APPLICATION OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC PETROLEUM GEOCHEMISTRY IN EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION OF A PROLIFIC BASIN: A GENERAL REVIEW

Y. B. Mohammed¹, H, Hamza² and U. A. Danbatta²

¹Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

²Department of Geology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This paper overviews organic and inorganic petroleum geochemical methods from some selected prolific basins for exploration and exploitation. The geochemical parameters includes: Carbon Preference Index (CPI) whose value is influenced by the type of organic matter and maturity. Biomarker indicator of oxicity and anoxia which basically determines the environmental conditions of deposition of a source rock and perhaps most especially the degree of oxygenation using these parameters such as: Pr/Ph ratio; triesnorneohopane versus (triesnorneohopane + triesnorhopane)TS/TS + TM) ratio; steranes as maturity indicator; C₂₇: C₂₈: C₂₉ regular steranes and saturated hydrocarbons (SHC), aromatic hydrocarbons (AHC) and Nitrogen, Sulphur and Oxygen (N,S,O) and Soluble Organic Matter (SOM). Trace elements geochemistry of transition metals is also very useful in crude oil characterization especially in oil- oil correlation. Ratios of transition metals, particularly V/Ni, V/Ni+V, Co/Ni and Fe/V are use for determination of maturity level of source rocks and source input of organic matter type.

Keywords: Organic, inorganic, petroleum, exploration and exploitation.