Source rock evaluation and hydrocarbon generation potential of Mid-Late Cretaceous sediments from Mintaq-01 well in the Wadi Hajar of Southern Sabatayn Basin, Yemen

Twenty-five cutting shale and coal samples from the Mid-Late Cretaceous Mukalla and Harshiyat formations in the Mintaq-01 well, Wadi Hajar of Southern Sabatayn Basin were investigated using organic geochemical methods. The geochemical results indicate that the analyzed shale and coal samples are fair to excellent source rocks, with TOC values between 0.50 and 53.13%. The analyzed samples also have Rock-Eval HI between 99 and 676 mg HC/g TOC, indicating types I/II and II/III kerogen and thus are oil and gas-prone source rocks. However, these Mid-Late Cretaceous sediments of the Wadi Hajar are still in an immature to very early mature stage, and they have not yet generated oil or gas.