Research paperEvaluation of Eocene source rock for potential shale oil and gas generation in north Cambay Basin, India

•A multi-stage approach was followed to evaluate shale oil potential from Cambay Basin, India.•Evaluation method includes LOI, TOC, Rock-Eval pyrolysis and petrography.•Study indicates the prevalence of Type II -III kerogen at early maturation stage.•Study reveals an expulsion of major quantity (85%) from identified source rock.•Oil resource estimated to be 3.53 MMbbls per 640 acre with moderate production risk.

Source rock potential of 108 representative samples from 3 m intervals over a 324 m thick shale section of middle Eocene age from the north Cambay Basin, India have been studied. Variation in total organic carbon (TOC) and its relationship with loss on ignition (LOI) have been used for initial screening. Screened samples were subjected to Rock-Eval pyrolysis and organic petrography. A TOC log indicated wide variation with streaks of elevated TOC. A 30 m thick organic-rich interval starting at 1954 m depth, displayed properties consistent with a possible shale oil or gas reservoir. TOC (wt%) values of the selected samples were found to vary from 0.68% to 3.62%, with an average value of 2.2. The modified van Krevelen diagram as well as HI vs. Tmax plot indicate prevalence of Type II to Type III kerogen. Tmax measurements ranged from 425 °C to 439 °C, indicating immature to early mature stage, which was confirmed by the mean vitrinite reflectance values (%Ro of 0.63, 0.65 and 0.67 at 1988 m, 1954 m, and 1963 m, respectively). Quantification of hydrocarbon generation, migration and retention characteristics of the 30 m source rock interval suggests 85% expulsion of hydrocarbon. Oil in place (OIP) resource of the 30 m source rock was estimated to be 3.23 MMbbls per 640 acres. The Oil saturation index (OSI) crossover log showed, from a geochemical perspective, moderate risk for producing the estimated reserve along with well location for tapping the identified resource.

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