Late Cretaceous (Late Turonian, Coniacian and Santonian) petroleum source rocks as part of an OAE, Tarfaya Basin, Morocco

Late Turonian, Coniacian and Santonian source rock samples from a recently drilled well (Tafaya Sondage No. 2; 2010) in the Tarfaya Basin were analyzed for quantity, quality, maturity and depositional environment of the organic matter (OM). To our knowledge such a thick sequence of organic matter-rich Turonian to Santonian source rocks was investigated in that great detail for the first time. Organic geochemical and organic petrological investigations were carried out on a large sample set from the 200 m thick sequence. In total 195 core samples were analyzed for total organic carbon (Corg), total inorganic carbon contents and total sulfur (TS) contents. Rock-Eval pyrolysis and vitrinite reflectance measurements were performed on 28 samples chosen on the basis of their Corg content. Non-aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed on selected samples by way of gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC–FID) and GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The organic matter-rich carbonates revealed a high source rock potential, representing type I kerogen and a good preservation of the organic matter, which is mainly of marine (phytoplankton) origin. HI values are high (400–900 mg/g Corg) and in a similar range as those described for more recent upwelling sediments along the continental slope of North Africa. TS/Corg ratios as well as pristane over phytane ratios indicate variable oxygen content during sediment deposition. All samples are clearly immature with respect to petroleum generation which is supported by maturity parameters such as vitrinite reflectance (0.3–0.4%), Tmax values (401–423 °C), production indices (S1/(S1 + S2) > 0.1) as well as maturity parameters based on ratios of specific steranes and hopanes.

► Organic geochemical and petrological investigations on petroleum source rocks from Morocco.
► Thick and organic matter-rich source rocks.
► Excellent kerogen quality as expressed by HI values and petrography.
► Deposition under oxygen-depleted conditions indicated by geochemical parameters.
► Source rocks are immature, but can be regarded as unconventional petroleum resource