Characterization of Organic Matter from Bituminous Coals of Lafia-Obi, Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria

Abstract

The present work deals with a study based on the geochemical techniques such as biomarkers, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and detailed petrographic study to evaluate hydrocarbon generation potential of coal by collecting nine coal and carbonaceous shale samples from boreholes in Awgu Formation of Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria. The values vitrinite reflectance (0.94–1.15%VR) and Tmax (446–469°C) confirmed that samples are matured enough to generate liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon in coal. The coal samples also contain sufficient quantity of vitrinite and liptinite macerals varying from 70.28% to 74.10 wt%, which confirm the production of liquid hydrocarbon. The cross-plot between H/C and O/C atomic ratio indicates that samples were predominant in the bituminous rank and having kerogen Type III makes it suitable for hydrocarbon generation. Similar results were found in Rock-Eval pyrolysis analysis (Types II-III and Type III kerogen). The homohopane index (C35/C31 - C35) and homohopane ratio (C35αβS/C34αβS) range from 0.02 to 0.12 and 0.15 to 0.92 indicates oxic condition during organic matter deposition from Lafia-Obi samples. The Moretane/Hopane, Hopane/Hopane + Moretane, Ts/Ts + Tm, 22S/22S + 22RC32homohopane ratios range from 0.06 to 0.14; 0.88 to 0.94; 0.34 to 0.66; and 0.53 to 0.62 and 20S/20S+20R and αββ/αββ+ααα C29 ratios range from 0.43 to 0.58 and 0.42 to 0.55 indicate samples ar e within the late oil window/gas phase. Plots of 22S/22S+22R C32hopanes against C29αββ/αββ+ααα steranes show that Lafia-Obisamples are thermally mature.