Palynofacies, organic geochemical analyses

and hydrocarbon potential of some Upper

Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous rocks, the
Sabatayn-1 well, Central Yemen

Abdulwahab S. Alaug, Magdy

S. Mahmoud, Amr S. Deaf & Thamer
K. AL-Ameri

Arabian Journal of Geosciences

ISSN 1866-7511
Volume 7
Number 6

Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515-2530

DOI 10.1007/s12517-013-0961-y

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 Author's personal copy
Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530
DOI 10.1007/s12517-013-0961-y
ORIGINAL PAPER
Palynofacies, organic geochemical analyses and hydrocarbon
potential of some Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous rocks,
the Sabatayn-1 well, Central Yemen
Abdulwahab S. Alaug & Magdy S. Mahmoud &
Amr S. Deaf & Thamer K. AL-Ameri
Received: 11 March 2013 / Accepted: 23 April 2013 / Published online: 4 June 2013
# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2013
Abstract The current work investigates the hydrocarbon
potentiality of the upper Jurassic–lower Cretaceous rocks
in the Marib-Shabwah Basin, Central Yemen, through the
Sabatayn-1 well. Therefore, palynological and organic geo-
chemical analyses were carried out on 37 ditch cutting and
12 core samples from the well. Palynofacies analysis of the
Madbi (late Oxfordian–early Tithonian) and Nayfa
(Berriasian–Valanginian) Formations sediments indicates
deposition of their organic-rich shale, calcareous shale and
marl in middle to outer shelf environments under dysoxic–
anoxic conditions, containing mainly kerogen of types II to
III. However, the shales of the lower Sabatayn (Tithonian)
Formation were deposited in an inner shelf environment of
prevailing dysoxic–suboxic conditions, and show kerogen
types III to II. Regional warm and relatively dry palaeoclimate
but with local humid conditions developed near the site of the
well is thought to have prevailed during deposition of the
studied well sediments. The geochemical analyses of the
Madbi Formation show higher total organic carbon content
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article
(doi:10.1007/s12517-013-0961-y) contains supplementary material,
which is available to authorized users.
A. S. Alaug (*)
Geology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences,
Taiz University, Taiz 6803, Yemen
e-mail: wahabalaug@yahoo.com
A. S. Alaug
e-mail: ameralaug@hotmail.com
M. S. Mahmoud : A. S. Deaf
Geology Department, Faculty of Science,
Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt
T. K. AL-Ameri
Geology Department, College of Science,
University of Baghdad, Jadiriyah, Iraq
(TOC) than the overlying Sabatayn and Nayfa formations: it is
varies between 1.2 and 7, and with average 4 wt% TOC, and
the obtained S2 values (∼3–10, average 7 mg HC/g rock)
indicates that the Madbi Formation is mainly good source
rock. It shows a good petroleum potential of 4–11 mg HC/g
dry rock, and the Rock-Eval pyrolysis indicates mainly kero-
gen types II to III (oil to gas prone) of hydrogen index values
(132–258, and only one sample from Lam Member is of 360
and average 215 mg HC/g TOC). The thermal maturation
parameters as Tmax (425–440 °C), production index (average
0.13 mg HC/g rock) and thermal alteration index (2 to 2+)
reflected that this formation is present at margin of maturation
to early mature stage oil window. So, the Lam Member (upper
part) of the Madbi Formation is considered the main hydro-
carbon (oil and gas) source rock in the Marib-Shabwah Basin.
Accordingly, we predict that the Meem Member is an active
source for gas and oil accumulations in the overlying sandstone
reservoir of the Sabatayn Formation in the Sabatayn-1 well.
Keywords Jurassic . Cretaceous . Palynofacies .
Hydrocarbon potential . Marib-Shabwah . Yemen
Introduction and geological setting
The 1960s documented the first exploration activities for
hydrocarbon s in Yemen, with the coastal region of the Red
Sea being the first target of these activities in 1961. The first
commercial discovery was made in 1982 in the central part
of the Marib-Shabwah Basin (block 18), Central Yemen
(Fig. 1) by an American oil company named as “Yemen
Hunt Oil Company”. Commercial production was started by
the aforementioned company during the summer of 1986
from the Alif Field through the Alif-1 well with a production
rate of 8,000 BOPD. This discovery was later followed by
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Fig. 1 Simple geological map of Yemen and the studied the Sabatayn-1 well (Simplified after Beydoun 1997; Bosence 1997)
several oil and/or gas field discoveries in block 18 (Fig. 1).
Currently, there are about 36 discoveries so far in the Marib-
Shabwah Basin with the estimated resource of the Sabatayn
reservoir reaching to almost three billion barrels of oil and
condensate as well as 11 trillion ft3 of gas (YOGC 2008;
PEPA 2012). These exploration activities were extended to
the southern and eastern parts of the Republic of Yemen with a
series of discoveries has been made by different exploration
companies from the early 1990s until now (YOGC 2008).
The Marib-Shabwah Basin in which the studied the
Sabatayn-1 well lies is regarded as one of the important
Mesozoic rift basins of Central Yemen. This is an oriented
NW–SE interior rift basin (Fig. 1), following the Precambrian
fault trend of Najd Shear System (Beydoun et al. 1996;
Brannan et al. 1999). This basin is of a prime importance to
the Yemen hydrocarbon production because the first
Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530
productive wells have been discovered in this area. Marib-
Shabwah Basin development is due to the Gondwana breakup
and separation of India and Madagascar apart from the Arabo-
Nubian Shield. Rifting of the basin occurred along old weak
orogenic lineaments of the Precambrian rocks (Beydoun et al.
1996; Beydoun and As-Saruri 1998). Sediments of the Madbi
Formation were deposited during a late Jurassic syn-rift phase,
followed by a latest Jurassic (Tithonian) late-rift phase sedi-
mentation of the Sabatayn Formation, and the early Cretaceous
sediments of the Nayfa Formation were deposited during the
