Jurassic–Cretaceous palynomorphs, palynofacies, and petroleum potential of the Sharib-1X and Ghoroud-1X wells, north Western Desert, Egypt

Palynomorph and palynofacies analyses have been performed on 93 cutting samples from the Jurassic Masajid Formation and Cretaceous Alam El Bueib, Alamein, Dahab, Kharita, and Bahariya formations in the Sharib-1X and Ghoroud-1X wells, north Western Desert, Egypt. Two palynological biozones are proposed for the studied interval of the Sharib-1X well: the Systematophora penicillata–Escharisphaeridia pocockii Assemblage Zone (Middle to Late Jurassic) and the Cretacaeiporites densimurus–Elateroplicites africaensis–Reyrea polymorpha Assemblage Zone (mid-Cretaceous: late Albian to early Cenomanian). Spore coloration and visual kerogen analysis are used to assess the thermal maturation and source rock potential. Mature oil prone to overmature gas prone source rocks occur in the studied interval of the Sharib-1X well, whereas highly mature to overmature gas prone source rocks occur in the studied interval of the Ghoroud-1X well.Palynofacies and palynomorph assemblages in both wells reflect shallow marine conditions throughout the Jurassic and the late Albian and early Cenomanian. During these times, warm and dry climatic conditions prevailed. The Cretaceous palynomorph assemblages of the Sharib-IX well correlate with the Albian–Cenomanian Elaterates Province of Herngreen et al. (1996).

► Two Jurassic and Cretaceous palynozones were described from the Sharib-1X well.
► Mature to overmature oil and gas source rocks were identified.
► Shallow marine paleoenvironmental setting under warm dry conditions is interpreted.