Characterization from Geochemical Analysis of Ditch-Cuttings from Agbada Formation, Warri North Area, Southern Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Recoverable ditch cuttings from a well in OML 40 in the Warri North area of Southern Niger Delta were subjected to geochemical analysis to determine the TOC and SOM values. The TOC values varied from 1.70w% - 1.90w% with an average of 1.76w%, while the SOM values ranged from 0.019% - 2.85% with an average of 0.562%. The above results show that the TOC values fall above the minimum threshold for hydrocarbon generation potential. The minimum threshold value for TOC in the Niger Delta is 0.5%. The average SOM value of 0.562% is also indicative of good source rock potential for the studied samples. The transformation ratio which serves as a quantitative analysis to determine the level of maturity shows an average value of 0.29 against the minimum threshold value of 0.16. Therefore, it can be implied that the sediments from the studied depth slice can be regarded as good source rock for hydrocarbon generation.

Keywords: Geochemical, hydrocarbon, maturity, threshold.