post-rift phase (Kerr and Holden 1995; Ellis et al. 1996;
Bosence 1997). During the mid-Oligocene, the basin was
subjected to tectonic movements due to the opening of the
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (Hughes et al. 1991). This was
accompanied with basin nearby volcanic activities, which in
turn enhanced the maturation of sedimentary organic matter in
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Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530
the Marib-Shabwah Basin. Brannan et al. (1999) discussed in
detail the tectonostratigraphic development of this basin on the
basis of unpublished subsurface geophysical data acquired by
the Nimir Oil Company, and the geological evolution of the
basin. The Madbi Formation is found in most of the Jurassic
sections throughout the country (Beydoun et al. 1998). Along
the margins of the Marib-Shabwah Basin, a number of
turbiditic submarine fan successions characterize the northern
and southern margins of the basin (Beydoun et al. 1998). The
Sabatayn Formation is recognized in the subsurface and
diapiric outcrops of the diapiric salt domes from the
Marib-Shabwah Basin, which includes the intercalations
of evaporates and clastics (Beydoun et al. 1998).
The objective of the present work is to evaluate the
hydrocarbon potential of some upper Jurassic–lower
Cretaceous rocks of the Sabatayn-1 well. The late Jurassic
(late Oxfordian–early Tithonian) clastics is represented by the
Madbi Formation of the Amran Group overlain by the
Sabatayn (Tithonian) and the early Cretaceous (Berriasian–
Valanginian) clastics Nayfa Formations of the same Amran
Group. The Madbi Formation has been given much attention,
since it is well-known as a main hydrocarbon source rock in
some adjacent basins of Central Yemen, for example in the
Say’un-Masilah Basin to the east of the Marib-Shabwah Basin
(Beydoun 1997). So the issue aims to: (1) recognize types of
sedimentary organic matter (SOM) and their palynomorph
contents to define the palaeoclimate; (2) identify palynofacies
types to infer depositional palaeoenvironments and the prob-
able hydrocarbon products; and (3) evaluate the hydrocarbons
potential of the studied sequence.
Lithostratigraphy
The Madbi Formation The Madbi Formation (Beydoun
1964) is generally composed of marls, shales, mudstone,
calcareous shale and some sandstone beds (Fig. 2), and has a
total thickness of 240 m at its type locality the Gebel Madbi.
This formation is conformably overlain by the Sabatayn and
underlain by the Shuqra formations. The Madbi Formation is
stratigraphically divided into two conformably members: the
lower Meem Member of a palaeontologically identified
Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian age (e.g. Beydoun et al. 1998) and
is made of marls, shales and calcareous shale. The upper Lam
Member is of a palaeontologically identified Kimmeridgian–
early Tithonian age (Taheri et al. 1992; Beydoun et al. 1998)
and is made of shales and mudstone with some limestone and
sandstone beds. This formation was deposited in pelagic to
restricted marine environments, with phases of anoxic and
periodic margin instability within the rift basin A prograding
deltaic environment characterized the upper reaches of the
western part of the Marib-Shabwah Basin (Beydoun et al.
1998). The Madbi Formation is organically rich and
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constitutes the principal source rocks for all the hydrocar-
bons so far discovered in the Marib-Shabwah and Sayun-
Masilah basins of Yemen (Taheri et al. 1992; Beydoun et
al. 1998; Csato et al. 2000).
The Sabatayn Formation The Sabatayn Formation (Beydoun
1964) is made of sandstones and evaporites with some clay
interbeds. In the Marib-Shabwah Basin, this formation is only
exposed as diapiric salt domes and is widely found in the
subsurface (average total thickness of 545 m), and it has a
Tithonian age (Beydoun et al. 1998). The Sabatayn Formation
is divided into four conformably overlying members including
the Yah, Seen, Alif and Safer members (Beydoun et al. 1998).
The Alif Member is made of sandstone with some shales and
with evaporites intercalations at the upper part of the member.
This member is only found in the subsurface and it was
deposited in fluvial to deltaic environments. The Alif sand-
stone Member of the Sabatayn Formation together with the
other minor reservoir sandstones within the Yah, Seen, and
Safer members of the Sabatayn Formation are regarded as the
main hydrocarbon reservoir in the Marib-Shabwah Basin. The
salt and shale beds of the Sabatayn Formation are serving as
seal rocks for most of the Marib-Shabwah Basin reservoirs
(Fig. 2). These halite strata act as barriers against the vertical
migration of petroleum and thus, are effective seal rocks.
The Nayfa Formation This formation (Beydoun 1964)
encounters calcareous shales, shales and claystones, and it
reaches up to 400 m thick at the investigated basin (this
formation was informally referred to as the Azal Formation
by the former Yemen Hunt Oil Company geologists). In the
exploration drilling boreholes, it was encountered in all the
main Yemeni rifted basins. It has an early Cretaceous
(Berriasian–Valanginian) age (Beydoun et al. 1998; Alaug
2002 and 2006), and it was deposited mainly in open marine
environments (Beydoun et al. 1998).
Material and methods
The material investigated is represented by 37 ditch cutting
and 12 core samples collected from the Sabatayn-1well
(longitude 45° 56′ E, latitude 15° 17′ N), the Marib-
Shabwah Basin, Central Yemen (Fig. 1). The core and side
core samples were used for organic geochemistry and the
visual microscopy was used for assessment of organic ther-
mal maturation “thermal alteration index” (TAI) based on
the Staplin (1977) color chart. Light microscope (Leitz-
Laborlux-11 POL and ZEISS-Axioskop 40 A/Pol. Carl) in
the labs of the University of Baghdad-Iraq and Taiz
University, Yemen, was used to identify SOM groups and
marine and nonmarine palynomorphs. Organic geochemistry
includes measuring of total organic carbon (TOC) percentage
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2518 Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530

