurdistan region, Iraq. J Pet Geol 38(4):357–381. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpg.12617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadooni FN (1997) Stratigraphy and petroleum prospects of Upper Jurassic carbonates in Iraq. Pet Geosci 3(3):233–243. https://doi.org/10.1144/petgeo.3.3.233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salae AT (2001) Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Upper Jurassic succession, NE Iraq. University of Baghdad, M Sc thesis, 95 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Seifert WK, Moldowan JM (1978) Applications of steranes, terpanes and monoaromatics to the maturation, migration and source of crude oils. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 42(1):77–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(78)90219-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seifert WK, Moldowan JM (1979) The effect of biodegradation on steranes and terpanes in crude oils. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 43(1):111–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(79)90051-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seifert WK, Moldowan JM (1980) The effect of thermal stress on source-rock quality as measured by hopane stereochemistry. Phys Chem Earth 12:229–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/0079-1946(79)90107-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shahzad A (2006) Identification of potential hydrocarbon source rocks using biological markers in generating commercial quantities of oil, Gippsland Basin, Australia. AAPG Bull 69(8):1241–1254

    Google Scholar 

  • Shalaby MR, Hakimi MH, Abdullah WH (2012) Organic geochemical characteristics and interpreted depositional environment of the Khatatba formation, northern Western Desert, Egypt. AAPG Bull 96(11):2019–2036. https://doi.org/10.1306/04181211178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shanmugam G (1985) Significance of coniferous rain forests and related organic matter ingenerating commercial quantities of oil, Gippsland Basin, Australia. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 69:1241–1254

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinninghe DJ-S, Kenig F, Koopmans MP, Koster J, Schouten S, Hayes JM, de Leeuw JW (1995) Evidence for gammacerane as an indicator of water column stratification. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 59(9):1895–1900. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(95)00073-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sonibare AO, Alimi H, Jarvile D, Ehinola OA (2008) Origin and occurrence of crude oil in the Niger delta, Nigeria. J Pet Sci Eng 61:99–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sousa Júnior GR, Santos ALS, De Lima SG, Lopes JAD, Reis FAM, Santos Neto EV, Chang HK (2013) Evidence for euphotic zone anoxia during the deposition of Aptian source rocks based on aryl isoprenoids in petroleum, Sergipe-Alagoas subbasin, northeastern Brazil. Org Geochem 63:94–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2013.07.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spiro B, Dinur D, Aizenshtat Z (1983) Evaluation of source, environments of deposition and diagenesis of some israeli “oil shales” d n-alkanes, fatty acids, tetrapyrroles and kerogen. Chem Geol 39(3-4):189–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(83)90015-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Summons RE, Hope JM, Swart R, Walter MR (2008) Origin of Nama basin bitumen seeps: petroleum derived from a Permian lacustrine source rock traversing southwestern Gondwana. Org Geochem 39(5):589–607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2007.12.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tissot BP, Welte DH (1984) Petroleum formation and occurrence, second ed. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-87813-8

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesan MI (1989) Tetrahymanol: its widespread occurrence and geochemical significance. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 53(11):3095–3101. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(89)90190-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waples DW, Machihara T (1991) Biomarkers for Geologists – a practical guide to the application of steranes and triterpanes in Petroleum Geology. Association of Petroleum Geologists, Methods in Exploration No. 9, Tulsa, p 91

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Natural Resources of Kurdistan Regional Government for facility to obtain samples. The comments from two anonymous reviewers are highly appreciated and made this manuscript stronger.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan, Iraq

    Ibrahim M. J. Mohialdeen, Karwan A. Mustafa & Danyar A. Salih

  2. Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    Mark A. Sephton

  3. Kurdistan Institution for Strategic Study and Scientific Research, Sulaimani, Kurdistan, Iraq

    Diyar A. Saeed

Authors
  1. Ibrahim M. J. Mohialdeen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Karwan A. Mustafa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Danyar A. Salih
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mark A. Sephton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Diyar A. Saeed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karwan A. Mustafa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mohialdeen, I.M.J., Mustafa, K.A., Salih, D.A. et al. Biomarker analysis of the upper Jurassic Naokelekan and Barsarin formations in the Miran Well-2, Miran oil field, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Arab J Geosci 11, 51 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3405-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3405-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation