Evaluation of Source Rock Potential for Hydrocarbon Generation in Shallow Offshore, Lamu Basin, Kenya

The ever-increasing demand for oil and gas has driven its exploration in rather extreme conditions. In Lamu offshore, which is hitherto underexplored, most of the wells already drilled turned out dry save a few with hydrocarbon shows despite promising reservoir properties related geological structures. This, therefore, necessitated source rock evaluation study area to ascertain presence potential by integrating geochemical data analysis petroleum system modeling. shallow offshore quantity, quality, maturity have been estimated through determination total organic carbon (TOC) average values, Kerogen typing, Rock-Eval pyrolysis measurements respectively. Geochemical Kubwa-1, Mbawa-1, Pomboo-1, Simba-1 were evaluated determining generation. Petroleum modeling was applied evaluating conditions necessary successful charge within software that integrated petrophysical characterization sedimentary formations conjunction boundary include basal heat flow, sediment-water interface temperature, Paleo-water depth. TOC 0.89 wt % suggests fair richness seems higher late cretaceous (0.98 %) than Paleocene (0.81 %). Vitrinite reflectance Tmax values indicate possible both mature immature rocks. Type III dominant type, are frequent encountered Basin cases registering type II/III II. (i.e. Temperature, transformation ratio, reflectance) over geologic time at each their spatial variation mapped as seen from burial history depth curves overlaid From upper maps, results seem favor near coastal regions where about 1.4 %, more 0.5%, ratio 10%, temperatures range 80°C 160°C. postulate absence definitive effective likelihood having Moreover, greater uncertainty rests on rock’s viability tending toward deep offshore. improved understanding occurrence rocks processes