Fig. 2 Stratigraphic section of the Sabatayn-1 well, Central Yemen (Modified after Beydoun et al. 1998)

by using a Leco Apparatus, based on method of Whelan et al. calculate different parameters as Tmax, S1, S2, S3, hydrogen
(1984), in the laboratories of the Iraqi Oil Company-Baghdad index (HI), oxygen index (OI), production index (PI) and
was carried out. Rock-Eval pyrolysis was done to identify and petroleum potential (PP) (Table 1).
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Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530 2519

Table 1 Organic geochemical

log and TOC of the studied Formation Member Depth (m) HI OI PI Tmax TOC S2 PP
Madbi formation samples, the
Sabatayn-1 well Madbi Lam 1,300.00 360 25.00 0.12 437.00 2.00 7.20 8.20
1,310.00 222 21.00 0.17 430.00 1.80 4.00 4.80
1,330.00 258 36.00 0.16 425.00 1.20 3.10 3.70
1,340.00 242 18.00 0.18 438.00 3.10 7.50 9.10
1,370.00 229 24.00 0.16 435.00 3.40 7.80 9.30
Average 257 24.80 0.16 433.00 2.30 5.92 7.02
Meem 1,400.00 210 21.00 0.10 430.00 3.10 6.50 7.20
1,420.00 195 19.00 0.07 435.00 3.90 7.60 8.20
1,440.00 249 30.00 0.10 438.00 4.10 10.20 11.30
1,460.00 179 32.00 0.16 435.00 5.20 9.30 11.10
1,475.00 133 31.00 0.12 440.00 6.30 8.40 9.50
1,480.00 132 22.00 0.10 435.00 7.10 9.40 10.50
1,490.00 171 20.00 0.17 438.00 5.20 8.90 10.70
Average 173 25.00 0.12 435.86 4.99 8.61 9.79

Palynofacies analysis and palaeoenvironment The amorphous organic matter (AOM)–palynomorphs–

Palynofacies analyses are now considered routine procedures
in several research institutes and oil companies due to their
scientific and economic potential. They permit recognition of
sedimentary organic matter (SOM) with good precision and
accuracy, in addition to their impact on describing processes
that are contemporaneous or later to formation of the SOM,
which assist in hydrocarbon source rock evaluation (e.g.
Batten 1981). There are different techniques (e.g. Tyson
1995; Pittet and Gorin 1997; Bombardiere and Gorin 1998,
2000) that are used for studying SOM in palynofacies analy-
sis. We used those of Steffen and Gorin (1993), Pittet and
Gorin (1997) and Bombardiere and Gorin (1998) as shown in
Table 2. Sedimentary organic matter log (SOML) expressed as
percentage distribution of palynological groups of environ-
mental significance, is drawn with depth for the studied well
samples (e.g. Tyson 1984; Pittet and Gorin 1997).
phytoclasts (APP) ternary kerogen plot of Tyson (1995) was
used to identify the kerogen types. Another ternary plot of
significance that was used here is the ternary palynomorphs
plot MSP, in which M represent microplankton such as dino-
flagellates, microforaminiferal test linings and marine acritarchs,
S represents spores whereas P stands for pollen. This plot can be
used to describe onshore–offshore and transgressive–regressive
trends (e.g. Tyson 1995). Palynomorphs themselves have envi-
ronmental significance because they occur in terrestrial and
marine environments. They can infer palaeoclimatic and
palaeoenvironmental characteristics (e.g. Tyson 1995).
In order to identify different SOM groups in each
palynofacies, a count of 200 organic matter particles was
carried out for each palynological slides to document changes
in the frequency of organic matter and to calculate their
percentage frequency according to Nøhr-Hansen (1989) and
Steffen and Gorin (1993). As a result, two main palynofacies

