Abstract
Three 1D models were built to study the petroleum potential of the primary Paleozoic source rocks (Ordovician–Silurian) in the Western Desert of Iraq using information and data based on geo-related information from Akkas_1, Khleisia_1, and Key Hole_5/1 wells. Results of 1D basin modelling indicated no significant hydrocarbon quantities have been generated from the Akkas hot shale in both Khleisia_1 and Akkas_1 wells. Thus, the economic hydrocarbons discoveries in these two wells are likely charged by Akkas hot shale where it has experienced higher maturity. Using source rock maturity and hydrocarbon charge indications, this study has speculated three possible hydrocarbon migration pathways; from the east, towards the border with the Mesopotamian Basin, in which stratigraphic correlations have shown that the Paleozoic successions are buried to greater depth intervals or toward the south and southwest Akkas field, in which another stratigraphic correlation has shown that the Akkas Formation has gained significantly greater thickness, which has increased the burial depth. Another possible migration pathway could be the upward migration through the faults from the deeper Khabour Formation. Further study of the area between Akkas_1 well and Key Hole 5/1, is recommended where the Akkas hot shale is expected to be at oil window maturity. A 3D basin model is highly recommended to indicate accurate migration pathways and petroleum accumulation.
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Acknowledgements
The Author wants to articulate sincere gratitude to Prof. Ali Al-Juboury from the University of Mosul, Iraq for providing his recent work on the studied region and for a discussion on the petroleum geology of the Western Desert of Iraq. Thanks to Allessia Nawell and Rachel Hopper from Neftex Predictions-Landmark for helping in re-drafting some of the study figures. I’d like also to thank Halliburton-Landmark Solutions for providing a technical review and for the permission of publishing this work.
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Abeed, Q. (2023). Petroleum System Analysis of the Main Paleozoic Source Rocks in Western Iraq: A 1D Basin Modelling Approach. In: El Atfy, H., Ghassal, B.I. (eds) Advances in Petroleum Source Rock Characterizations: Integrated Methods and Case Studies. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16396-8_12
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