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.
Five subsurface sections covering the entire length of the Jeribe Limestone Formation (Early Middle Miocene) were studied from four oilfields in northern Iraq. It is hoped to unravel this formation microfacies ; depositional environment; diagenetic attributes and their parental processes; and the relationship between these processes and the observed porosity patterns. The microfacies were found to include mudstone, wackestone, packstone, and grainstone, which have been deposited respectively in open platform, restricted platform, and edge platform which represent the lagoonal environment, while the deposits of the lower parts of the Jeribe formation especially in well Hamrin- 2 reflect a deeper fore slope environment. By using the lithofac
... Show MoreVolcaniclastic rocks of Al Muqdadiya Formation (Pliocene) in Injana area, southern Hemrin anticline, NE of Iraq, were studied ( petrographically, physically, mineralogically and geochemically , as well as the engineering properties) to assess the suitability of volcaniclastic rocks to use them in industry as refractories. The results show that the physical and engineering properties change with the temperature change. The bulk density and the specific gravity increase by increasing temperature while the apparent porosity, water sorption and the linear shrinkage decrease. On the other hand the compressive strength increase by increasing temperature. The volcaniclastics have very low thermal conductivi
... Show MoreVolcaniclastic rocks of Al Muqdadiya Formation (Pliocene) in Injana area, southern Hemrin anticline, NE of Iraq, were studied ( petrographically, physically, mineralogically and geochemically , as well as the engineering properties) to assess the suitability of volcaniclastic rocks to use them in industry as refractories. The results show that the physical and engineering properties change with the temperature change. The bulk density and the specific gravity increase by increasing temperature while the apparent porosity, water sorption and the linear shrinkage decrease. On the other hand the compressive strength increase by increasing temperature. The volcaniclastics have very low thermal conductivity.
The petrography, mineralogy and
3D seismic reflection study was applied to Abu Amood oil field which is located at the southern part of Iraq within DhiQar province that carried out by oil Exploration Company to an area of 1534.88 Km2 for studying Nahr Umr Formation. Synthetic seismogram was prepared by using available data of well (AAM-1) in order to define and picking the reflectors on the seismic section. These reflectors are (Top of Nahr Umr Formation and middle unit of Nahr Umr Formation which represents the layer of sand). The seismic section time slice maps confirmed that the Nahr Umr Formation was not affected by faults and the faults may probably present in the Ratawai and Yamama Formations, where the variance attribute applied on seismic sections showed that t
... Show MoreAssessment of annual wind energy potential for three selected sites in Iraq has been analyzed in the present work. The wind velocities data from August 2014 to July 2015 were collected from the website of Weather Underground Organization (WUO) at stations elevation (35m, 32m, and 17m) for Baghdad, Najaf, and Kut Al-Hai respectively. Extrapolation of stations elevation and wind velocities was used to estimate wind velocities at (60m, 90m, and 120m). The objectives are to analyze the wind speed data and assess the wind energy potential for wind energy applications. Computer code for MATLAB software has been developed to solve the mathematical model. The results are presented as a monthly and annual average for wind velocities, standard deviat
... Show MoreThe road network in the Baranan mountain, near Dararash village, connecting Sulaymaniyah city with Qaradagh town, plays a major role in socio- economic activities of Qaradagh town and its surrounding villages. Any type of slope failure in the area may cause breaking up in traffic, loss of lives, and injuries.
For assessing the stability of rock slopes in the area, seven stations (rock-cut slopes) were selected along the road and evaluated by kinematic analysis, using DIPS v6.008 software and slope mass rating system (SMRTool - v205 software).
The kinematic analysis revealed that planar and wedge sliding may occur in stations no.2, 5, 6, and 7, flexural toppling
... Show MoreSedimentologic and facies evidences reveal a marine environment for the Gercus Formation. Facies analysis and associated sedimentary structures including graded beddings decide turbidity origin of the rocks. Marine environment is supported by the identifying glauconite and fossils types reported for the first time.
The formation composed of seven lithotypes; shale/claystone, mudstone, sandstone, carbonate, conglomerate, breccias and debris flow, which are arranged in repeated cycles of mixed siliciclastic-carbonate turbidites in a range of gravity-flow regime. The Gercus successions are grouped into four facies associations confirming marine depositional systems, these are (from bottom to top); slump siliciclastic-calciturbidites (dol
The Pila Spi formation composed of seven lithotypes; carbonates (dolomite and
dolomitic limestone), marl, shale/claystone, red argillaceous mudstone, sandstone,
carbonate breccias and debris flow, which are arranged in repeated cycles of mixed
siliciclastic-calciturbidites in a range of gravity-flow regime in the Koi Sanjaq area.
Sedimentologic and facies evidences suggest developed marine environment for the
Pila Spi Formation. Facies analysis and associated sedimentary structures including
graded beddings decide turbidity and gravity flow regime origin of the rocks.
Marine environment is supported by the identifying glauconite and fossils types,
which is reported here for the first time rather than lagoon enviro
Four subsurface sections and electrical, porosity logs, and gamma-ray logs of the Khasib Formation (age Late Turonian-Lower Coniacian) were studied to identify reservoir characteristics and to evaluate the reservoir properties of the Khasib reservoir units in the East Baghdad oilfield. The lithology of the formation is limestone throughout the whole sequence in all studied wells EB-83, EB-87, EB-92, and EB94. It is bounded conformably from the top by Tanuma Formation and has a conformable lower contact with Kifl Formation. The lower and upper boundaries of the formation were determined using well log analysis, and the formation was divided into three main rock units (Kh1, Kh2, and Kh3), depending on the porosity logs. The porosi
... Show MoreThe present study is concerned with Biostratigraphy of the Early-Middle Miocene outcrops of Jeribe Formation in the Zurbatiyah area, Wasit Governorate, Eastern Iraq. Forty-two Samples collected from Shur Sharin and AL-Hashima outcrop sections. The fossil content is rich in large and small benthic foraminifera; Twenty-one species and genus are identified in this study, in addition to coral, gastropoda, pelecypoda, ostracoda, alge, echinoid and shell fragments. According to the presence of benthic foraminifera, two Biozone have been identified in the Jeribe: Austrotrillina asmariensis-Dendritina rangi Concurrent Zone and Borelis melo curdica range zone.The age of the Formation determined as Early-Middle Miocene depending on these Bioz
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