Table 2 Classification of the

sedimentary organic matter Origin Group Constituent
(after Steffen and Gorin 1993;
Pittet and Gorin 1997; Continental (Allocthonous) Phytoclasts Opaque to semi Equidimensional
Bombardiere and Gorin 1998) opaque Blade shaped
Translucent
Miospores Pollen Bisaccate
Non saccate
Spores
Amorphous Non-fluorescent
Marine (Autochthonous) organic Fluorescent
matter
Microplankton Dinoflagellate cysts
Acritarchs
Algae
Microforaminiferal
linings test (MFLT)
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Fig. 3 Sedimentary organic matter log (SOML) of the Sabatayn-1 well
types were recognized from the investigated late Jurassic–
early Cretaceous sediments of the Marib-Shabwah Basin
(Fig. 3; ESM 1). Description of these palynofacies types from
the base to the top is as follows:
Palynofacies assemblage no. 1: (PFA1, AOM dominated) This
palynofacies is documented from two separate sequences
represented by samples 1–23 and 33–44 from depths
intervals 1,480–1,260 m (Madbi Formation) and 660–220 m
(Nayfa Formation) respectively. The AOM dominates (∼ 39–
48 %, average 44 %) the total organic matter composition of
this palynofacies (Fig. 3; Plate 1, fig. 20). The high abun-
dances of AOM indicate distal depositional settings of the
organic-rich shale and calcareous shale of the palynofacies
under dysoxic–anoxic conditions (Dow and Pearson 1975;
Bujak et al. 1977), where the site of deposition was located
relatively far from high terrestrial organic matter input, and
with its prevailing reducing conditions must have enhanced
preservation of AOM (Tyson 1993). These distal dysoxic–
anoxic conditions are also supported by the samples plot in the
APP ternary diagram (Fig. 4).
The marine phytoplanktons (∼ 13–35 %, average 21 %)
and phytoclasts (∼ 15–31 %, average 25 %) represent the
second most dominant constituents of this palynofacies
(PFA1). The moderate high abundances of the phytoplanktons
in samples 1–12 (Madbi Formation) indicate shelfal offshore
settings (e.g. Davey 1970). This interpretation may be
supported by the presence of relatively moderate occurrences
(2–9 %, average 5 %) of the chorate, proximate (3–13 %,
average 6 %), and proximochorate (1–6 %, average 1 %)
dinoflagellate cysts (Plate 2) that are generally taken to
Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530
indicate relatively open (inner–middle shelf) conditions (e.g.
Dale 1983; Tyson 1989; Lister and Batten 1988). Occurrences
of microforaminiferal test linings in samples 1–12 in frequen-
cies similar to those of the dinoflagellate morphotypes also
indicate offshore setting of normal marine conditions
(Schrank 1984; Lister and Batten 1988; Stancliffe 1989).
Similar offshore settings but are relatively shallower than
those descried for samples 1–12 are suggested for samples
22–44 (Nayfa Formation), as the latter interval shows lower
dinoflagellates and microforaminiferal test linings frequencies
than those recorded in samples 1–12. The frequencies of
dinoflagellates and microforaminiferal test linings were found
(e.g. Davey 1970) to decrease with decreasing water depth,
where they are diluted with terrestrially derived organic matter
(Mutterlose and Harding 1987; Lister and Batten 1988; Prauss
1989). Plot of the palynofacies samples in the MSP ternary
diagram (Fig. 5) also suggests these offshore settings.
Miospores are the least component of the palynofacies (∼ 6–
15 %, average 11 %) and their increase from (∼ 5.5–10 %,
average 7 %) in samples 1–12 (Madbi Formation) to (∼ 9–16,
average 12 %) in samples 22–44 also suggests a shallower
offshore setting for samples 22–44 (Nayfa Formation). As
increase s in miospores percentages were equated to proximity
of depositional sites to active sources of terrestrial organic
matter input (e.g. Tyson 1993).
Recorded phytoclasts frequencies (∼ 15–31 %, average
25 %) also support the suggested offshore settings, where
the irrelatively low concentrations were equated to weak
terrestrial influx and deposition in distal settings that were
located far from land vegetation (Müller 1959; Pocklington
and Leonard 1979; Tyson 1993).
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Plate 1 All the studied samples from Sabatayn-1 well, sample num-
