Could the conventionally known Abu Roash 'G' reservoir (upper Cenomanian) be a promising active hydrocarbon source in the extreme northwestern part of Egypt? Palynofacies, palaeoenvironmental, and organic geochemical answers

摘要

In different areas of the Western Desert of Egypt, the Abu Roash "G" Member exhibits either a reservoir or source affinity. Thus, thirteen cutting samples covering the Abu Roash "G" Member were selected from the Nest-1A well at Matruh Basin to investigate its hydrocarbon source potential. Palynological age dating of the section that is calibrated with foraminifera and ostracodes enabled a proper identification of the "G" Member. Detailed analysis of the vertical distribution of particulate organic matter of this member shows two palynofacies types. PF-1 reflects an outer middle shelf depositional environment of prevailed reducing (suboxic-anoxic) conditions for the organic-rich shales of the lower "G" Member (samples 1-8). While, PF-2 reflects a minor regression that resulted in deposition of another organic-rich shales of the upper "G" Member (samples 9-13) in an inner middle shelf setting under the same prevailing reducing (suboxic-anoxic) conditions.