Source Rock Characterization of Shales of Paleocene Ranikot Formation Using Well Logs and Outcrop Data, Kirthar Fold Belt Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

Abstract

The present study details the source rock characteristics using geochemical analysis. Shales of Paleocene Ranikot Formation were selected from both outcrop and Mehar 01 well in Kirthar Fold Belt, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan, Apart from conventional methods used to measure total organic carbon (TOC), unconventional methods were also employed to predict total organic carbon (TOC) from well logs using Passey and Schmoker method. The predicted TOC values from Passey and Schmoker method indicate good source rock potential, values averaging 1.10 wt.% and 1.08 wt.% respectively. The average TOC of outcrop sample is 0.34 wt.% indicating very poor source rock potential. The measured total organic carbon (TOC) from well cuttings lies in fair to good source rock potential averaging 0.78 wt.%. The measured vitrinite reflectance values range from 1.22 to 1.34%. The vitrinite reflectance Ro (%) values and maceral types demonstrate that maturity in Ranikot Formation shales falls in the late maturity phase of oil and gas generation zone to dry gas zone. The dominant maceral observed in shale samples is vitrinite. The current research demarcates shales of Ramkot Formation as a potential source rock but further in-depth exploration is recommended