ber, depth, and name of the formation are given sequentially for each
illustrated specimen. All photos have been taken by light microscopy
(ZEISS-Axioskop 40 A/Pol. Carl) and Canon Pc1200 camera.
Miospores, microforaminiferal test linings, multicellular fungi, and
palynofacies types (PFA1 and PFA2) photos taken from the studied
the Sabatayn-1 well in the Marib-Shabwah Basin, Central Yemen, with
a scale bar of 20 μm of figures 3, 6–8, 11, 21; 10 μm of figures 1–2, 4,
9–10, 12–15, 18–19, and 5 μm of figures 16–17, 20. SP=spore, PL=
pollen, TR=tracheid, DC=dinocyst, MFTL=microforaminiferal test
lining, AOM =amorphous organic matter. (1) Collection of pollen
grains: Exesipollenites/Inaperturopollenites group, sample no. 24,
depth 1,020 m, Sabatayn Formation (PFA2). (2) Proximate dinocysts
and pollen of the PFA1, sample no. 19, depth 580 m, Nayfa Formation.
(3) Pterosermopsis sp., sample no. 32, depth 1,180 m, Sabatayn For-
mation. (4) collection of pollen grains partially covered by AOM of the
PFA2, sample no. 28, depth 1,100 m, Sabatayn Formation. (5)
Miospores and phytoclasts of the PFA2, sample no. 30, depth
1,140 m, Sabatayn Formation. (6) Cassiculosphaeridia sp., sample
no. 34, depth 1,280 m, Madbi Formation. (7–9, 12, 13A, 14A, 15A,
20A) Microforaminiferal test linings. According to Stancliffe (1989)
classification of the MFTLs: (7, 13A, and 20A) coiled-trochospiral type
(I); (8 and 12) coiled-planispiral type (III), which are covered by the
growth of pyrite and pyritization in most chambers of the MFTL; (9)
The above discussion suggests deposition in middle to
outer shelf environments with moderate terrestrial input for
Madbi and Nayfa formations, respectively.
2521
uniserial type (I). (7) sample no. 39, depth 1,380 m, Madbi Formation;
(8–9) sample no. 36, depth 1,320 m, Madbi Formation; (12) sample no.
22, depth 640 m, Nayfa Formation; (13) sample no. 15, depth 500 m,
Nayfa Formation; (14) sample no. 44, depth 1,480 m, Madbi Forma-
tion; (15) sample no. 17, depth 540 m, Nayfa Formation; (20) sample
no. 35, depth 1,300 m, Madbi Formation. (10–11) Multicellular fungi,
sample no. 10, depth 400 m, Nayfa Formation. (12) Unknown, prob-
ably multicellular fungi, sample no. 1, depth 220 m, Nayfa Formation.
(12B and 13B) Systematophora cf. areolata Klement 1960. Indicating
marine environment with input of phytoclasts (PFA1); (12B) sample
no. 22, depth 640 m, Nayfa Formation.; (13B) sample no. 15, depth
500 m, Nayfa Formation. (15) Palynofacies no. 1 (PFA1), sample no.
17, depth 540 m, Nayfa Formation. (16) Palynofacies no. 1 (PFA1),
sample no. 18, depth 560 m, Nayfa Formation. (17) Palynofacies no. 1
(PFA1), sample no. 12, depth 440 m, Nayfa Formation. (18)
Exesipollenites rajwanensis Mahmoud 2007, sample no. 40, depth
1,400 m, Madbi Formation. (19) Palynofacies no. 2 (PFA2), sample
no. 29, depth 1,120 m, Sabatayn Formation. (20) Palynofacies no. 1
(PFA1), sample no. 35, depth 1,300 m, Madbi Formation. (21)
Palynofacies no. 1 (PFA1), (a) Escharisphaeridia cf. pocockii
(Sarjeant) Erkmen & Sarjeant, 1980 sensu Schrank 2005, plate 1,
figure 1; (b) Hystrichodinium cf. compactum Alberti 1961, sample
no. 40, depth 1,400 m, Madbi Formation
This palynofacies is represented by calcareous shales,
shales and marls that are fairly rich in oil-prone materials
as it exhibits a mainly kerogen type II and III and thus
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2522
Fig. 4 Ternary APP plot of the Madbi, Sabatayn, and Nayfa formations samples and the indicated oxic–redox conditions and kerogen
types
posses a moderate to high potential for producing mainly
liquid hydrocarbons and gas.
Palynofacies assemblage no. 2: (PFA2, phytoclasts
dominated) This palynofacies is recorded from a shale bed
comprising the lower part of the Sabatayn Formation and is
Plate 2 Dinoflagellate cysts (mainly chorate and proximate), spore, and
pollen grains recovered from the studied Sabatayn-1 well in Marib
Shabwah Basin, Central Yemen with a scale bar of 20 μm and magnifi-
cation of ×750 with exceptions of figures 12–14, 22, and 31 of magnifi-
cation of ×500. (1) Oligosphaeridium cf. anthophorum (Cookson and
Eisenack) Davey 1969, sample no. 3, depth 260 m, Nayfa Formation. (2)
