The Geochemical Correlation of Oils and Source Rock Extracts of Some Wells in the North Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Many parameters, such as saturates (%), saturates/aromatics ratio, C_max, C₂₁ + C₂₂/C₂₈ + C₂₉, CPI, pristane/phytane, pristane/n-C₁₇, and pristane + n-C₁₇/phytane + n-C₁₈, obtained from liquid and gas chromatographic analyses are used for geochemical correlation of “10” oil and “4” extracts samples from wells Umbarka-14, Kalabsha-1, Meleiha-4, El Kharita-1, Badr El Din-1,3,4, WD-19, 33 and Abu Gharadig-12 in the North Western Desert. The results revealed that there is a close genetic relationship and remarkable similarities in the origin and maturation for the oils and extracts of the Khatatba and Alam El Bueib source rocks. In contrast, Abu Roash and Bahariya formations show no correlation with the oil. This indicates that Khatatba and Alam El Bueib source rocks seem to act as a source and reservoir for oil generation in the studied wells.

Keywords:

• geochemical correlations
• Khatatba and Alam El Bueib formations
• North Western Desert Egypt
• oils and extracts