world source rock potential through geological time

World Source Rock Potential through Geological Time: A Function of Basin Restriction, Nutrient Level, Sedimentation Rate, and Sea-Level Rise*

Christopher G. St. C. Kendall1, Jeffrey Chiarenzelli2, and Hassan S. Hassan1

Search and Discovery Article #40472 (2009)

Posted November 30, 2009 *Adapted from oral presentation at AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 7-10, 2009 Please refer to companion article, “The Giant Oil Field Evaporite Association: A Function of the Wilson Cycle, Climate, Basin Position and Sea Level,” Search and Discovery Article #40471 (2009). 1Geological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC ([email protected]) 2Geology, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY.

Abstract The world's source rocks include black shale and carbonates, and these large accumulations of organic matter and petroleum have an irregular temporal beat. The higher concentrations of organic matter are tied to sporadic super-plumes, plate configurations, climate, east coast / west coast ocean circulation, monsoons, allochthonous vs. autochthonous carbon, preservation mechanisms, and other phenomena. Most of the world's largest oil fields are restricted to areas along the southern margin of the Tethys, where specific areas are sweet and others not so productive! We argue that though 60% of the globe's (preserved) oil deposits are associated with super-plume timing; the explanation for its (preserved) oil potential is also controlled by a combination of an enveloping continental rain shadow, lack of clastic input, and organic production fostering concentrations of organic matter in the geological section from the Precambrian through the Phanerozoic, particularly the Mesozoic, This is principally true of the lee shore of Pangea and the resulting Middle Eastern Giant Fields. Here accumulation of organic-rich sediments appears tied to marine transgressions with shelf-margin flooding as one of the major factors controlling accumulations of organic-rich sediment. Evidence for this relationship is recorded in the Cretaceous section of the southern Mediterranean margin and the Eastern Arabian shelf. The Silurian section of northern Gondwanaland records a glacial ice-cap melt, and a major transgression occurred during the Early Silurian, resulting in organic-rich sediments represented by the Tanezzuft Shale of Libya, the Mudawwara Formation of Jordan, and the Qusaiba Member of Saudi Arabia and the Akkas Formation of Iraq. In the Precambrian the Shunga Event ~2.0 Ga also records accumulation of vast quantities of organic carbon preserved in organic-rich black shale source rocks. Details of this accumulation of petroleum are poorly defined but appear tied to plume magmatism and/or

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volcanism plus interlayered volcanic rocks that may have played a role in preservation. The Shunga Event occurred during the dispersal of continents rather than the closure of oceans associated with the Mesozoic Middle Eastern oil reserves. This highlights a major requirement for accumulation and preservation of organic matter through time as the presence of a restricted basin, rich in nutrients, exposed to rapid sedimentation during times of transgression (relative sea-level rise).

References Abbott, D.H. and A.E. Isley, 2002, The intensity, occurrence, and duration of superplume events and eras over geological time: Journal of Geodynamics, v. 34/2, p. 265-307. Alsharhan, A.S. and A.E.M. Nairn, 1997, Sedimentary basins and petroleum geology of the Middle East: Elsevier, 942 p. Fox, J.E. and T.S. Ahlbrandt, 2002, Petroleum Geology and Total Petroleum Systems of the Widyan Basin and Interior Platform of Saudi Arabia and Iraq: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin, Report # B, 2202. Kendall, C.G.St.C., 1969, An environmental re interpretation of the Permian evaporite/carbonate shelf sediments of the Guadalupe Mountains: GSA Bulletin, v. 80, p. 2503-2526. Melezhik ,V.A., A.E. Fallick, M.M. Filippov, and O. Larsen, 1999, Karelian shungite; an indication of 2.0-Ga-old metamorphosed oil-shale and generation of petroleum; geology, lithology and geochemistry: Earth Science Reviews, v. 47/1-2, p. 1-40. Rees, P.M., A.M. Ziegler, and P.J. Valdes, 2000, Jurassic phytogeography and climates; new data and model comparisons, in Warm climates in Earth history, Huber, B.T., K.G. MacLeod, and S.L. Wing, (eds.), p. 297-318. Scotese, C.R., 2002-2009, PALEOMAP Project: Web accessed 28 October 2009 http://www.scotese.com Ulmishek ,G.F. and H.D. Klemme, 1990, in Depositional controls, distribution, and effectiveness of world's petroleum source rocks: U S Geological Survey Bulletin, Report # B, 1931.