Spiniferites sp., sample no. 2, depth 240 m, Nayfa Formation. (3)
Systematophora penicillata (Ehrenberg) Sarjeant 1980, sample no. 35,
depth 1,300 m, Madbi Formation. (4) Cleistosphaeridium sp., sample no.
25, depth 1,040 m, Sabatayn Formation. (5) Systematophora orbifera
Klement 1960, sample no. 43, depth 1,460 m, Madbi Formation. (6–7)
Systematophora areolata Klement 1960, sample no. 44, depth 1,480 m,
Madbi Formation. (8) Hystrichodinium cf. ramoides Alberti 1961, sam-
ple no. 23, depth 660 m, Nayfa Formation. (9) Exochosphaeridium cf.
scitulum Singh 1971, sample no. 14, depth 480 m, Nayfa Formation. (10–
11) Ctenidodinium cf. panneum (Norris) Lentin and Williams 1972,
sample no. 38, depth 1,360 m, Madbi Formation. (12) Collection of
Systematophora cf . Penicillata (Ehrenberg) Sarjeant 1980, sample no.
33, depth 1,260 m, Madbi Formation. (13–14) Pseudoceratium cf.
pelliferum Gocht 1957; (13) sample no. 11, depth 420 m, Nayfa Forma-
tion; (14) sample no. 22, depth 640 m, Nayfa Formation. (15)
Pseudoceratium cf. regium Singh 1971, sample no. 9, depth 380 m,
Nayfa Formation. (16 and 32) Cyclonephelium cf. distinctium Deflandre
and Cookson 1955; (16) sample no. 34, depth 1,280 m, Madbi Formation;
(32) sample no. 26, 1,060 m, Sabatayn Formation. (17) Scriniodinium cf.
Cryallinium (Deflandre) Klement 1960. Apical view, sample no. 26,
1,060 m, Sabatayn Formation. (18) Cribroperdinium orthoceras
(Eisenack) Davey 1978, sample no. 33, depth 1,260 m, Madbi Formation.
(19) Apteodinium cf. bucculatum Davies 1983, sample no. 39, depth
1,380 m, Madbi Formation. (20) Cribroperdinium granuligerum
(Klement) Stover and Eviit 1978, sample no. 36, depth 1,320 m, Madbi
Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530
represented by samples 24–32 at depths of 1,180–1,020 m,
whereas its evaporitic part is palynologically barren (Fig. 3).
The current palynofacies (PFA2) is mainly dominated by
high phytoclasts frequencies (∼ 42–53 %, average 47 %) in
contrast to the previous palynofacies (Plate 1, fig. 19). This
in turn suggests strong terrestrial influx and deposition near
Formation. (21) Gonyaulacysta globata Gitmez and Sarjeant 1972, sam-
ple no. 42, depth 1,440 m, Madbi Formation. (22, 27–29) Pareodinia
b
ceratophora (Deflandre) Gocht 1970, (22) sample no. 24, depth 1,020 m,
Sabatayn Formation; (27) sample no. 37, depth 1,340 m, Madbi Forma-
tion; (28) sample no. 41, depth 1,420 m, Madbi Formation; (29) sample
no. 1, depth 220 m, Nayfa Formation. (23) Cribroperidinium perforans
(Cookson and Eisenack) Sarjeant 1969, sample no. 41, depth 1,420 m,
Madbi Formation. (24) Gonyaulacysta diphana (Cookson and Eisenack)
Sarjeant 1969, sample no. 44, depth 1,480 m, Madbi Formation. (25)
Alfordia corticata Norris and Jux 1984, sample no. 35, depth 1,300 m,
Madbi Formation. (26) Cribroperdinium cf. cooksoniae Norvick 1976,
sample no. 7, depth 340 m, Nayfa Formation. (30) Apteodinium sp.,
sample no. 23, depth 660 m, Nayfa Formation. (31) Dingodinium
spinosum (Duxbury) Davey 1979, sample no. 33, depth 1,260 m, Madbi
Formation. (33) Dingodinium sp., sample no. 40, depth 1,400 m, Madbi
Formation. (34) Concavissimisporites variverrucatus (Couper) Brenner
1963, sample no. 31, depth 1,160 m, Sabatayn Formation. (35)
Dicotyophyllidites sp., sample no. 44, depth 1,480 m, Madbi Formation.
(36) Gleicheniidites senonicus Ross 1949, sample no. 38, depth 1,360 m,
Madbi Formation. (37) Cyathidites australis Couper 1953, sample no. 32,
depth 1,180 m, Sabatayn Formation. (38) Deltoidospora australis
(Couper) Pocock 1970, sample no. 30, depth 1,140 m, Sabatayn Forma-
tion. (39) Araucariacites australis Cookson 1947, sample no. 21, depth
620 m, Sabatayn Formation. (40) Exesipollenites scabratus (Couper)
Pocock 1970, sample no. 27, 1,080 m, Sabatayn Formation. (41–42)
Dicheiropollis etruscus Trevisan 1971, (41) sample no. 4, depth 280 m,
Nayfa Formation; (42) sample no. 6, depth 320 m, Nayfa Formation. (43)
Callailasporites dampieri (Balme) Doring 1965, sample no. 20, depth
600 m, Sabatayn Formation. (44) Classopollis torosus (Ressinger)
Couper 1958, sample no. 5, depth 300 m, Nayfa Formation
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Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530 2523

