Biomarkers assessment of crude oils and extracts from Jurassic-Cretaceous rocks, North Qattara Depression, North Western Desert, Egypt

Crude oils together with extracts from the Middle Jurassic (Khatatba Formation), Barremian-Early Aptian Alam El Bueib Formation, and Early Albian Kharita Formation were collected from five wells (Ras Qattara-Zarif-5, Ras Qattara-Zarif-3, and Zarif-1, Zarif-2, SW Zarif-1) in the North Qattara Depression. Biomarkers (pristane/phytane, isoprenoids/n-alkanes, steranes, triterpanes, C-29 steranes 20S/20S + 20R, C-23 tricyclic/C-30 hopane, Ts/Tm, C-30 moretane/C-30 hopane ratios, homohopane and gammacerane indices) of the saturated hydrocarbon fraction were analyzed in order to assess the source and maturity of the crude oils and the extracts. The results suggested that the oils from Khatatba and Alam El Bueib formations are mature, derived from source rocks containing marine and terrestrial organic matter, respectively. The source environments and maturity of the oil from the Khatatba Formation is similar to that of the Khatatba source rock extract. The oil from the Alam El Bueib formation differs from the extracts of the Alam El Bueib and Kharita formations. The Khatatba formation seems to be an effective source rock in the North Qattara Depression.