Kendall, Chiarenzelli, & Hassan “Sources - World Petroleum”

‘World Source Rock Potential Through Geological Time’

a function of

Basin Restriction, Nutrient Level , Sedimentation Rate & Sea-level Rise

‘‘World Source Rock Potential World Source Rock Potential Through Geological TimeThrough Geological Time’’

a function ofa function of

Basin Restriction, Nutrient Level , Basin Restriction, Nutrient Level , Sedimentation Rate & SeaSedimentation Rate & Sea--level Riselevel Rise

CHRISTOPHER G. ST.C. KENDALL1, JEFFREY CHIARENZELLI2, & HASSAN S. HASSAN1

1-University of S. Carolina2-St. Lawrence University

CHRISTOPHER G. ST.C. KENDALLCHRISTOPHER G. ST.C. KENDALL11, , JEFFREY CHIARENZELLIJEFFREY CHIARENZELLI22, , & HASSAN S. HASSAN& HASSAN S. HASSAN11

11--University of S. CarolinaUniversity of S. Carolina22--St. Lawrence UniversitySt. Lawrence University


AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

University of South Carolina

St. Lawrence University

University of South CarolinaUniversity of South Carolina

St. Lawrence UniversitySt. Lawrence University

We extend our thanks & appreciation to:We extend our thanks & appreciation to:We extend our thanks & appreciation to:

for making the study reported in this presentation possiblefor making the study reported in this for making the study reported in this presentation possiblepresentation possible


PlateExtension,

Convergenceor Barred

Climate(Rain Shadow)Low Sediment

MarineTransgression

SuperPlume

Nutrient

Restricted Basin

Summary & OutlineSummary & Outline

Significant Source Rocks through Significant Source Rocks through TimeTime

Basin Restriction's Impact on Source Basin Restriction's Impact on Source RocksRocks

Climate (Rain Shadow & Green House Climate (Rain Shadow & Green House versus Ice House)versus Ice House)

TransgressionsTransgressions

SuperSuper--plumes (Nutrients)plumes (Nutrients)

Basin Phase (extension, Basin Phase (extension, compression, or barred)compression, or barred)

Middle EastMiddle East

North AfricaNorth Africa

Precambrian ContinentsPrecambrian Continents

Summary & ConclusionsSummary & Conclusions


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World's Source Rocks & ReservoirsWorld's Source Rocks & ReservoirsWorld's Source Rocks & ReservoirsWorld wideWorld wide stratigraphic distribution ofstratigraphic distribution of

major source rocksmajor source rocksStratigraphic distribution of the Stratigraphic distribution of the

major reservoir rocks world widemajor reservoir rocks world wide

PRECAMBRIAN

CambrianOrdovicianSilurianDevonian

Carboniferous

Permian

Triassic

Jurassic

Cretaceous

EraQuaternary

Paleocene

EoceneOligoceneMiocene

Quaternary10% 20% 30%

Upper Tertiary 12.5%

Aptian-Turonian 29%

Upper Jurassic 25%

Penn.-U Permian 8%

U Devonian - U Miss. 8%

Silurian 9%

Cambro-Ordovician 1 %

U Proterozoic 0.2 %

U Cretaceous – Lw Tertiary 2.8%

M-U Miss. 0.4%

L - M Devonian 0.3 %

M Jurassic to U Permian 1.2 %

Lower Cretaceous 2.6%

Pliocene

U Proterozoic PRECAMBRIAN

CambrianOrdovicianSilurian

Devonian

Carboniferous

PermianTriassic

Jurassic

Cretaceous

EraQuaternary

Paleocene

Eocene

OligoceneMiocene

QuaternaryPliocene

U Proterozoic

10% 20% 30%

(Modified from Ulmashek and Klemme, 1990(Modified from Ulmashek and Klemme, 1990)

