Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148

www.elsevier.com/locate/orggeochem

Geochemical study of some Cretaceous rocks from Kuwait:

comparison with oils from Cretaceous and Jurassic reservoirs
F.H. Abdullaha, J. Connanb,*
a
Kuwait University, Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, PO Box 5969 Safat, 13060, Kuwait
b
Elf Exploration Production, CSTJF, Avenue Larribau, 64018-Pau Cedex, France

Received 9 October 2000; accepted 29 November 2001

(returned to author for revision 27 December 2000)

Abstract
A set of 18 Cretaceous rock samples from wells drilled in the Raudhatain and Minagish Oil Fields and 10 oil samples
from Cretaceous reservoirs (Raudhatain, Bahra, Burgan and Minagish Oil Fields) were characterized using geochem-
ical methods including compound-specic carbon isotope analyses of n-alkanes and isoprenoids. In addition, one oil
(Miqua) from the Jurassic (Marat Formation) of the Great Burgan Oil Field was included in the study. Despite having
high organic carbon content in some samples, the Burgan and Zubair formations and the Ratawi Shale Member, of
Albian to Valanginian age, are not source rocks for the oils for several reasons, but primarily due to lack of correlation
of molecular and isotope chemistry as well as a humic organic matter type. These results are consistent with the cor-
responding depositional conditions for these rocks, which are deltaic/estuarine in the Burgan Formation and littoral/
deltaic in the Zubair Formation. The Minagish and Sulaiy Formations of Late Jurassic to Cretaceous age appear to be
potential source rock candidates based on their molecular and bulk isotope geochemistry. Detailed isotopic analysis
using individual normal and isoprenoid C15+ alkanes did not provide a good correlation between these possible source
rocks and the oils. However, one sample from the Sulaiy Formation was found to be comparable to the oils. The oils
belong to the same genetic family and were expelled from a source rock with a dominant carbonate lithology (e.g. the
Sulaiy-Minagish Formations). These formations contain sulphur-rich, amorphous kerogen as observed in recent,
shallow marine shelf deposits. The Miqua oil, which accumulated in the Jurassic Marat Formation reservoir, does not
dier from the other oils in terms of genetic characteristics. This oil is the deepest and most mature of the set. Maturity
assessment has not been possible using well-known parameters based on steranes, terpanes or methylphenanthrenes.
However, sulphur-bearing aromatics, comprised of alkylated BT and DBT, show important variations. Parameters
based on alkylated BT and DBT have been applied successfully as tools to evaluate maturity changes. Oil maturity was
determined to be middle oil window, but has been found not to be related directly to the present depth of the reservoir.
However, it has been established that within the same oil eld, oil maturity increases with reservoir depth. Evaluation
of these maturity characteristics may be related to major chronological events, especially major tectonic movements
that have enabled oil to ll dierent reservoirs successively. The reconstruction of the most important phases, i.e.
genesis and migration through active faults, will provide guidelines to understand the present-day maturity pattern of
these oils. # 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: connan.jacques@wanadoo.fr (J. Connan), tamam@kuc01.kuniv.edu.kw (F.H. Abdullah).

