Organic Petrology Of Oil Shales In Quseir-Safaga District, Egypt

Abstract

The kerogen and hydrocarbon-generating potential of oil shales from three mining districts in the Red Sea province of Egypt have been investigated using microscopy and elemental analysis. The results reveal that, the kerogen type ranges from Type I for Safaga oil shales to Type II for both of Hamrawein and Ouseir districts. The kerogen seems to be of marine origin and formed in reducing conditions. Kerogen concentrates are formed mainly of the autochthonous liptinite group (amorphous sapropelic organic matter and sapropelic structured phytoclasts). In addition. autochthonous and land derived vitrinities. as well as detrital inertinites are also present. In general, the organic matter of all studied kerogen isolates is immature and lies within the diagenesis state of maturation regardless of the high yitrinite reflectance value of the Type II keorgen.