Abstract

AVENDANO-SANCHEZ, Gladys Marcela; GARCIA-GONZALEZ, Mario; CRUZ-GUEVARA, Luis Enrique  and  CRUZ-CEBALLOS, Luis Felipe. Geochemistry and petrographic analysis of Los Cuervos and Molino formations, Cesar Sub-Basin (Colombia): Implications in the petroleum system evolution. Bol. geol. [online]. 2021, vol.43, n.2, pp.95-116.  Epub Mar 15, 2022. ISSN 0120-0283.  https://doi.org/10.18273/revbol.v43n2-2021006.

A geochemical characterization of Los Cuervos and Molino formations in the Cesar Sub-Basin was carried out using core samples obtained from the ANH-La Loma-1 Well. A total of 113 Rock-Eval pyrolysis analysis, total organic carbon (TOC), total sulphur content (TS) analysis, 13 vitrinite reflectance analysis (%Ro) and 30 thin-section petrographic analysis were performed. Based on these new data, it was possible to classify the quality of organic matter and the current thermal maturation of Los Cuervos and Molino formations. Additionally, a petrographic characterization of 30 samples allowed the correlation of the lithology with the geochemical results. Also, one-dimensional geochemical modelling was implemented in order to contribute to the knowledge of the evolution of the oil system in the Cesar Sub-Basin. The spatial distribution of the formations used in the modelling was obtained from 2 seismic lines two-way time. The results obtained indicate that Los Cuervos Formation presents TOC values from 0.29 to 66.55%, TS values from 0.02 to 11.29%, their organic matter consisted of type III kerogen which is consistent with an immature thermal maturation stage. In contrast, the Molino Formation presents TOC values from 0.23 to 2.28%, TS values from 0.001 to 1.39%, their organic matter consisted of type II/III kerogen this suggests an early entry to the oil window with a maximum pyrolysis temperature (Tmax) value of 442°C. The geochemical modelling tunes better with measured data from palaeo-geothermometers (%Ro and Tmax). The geochemical modelling shows that, between 60 - 40 million years ago (mya), the Cretaceous formations entered in the oil generation window and it is expected that, between 40 - 30 mya, the Lagunitas, Aguas Blancas, and La Luna formations will be at their peak of hydrocarbon generation.

Keywords : Los Cuervos Formation; Molino Formation; Geochemical modelling; Source rock; Cesar Sub-Basin; Cesar Ranchería Basin..

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