Efficiency of Oil and Gas Generation of Palaeozoic Formation Outcrops in Nazdur Area, Kurdistan Region, Northern Iraq: Insights From Palynological Study

Abstract

The studied samples were collected from the Palaeozoic outcrops, Khabour, Pirispiki, Kaista, Ora, Harur, and Chia Zairi formations in Nazdur Anticline, Amadia about 457 km due north of Baghdad, Iraq's capital city. Qualitative assessments of 29 samples were conducted by using textural microscopy in determining the percentage of amorphous organic matter for palynofacies type belonging to different types of kerogen. This organic matter contains acritarchs, spores, and algae deposited in the dysoxic-anoxic environment. The organic matters are from mature to post mature and have a thermal alteration index of-3 to +3 by Pearson's and Staplin's scales, respectively, with palynomorphs of orange to dark brown colors on the palynomorphs. These ranges of colors indicate mature organic matters.

Hydrocarbon generation potential and thermal maturity of the outcropped Palaeozoic formations from Khabour Valley, Kurdistan Region, Northern Iraq

“…The primary focus of many of these studies has been directed towards the middle Paleozoic sequence, encompassing sequence stratigraphy as demonstrated by Al-Juboury et al [21], depositional environments and facies analysis as highlighted by Al-Juboury and Al-Hadidy [22], and palynostratigraphy investigations carried out by Sherwani et al [23] and Al-Hasson [9]. Notably, research endeavors have also delved into subjects like palynology, oil and gas generation, as evident in works such as Abdula et al [24] and Al-Lami [10], while Al-Juboury et al [9] have examined the conditions of anoxic marine environments. The efficiency of oil and gas generation has been scrutinized by Abdula et al [24].…”

“…Notably, research endeavors have also delved into subjects like palynology, oil and gas generation, as evident in works such as Abdula et al [24] and Al-Lami [10], while Al-Juboury et al [9] have examined the conditions of anoxic marine environments. The efficiency of oil and gas generation has been scrutinized by Abdula et al [24]. Wetzel and Morton [4] within Bellen et al [5] were the pioneers in identifying and describing the Harur formation from the Ora fold situated in the Amadia district of the Northern Thrust Zone of Iraq.…”

Organic geochemistry of the middle Paleozoic Ora Formation in Iraq: Implications for source rock assessment and hydrocarbon potentiality

“…The majority of previous researches on the Ora Formation were concentrated on the entire middle Paleozoic sequence including the Ora Formation in terms of sequence stratigraphy [ 8 ], facies and depositional environments [ 6 , 9 ], palynostratigraphy [ [10] , [11] , [12] ], and oil and gas generation based on palynology [ 13 ]. However, the literature is very restricted regarding information about the petroleum potential and source rocks characterization.…”

Paleoenvironmental Conditions of the Harur Formation (Early Carboniferous), Northern Iraq: Insights from Mineralogy and Elemental Geochemistry

“…The Harur Formation is one of the primary source rocks in Iraq's western desert and amongst the most promising in northern Iraq [12,13,14]. However, the use of geochemical features to address its depositional conditions lacks consensus in the literature.…”