0146-6380/02/$ - see front matter # 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
PII: S0146-6380(01)00143-7
126 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
1. Introduction
Kuwait is located in the northeastern corner of the
Arabian Peninsula (Fig. 1). It is part of the Arabian-
Iranian Basin, the worlds largest hydrocarbon pro-
vince. Recoverable reserves of oil and gas for the region
are about 65 and 32% of global reserves, respectively
(OAPEC, 1996). Proven oil and gas reserves in Kuwait
represent about 14.30 and 3.15% of the total basin
reserves, respectively (OAPEC, 1996).
Many studies have been carried out to explain the
exceptional oil reserves in this region (Kamen-Kaye,
1970; Murris, 1980; Koop and Stonely, 1982; Beydoun,
1984, 1991, 1993; Al-Sharhan and Nairn, 1997). Most
geological investigations have concentrated on the
reservoirs and traps. Recently, studies have focused on
characterizing the petroleum system and on source rock
evaluation. A seminar on source and habitat of petro-
leum in the Arab countries was organised by OAPEC in
1984 (Kuwait Country Report, 1984). Many of the
individual country reports from this seminar sum-
marised the source rock potential. It was estimated that
reserves could be increased by 40% by integrating
source rock evaluation and applying the concepts of
petroleum systems analysis to identify additional
hydrocarbon plays. The rst published study on Kuwait
Fig. 1. Map showing the Kuwaiti oil elds, which are producing mainly from Cretaceous reservoirs.
was in the country report presented at the 1984 OAPEC
seminar. It concluded, without presenting any data, that
formations shallower than the Burgan Formation are
immature throughout Kuwait and that the most likely
source rock is the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Sulaiy
(Makhul) Formation. Later, Abdullah (1993), Abdullah
and Kinghorn (1996) and Abdullah et al. (1997) con-
cluded that the most probable source rocks from the
Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous section are the Sulaiy
and Minagish Formations.
This study was carried out to investigate the origin of
oils accumulated within Cretaceous reservoirs, but also
included evaluation of one Jurassic reservoired oil.
2. Jurassic and Cretaceous geology of Kuwait
Throughout most of the Mesozoic, Kuwait was part
of a carbonate shelf environment up to 2000 km wide
(Beydoun, 1993). This shelf was part of the Neo-Tethys
sea created during the Late Triassic as a result of the
rifting between the central Iranian plate(s) and the
Arabian plate (Koop and Stoneley, 1982).
During the Early Jurassic, a carbonate and evaporite
shallow shelf environment prevailed, causing the
deposition of carbonate sediments in most of the basin.
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
The thickest Jurassic sequence accumulated in the
northwest corner of the basin, near Kuwait (Kamen-
Kaye, 1970). Average thickness of the lower Jurassic is
1456 m (4780 ft). Late Jurassic rocks in Kuwait are
represented by the Marrat Formation, which is com-
posed of dense micritic limestones and wackestones,
packstones and oolithic grainstones with rare anhydrite.
This formation was deposited in an intertidal and barrier
environment (Yousif and Nouman, 1997).
During the Middle Jurassic, the area was dominated by
a carbonate environment (Murris, 1980). The Dhruma
Formation ranges between 4065 m and is composed of
calcareous shales with rare limestones, deposited in a sub-
tidal zone of the inner-shelf (Yousif and Nouman, 1997).
From the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, the
northern part of the basin was occupied by an intra-
shelf depression known as the Luristan Basin, while
other parts of the Iranian side were undergoing diapiritic
salt movement. This silled basin remained restricted with
portions including part of Kuwait, reaching the halite
evaporite deposition stage (Koop and Stoneley, 1982).
Beydoun (1993) hypothesized that the ecient water
ushing from the distant ocean to this basin caused stra-
tication and anoxia leading to the development of
extensive areas of sapropelic source rocks.
The Bathonian interval in Kuwait is known as the
Sargelu Formation. It is 65 m (210 ft) of interbedded
wackstone and packstone. This lithologic composition
indicates an upward energy increase and evolution of a
new regressive cycle (Youssif and Nouman, 1997).
During the Late Callovian to Early Kimmeridgian,
euxinic conditions prevailed in the Luristan intrashelf
basin. These conditions were conducive to the deposi-
tion of laminated bituminous lime muds, which are
thought to be source rocks for the Middle-Upper Jur-
assic reservoirs on the Arabian sides of the basin. The
oils from these reservoirs have been correlated to the
Jurassic Tuwaiq Mountain and Hanifa Formation in
Saudi Arabia (Carrigan et al., 1994). The Najmah For-
mation is composed of cemented peloidal packstone,
and argillaceous and bituminous limestone. Yousif and
Nouman (1997) believed that this formation was
deposited during a ooding event, which encompassed
the entire Middle East. The Najmah Formation is
Table 1
Gas and oil reserves in main producing countries of the Arabian-Iranian Basin (after OAPEC, 1996)
Country Gas reserves Gas reserves/area
(109 m3) (109 m3/km2/102)
Saudi Arabia 5355 0.2
Kuwait 1498 8.4
UAE 5802 6.9
Iran 21000 1.3
Iraq 3341 0.8
127
unconformably overlain by the Gotnia and Hith For-
mations, deposited in a giant sabkha that covered most
parts of the basin (Murris, 1980; Beydoun, 1984). The
average thickness for these two formations in Kuwait is
520 m (1695 ft). According to Fox (1959) this thick
evaporite section resulted from more than one cycle of
evaporite deposition.
The Cretaceous was characterised by increased tectonic
activity, which resulted in the presence of two regional
unconformities in the Gulf area shown in the stratigraphic
column of Kuwait (Fig. 2). During the Early Cretaceous
until the end of the Valanginian, most parts of the basin
were covered by carbonate rocks, which are represented
in Kuwait by the Sulaiy (Makhul) and Minagish For-
mations and the lower part of the Ratawi Formation
(Limestone Member). These formations were deposited
in intra-shelf and shallow carbonate environments. This
period was followed by regression and regional uplift,
which resulted in the deposition of clastic sediments
including the Ratawi Shale Member, Zubair, Burgan,
Wara and Ahmadi Formations. Transgression and
deposition of the Shuaiba and Mauddud Formations
interrupted the regressional periods. The Rumaila and
Mishrif Formations, except in high areas such as the
Burgan structure, cover the Ahmadi Formation. By the
end of the Cretaceous, the Tethys Ocean on the eastern
side of the basin was closing. This resulted in a regional
unconformity and the reactivation of Mesozoic or older
structures. These are now described as the Burgan,
Sabria and Raudhatain Anticlines (Murris, 1980).
3. Petroleum geology of Kuwait
The Arabian plate region will dominate world
hydrocarbon reserves well after other currently produ-
cing major hydrocarbon regions have declined to insig-
nicance (Beydoun, 1991). This statement signies the
importance of that basin. Current oil and gas reserves in
the basin have shown a slight increase (OAPEC, 1997).
Table 1 summarises by country the highest oil and gas
reserves in the Arabian plate region. The reserves per
square kilometers for both oil and gas indicate that
Kuwait has the highest potential.
Oil reserves Oil reserves/area
(109 barrels) (109 barrels/km2/104)
261.5 1.2
96.5 54.2
97.8 11.7
93 0.6
112 2.6
128 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148

