Integration of Palynological and Foraminiferal Analyses toward Evaluation of the Paleoenvironment and Hydrocarbon Potential in the Orange Basin, SW Africa

Abstract

Changes in the paleogeography during the Gondwana breakup and the proto-South Atlantic development have been of enduring significance to scientists. The realignment of these landmasses during the Mesozoic, which includes the Orange Basin formation in southern Africa, had a substantial effect on the environment. These paleoenvironmental differences likely affected fossil preservation and hydrocarbon maturation. Palynology is an invaluable tool for inferring paleoenvironmental conditions and hydrocarbon potential, and therefore, is used in this study to evaluate this key offshore South African area. A total of forty-three samples from six conventional cores from four exploration wells (K-A2, K-A3, K-H1, and K-E1) within three blocks were analyzed for their palynomorph, particulate organic matter (kerogen), and foraminiferal contents. Integration of the palynomorph, palynofacies, and foraminiferal data has provided information that suggest the sediments are early Cenomanian in age and deposited in a shallow marine (inner-middle shelf) setting. Moreover, they are characterized primarily by gas-prone Type-III with some oil-prone Type-II kerogen in this frontier basin. The integrated approach revealed significant information that can be used to calibrate basin models and improve the understanding of the petroleum potential of the basin.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Comments

University of Missouri, Grant None

Keywords and Phrases

Biostratigraphy; Frontier Basin; Hydrocarbon Potential; Orange Basin; Paleoenvironment; Palynology

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

2522-8722; 2522-8714

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2023, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2023

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