Geochemical Characteristics of Crude Oils From Ras Gharib Oilfields in the Central Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Four representative oil samples have been collected from productive wells, namely: Gharib-164, Gharib-163, Gharib-106, and Gharib-116, scattered within the Ras Gharib oilfield located in the central Gulf of Suez. Their chemical composition, API gravity, sulfur content, and asphaltene content were determined. Saturated hydrocarbon fractions were subjected to gas chromatography. Terpanes and steranes biomarkers have been determined using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy in order to characterize the type of organo-facies, oil classes, depositional environments, and to assess the thermal maturity level for oil generation. The results showed that the studied oils are belonging to normal oil classes with no heavy biodegradation. It has been found that mature oils are generated from marine shales and carbonates are enriched in marine algae with contributions from terrestrial organic matters. Biomarker analyses suggest that the crude oils are more mature and sources are derived mainly from mixed organic sourc...