active fluvio-deltaic systems (e.g. Tyson 1993) that must 27) than those recorded in (PFA1) indicate deposition in
have occurred during a regression marine cycle. shallower (inner shelf) marine conditions close to land
Higher occurrences (∼ 17–25, average 21 %) of miospores vegetation under prevailing dysoxic–suboxic conditions
and lower abundance s of AOM (∼ 25–29 %, average (Figs. 4 and 5), with occasional good preservation of
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2524
Fig. 5 Ternary MSP plot of the Madbi, Sabatayn, and Nayfa forma-
tions samples and the indicated depositional environments
AOM and the palynomorphs. Because AOM is known to
decrease in shallow shelf sediments (e.g. Dow and Pearson
1975; Bujak et al. 1977).
Lower frequencies (∼ 25–29 %, average 27 %) of marine
microplanktons are observed than in the palynofacies (PFA1),
where proximate (0.5–2 %, average 1 %) and proximochorate
(0.5–1 %, average 1 %) forms dominate the dinoflagellate cyst
assemblage. This lead to the suggestion that sediments of
(PFA2) were deposited in inner shelf settings. As high frequen-
cies of proximate ceratoid forms are known to characterize
marginal marine (brackish to coastal) conditions (e.g. Davey
1970; Harding 1986; Lister and Batten 1988).
The very low occurrences (0.5–1 %, average 1 %) of the
chorate cysts characteristic of the middle shelf also support
these shallow marine conditions. The cavate cysts decrease
dramatically (0.5 %) in this palynofacies, and thus indicates
depositional settings of normal marine conditions, because
high percentages of the cavate cysts are indicative of near-
shore restricted marine environments (e.g. Mutterlose and
Harding 1987; Lister and Batten 1988).
The current palynofacies (PFA2) represents the lower
part of the Sabatayn Formation, and thus inner shelf depo-
sitional environments of dysoxic to suboxic conditions are
suggested for this part of the formation.
This palynofacies (PFA2) is mostly composed of
shales mainly rich in terrestrially derived organic matter
Table 3 Classification of the organic matter quantity and source rock
petroleum potential of Baskin (1997)
Quantity TOC wt%
Poor 0–0.5
Fair 0.5–1
Good 1–2
Very good 2–4
Excellent >4
Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530
and subordinate AOM frequencies, and thus exhibits
kerogen type III to II that is qualified to produce mainly
gaseous hydrocarbons.
Palaeoclimate
Study of the terrestrial palynomorphs recovered in this inves-
tigation suggests vegetation cover near the area of the study
that is generally characterized by subtropical to tropical forests.
The moderate to high occurrences of the Araucariaceae
(Araucariacites) indicate conifer vegetation on the relatively
dry neighboring lands (Schrank and Mahmoud 1998). The
abundant to common occurrences of the Classopollis pollen
grains, which grow in subtropical latitudes (e.g. Doyle 1999)
and are known to have been produced by drought-resistant
Cheriolepidiacean conifers, also suggest that this taxon thrived
near the site of deposition and thus indicates hot dry conditions
(e.g. Watson 1988; Doyle 1999). However, local humid con-
ditions are postulated at the site of the Sabatayn-1well, based
on the presence of some fern families such as Cyatheaceae,
Williamsoniaceae and Schizeaceae, which are known to thrive
in local warm humid climate in wet low lands, such as river-
sides and coastal areas (e.g. Taylor 1980; Schrank 1994;
Schrank and Mahmoud 1998; Abbink et al. 2004).
Lycopodiaceaen spores (Trilobosporites) could also thrive
at or near the site of deposition. This dense vegetation
under such warm local humid conditions and the occur-
rence of river systems transport organic matter and
resinous material of high hydrogen index to shallow
marine sedimentary environments close to fluvial systems.
This SOM is essential for hydrocarbon production (Tissot and
Welte 1984). This is in accordance with hydrocarbon accu-
mulation in sediments of the Madbi Formation.
Source rock evaluation
Evaluation of source rocks for their hydrocarbon potential is
essential in exploration processes. SOM contained in a
source rock must be rich enough and of good quality.
Important in hydrocarbon formation is occurrence of
reducing environments in subsiding basins, where enough
time and temperature are necessary for the thermal mat-
uration of SOM (e.g. Hunt 1996). Geochemical measure-
ment of the total organic carbon (TOC %) content of a
S2
potential source rock is the first step in the hydrocarbon
0–1 investigation. This is followed by palynological and geo-
1–5 chemical identifications of the kerogen types. Thermal
5–10
maturation of source rocks is measured by optical paly-
10–20
nological methods such as the TAI and by the vitrinite
>20
reflectance (Ro %). Other geochemical analyses of sedi-
ment using the Rock-Eval pyrolysis, where the important
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Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530
Fig. 6 Plot of S2 versus total organic carbon content (TOC wt%)
indicating source rock potential of the Sabatayn-1 well, Central Yemen
parameters S1, S2, S3, Tmax, HI, OI, PI and PP are
obtained, come as the last step (Tissot and Welte 1984).
Emphasis in this work is given to the Madbi Formation source
rocks in the Marib-Shabwah Basin (Taheri et al. 1992;
Webster et al. 1995). A description of the different analyses
applied and the results obtained is given as follows.
Organic carbon richness
The total organic carbon content (TOC wt%) has been mea-
sured using LECO apparatus, with the source rock potential
Fig. 7 Organic geochemical
log of the Sabatayn-1well,
Central Yemen
2525
has been identified according to classifications of Baskin
(1997) (Table 3). Carbonate and shale rocks are considered
hydrocarbon source if TOC exceeds 0.3 and 0.5 %, respec-
tively (Tissot and Welte 1984; Peters 1986). This step was
economic wise, where samples containing TOC % >0.5 were
subjected to the subsequent analysis, the Rock-Eval pyrolysis.
To better evaluate organic matter qualitatively, we used deter-
mined TOC % and S2 (Fig. 6). According to the TOC %
classification of Baskin (1997), sediments of the Madbi
Formation have generally a very good (1.2–7, average
4 wt% TOC) potential to act as a source rock, where the
Meem Member is more enriched in TOC than the overlying
Lam Member (Fig. 7). The Rock-Eval pyrolysis also indicates
a very good potential source rock for the Madbi Formation
sediments (Fig. 10). This data reveals that the Madbi
Formation sediments are rich in organic matter, but S2 (∼ 3–
10, average 7 mg HC/g rock) suggests only a good potential
for the Madbi Formation. S2 measures hydrocarbon generated
by pyrolytic degradation of the kerogen and heavy hydrocar-
bons (milligram of HC per gram of rock). This means that
S2 measures the existing potential of a rock to generate
hydrocarbons, and thus regarded as a more practical
measure of source rock potential than the TOC, because
TOC takes into account “dead carbon” that is of course
unable to generate hydrocarbons (Peters and Cassa
1994). Therefore, the Madbi Formation is regarded as
a good potential source rock, with its lower part the
Meem Member considered a better potential source rock
than the overlying Lam Member.
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2526 Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530

