Biomarker and Geochemical Evaluation of Source Rock and Crude Oil Extract for Correlation, Depositional Setting and Source Rock Potential in the Indus Basin, Pakistan

Author(s)
Fahad Ali, Saeed Abbas, Muhammad Hanif, Shiqi Zhang, Rafique Ahmad, Yaxuan Zhang, Danish Khan, Eun Young Lee, Mohamed S. Ahmed, Douaa Fathy
Abstract

The oil-oil, and oil-source rock correlation is widely used to interpret the origin, maturity, and depositional setting of the source rock via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry methods. The results obtained from the extract show that the organic matter was derived from the terrestrial to marine mixed origin. This indicates that the crude oil and extract are thermally mature in terms of early to peak hydrocarbon. Our interpretations reveal that the terrestrial to marine organic matter was deposited under a reducing transitional geological setting with low to moderate salinity and insignificant biodegradation. In addition, the parental material of the source rock (shale) has a calcareous chemical composition. The results of this study prove that values such as m/z = 191 and m/z = 217 strongly support the oil and the source rocks that are genetically related to each other in the Indus Basin of Pakistan. Finally, the studied strata are considerably an important source of petroleum generation in the Indus Basin of Pakistan.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geology
External organisation(s)
Bacha Khan University, OGDCL, University of Peshawar , China University of Petroleum, King Saud University, Minya University
Journal
JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA
Volume
101
Pages
508-521
ISSN
0016-7622
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17491/jgsi/2025/174122
Publication date
04-2025
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105105 Geochemistry, 105103 Petroleum geology, 105121 Sedimentology
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/a366c8e0-2be9-46d1-913a-8e82142842ea