OilGas

22.3%

20.5%

14.2%

10 %

11%

7.6%

PALE

OZO

ICM

ESO

ZOIC

CEN

OZO

IC

PALE

OZO

ICM

ESO

ZOIC

CEN

OZO

IC

Tert

iary

Tert

iary

Period Period


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Basin Restriction & AnoxiaBasin Restriction & AnoxiaBasin Restriction & Anoxia

Enable higher concentrations organic carbon:Allocthonous Autothonous

Preserved in:Black (Anoxic) Shale(Anoxic) Carbonates

Enable higher concentrations organic carbon:Enable higher concentrations organic carbon:Allocthonous Allocthonous AutothonousAutothonous

Preserved in:Preserved in:Black (Anoxic) ShaleBlack (Anoxic) Shale(Anoxic) Carbonates(Anoxic) Carbonates

Devonian Ohio Shale I 64 KtyDevonian Ohio Shale I 64 KtyDevonian Ohio Shale I 64 Kty

(Kendall Photo)


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Climate and Source Rock PotentialClimate and Source Rock Potential


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Transgressive Beat To Mesozoic &Tertiary Source Rocks

Transgressive Beat To Mesozoic &Transgressive Beat To Mesozoic &Tertiary Source RocksTertiary Source Rocks


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Super-plume Forcing of Organic production

SuperSuper--plume Forcing of Organic plume Forcing of Organic productionproduction

Very fast Seafloor spreadingVery fast Seafloor spreading

Enhanced organic production of oceans from Enhanced organic production of oceans from massive amounts of COmassive amounts of CO2 2 from oceanic lava flowsfrom oceanic lava flows

Produce oceanic anoxic events (OAEs) & superProduce oceanic anoxic events (OAEs) & super--greenhouse events in Mesozoicgreenhouse events in Mesozoic

Organic matter preserved by anoxia on sea floor Organic matter preserved by anoxia on sea floor with accumulation of organic rich sedimentswith accumulation of organic rich sediments


Plumes : A Nutrient Beat! Plumes : A Nutrient Beat! Plumes : A Nutrient Beat!

Super Plumes & Time (Abbot & Isley 2002)

Phanerozoic!Phanerozoic!


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Break Up - Mesozoic of Northern AtlanticBreak Up Break Up -- Mesozoic of Northern AtlanticMesozoic of Northern Atlanticrestricted restricted entrances entrances

to seato sea

isolated linear

isolated linear

belt of interior

belt of interiordrainage

drainage regional regional

drainage drainage

away away

from marginfrom margin

arid tropics air system arid tropics air system

wide envelope of surrounding continentswide envelope of surrounding continents

SWEETSWEETSPOT!SPOT!

juxtaposed source, seal & reservoirjuxtaposed source, seal & reservoir


Examples of Organic rich rocks at Break Up MarginsExamples of Organic rich rocks at Examples of Organic rich rocks at Break Up MarginsBreak Up Margins

Mesozoic of Northern Gulf of MexicoMesozoic of Northern Gulf of Mexico

Mesozoic of North & South Atlantic Mesozoic of North & South Atlantic marginsmargins

Mesozoic of Yemen rift beltMesozoic of Yemen rift belt

Mesozoic & Tertiary of EritreaMesozoic & Tertiary of Eritrea

East African RiftEast African Rift

Dead SeaDead Sea


Collision Margin Restricted BasinCollision Margin Restricted BasinCollision Margin Restricted Basin

restricted restricted entrance entrance

to seato sea

isolated linearisolated linearbelt of interiorbelt of interior

drainagedrainage

regional regional

drainage drainage

into basininto basin

arid tropics air system arid tropics air system

wide envelope of surrounding continentswide envelope of surrounding continents


juxtaposed sourcejuxtaposed sourceseal & reservoirseal & reservoir


Examples of Organic rich rocks at Collision MarginsExamples of Organic rich Examples of Organic rich rocks at Collision Marginsrocks at Collision Margins

