Geochemical characteristics of organic matter from Rudeis and Kareem source rocks, Ras Budran oilfield, central Gulf of Suez, Egypt

ABSTRACT

The organic matters of Rudeis and Kareem formation from Ras Budran oilfield in the central Gulf of Suez, Egypt, were investigated throughout the study of biomarkers and infrared spectrometric analyses. The results showed that Pr/Ph, Pr/n-C₁₇, and Ph/n-C₁₈ ratios indicated marine source organic matters deposited under reduced condition with a less effect of biodegradation and mature stage of occurrence. The gammacerane index indicated a low-salinity environment of deposition for the initial organic matters existed in the analyzed samples. Steranes distributions show high percentage of C₂₈ steranes and C₂₉ steranes compared with C₂₇ steranes, and low-concentration C₂₇ diasteranes show generally low ratios indicating anoxic carbonate source rocks. The diasteranes/steranes showed generally low ratios indicating most marine carbonate sources. The tricyclic terpane reflects mature organic matters and originated from marine organic sources.

KEYWORDS:

• Egypt
• Gulf of Suez
• organic matters
• Ras Budran oilfield
• steranes
• tricyclic terpanes