Hydrocarbon generation potential of source rocks in Jaisalmer Basin, Rajasthan, India

Geochemical and statistical analyses have been carried out for the evaluation of source rocks characteristics of Jaisalmer Basin, Rajasthan, India. The geochemical analysis includes pyrolysis data, total organic carbon, oxygen and hydrogen indices. The analysis suggests that Cretaceous source rocks are poor to fair with kerogen of types III-II and have the capability of generating gas and oil whereas the Jurassic source rocks are poor with kerogen of type III and have the capability of generating gas. The Tertiary sources of rocks however have poor potential and are immature. The Jaisalmer Basin has gas-rich petroleum system, whereas the Baisakhi-Badesir and Pariwar sources have oil generation capability. The presence of higher concentration of N-2 and CO2 in the gas suggests the over-maturation and residual accumulation of N-2 and CO2 in the natural gases.