Crude oil geochemistry and its relation to the potential source beds for some Meleiha oil fields in the north Western Desert, Egypt

The results of the geochemical evaluation for eleven crude oil samples from some Meleiha oil-fields revealed that, these oils have high specific gravity (degreesAPI), low sulfur content and rich in saturated hydrocarbons. Two oil classes were recognized. The first is carbonate oils of high maturity level, originated from marine origin. The second, deltaic oils of moderately level of maturation, derived mainly from terrigenous sources. Oil: source correlation for the productive oils and the extracts of the potential source beds revealed a genetic close relationship between oils and extracts of Khatatba and Alam El Bueib formations. This indicates that the source of the oils in the study area may be related to mixed sources of these formations.