Fig. 2. Stratigraphic column and regional tectonics, onshore Kuwait (after Carman, 1996). The Jurassic stratigraphy is after Yousif
and Nouman (1997) and the ages after Harland et al. (1989). In Kuwait the Minagish and Sulaiy Formations are considered as good
potential source rocks.
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
In Kuwait, oil is produced mainly from reservoirs of
Cretaceous age (Fig. 2), but smaller volumes are also
produced from Tertiary reservoirs. Recently (1997), oil
has been produced from Jurassic reservoirs such as the
Marrat Formation. These reservoirs are either clastic,
such as Burgan, or carbonate, such as Minagish. The
quality of oil ranges between 848
API with sulphur
concentrations between 2.34.5%.
Most oil elds are located in a series of north-south
trending anticlines, associated with some minor faults
(Carman, 1996). Stratigraphic studies of these structural
features indicate growth as a result of tectonic uplift
since the Middle Cretaceous or even earlier, (Abdullah
et al., 1997). These anticlines are part of the Kuwait
Arch. The Great Burgan Field, the largest eld in Kuwait,
covers an area of about 770 km2 and has oil reserves of
approximately 60 billion barrels (Adsani, 1965).
Source rock studies indicate that oil in Cretaceous
reservoirs may have been generated from the Minagish
and Sulaiy Formations (Abdullah and Kinghorn, 1996).
Murris (1980) suggested that Kuwaiti oil was generated
from source rocks in the Luristan Basin in Iran and that
oil migrated laterally to the Kuwait area. Ala (1979) and
Beydoun (1993) hypothesized that the Middle Kazh-
dumi Formation in Iran is one of these source rocks.
Hussein (1983) suggested Jurassic source rocks from the
Sargelu and Najmah formations based on assessment of
wireline logs. An additional Jurassic source rock, the
Marrat Formation, was also suggested as a possible
source rock that may have generated the oil found in the
Marrat Formation reservoirs (Kuwait Country Report,
1989, 1994; Beydoun, 1993). Also, within the Triassic
sequence in Kuwait, dark shales show high gamma ray
response (Khan, 1989), and these intervals might be also
potential source rocks in the area.
4. Method of study
Eighteen core samples were selected as possible source
rocks based on a preliminary study carried out by
Abdullah (1993). These samples are of Lower and Mid-
dle Cretaceous age, from the Minagish and Raudhatain
oil elds (Fig. 1). The samples were analysed by various
geochemical techniques (TOC, Rock-Eval, chloroform
extraction, MPLC fractionation, asphaltene precipita-
tion, isotopes, GC and GCMS analyses, X-ray dirac-
tion, and petrographical tools) in order to identify and
characterize possible source rocks. Organic petro-
graphical analysis of kerogens was carried out to identify
type as well as environment of deposition.
To investigate possible oil-to-source rock correlation,
eleven oil samples were collected from well heads. The
samples are from the Burgan, Raudhatain, Bahra,
Miqua, and Minagish Oil Fields. The study focused on
the Cretaceous interval, but includes one sample from
129
the Jurassic Marrat Formation in the Miqua Oil Field.
API gravity and sulphur concentration were measured
on whole crude oils. Carbon isotope analysis was per-
formed on asphaltene fractions of both crude oils and
rock extracts. All crude oils were analysed using com-
bined HPLCGC. This automatic instrument provides a
good record of the molecular spectrum of both satu-
rated and aromatic hydrocarbons from C6 to C40 (Des-
sort et al., 1995). GCMS analysis of C15+ alkanes was
carried out to elucidate the distributions of steranes and
terpanes in these oils. GCMS was performed using a
Hewlett-Packard 6890/5973 GC/MSD. The mass spec-
trometer was operated at 70 eV with a mass range of m/
z 50600. The gas chromatograph was equipped with a
DB5 column (J&W, 60 m0.25 mm, lm thick-
ness=0.1m) with a deactivated pre-column of 5 m0.32
mm between the injector and the chromatographic col-
umn to improve the chromatographic resolution. The
oven temperature was programmed from 40 to 300
C
at 2
C/min and held at 300
C for 66 min. The C15+
aromatic fractions were analysed by GC to determine
the molecular distribution of benzothiophenes and
dibenzothiophenes.
Source rock extracts were analysed to establish their
possible genetic relationships to the oils. Isotopic values
of carbon in saturates, aromatics, and asphaltenes were
determined for rock extracts and oils. Further geo-
chemical analyses were applied to determine eective
source rocks. C15+ alkanes and aromatics were analysed
using gas chromatography with FID (carbon) and FPD
(sulphur) detectors. Further analysis of the C15+
alkanes by GCMS allowed determination of sterane
and terpane patterns and calculation of maturity and
source parameters.
5. Results
5.1. Basic geochemical data on rock samples: Rock-Eval
and organic petrography
The Rock-Eval data (Table 2 and Fig. 3) reveal three
main groups of rock samples:
1. Group A (sample 9, Mauddud Formation;
sample 7 and 8, Minagish Formation) contains
the most hydrogen-rich samples. However this
richness cannot be ascribed to source quality as
chloroform extract/TOC ratios are higher than
95%, which indicates that these samples are oil-
stained;
2. Group B (sample 4, Burgan Formation; sample
5, Zubair Formation; sample 17, Sulaiy Forma-
tion) corresponds to samples with TOC values
from 0.88 to 2.47% and HI values between 200
and 300 mg HC/g TOC. Taking into account
 130
Table 2
Basic geochemical data for rock samples: Rock-Eval and chloroform extract data. Abbreviations: TOC (%/w)=total organic carbon (%/weight): S1=mg HC/g rock; S2=mg HC/g
rock; S3=mg CO2/g rock; HI=Hydrogen Index=mg HC/g TOC; OI=oxygen index=mg CO2/g TOC; %Chlor.Extr./rock=% chloroform extract/rock; %sat.=%saturates;
%aro.=% aromatics; %pol.=%polars (=% resins+asphaltenes), %asp.=% asphaltenes

Samples references Rock-eval data Chloroform extract

Sample Sample Labratory Depth in Formation TOC S1 S2 S3 HI OI Tmax %Chlor. %Chlor. %sat. %aro. %pol. %asp.
number reference number feet (%/w) (
C) extra./rock extra./TOC

Minagish
1 MN/6 B80820 6006 Ahmadi 0.41 0.24 0.18 1.74 43 424 437

F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148

2 MN/4 B80821 6184 Mauddud 0.39 0.73 0.35 0.76 89 194 423
3 MN/3 B80822 6203 Burgan 0.94 0.8 1.03 1.04 109 110 434 0.1733 18 48.1 23.1 28.8 3.5
4 MN/1 B80823 6460 Burgan 2.47 1.71 6.28 0.54 259 21 431 0.3111 12 30.8 17.5 51.7 9.8
5 MN/13 B80808 7581 Zubair 2.35 0.43 4.63 0.46 197 19 419 0.1676 7 15.1 26.3 58.6 10
6 MN/8 B80809 9168 Ratawi 0.16 0.08 0.13 0.60 81 375 439
limestone member
7 MN/4 B80810 9826 Minagish 1.04 6.89 3.80 0.32 364 30 420 1.2579 121 45.0 27.4 27.6 4.1
8 MN/3 B80811 9981 Minagish 0.71 4.05 2.71 0.28 381 39 422 0.8444 118 41.2 26.8 32.0 8.2
Raudhatain
9 RA/13 B80824 7414 Mauddud 2.46 13.35 10.19 0.49 414 19 425 2.3429 95 34.8 26.0 39.2 13.1
10 RA/10 B80825 7849 Burgan 1.37 0.47 1.37 0.76 100 55 436 0.1361 10 41.8 21.0 37.2 10.3
11 RA/9 B80826 8439 Burgan 1.05 0.68 1.43 0.41 136 39 426 0.1874 18 34.2 17.4 48.4 7.5
12 RA/5 B80827 9009 Zubair 0.44 0.19 0.41 0.23 93 52 435
13 RA/2 B80828 10104 Zubair 4.13 0.34 2.26 2.72 54 65 442 0.1437 3 27.1 17.9 55.0 18.1
14 RA/1 B80829 10144 Ratawi 1.43 0.28 1.45 1.03 101 72 439 0.1087 8 34.0 21.3 44.7 15.4
shale member
15 RA/4 B80830 11989 Minagish 0.21 0.37 0.21 0.30 100 142 434 15
16 RA/4 B80831 11989 Minagish 3.07 2.44 3.12 0.23 101 7 464 0.4706 29 39.4 39.8 20.8 5
17 RA/3 B80832 12169 Sulaiy 0.88 1.00 2.09 0.39 237 44 448 0.2629 15 47.8 23.8 28.4 5.7
18 RA/1 B80833 12819 Sulaiy 1.40 1.30 1.03 0.31 73 22 457 0.2115 43.1 34.1 22.8 9.1
Umm Gudair
19 UG/11 B80834 6470 0.08 0.04 0.15 0.30 187 375 436
Burgan
20a B84222 10200 Najmah 31.4 14.96 96.73 0.89 308 3 444 4.8167 15 8.8 22.2 50.3
21a B84223 10212 Najmah 17.4 12.75 63.97 0.52 367 3 442 3.0719 18 10.1 22.7 52.8
a
Taken from an unpublished study.
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148 131

