Organic richness and maturity modeling of cretaceous age Chichali shales for enhanced hydrocarbon exploration in Punjab platform, Pakistan

This study employs comprehensive source rock evaluation using seismic inversion, rock-eval pyrolysis, organic petrography and basin modeling techniques. The kerogen type is determined by using the Van Krevelen diagram, confirming Bahu-01, Nandpur-01 and Zakria-01 wells have kerogen type III, whereas Panjpir-01 well exhibits kerogen type II to III. The TOC was calculated using core data from (34) samples by employing organic geochemistry technique and post stack seismic inversion, applied on 2D seismic data. Bahu-01 well indicates poor source rock potential, with an average TOC value of 0.34%. In contrast, Panjpir-01 and Nandpur-01 wells represent moderate to good organic richness, with average TOC values of 1.25% and 1.36%, respectively. However, Zakria-01 well with a TOC of 0.72%, exhibits fair organic richness. The Maturity estimation from organic petrography and basin modeling reveals that the Bahu-01, Panjpir-01, and Nandpur-01 wells have average vitrinite reflectance (%Ro) values below 0.50, indicating immature source rock. In contrast, the average %Ro value for the Zakria-01 well is 0.63, confirming the source maturity in the early oil window, with peak generation occurring during Eocene age. Finally, the source rock evaluation proves the source is mature in the western part only and future hydrocarbon exploration should be focused in the western area. The integrated source rock evaluation approach is novel in Punjab Platform. The diverse methodologies enhanced our understanding about source rock characteristics for pursuing hydrocarbon resources. An integrated approach will also provide valuable insights for hydrocarbon exploration in numerous other basins worldwide.