Hydrocarbon Generation Modeling of Abu Gabra Formation in Northern Muglad Basin, Sudan

Basin modeling has become an important tool in the study of burial history and thermal evaluation of sedimentary basins. Burial history curves of four representative wells in Heglig, Bamboo and Azraq areas have been generated using the modelling software and the burial curves show that the Abu Gabra Formation has entered the oil window during the Early Cretaceous period, at the ages 133 Ma, 135 Ma, 114.7 Ma and 134.5 Ma in Seyal-1, Jamouse NW-1, Bamboo AG-1 and Garad AG-1 wells respectively. The peak of oil generation was reached during the ages between 127 to 111 Ma in Seyal-1, 130 to 125 Ma in Jamouse NW-1 and between 128.3 to 116 Ma in Garad AG-1 well. The 1D models shows that, the oil was expelled from the middle and lower parts of the Abu Gabra Formation in the study area at different ratios whereas the expulsion ratio exceeds 80 % in Seyal-1 well, ranges from 50 to 80 % in Jamouse NW-1 and from 10 to 50 % in Garad AG-1. In Bamboo AG-1 well the 1D model indicates that oil expulsion has not taken place. The models reflect that the oil expulsion decreases from the northward to southern part of the study area and the oil accumulations in Bamboo AG-1 well is non-indigenous, therefore the exploration in some areas of Bamboo field are recommended to review. This research recommends prospective investment on the approved gas accumulations in Heglig field after the reserve estimation and economic studies.