Potential petroleum source rocks in a tertiary sequence of the Eastern Venezuelan Basin

Abstract A core of a Tertiary age sequence from the Eastern Venezuelan Basin was analyzed in order to determine its potential for petroleum generation. Conventional geochemical methods, like Rock-Eval pyrolysis, biomarkers from saturated fractions and aromatic hydrocarbon ratios were used for assessing source-rock quality. The application of such methods indicated predominantly the presence of terrigenous organic matter with marine influence, deposited under suboxic to oxic conditions typical of continental environments. Thermal maturation in the range from beginning to mid oil window and organic matter type indicate that the sequence could have generated mainly gaseous hydrocarbons. Analysis by electron probe microanalyses (EPMA) indicates that sulfur is associated to both organic (bitumen and kerogen) and inorganic (mineral) phases and organic matter is observed filling fractures in the rocks.