Assessment of kerogen types and source rock potential of Lower Jurassic successions in the Mandawa Basin, SE Tanzania

Variability in organic matter types and quality of source rock intervals across evolving rift-basins has been the focus of previous studies, which have shown that due dynamic sedimentary regimes and water depths such source intervals occur sporadically and restricted to specific stratigraphic horizons. Such heterogeneous settings require detailed geochemical analysis to document variations in source quality. This study presents a comprehensive geochemical analysis of source rock intervals in Lower Jurassic successions (Mbuo, Nondwa and Mihambia Formations) in the Mandawa Basin, on-shore Tanzania, in order to constrain organic matter types and quality. Organic matter richness was measured by Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis, while quality and thermal maturity of organic matter was assessed programmed pyrolysis, complemented by organic carbon isotope analysis (813Corg) of sediment samples collected from outcrops, cores, and cuttings samples. TOC and programmed pyrolysis datasets from existing literature were synthesized in this study to better understand organic matter quality and thermal maturity evolution regional scale. These data were examined in relation to paleogeography to gain insight into the factors regulating the distribution of organic matter quality within the Mandawa Basin. Average TOC contents in Lower Jurassic sediments fluctuate from 0.31 to 4.83 wt% with an average of 1.4 wt%, whereas, kerogen yield (S2) and hydrogen index (HI) remain generally low, with values ranging from 0.01 to 8.6 (mg HC/g rock) with an average (0.92 mg HC/g rock) as well as from 2 to 233 (mg HC/g TOC) with average of 46 (mg HC/g TOC), respectively. Organic matter is composed mainly of type III (gas prone) to IV (inert) kerogens with lesser admixture of type II-III kerogen (oil-gas prone), which have been deeply buried and undergone a wider range of thermal diagenesis, from early to overmature stage. The 813Corg isotopic composition of organic matter is consistent with kerogen typing, indicating terrestrial organic matter with a heavier signature during sea level low stands. Upon marine incursions 813Corg shifts to isotopically more depleted marine organic matter. This implies that the investigated source intervals have poor to fair source potential. Only a few intervals of limited thickness in the Upper Mbuo, Nondwa, and Mihambia Formations of the Mita Gamma-1 and East Lika-1 wells, as well as in the Lower Mbuo Formation in the Mbuo-1 well, have been locally enriched. The enrichment is attributed to periodic marine ingressions that have persisted since the Pliensbachian period and suggests the presence of oil generation potential. A comparison of TOC and programmed pyrolysis borehole data from this study to those compiled from literature in a paleogeographical context reveals high spatial variability. The southeastern and northwestern parts of the study area have the highest source potential, indicating high organic matter productivity in the dysoxic to anoxic water column, which promoted the preservation of organic matter. In contrast, the eastern and western parts generally show low source potential, indicating degraded organic matter and significant terrestrial influxes from emergent land that were deposited in shallow, mixed oxygenated water with low to moderate organic matter productivity.

Automated summary

This study presents a comprehensive geochemical analysis of source rock intervals in the Mandawa Basin, Tanzania, to determine organic matter types and quality. The results show that the organic matter richness is low and the potential for oil generation is generally fair. The study also reveals high spatial variability in organic matter quality in the region.