Fig. 3. Rock-Eval data for rock samples: diagram of hydrogen index (HI in mg HC/g TOC) against Tmax (in
C).

both values, these samples have fair to high source
rock potential. Variation of Tmax values from
420 to 450
C suggests dierent levels of maturity
among the samples, which were conrmed by
organic petrographic analysis (Table 3);
3. Group C refers to all samples with HI values
below 150 mg HC/g TOC. Within this group OI
and Tmax cover a wide range of values, due to a
mixture of low-maturity oxygen-rich samples
that are largely unconverted (e.g. sample 2;
 132
Table 3
Results of organic petrographic analyses and environmental interpretation for rock samples. Abbreviations: Vitr.%=% vitrinite; Inert.%=% inertinite; Exin.%=% Exinite;
TAI=thermal alteration index; Ro=vitrinite reectance

Sample Sample Depth in Formation Mean Ro% TAI Mean Ro% Vitr. Inert. Exin. Type of Environment
number reference feet (Abdullah, 1993; (this study) % % % organic matter (after Abdullah,
Abdullah and 1993)
Kinghorn, 1996)

Minagish
1 MN/6 6006 Ahmadi 0.33
2 MN/4 6184 Mauddud Shallow marine environment
as a transgressive phase

F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148

3 MN/3 6203 Burgan Deltaic complex/estuarine
4 MN/1 6460 Burgan 2 to 2 0.46 Deltaic complex/esturine
5 MN/13 7581 Zubair 0.38 2 to 1+ 0.40 > 75 < 5 5 to 25 Humic Littoral/partly deltaic
6 MN/8 9168 Ratawi Normal shallow marine shelf in
Limestone Member quiet to moderate energy
environment
7 MN/4 9826 Minagish Quiet, open shallow marine shelf
8 MN/3 9981 Minagish Quiet, open shallow marine shelf
Raudhatain
9 RA/13 7414 Mauddud Shallow marine environment
as a transgressive phase
10 RA/10 7849 Burgan 0.52 2+ to 2 0.51 > 75 5 to 25 5 to 25 Humic Deltaic complex/estuarine
11 RA/9 8439 Burgan 0.36 2+ to 2 Deltaic complex/estuarine
12 RA/5 9009 Zubair 0.53 2+ 0.62 > 75 5 to 25 5 to 25 Humic Littoral/partly deltaic
13 RA/2 10104 Zubair 0.67 3 to 2+ 0.70 > 75 5 to 25 5 to 25 Humic Littoral/partly deltaic
14 RA/1 10144 Ratawi 0.59 2+ Normal shallow marine shelf in
Shale Member quiet to moderate energy
environment
15 RA/4 11989 Minagish 1.28* Indetermined Quiet open shallow marine shelf
(anisotropic
bitumen)
16 RA/4 11989 Minagish Quiet open shallow marine shelf
17 RA/3 12169 Sulaiy 1.28* Indetermined Shallow quiet marine restricted
(ne microgranular
bitumen)
18 RA/1 12819 Sulaiy 1.38* Indetermined Shallow quiet marine restricted
(anisotropic
bitumen)
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148 133

Mauddud Formation and sample 3, Burgan
Formation, Table 3) and high maturity hydro-
gen-rich samples with only residual potential
(e.g. sample 16, Minagish Formation and sample
18, Sulaiy Formation, Table 3).
Ratawi Formation are not likely source rocks for the
oils. On the other hand, the carbonate Minagish and
Sulaiy formations appear to be possible candidates
based on similarity of asphaltene isotopes but also of
pristane to phytane ratios, as seen in Fig. 4.

Organic petrographic analyses were conducted on
non-oil stained samples by J.-L. Faggionato at Elf EP
and compared to previous data (Abdullah, 1993). The
results are listed in Table 3.
Two main types of organic matter were recognised:
5.3. C6+ alkanes and C6+ aromatics of rock extracts
obtained by LCGC
Gas chromatograms of C6+ alkanes (Fig. 5) illustrate
characteristic features of the rock extracts:

1. The rst type is humic with abundant vitrinite,
uorescent sporinites, cutinites, and resinites, is
found in the Burgan and Zubair Formations.
This land-plant derived organic matter is con-
sistent with the depositional environment of the
sediments that were deposited in a deltaic/
estuarine complex for the Burgan Formation
and in a littoral/partly deltaic environment for
the Zubair Formation. The maturity of this
organic matter increases from 0.4% Ro at 7581
ft. in the Minagish oil eld (MN/13 well) to
0.7% Ro in the Raudhatain oil eld (RA/4);
2. The second type, found in the Minagish and
Sulaiy Formations, has the appearance of aniso-
tropic bitumen, suggesting that the correspond-
ing immature kerogen was amorphous (Type II
or II-S) as seen in contemporary sediments
deposited in shallow marine shelf environments,
dominated by limestone lithology.
1. Sample 5 (Chlor.Extr./TOC=7%) is an imma-
ture rock (Ro=0.4%) of the Zubair Formation,
deposited under partly oxic conditions (prist/
phyt >2, Table 5, Fig. 4) in which the land-
derived input is clearly detectable by an odd-
carbon predominance in the n-alkane spectrum
(n-C25, n-C27, n-C29, etc.). The contamination
and impregnation by oil (or possibly diesel from
the mud) of some of these low maturity, humic
kerogens is exemplied by sample 4 of the Burgan
Formation (Chlor.Extr./TOC=12%), where the
pristane to phytane ratio is less than one (as in
oils, Fig. 4) and high molecular weight alkanes
are reduced, reecting migrated oil or con-
tamination. Sample 7, severely depleted in C19-

