Geochemical characterization of source rock from the north bank area, upper Assam basin

Abstract

The study area is confined to a part of upper Assam basin, north of river Brahmaputra (north bank). Seven exploratory wells have been drilled in this part of the basin in order to probe the hydrocarbon prospects of the area. The exploratory efforts did not indicate significant hydrocarbon prospects in the north bank. Since the presence of source rock is an important component of the petroleum system, a detailed systematic study of source rock potential was carried out by analysing known source rock intervals in these seven wells. In the present study, Rock-Eval pyrolysis combined with specific geochemical analyses like GC and TLCFID has been used to characterise the source rocks, their distribution and thermal maturity of the organic matter. The source rocks in the area show mainly Type III, land-plant derived organic matter along with some Type II organic matter. They are predominantly gas prone in nature, although mixed and oil-prone source rocks are occasionally present. Although source rock intervals have been identified in the Langpar, Sylhet limestone and Kopili formations, the Barail Group and the Tipam sandstone Formation, the bulk of the source rock occurs within the Kopili Formation. Geochemical analyses of the cores indicate oil signatures at certain depths, although no commercial oil was discovered. The hydrocarbon generation potential of these source rocks are constrained by low maturity at the presently drilled depths.