Tricyclic terpane geochemistry of source rocks from Northwestern and Central Niger Delta

This distribution of tricyclic terpanes in source rocks from the northwestern and central Niger Delta was used to evaluate their origin, depositional environment and thermal maturity. The rock samples were extracted using Soxhlet extraction method and the saturated hydrocarbon fraction was analysed for biomarkers using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The values of soluble organic matter (SOM) and total hydrocarbons for wells AW and OP source rock samples exceeded the minimum 500 ppm and 300 ppm, respectively with values indicating very good to excellent potential source rocks. The tricyclic terpane source parameters and the complementary distribution of hopanes, regular C-27-C-29 steranes, n-alkanes and acyclic isoprenoid hydrocarbons showed that samples from well AW consist of mixed marine/terrestrial organic matter while those from well OP consist of organic matter largely from terrestrial origin. The values of Pr/Ph ratio for source rock samples from wells AW and OP indicate deposition of the organic matter under suboxic conditions. Sterane and hopane biomarker maturity parameters indicated that the source rock samples from wells AW and OP are at onset of oil generation and main oil window, Most of the source rock samples from well AW are more thermally mature than those from well OP. The results of tricyclic terpane maturity parameters indicated low thermal maturity for the rock samples from both wells with samples from well AW more thermally mature than those from well OP.