5.2. d13C of asphaltenes

d13C of asphaltenes has been used successfully to

trace the origin of archaeological bitumens for several
years (Connan et al., 1992; Connan and Deschesne,
1996). Less aected by secondary alteration processes,
this parameter can be used to relate drastically oxidised
and biodegraded bitumen in archaeological samples to
their parent oil shows, i.e. less altered asphalts or even
unaltered oils at depth in reservoirs (Connan et al.,
1998). This reliable genetic tool was applied in this
study.
The d13C of asphaltenes in the crude oils (11 samples)
ranges between 26.8 and 27.6% (Table 4) with the
average at 27.4%  0.2%.
The results on asphaltenes from rock extracts dier-
entiate two groups of samples (Table 5). The clastic
shales within the Burgan, Zubair and Ratawi forma-
tions show d13C values between 23.2 and 25.7%. The
carbonate group of Sulaiy and Minagish formations
ranges between 27.3 and 28.1% in the Raudhatain
Oil Field. Thus the carbon isotope ratios of asphaltenes Fig. 4. d13C of asphaltenes (%/PDB) vs. pristane/phytane:
suggest that shales within the Burgan, Zubair and comparison of oils and rock extracts.
 134
Table 4
Basic geochemical data for crude oils. Abbreviations: % sat=% saturates; % aro.=% aromatics; % res.=% resins; % asp=% asphaltenes

Crude oil references Data on whole oils Composition of the toped oil Isotopic data on specic fractions

Sample Depth in Formation Laboratory API Volatile Sulfur @13C % % % % @13C @13C @13C @D

F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148

number feet number gravity fraction (%/oil) (whole oil) sat. aro. res. asp sat. sat. asp. asp.
(%/oil)

Burgan BG
1 4689 Wara B80458 29.3 26.0 3.73 26.9 33.9 47.4 8.7 10.0 26.9 26.7 27.3 79
2 4683 Burgan B80459 31.0 30.5 2.53 27.0 44.3 46.2 4.7 4.8 27.1 26.6 27.4 91
3 7100 Minagish B80460 28.0 47.2 2.54 27.2 34.8 44.5 10.8 10.0 27.3 26.6 27.5 102
Rauhdatain RA
4 7580 Mauddud B80461 34.4 31.3 1.96 26.9 48.5 44.1 5.2 2.2 27 26.4 26.8
5 8316 Burgan B80462 33.0 27.8 3.10 27.2 40.8 46.6 11.6 1.1 27.2 26.8 27.4
6 10200 Zubair B80463 30.6 30.6 2.50 27.3 44.7 45.8 7.1 2.4 27.4 27 27.5 106
Bahra BA
7 12000 Mauddud B80464 28.7 21.9 4.02 27.2 31.6 50.4 10.9 7.1 27.3 26.8 27.6 109
8 11100 Burgan B80465 29.8 28.4 3.27 27.3 38.2 50.4 7.6 3.9 27.1 26.9 27.4
Miqua
9 11458 Marrat B80466 37.3 36.3 1.09 27.3 55.4 40.7 2.5 1.3 27.2 26.6 27.5
Minagish MN
10 6554 Burgan B80467 37.4 15.6 4.72 27.2 24.9 79.2 10.5 15.4 27.1 26.7 27.1 91
11 10455 Minagish B80468 33.4 29.2 2.67 26.9 41.9 48.7 5 4.5 26.8 26.5 27.4 80
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148 135

Table 5
Isoprenoid to n-alkane ratios, d13C and dD of asphaltenes in rock extracts

LCGC of saturates Isotopic data

Sample number Sample reference Formation prist/nC17 phyt/nC18 prist/phyt @13Casp. @Dasp.

1 MN/6 Ahmadi Mauddud

2 MN/4
3 MN/3 Burgan 0.20 0.32 1.06
4 MN/1 Burgan 0.26 0.55 0.49 25.7 59
5 MN/13 Zubair 0.62 0.33 2.29 23.1 98
6 MN/8 Ratawi limestone
member
7 MN/4 Minagish 0.64 26.9 68
8 MN/3 Minagish 0.64 26.9 72

9 RA/13 Mauddud 0.29 0.49 0.63 27.4

10 RA/10 Burgan 0.23 0.35 0.96 25.3
11 RA/9 Burgan Zubair Zubair 0.21 0.33 0.79 25.5 63
12 RA/5
13 RA/2 0.17 0.25 0.8 23.5
14 RA/1 Ratawi shale 0.24 0.29 1.09 23.7
member Minagish
15 RA/4
16 RA/4 Minagish 0.14 0.27 0.72 27.3 76
17 RA/3 Sulaiy 0.27 0.37 0.83 28.1 60
18 RA/1 Sulaiy 0.22 0.34 0.80 27.7

GCMS of saturates

20 B84222 Najmah 0.15 0.23 0.76 27.1 89

21 B84223 Najmah 0.16 0.24 1.02

alkanes, is typical of an oil-stained reservoir.
Lastly, sample 18, at a high level of maturity,
still shows a low pristane/phytane ratio, which
conrms the anoxic depositional environment
of that carbonate facies;
2. C6+ aromatics (Fig. 6) complete and corrobo-
rate the previous ndings. C6+ aromatics of the
Zubair Formation (sample 5) are dominated by
aromatic hydrocarbons (namely mono-, di-, tri-
methylnaphthalenes and phenanthrenes) con-
sistent with partly oxidising conditions. This
situation contrasts with that found in sample 4
from the Burgan Formation, where signicant
enrichment in sulphur-bearing aromatic com-
pounds is linked to allochthonous oil impregna-
tion (Fig. 7). The Sulaiy extract (sample 18),
which looks like the Burgan extract (sample 4),
is rich in sulphur-bearing aromatics but the
DBT pattern is much more mature. These com-
pounds are currently observed in restricted car-
bonate environments (Connan et al., 1986;
Hughes et al., 1995, Fig. 7). The sulphur rich-
ness in the C6+ aromatics was estimated using
the ratio between the FID and FPD chromato-
graphic signals. The plot of this ratio for all
samples including oils (Fig. 8) shows a sulphur
richness of the same order of magnitude in
Sulaiy-Minagish carbonate rocks, oil-stained
Burgan-Minagish rocks, and in oils including
the light oil from the Jurassic Marrat reservoir.
Clastic shales show a dierent pattern reecting
much less sulphur-bearing aromatics. Conse-
quently, crude oils from Kuwait do not origi-
nate from the Burgan, the Zubair Formation or
the Ratawi Shale Member. Limestones from the
Minagish and the Sulaiy Formations are hypo-
thesized as possible source rocks.
5.4. Sulphur content in crude oils
Basic data on crude oil samples (Table 4) show sul-
phur concentrations from 1.1% in the Miqua light oil
up to 4.7% in the Minagish (sample 10) oil; the average
value is 2.9%. The oils analysed are sulphur-rich and
must have been formed in a source rock with a type II-S
kerogen that accumulated in carbonate lithologies (pos-
sibly in the Sulaiy Formation). However, other potential
 136
F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
Fig. 5. Gas chromatograms obtained by LCGC of C6+ alkanes from representative rock extracts.
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
Fig. 6. Gas chromatograms (FID) obtained by LCGC of C6+ aromatics from representative rock extracts.

