RocheMere

Parameter: Source Rock

This parameter reflects the presence or absence of rocks rich in organic matter capable of generating hydrocarbons in economical quantities. For a rock rich in organic matter to be considered a source-rock, its organic matter must have reached the oil window, in other words, it must be mature. Unfortunately, as we will show later, this definition is not followed by many geoscientists, who consider almost all sediments rich in organic matter to be synonymous with source-rocks.

1) Type-1 Deep Offshores

In Type-1 deep offshores, the potential generating petroleum sub-system can be located at different tectono-stratigraphic levels:

a) In the infrastructure and substratum of the margin.

Ex: Deep offshores of the NE Atlantic margin ;

Ghana / Benin deep offshore offshores, etc.

b) In rift-type basins associated with the lengthening of the lithosphere, which predate the breakup.

Ex: SW Africa deep offshores ;

Australia deep offshores, etc.

c) At the base of the margin, in association with lacustrine sediments and evaporites.

Ex: East Brazil deep offshores ;

New Scotia deep offshore, etc.

d) At the top of the transgressive phase in association with the major downlap surface that top them.

Ex: SW Africa deep offshores ;

NE South America deep offshores, etc.

e) In the regressive phase of the continental encroachment cycle (post-Pangea).

Ex: Deep offshores at the mouth of large rivers.

- Congo deep offshore ;

- Niger deep offshore ;

- Amazon deep offshore, etc.