Current Arabian Gulf & underlying Late Mesozoic Current Arabian Gulf & underlying Late Mesozoic to Tertiary to Tertiary Silurian of Michigan Basin & Western New York Silurian of Michigan Basin & Western New York State State Devonian of Western Canada & NW USA Devonian of Western Canada & NW USA Permian of New Mexico & West Texas Permian of New Mexico & West Texas Permian of Zechstein Basin Permian of Zechstein Basin Mesozoic to Tertiary of southern South AmericaMesozoic to Tertiary of southern South AmericaTertiary of Mediterranean Tertiary of Mediterranean Mesozoic & Tertiary in final phases of Tethys Sea Mesozoic & Tertiary in final phases of Tethys Sea


Restricted Basin SettingsRestricted Basin SettingsRestricted Basin Settings


Example of Barred BasinExample of Barred Basin Mesozoic Mesozoic -- Arabian GulfArabian Gulf

Upper Jurassic Upper Jurassic

Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia

Kuwait, IranKuwait, Iran

& UAE& UAE

restricted restricted entrance entrance

to seato seastructural & structural &

depositionaldepositional

barrier overbarrier over

Hercynian Hercynian

horst blockshorst blocks

arid tropical air system arid tropical air system

wide shadow from adjacent continentswide shadow from adjacent continents


juxtaposed sourcejuxtaposed sourceseal & reservoirseal & reservoir


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PaleozoicPaleozoicPaleozoic

Jurassic

Jurassic

JurassicCretaceous

Cretaceous

Cretaceous{{

Tertiary

Tertiary

Tertiary

Location of Oil & Gas Fields of

Arabian Gulf -

Reservoirsare

Youngerto East

Location of Location of Oil & Gas Oil & Gas Fields of Fields of

Arabian Gulf Arabian Gulf --

ReservoirsReservoirsareare

YoungerYoungerto Eastto East

Most are carbonate plays beneath evaporite seals in restricted basins juxtaposing source, seal and reservoirs

Most are carbonate plays beneath evaporite seals in restricted basins juxtaposing source, seal and reservoirs


Restricted Basins

Isolated by Build Up Barriers

Organic Rich Fill

Arabian Gulf Jurassic

Restricted Restricted Basins Basins

Isolated by Isolated by Build Up Build Up BarriersBarriers

Organic Rich Organic Rich FillFill

Arabian Gulf Arabian Gulf JurassicJurassic

After Fox & Albrandt,2002

Gotnia Basin

Gotnia Basin

Arabian Basin

Arabian Basin

Sout

h Ar

abia

n Ba

sin

Sout

h Ar

abia

n Ba

sin


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North African Source RocksNorth African Source RocksNorth African Source Rocks

Regional Upper Cretaceous (Senonian) Regional Upper Cretaceous (Senonian) Petroleum Source in argillaceous Petroleum Source in argillaceous limestones of North Africalimestones of North Africa

Lower Paleozoic of North Africa proven and Lower Paleozoic of North Africa proven and prolific playsprolific plays

eg: Tanezzuft Shale of Libya


Two major source rocks distribution around MediterraneanTwo major source rocks distribution around Mediterranean

Modified from varies sources


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Precambrian Oil?Precambrian Oil?Precambrian Oil?

Precambrian play of North Africa Precambrian play of North Africa ““is still is still immature & deserves more investigationimmature & deserves more investigation””quote from Jonathon Craig quote from Jonathon Craig -- ENIENILarge autochthonous accumulations of Large autochthonous accumulations of organic matter rare in Precambrian rocksorganic matter rare in Precambrian rocksOccurs in Paleoproterozoic sedimentary Occurs in Paleoproterozoic sedimentary rocks as coalrocks as coal--like material like material Derived from Precambrian oil?Derived from Precambrian oil?Potential matches younger oil plays?Potential matches younger oil plays?