137
138 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
Fig. 7. DBT/P vs. pristane/phytane in oils and some rock
extracts (after Hughes et al., 1995).
source rocks from the Jurassic interval (e.g. Najmah
Formation) must also be considered (Fig. 4).
5.5. C6+ alkanes and C6+ aromatics of crude oils
C6+ alkane chromatograms of crude oils are very
similar in all samples (Fig. 9). They all show abundant
n-alkanes with no indication of light end loss due to
biodegradation. Their pristane to phytane ratios, always
less than unity (average at 0.57 0.3), indicate that these
oils originated from source rocks deposited in a dyoxic
to anoxic environment.
C6+ aromatics conrm the absence of any signicant
biodegradation among the crude oils. Biodegradation,
with complete loss of n-alkanes, has been noted at sur-
face in oil impregnations close to a fault near the Bur-
gan Hill (Connan et al., 1999). Patterns of C2C3
aromatics, based on quantitative measurement of indi-
vidual compounds, are very much alike and show no
selective removal of p- and m-xylenes, which are indica-
tive of the anaerobic incipient biodegradation of crude
oil (Connan et al., 1996). One exception, the Minagish
oil (sample 10), displays a dierent pattern due to either
lower maturity or incipient biodegradation under anae-
robic conditions. It is unknown which of these two
possibilities might have altered this oil. However, ben-
zene and toluene are present in all samples and therefore
water washing, if it occurred, was not very eective.
5.6. GCMS analyses of C15+ alkanes and of C15+
aromatics
GCMS analysis was carried out on C15+ alkanes
and C15+ aromatics of rocks and crude oils. The mole-
cular patterns of steranes and terpanes are shown in
Figs. 10 and 11, respectively. The sterane patterns (m/z
217, Fig. 10) of all oils are similar and are dominated by
C27C29 regular steranes with subordinate short chain
C22C23 steranes and methylsteranes. Diasteranes, and
especially C27 S and R compounds, are minor compo-
nents in all cases. This suggests that the source rock of
these oils may have been of a carbonate dominated
lithology (Rubinstein et al., 1975; Rullkotter et al.,
1985). The terpane patterns (m/z 191, Fig. 11) of the oils
are closely related, but changes were observed among
maturity parameters (e.g. Ts to Tm ratios). The Miqua
oil (Marrat Formation, Jurassic) exhibits the highest
maturity, as expected from its deep reservoir burial,
whereas the Burgan oil from the Minagish Field is the
least mature.
GCMS analysis of the C15+ aromatic fraction (not
shown) of crude oils allowed determination of the most
dominant molecular families: alkylbenzenes and their
methylated homologues, with one or two methyl groups
on the benzene ring, methylated naphthalenes, benzothio-
phenes, and dibenzothiophenes. Methylated benzothio-
phenes and dibenzothiophenes have already been reported
in crude oils from Kuwait by Hughes (1984). A review of
the distribution patterns of each molecular family provides
more details about molecular characteristics.
Homologous series of n-alkylbenzenes display odd-
carbon predominance at C19 and C21, previously
observed in carbonates from Guatemala (Connan et al.,
1986) and Mexico (Chiapas province; Connan et al.,
1995). Alkylbenzenes with an isoprenoid side chain,
possibly derived from carotenoids present in green
algae, are detectable in all samples except the most
mature Miqua oil. Among long chain alkylated sulphur-
bearing families, thiolanes and thiophenes are absent,
whereas long chain alkyl-benzothiophenes are present,
except in the Miqua oil. Long chain alkyl-benzothio-
phenes are present in low to moderately mature oils (e.g.
in the natural asphalt of the Dead Sea; Connan et al.,
1992), but are degraded as maturity increases. Therefore
it is quite logical not to nd them in the most mature oil
of the set, i.e. the Miqua oil.
5.7. Assessment of maturity in oils using sulphur-bearing
aromatic compounds and terpanes: a clue to the lling
history of reservoirs
Assessment of maturity was based primarily on sul-
phur-bearing aromatics and terpanes. Selected maturity
parameters are listed in Tables 6 and 7. Among the crude
oils in general, there is little variation in the well-known
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
P P
Fig. 8. Evaluation of sulphur richness in C6+ aromatics by measurement of the FID to FPD ratios.

139
 140
F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
Fig. 9. Gas chromatograms obtained by LCGC of C6+ alkanes of representative oils.
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
Fig. 10. Sterane distribution patterns (m/z 217) of representative oils.

141
 142
F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
Fig. 11. Terpane distribution patterns (m/z 191) of representative oils.
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148 143

Fig. 12. Seismic section showing Kuwaiti Arch asymmetry, Burgan Dome, Burgan Graben Fault, cutting to near surface and Ahmadi
Ridge structure with shallow reverse fault interpretation and subcrop to the base Cretaceous unconformity (after Carman, 1996).

