Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy using a gold substrate and excitation at 514 nm can detect sub parts per million quantities of asphaltene and thereby petroleum. This simple format and sensitivity make it transformative for applications including sample triage, flow assurance, environmental protection and analysis of unique one of a kind materials.

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Palynofacies analysis was carried out on 28 outcrop samples from the Upper Triassic Baluti Formation from Zewa and Sararu Sections in south and northwestern of Amediya District respectively, Kurdistan Region- Iraq. Based on the studied palynofacies, both sections are quite different in terms of depositional environment. Four types of palynofacies were recognized as following: the palynofacies type IV (Pl.1) is observed in the lower, middle and upper portions of upper part of Zewa Section in which, is characterized by high amount of phytoclasts, medium percentage of amorphous organic matter (AOM) and palynomorphs. This facies is referred to a depositional area that is located relatively nearshore with an arid hinterland, the palynofacies type V (Pl.2) was observed in lowermost and middle portions of upper part of Zewa Section, which is characterized by high domination of palynomorphs (mainly bisaccates and monosaccate pollen grains) and a less amount of phytoclasts and AOM. This facies indicates the domination of shallow marine to continent environment. The palynofacies type VI (Pl.3) was observed in middle and upper portions of upper part of the Zewa Section and lower and upper parts of the Sararu Section. This facies showed less amount or absence of palynomorphs, and relatively high amount of AOM and phytoclasts. In addition to this, a remarkable percentage of dinoflagellate cysts in Sararu Section has been found in this facies. This facies indicates proximal suboxic-anoxic shelf, and palynofacies type IX (Pl.4) was observed in middle to upper part of Sararu Section and characterized by less amount or absence of palynomorphs with high amounts of AOM and phytoclasts, which represents a deep environment of deposition.

The present study focuses on source rock evaluation of the Sargelu Formation by using core chips of rocks collected from well Atrush-2, Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq. The Rock-Eval pyrolysis and vitrinite reflectance were executed. Subsequently, the selected parameters were used for source rock evaluation and 1-D Basin Modelling calibration. The upper part of the formation mainly comprises argillaceous limestone with low content of organic matter (0.64%-1% TOC). By contrast, the lower part is dominated with shale interval and contains high amounts of TOC values (>4% for 1272-1278 m) reveling good to very good quality source rock. Accordingly, good to very good hydrocarbon generation potential is suggested for this formation. Organic matter of the Sargelu Formation contains type II and mixed-type II-III kerogen. The values of Tmax and vitrinite reflectance (Ro%) demonstrate that the formation is thermally mature and in the oil zone. In order to construct a thermal history of the formation and determine the timing of hydrocarbon maturation and generation, the 1-D basin modelling PetroMod 2019.1 was used in this study. Based on the 1-D Basin modelling simulation and its outputs, about 3500 m of overburden have been eroded at the study area. The present-day heat flow was found to be 30 mW/m 2. The organic matter of Sargelu Formation entered the early oil zone in 64 Ma and reached the main oil zone ca. 5 Ma. The formation is still in the main oil zone at present-day. In well Atrush-2, the highest rate of oil generation for the Sargelu Formation was in the 8.5 Ma, the onset of oil expulsion from Sargelu Formation was in 50 Ma and the expulsion mass has been reached 0.5 Mtons at present-day.