Modeling hydrocarbon generation potentials of Eocene source rocks in the Agbada Formation, Northern Delta Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria

Abstract

The Northern Delta depobelt is a significant petroleum province in the Niger Delta Basin. Burial history and maturity levels of the Eocene source rocks in the Northern Delta depobelt have not been extensively discussed. In this study, results of Rock–Eval analysis of forty (40) subsurface samples from selected exploration wells namely Alpha_1, Beta_1 and Zeta_1 within the depobelt were used to characterize the Eocene source rocks of the Agbada Formation and also examine the hydrocarbon generation phases of the source facies. The samples possess mainly Type III/IV organic matter, regarded as gas prone to no petroleum generative potential. The vitrinite reflectance values of the Eocene source intervals range from 0.42 to 1.17 VRo %, suggesting a thermally immature to mature levels. 1-D basin models of the three wells reveal the generation of liquid hydrocarbon from the Eocene source unit in the Northern Delta depobelt during Paleogene–Neogene times with capability of charging the interbedded reservoir sand bodies. Eocene source rocks could be responsible for oil and condensate discoveries in the Northern Delta depobelt of the Niger Delta Basin.