methylphenanthrene indexes (MPI1 and MPI3), as often
observed when dealing with sulphur-rich crude oils
within the liquid oil window (Lichtfouse et al., 1994).
Several maturity related parameters, based on sulphur-
bearing aromatics (MDR4,1, MDBTI1, MDBTI3, BT/
DBT, C3-BT/DBT, MDBT/DBT, Table 7) and
terpanes (Ts/Tm, C29neohopane/C30abhopane, C27Dia/
C29aaRsterane, Table 6), were compared to classied oil
samples in terms of maturity. Ultimately, variations in
sulphur-bearing compounds were relied upon to establish
a maturity classication. The most signicant results are:
1. The Miqua oil, which is also the deepest (Jur-
assic Marrat Formation at 144580 ), is the most
mature. Its maturity is of the same order of
magnitude as extracts from the Minagish and
the Sulaiy rock samples of the Raudhatain eld,
which are at comparable depth (around 12,000
ft);
2. The oil (sample 10) from the Minagish Field,
reservoired at 6554 ft in the Burgan Formation,
is the least mature;
3. All crude oils except the Miqua sample show a
level of maturity that does not correlate with the
present depth of the reservoir. However, within
each oil eld, the maturity of oil increases with
depth of the reservoir. Maturity levels found in
Cretaceous reservoired oils are lower than
observed in rock samples from the Minagish
and Sulaiy Formations. Oils that migrated
upward to Cretaceous reservoirs were expelled
at a time when the level of maturity of the
source rocks (possible the Sulaiy Formation or
other potential source rocks occurring within
the Jurassic) was within the liquid oil window
(Ro equi. of 0.81.0%). Today, the maturity of
the studied Sulaiy Formation is much higher
(estimated at 1.3% Ro equi.).
Finally, the variations in oil maturity are not well
understood but are probably related to major tectonic
events which have favoured vertical migration of oils.
There is no clear relationship between maturity of oils
and present-day reservoir depth. This feature may be
due to the timing of reservoir lling. Some reservoirs
could have been lled earlier with a low maturity oil,
whereas others have been fed later when the source
rocks were much more mature. Most of the oil in place
 144
F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
Fig. 13. Distribution proles of d13C values of n-alkanes and isoprenoids from some crude oils and three source rock candidates. Rocks: sample 16=B80831; sample 17=B80832;
sample 18=B80833; oils: sample 2=B80459; sample 3=B80460; sample 6=B80463; sample 8=B80465; sample 9=B80466; sample 10=B80467.
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148 145

Table 6
Isoprenoid to n-alkanes ratios and maturity parameters measured on C15+ alkanes. Abbreviations: prist=pristane; phyt=phytane;
nC17=n-heptadecane; nC18=n-octadecane; Ts/Tm=18a(H),22,29,30-trisnorneohopane/17a(H),22,29,30-trisnorhopane; 29neoH/
29abH=29neoH/29abH=18a(H)-norneohopane/17a(H),21b(H)-norhopane, 27Dia/29aaR=20 R+S- C27diasteranes/5a(H),14a(H),
17a(H), 20 R-C29 sterane

References LCGC of C6+ alkanes GCMS C15+ alkanes

Rocks number Oils number Well prist/phyt prist/nC17 phyt/nC18 Ts/Tm 29neoH/29aH 27Dia/29aaR

1 Bg 0.43 0.12 0.33 0.65 0.13 0.72

2 Bg 0.65 0.19 0.35 0.32 0.08 0.88
3 BG 0.59 0.2 0.39 0.26 0.07 0.77
4 RA 0.58 0.15 0.3 0.31 0.08 0.82
5 RA 0.52 0.15 0.34 0.22 0.06 0.65
6 RA 0.88 0.26 0.34 0.31 0.08 0.69
7 BA 0.42 0.15 0.39 0.19 0.06 0.75
8 BA 0.53 0.16 0.35 0.24 0.06 0.83
9 MIQ 0.56 0.13 0.27 2.29 0.41 0.97
10 MN 0.37 0.13 0.41 0.38 0.10 0.66
11 MN 0.75 0.2 0.31 0.64 0.12 0.70
4 MN/1 0.26 0.55 0.49 0.18 0.09 0.45
5 MN/13 0.62 0.33 2.29 0.05 0.04 0.31
7 MN/4 0.64 0.71 0.14 0.29
16 RA/4 0.14 0.27 0.72 12.00 0.96 0.33
17 RA/3 0.27 0.37 0.73 11.37 1.30 1.05
18 RA/1 0.22 0.34 0.80

Table 7
DBT/P and maturity parameters measured on C15+ aromatics. Abbreviations: P=phenanthrene; MP=methylphenanthrene;
BT=benzothiophene; DBT=dibenzothiophene; MDBT=methyldibenzothiophene; MPI1=1.5 (2MP+3MP)/P+1MP+9MP;
MPI3=2MP+3MP/1MP+9MP; MDR4,1=4MDBT/1MDBT; MDBTI1=1.5 (4MDBT+2,3MDBT)/DBT+2,3MDBT+1MDBT;
P P
MDBTI3=4MDBT+2,3MDBT/2,3MDBT+1MDBT; BT/ DBT=sum of benzothiophenes/sum of dibenzothiophenes (integra-
P P
tion of LCGC signal for C6+ aromatics); C3BT/ BT+ DBT=C3-benzothiophenes/sum of benzo- and dibenzothiophenes (inte-
P
gration of LCGC signal for C6+ aromatics); MDBT/DBT=sum of MDBT/DBT

References GC and GCMS of aromatics

P P
Rocks Oils Well MPI1 MPI3 MDR4.1 MDBTI1 MDBTI3 BT/ C3BT/ MDBT/ DBT/P
P P
number number (GCMS) (GCMS) (GC) (GC) (GC) DBT BT+ DBT (GCMS)
P
(ICGC C6+ DBT (GC C15+
aromatics) (ICGC aromatics)
C6+ aromatics)

