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Crude oil characterization, molecular affinity, and migration pathways of Halfaya oil field in Mesan Governorate, South Iraq

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Abstract

Nine oil samples of four production wells from Halfaya oil field are selected in this study from the reservoirs of Khasib, Mishrif, and Nahr Umr Formations. They are analyzed chemically for their crude oil characterization as well as isotopes and biomarkers to assess their source rock affinities. Oil biomarkers and isotope values of the analyzed samples from the Nahr Umr, Mishrif, and Khasib Formation reservoirs of Albian, Upper Cenomanian, and Lower Coniacian ages, respectively, from four selected production wells are plotted on sterane triangle, hopane diagram, tricyclic terpane diagram, pristane to phytane ratio with canonian variables, δ13C saturated and aromatic, and pristane/phytane diagrams. They have indicated source environment and lithology of marine algal type II that are nonbiodegraded and deposited in anoxic environments of carbonate and shale. Source maturation at the time of the oil generation are assessed by plots of oil analyzed values on the pristine/phytane diagram. Mature oil are also shown with T max equivalent of 435–440 C based on plots of methyldibenzothiophene ratio (MDR) and vitrinite reflectance of R o = 0.70–0.85 based on methylphenothrene ratio (MPI). Source age assessment are taken from δ13C (%) and the calculated C28/C29 sterane ratio which indicate Middle Jurassic age. Two structural contour maps and two seismic sections are used in this study for assessing source reservoir relations, oil migration paths from the Middle Jurassic Sargelu Formation and accumulation sites in mainly Cretaceous reservoirs. Accordingly, suggestion for risk assessments of drilling sites for hydrocarbon production could be given on the seismic section.

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Acknowledgments

The oil analyses were done in Geomark Research Institute while oil samples, seismic sections, and wells final reports are supplied from the Oil Ministry and the Mesan Oil Company. Accordingly, we acknowledge and thank them all.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

    Thamer K Al-Ameri & Shahad W Al-Marsoumi

  2. Department of Geology, College of Science, University of Babylon, Hilla, Iraq

    Furat A Al-Musawi

Authors
  1. Thamer K Al-Ameri
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  2. Shahad W Al-Marsoumi
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  3. Furat A Al-Musawi
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Correspondence to Thamer K Al-Ameri.

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Al-Ameri, T.K., Al-Marsoumi, S.W. & Al-Musawi, F.A. Crude oil characterization, molecular affinity, and migration pathways of Halfaya oil field in Mesan Governorate, South Iraq. Arab J Geosci 8, 7041–7058 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1733-z

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