World Neoproterozoic Petroleum Systems

World Neoproterozoic Petroleum World Neoproterozoic Petroleum SystemsSystems

Proven

South Punjab (Bikner-Nagaur)Basin, Pakistan - India

South OmanSalt Basin

Taoudenni BasinMauritania,

Mali, Algeria

Sirte, CyrenaicaBasin, Libya

Murzuq BasinSW Libya

Ahnet BasinAlgeria

Tindouf BasinMorocco, Algeria

Potential

PotwarBasin

Kufra BasinSW Libya

ArgentinaBolivia,

& Paraguay

USA NonesuchMichigan

Amadeus, Officer& McArthur Basin

VolgaUral Province Lena-Tunguske

Province, Siberia

After Jonathon Craig - ENI


World Record Holder Karelian ShungitesWorld Record Holder Karelian ShungitesWorld Record Holder Karelian ShungitesPaleoproterozoic ~ 2.0 Ga, NW RussiaPaleoproterozoic ~ 2.0 Ga, NW Russia

600 m thick Upper Zaonezhskaya Formation600 m thick Upper Zaonezhskaya Formation

CCorgorg up to 98%; averages 25% over 9000 up to 98%; averages 25% over 9000 kmkm2 2 along narrow rifted margin along narrow rifted margin

Include coalInclude coal--like seams of layered like seams of layered shungite , crossshungite , cross--cutting diapirs & veins of cutting diapirs & veins of remobilized liquid petroleumremobilized liquid petroleum

Interlayered with mafic volcanicsInterlayered with mafic volcanics


V.A. Melezhik et al. 1999

Karelian ShungitesKarelian Shungites


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World's Source RocksWorld's Source RocksWorld's Source RocksContain higher concentrations of allocthonous vs. autothonous organic carbon preserved in:

Black (Anoxic) Shale(Anoxic) Carbonates

Have irregular temporal beat driven byBasin restriction

– Continental plate configuration Initial extension Final collision

– Structural barriers &/or buildup barriers Climatic response

– Rain shadow– East coast/west coast ocean circulation– Monsoons

World wide transgressions & restricted basins Sporadic super-plumes

Most of world's largest oil fields restricted to southern Tethyan margin

Contain higher concentrations of allocthonous vs. autothonous organic carbon preserved in:

Black (Anoxic) Shale(Anoxic) Carbonates

Have irregular temporal beat driven byBasin restriction

– Continental plate configuration Initial extension Final collision

– Structural barriers &/or buildup barriers Climatic response

– Rain shadow– East coast/west coast ocean circulation– Monsoons

World wide transgressions & restricted basins Sporadic super-plumes

Most of world's largest oil fields restricted to southern Tethyan margin


Source Rock PotentialSource Rock PotentialSource Rock Potential

Products include:Products include: Algal Cyano-bacterial & phyto plankton bloom Limited infauna

90% occur in same 90% occur in same basin phasebasin phase80% occur in same 80% occur in same supersuper--sequencesequence

Low rainfall & low siliciclastic influx favor lower Low rainfall & low siliciclastic influx favor lower levels of oxygen & elevated salinities, & high levels of oxygen & elevated salinities, & high organic productivityorganic productivity::


World's Source RocksWorld's Source RocksWorld's Source RocksPrincipal Oil Provinces matching this paradigmPrincipal Oil Provinces matching this paradigm

Mesozoic lee shore of PangeaMesozoic lee shore of PangeaEastern Arabian shelf Giant Fields Eastern Arabian shelf Giant Fields

Southern Mediterranean margin Southern Mediterranean margin

Early Silurian section of northern Gondwanaland (ice Early Silurian section of northern Gondwanaland (ice cap melt, & transgression) cap melt, & transgression)

Tanezzuft Shale of LibyaTanezzuft Shale of Libya


World's Source RocksWorld's Source RocksWorld's Source RocksPrecambrian ContinentsPrecambrian Continents

Precambrian Shunga Event ~2.0 GaPrecambrian Shunga Event ~2.0 Ga

Rich in organic carbonRich in organic carbon

Plume caused magmatism &/or volcanismPlume caused magmatism &/or volcanism

InterInter--layered volcanic rockslayered volcanic rocks


ConclusionsConclusions

Now for a few Now for a few barrels of oil!barrels of oil!


