Shale-gas potential from Cretaceous succession in South Africa's Orange Basin: Insights from integrated geochemical evaluations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2023
Abstract
Shale sediments were collected from four Cretaceous stratigraphic units across four explorations well locations in South Africa's Orange Basin and analysed to determine organic-matter characteristics, such as amount, quality, thermal maturity, and their viability as gas resources. The geochemical results show that the Cretaceous shales contain moderate organic quantities, as shown by TOC averagely up to 1.29%. The organic facies consist primarily of Type III kerogen, as proven alongside low hydrogen indexes between 40 and 133 mg HC/g TOC. As seen under a reflected light microscope, the dominance of such land plant-rich organic matter is in harmony with the significant amount of Vitrinite macerals. These organic sediments can produce primarily gas when they mature. The geological and geochemical properties of the organic sediments, chiefly Type III kerogen, generate both wet and dry gas, particularly when adequate thermal maturity is enhanced at deeper locations. Thus, the Orange Basin is considered promising for shale gas exploration and production.
Keywords
Shale gas, source rocks, Orange Basin, organic matter, kerogen
Divisions
GEOLOGY
Funders
Institut Pengurusan dan Pemantauan Penyelidikan,Universiti Malaya,TETFund National Research Fund
Publication Title
Marine Georesources & Geotechnology
Volume
41
Issue
10
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Publisher Location
530 WALNUT STREET, STE 850, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 USA