Geochemical characteristics, thermal maturity and generation potential of rocks in the Lower Viséan complex of the Uday-Sula segment of the Dnipro-Donets Basin
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2713.114.03Keywords:
sedimentary rock, organic matter, Lower Carboniferous, hydrocarbon generation, UkraineAbstract
Background. One of the most important aspects of discovering new deposits of traditional and development of unconventional hydrocarbon accumulations in Ukraine is a comprehensive study of the geochemical characteristics and determination of the generation potential of the rocks comprising potential prospective targets, namely the Lower Viséan complex deposits within the Uday-Sula segment of the Dnipro-Donets Basin.
Methods. The studies carried out included: determination of geochemical parameters and thermal maturity of rocks using the Rock-Eval technology, determination of organic matter composition and the reflectance ratio of vitrinite, investigation of mineral composition based on X-ray diffraction analysis, as well as microscopic examination of thin sections.
Results. The main qualitative and quantitative geochemical parameters of the Lower Viséan rocks have been determined. The presence of rocks enriched in organic matter has been established. It has been found that two main types of kerogen predominate in the Lower Viséan rocks: types II–III and I–II. The thermal maturity of the rocks is sufficient in most samples to generate oil, gas condensate-type hydrocarbons and even 'dry' gas.
Conclusions. The studies conducted have shown that the overall generation potential of the Lower Viséan rocks can be assessed as good to very good. The combination of parameters such as geochemical properties, organic matter content and degree of thermal maturity creates favourable conditions for the formation of conventional and unconventional oil and gas accumulations across virtually the entire territory of the Uday-Sula segment in the Dnipro-Donets Basin.
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