Lecture Ends!!Lecture Ends!!Lecture Ends!!


Source Rock Conditions & Impact on Play ElementsSource Rock Conditions & Impact on Play ElementsBasin restriction juxtaposes: Basin restriction juxtaposes:

Source Rocks Source Rocks SourceSource and and ReservoirReservoir (90% same (90% same basin phase; >80% same superbasin phase; >80% same super--sequence)sequence)

75% Source rocks = 75% Source rocks = CarbonatesCarbonates & Silici& Silici--clastic clastic Source Rocks not Necessary Source Rocks not Necessary

Low Low RainRain Fall & Low Fall & Low SiliciclasticSiliciclastic InfluxInflux

AlgaeAlgae & & BacteriaBacteria Proliferate; limited InfaunaProliferate; limited Infauna

Reservoir RocksReservoir RocksCarbonatesCarbonates

ClasticsClastics

Seal RocksSeal RocksReservoir and SealReservoir and Seal

Effective Regional Seals formed by Effective Regional Seals formed by –– EvaporitesEvaporites

–– ShalesShales

–– Dense LimestonesDense Limestones

Requisite Conditions Requisite Conditions Restriction & AridityRestriction & Aridity

Abu Dhabi Arid Carbonate CoastlineAbu Dhabi Arid Carbonate CoastlinePhoto courtesy of NASAPhoto courtesy of NASA


Plate Phase & Restricted Basins Plate Phase & Restricted Basins Plate Phase & Restricted Basins

after warren, 2009

arid setting

break up

collision

lee of barrier


Organic rich source rock generation at break up of continental plates

Organic rich source rock generation Organic rich source rock generation at break up of continental platesat break up of continental plates

Isolated linear belts of interior drainage.Isolated linear belts of interior drainage.

Linear belts connected by restricted entrance to Linear belts connected by restricted entrance to the sea. the sea.

Regional drainage tends to flow away from Regional drainage tends to flow away from break up marginbreak up margin

Air system of the arid tropicsAir system of the arid tropics

Wide envelope of surrounding continentsWide envelope of surrounding continents

Mesozoic of Northern AtlanticMesozoic of Northern Atlantic


World's Source RocksWorld's Source RocksWorld's Source Rocks

Restricted basins rich in nutrients fostering high Restricted basins rich in nutrients fostering high organic matter productivityorganic matter productivityLack of clastic or carbonate inputLack of clastic or carbonate inputExtensional, & compressional plate boundaries, &/or Extensional, & compressional plate boundaries, &/or barred basinsbarred basinsEnveloping continental rain shadowEnveloping continental rain shadowMarine transgressions Marine transgressions Globe's unexploited & preserved oil deposits Globe's unexploited & preserved oil deposits associated with timing of superassociated with timing of super--plumes?plumes?

ParticularlyParticularly in Mesozoic but into rest of Phanerozoic in Mesozoic but into rest of Phanerozoic section & even Precambrian. Most associated with:section & even Precambrian. Most associated with:


Basins with autochthonous organic material

Michigan - Tyler Formation / Michigamme Slate (1.82 Ga)

S.W. Greenland – Ketilidian (>1.8 Ga)

Australia – McArthur Basin (1.4-1.7 Ga)

Gabon – Franceville Series Oklo (~2.1 Ga)

Ontario – Huronian Supergroup(2.1-2.4 Ga)

Labrador – Mugford Group (>1.97 Ga)

Precambrian Basins with Oil potentialPrecambrian Basins with Oil potential

world source rock potential through geological time

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