1 BG 0.59 0.53 2.0 1.4 1.4 0.8 16.6 3.4 2.72

2 BG 3.2 1.9 1.7 0.6 15.6 5.7
3 BG 0.66 0.64 2.6 1.7 1.6 0.7 16.3 4.7 1.56
4 RA 0.57 0.64 3.4 1.8 1.7 0.6 15.6 4.9 1.25
5 RA 2.7 1.7 1.6 0.9 20.3 4.6
6 RA 0.50 0.46 3.1 1.9 1.7 0.6 16.1 5.8 1.75
7 BA 0.67 0.66 1.9 1.5 1.3 0.9 20.1 4.7 1.51
8 BA 2.6 1.7 1.5 0.8 17.2 4.8
9 MIQ 0.60 0.52 7.7 2.4 2.2 0.2 6.7 7.9 2.39
10 MN 0.71 0.69 1.1 1.1 1.1 0.9 18.5 3.6 2.31
11 MN 0.66 0.58 1.6 1.2 1.2 0.7 17.9 3.1 3.75
4 MN/1 0.59 0.64 2.1 1.7 1.5 0.3 9.7 6.1 1.97
5 MN/13 0.75 1.42 2.8 0.9 1.7 1.2 0.34
7 MN/4
16 RA/4 1.48 1.60 3.4 2.0 1.7 0.1 5.2 7.4 8.8
17 RA/3 2.44 5.6 2.6 2.2 0.2 8.0 9.4 4.03
18 RA/1 5.4 2.6 2.1 0.1 4.7 13.1
146 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
in Cretaceous reservoirs was expelled at a maturity lower
than 1.3% vitrinite reectance equivalent. In a previous
study considering the Sulaiy as the eective source rock,
Abdullah et al. (1997) established by modelling that most
oil generation took place during the Late Cretaceous and
Early Tertiary and that oil expulsion occurred during the
Tertiary. Peak oil expulsion was at 62 Ma, which is the
time of the Zagros orogeny. The tectonic movement
caused fracturing and faulting in many traps (Fig. 12),
which entailed a release in pressure and enhanced the
migration of oil from the Sulaiy Formation. Thus, release
in pressure as a result of tectonic movement and the micro-
fracturing of source rocks by intensive oil generation
appear to have occurred at about the same time, and
enhanced the expulsion of oil out of the source rock and its
distribution into dierent reservoir levels. Later, additional
tectonic events may have resulted in remigration of oil.
5.8. Attempt to establish oil-to-source correlation using
GCCIRMS analysis on C15+ alkanes and whole oil
A more detailed investigation was undertaken to
explore the possible genetic relationship between the
chloroform extracts of the Minagish and Sulaiy source
rocks and the oil samples. Measurement of isotope
values of individual compounds was carried out on
whole oils, C15+ total alkanes and C15+ n-alkanes iso-
lated by molecular sieving with silicalite. Comparison of
these analyses showed that heavier values, in the order
of magnitude of 0.51.0% PDB, were found in the pure
n-alkanes isolated by silicalite. Nevertheless, the line
chart patterns and the classication of samples are pre-
served when using the n-alkane data on whole C15+
alkanes.
A line chart comparison of d13C values of crude oils
to d13C values of the three potential source rocks
(Fig. 13), namely samples 16 (Minagish Formation), 17
and 18 (Sulaiy Formation), shows that all oils lie
between samples 16/18 and sample 17. The Miqua oil
reservoired in the Marrat Formation, matches the gen-
eral pattern of the other oils, despite higher maturity.
Incorporation of additional data on isoprenoids did not
modify the classication (Fig. 13).
The GCCIRMS analyses of alkanes did not per-
mit denite conclusions regarding the origin of the oils
to be made. Obviously, there is a need to upgrade the
present study with a complete geochemical study of the
Jurassic interval because extremely organic-rich source
rocks have been reported in the Najmah Formation
(Zumberge, J., personal communication, 1990).
6. Conclusions
Eighteen rock and ten oil samples from Cretaceous
formations, and 1 Jurassic oil were analysed using geo-
chemical techniques including molecular and isotope
chemistry (d13C) on individual alkanes. The Burgan and
Zubair Formations and the Ratawi Shale Member, of
Albian to Valanginian age, are not the source rocks of
the crude oils for several reasons: dierent molecular
and isotope chemistry, humic kerogen that is poor in
sulphur-bearing aromatics, and immaturity.
The Minagish and the Sulaiy Formations, Upper
Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous age, appear as potential
source candidates based on the molecular and bulk iso-
tope chemistry. However, maturation level of these
source rocks is higher than the maturity of the eective
source rocks that have generated oils accumulated in the
Cretaceous reservoirs. In addition, d13C proles of C15+
alkanes do not provide a good match between the rock
extracts and the oils. Nevertheless, the extract of one
Sulaiy sample is rather similar to the oils. Consequently,
the Minagish and Sulaiy Formations have not been
denitely proved as the only source rocks for Cretac-
eous oils. First of all, the rock samples analysed, and
also those quoted in previous studies, are not prolic
source rocks according to their carbon content, which is
lower than 2% in most cases. In addition, much better
source rocks with TOC values higher than 10% are
known in the Najmah Formation. Finally, the mole-
cular and isotope characteristics encountered in Jurassic
oils (e.g. the Miqua 9 oil) is very much like those of the
Sulaiy-Minagish carbonates. Therefore, we consider
that the question of the origin of oils from Cretaceous
reservoirs is still open and that a complementary study
of the Jurassic interval is needed. Even if the Sulaiy
Formation remains a potential source rock in the area,
the contribution of other prolic source rocks from the
Jurassic interval is more likely to explain the huge
amount of oil found in Kuwait.
The oils belong to the same genetic family. Similar
results were shown in a study by Kaufman et al. (1998)
on oils from the Great Burgan Field. These oils were
expelled from a source rock with a dominant limestone
lithology, like the Minagish and Sulaiy Formation, but
probably also the Najmah Formation. The Miqua oil,
reservoired in the Jurassic Marrat Formation, does not
dier signicantly from the other oils in terms of
genetic characteristics. As expected, this deep, light oil
is the most mature of the set. On the contrary, the
Minagish oil (sample 10) is the least mature of the set.
None of the oils, except sample 10 of the Minagish
Field, has been aected very much by biodegradation.
Their maturity has not been found to be related directly
to the present depth of the reservoirs. Nevertheless, it
has been shown that in the same oil eld the oil maturity
increases with reservoir depth. Upward migration has
been very ecient in Kuwait through time, as biode-
graded oil has been collected near Burgan Hill. This
crude correlates with the Cretaceous oils of the Burgan
oil eld.
 F.H. Abdullah, J. Connan / Organic Geochemistry 33 (2002) 125148
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the Research Administra-
tion Section in Kuwait University for supplying the
nancial support and the Kuwait Oil Company for
supplying the oil and rock samples in this study. Thanks
are also due to Elf Exploration Production for their
support in analyses of samples at their Scientic and
Technical Centre in Pau (France) and for permission to
publish the results. The authors would like to thank
Henry Halpern, Mark Bastow and Daniel Jarvie for
their constructive reviews, corrections and suggestions
that considerably improved this manuscript. The Eng-
lish version has largely beneted from the advice of
Daniel Jarvie. We would like to thank Jean-Louis Fag-
gionato for his assistance with the organic petrographic
study.
Associate EditorsM. Fowler and J. Curiale
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