Organic Geochemical Evaluation of Hydrocarbon Potential and Thermal Maturity of Source Rock in Well #A1 Located in Greater Ughelli DepoBelt Niger Delta, Nigeria

There have been many discussions about the source rock for petroleum in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. A few of these previous works have been reviewed based on organic matter content and type. This research overviews the hydrocarbon generation potential of the source rock accessed by drill, subjecting the samples to organic geochemical techniques. Rock-eval VI pyrolysis and Total Organic Carbon content (TOC) were utilized to study the shale’s organic matter quantity, quality, and thermal maturity. Five (5) ditch-cutting samples with intervals 7655-7670 (Ft.), 7805-7820 (Ft.), 8300-8315 (Ft), 8360-8375 (Ft.), and 8960-8975 (Ft.), characterized by grey, non-calcareous shales were studied. The organic richness accessed based on TOC suggested poor to good potential, the genetic potential (Gp) and hydrogen index value range from 0.11- 0.27 mgHC/g rock and 35 - 86 mgHC/g, indicating the sediments have poor rock potential with little or no oil generation capacity but varying potential for gas. The organic matter type was evaluated using hydrogen and oxygen indices, and a plot of HI against Tmax demonstrates three (3) Type IV and two (2) Type III kerogen. The studied intervals for well #A1 indicate a high source capacity to generate gas and poor petroleum potential.