The Cretaceous Balambo Formation from three sections in Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq was studied. The selected sections are located in the Zagros Fold -Thrust Belt. Eleven rock samples were analyzed by means of the organic geochemical method, Bitumen extraction method, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to determine the bitumen and hydrocarbon content, kerogen types, origin of organic matter, thermal maturity level, and depositional environment. The analyzed samples are considered to have an excellent potential in Baranan-1.G1 and Sazan sections, with poor to fair potential in Baraw section. The Baranan-1.G1 source rocks are of type II kerogen (oil prone), whereas Sazan and Baraw samples are of type II/III (oil/ gas prone). Detailed distribution analysis of biomarkers such as normal alkane, isoprenoids, sterane and terpane was performed on saturated hydrocarbons. The mode of n-alkanes and isoprenoids distribution in all analyzed samples is similar, with a unimodal distribution that indicates non-biodegraded hydrocarbons, with the same range of alkane compounds between C13-C34 alkanes. The results of n-C17, pristane, n-C18 and phytane, and regular steranes show that the source rocks of Balambo Formation in Baranan-1.G1 are mainly rich with algal marine organic matter deposited under a reducing environment, while Baraw and Sazan sections are composed of mixed marine organic matter that refers to terrestrial land plants input deposited under reducing anoxic/dysoxic environments. Thermal maturation appraisal is deduced from Pristane/n-C17 versus Phytane/n-C18 diagram, Carbon Preference Index (CPI), C29 ββ/ (ββ+αα), C29 20S/ (20S +20R), C32 22S/ (22S+22R), and Ts/ (Ts+Tm). All these parameters indicate that the analyzed samples are mature and have entered the oil window (early to peak oil window). Biomarker ratios of C22/C21, C24/C23 and C26/C25, C31R/C30H show that the Balambo Formation is composed mostly of carbonates with less shale beds.
The Sargule Formation was deposited during the Middle Jurassic, representing one of the most important source rocks in Iraq and surrounding areas.
Jurassic successions are commonly exposed as an isolated patch at some eroded anticline’s cores and limbs in the High Folded Zone, Imbricate Zone, and Thrust Zones of northern Iraq. The Sargelu section is located in Sargelu village at Surdash anticline, while the Rania section is located in Rania city near Hanjira village at Shaweri anticline. Fieldwork in Rania and Sargelu Sections allow to divide Sargelu Formation lithostratigraphically into many subdivisions as follow:
The Sargelu Formation in the Rania section is about 40 m and can be divide
... Show MoreInjana Formation is the most extended geological formation in Salahaddin Governorate/ Iraq. About 10% of the studied area is covered by the outcrops of the formation as a recharge area. The formation is a subsurface within the unsaturated zone in 5% of the total studied area, while it exists within the saturated zone in about 85%; it is a major confined groundwater aquifer. Therefore, the hydrogeological system of the layers needs to be re-evaluated to describe the successions of aquifers and confining layers and their relation with each other.
The lithology, depths, water table, saturated thickness, hydraulic characteristics of the aquifers, and the lateral and vertical variations of these characteristics were adopted to classif
... Show MoreThis study presents the results of atmospheric particulates sampling using high volume air sampler for selected places at Al Tuwaitha nuclear site. The collected samples were analyzed for gross alpha /beta radioactivity using Ludlum model 3030 and measurement particles activity in Al Tuwaitha nuclear site and the surrounding areas for the period from 28/12/2016 to 13/4/2017.The measurement of activity concentrations ranged from (0.42±0.03 to 4.18±0.13) Bq/m3 for alpha particles and from(0.93±0.06 to 9.21±0.26) Bq/m3for beta particles. The activity concentration of nuclides inversely proportional with air temperature and wind speed while humidity is directly proportional with it. Highest value of activity concentration has been found at(
... Show MoreShear wave velocity is an important feature in the seismic exploration that could be utilized in reservoir development strategy and characterization. Its vital applications in petrophysics, seismic, and geomechanics to predict rock elastic and inelastic properties are essential elements of good stability and fracturing orientation, identification of matrix mineral and gas-bearing formations. However, the shear wave velocity that is usually obtained from core analysis which is an expensive and time-consuming process and dipole sonic imager tool is not commonly available in all wells. In this study, a statistical method is presented to predict shear wave velocity from wireline log data. The model concentrated to predict shear wave velocity fr
... Show MoreThis research aims to distinguish the reef environment from the non-reef environment. The Oligocene-Miocene-succussion in western Iraq was selected as a case study, represented by the reefal limestone facies of the Anah Formation (Late Oligocene) deposited in reef-back reef environments, dolomitic limestone of the Euphrates Formation (Early Miocene) deposited in open sea environments, and gypsiferous marly limestone of the Fatha Formation (Middle Miocene) deposited in a lagoonal environment. The content of the rare earth elements (REEs) (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Ho, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Y) in reef facies appear to be much lower than of those in the non-reef facies. The open sea facies have a low content of REEs due to bein
... Show MoreThis study was carried out from February to October 2012 in six semi salty ponds in Gwer sub-district which is the first work in the area. A total of 32 species and 2 genera of algae where reported as the new records. Mostly the non diatoms are belonging to Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Euglenophyta, Cryptophyta, Chrysophyceae, while diatoms or Bacilariophyceae are belong to pennals- order.
The reservoir characterization of Lower Qamchuqa (Shu'aiba) Formation (Aptian) is studied at the well BH-86 of Bai- Hassan Oilfield in Kirkuk area, Northern Iraq. The lithological study (of 91 thin sections) revealed that the formation consists of shaly limestone, a thin bed of marl within the limestone, and dolomitic limestone. Four petrographic microfacies were noticed Lime mudstone microfacies, Dolomudstone microfacies, Lime wackestone microfacies, subdivided into benthonic foraminifera lime wackestone submicrofacies and bioclasts lime wackestone submicrofacies, and the last microfacies is the Lime packstone microfacies, which is subdivided into pelloidal lime packstone submicrofacies and Orbitolina lime packstone microfaci
... Show MoreAnticyclone of synoptic studies that influence weather and climate of Iraq, The aim of
the study is to clarify the effect variation of repetition of Anticyclone and effect on thermal
characteristic in Iraq were pressure level has been analyzed (1000) millibars and that because
of pressure level is the closet to the earth surface and the clarity of climatic phenomenon
based on a systematic analysis of synoptic seeking maps and observation and (12:00)
according to timing GMT for five climatic stations which is (Mosul, Kirkuk, Baghdad, Rutba,
and Basra) and so far three consecutive climatic cycles which is first climatic cycle for period
(1986-1976). and second climatic cycle for period (1997-1987) and third climatic cy
Radiological assessment due to existing of natural occurring radioactive materials
(NORM) in South Rumaila oil field was achieved in this study. Different samples
including soil, sludge, scale, oil, and water were collected from different stages of
oil and gas production in Markazia Degassing Station (SDS) in South Rumaila oil
field. Radioactivity of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 were measured using gamma
spectrometry system based on HPGe detector with efficiency of 30%. The results
show that some locations within SDS are contaminated with NORM. The activity of
Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 range between 18.4 to 312.8, 9.4 to 140.8 and 66.4 to
800.8 (Bq/kg) respectively. The places to be more contaminated among the other
p