Kerogen types

Types of kerogen can be identified by optical methods, for

Fig. 8 Kerogen types based on H I/OI plotted on Van Krevelen
diagram for the Sabatayn-1 well
example by using the amorphous organic matter to identify
kerogen type according to Thompson and Dembicki (1986),
or by other optical methods such as that of Bujak et al.
(1977). Organic geochemical methods are also used to iden-
tify kerogen types, where values of the elemental analysis of
C, O and H are plotted on a Van Krevelen diagram (Tissot et
al. 1974), which defines four kerogen types. Kerogen types
can also be distinguished by plotting the HI versus OI
generated from the Rock-Eval pyrolysis on a modified
Van Krevelen diagram (Espitalie et al. 1977; Tissot and
Welte 1984). Currently, the method of the Rock-Eval
pyrolysis is frequently used in oil exploration where
quantity, quality and degree of maturation of the organic
matter can be evaluated.
The HI versus OI plot (modified Van-Krevelen diagram) of
the Madbi Formation (Figs. 8, 9a) indicates a kerogen of
mixed type III and II (gas and oil prone). The HI values
(132–258 and 360 only one sample) for the formation and
with average values of 173 and 257 mg HC/g TOC for the
Meem and Lam Members respectively, also suggests the
mixed kerogen type II and III (organic facies BC) in the
Lam Member and a mixed type III and II (organic facies C)
in the lower Meem Member (Table 4). Pyrolysis-identified
kerogen types should be supported by microscopy of the

Fig. 9 Tmax and HI showing organic thermal maturation and type of kerogen
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Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530 2527

Table 4 Geochemical charac-

teristics of organic matter of Organic facies Product HI OI Atomic H/C Kerogen type
Baskin (1997)
A (Lacustrine) Oil 700–1,000 10–40 >1.4 I
B (Marine) Oil 350–700 20–60 1.2–1.4 II
BC (Mixed) Oil and gas 200–350 40–80 1–1.2 II–III
C (Humic) Gas and oil 50–200 50–150 0.7–1 III
D (Inert) Some gas <50 20–200 <0.7 IV

macerals of each identified kerogen type, because of the
pyrolysis limitations (Peters 1986; Tyson 1995). It was shown
in the palynofacies analysis that samples of the Madbi
Formation exhibit nearly equal frequencies of marine and
terrestrial organic matter, which suggests kerogen types II
and III that can generate oil and gas. Optical study of the
Madbi-deposited AOM compared to the standard types
suggested by Thompson and Dembicki (1986) to confirm
the Rock-Eval pyrolysis results shows that most of the
Madbi Formation samples are confined to type A and C.
These types have the capability to generate both liquid hydro-
carbons and gas, in other words, types A and C and accord-
ingly the Madbi Formation sediments contain kerogen types II
to III in which type III is the main component as shown in Fig.
(9b) and by low hydrogen index as shown in Table 1. So, the
Lam Member is the main source for oil than Meem Member
which is considered as mainly gas prone (high type III
kerogen).
Thermal maturity
Pyrolysis-estimated maturity parameter (Tmax)
Tmax represents the maximum temperature (degrees Celsius)
acquired at the greatest hydrocarbon production (S2) when
kerogen undergoes thermal cracking at temperatures between
300 and 600 °C, and is used to assess degree of thermal
Table 5 Identified TAI values of the Madbi Formation samples
Formation Member Depth (m)
Madbi Lam 1,260
1,280
1,300
1,320
1,340
1,360
1,380
Meem 1,400
1,420
1,440
1,460
1,480
maturation. Espitalie (1986) and Peters (1986) pointed out
that the Tmax parameter is partially dependent on the type of
organic matter. Thus, Tmax values between 435 and 450 °C for
kerogen type I and 420 and 460 °C for kerogen type II are
accepted to indicate the mature phase of organic matter, while
kerogen type III reaches the maturation level between 400 and
600 °C. The HI versus Tmax plot for the Madbi Formation
samples shows that the Madbi source rock is at the early
mature oil window (425–440 °C) stage (Fig. 9a–b). This
maturity level could be also generally supported by the esti-
mated average PI value of 0.13 mg HC/g rock (Peters 1986).
Thermal alteration index
Because Tmax depends on the type of organic matter, so, it is
necessary to use other supporting maturity indicators such
as the TAI or vitrinite reflectance (Ro %). In the TAI anal-
ysis, transmitted light microscope is used to compare
pollen/spore colors to standard colors chart to evaluate ther-
mal maturation of the OM (e.g. Staplin 1977; Mao et al.
1994). This depends on the fact that percent of hydrogen
and oxygen are lost in terms of carbon, this leads to color
changes. To standardize measurements, one taxon
(Classopollis spp.) has been applied for the whole Madbi
Formation samples to ensure that no color changes due to
palynomorphs exines might occur. This method was fre-
quently used in several world oil fields (e.g. Burgess 1977;
Staplin 1977; Teichmuller 1986; Piasecki et al. 1990; Batten
1983, 1996). Observed pollen colors for the Madbi
Formation samples range between orange yellow to dark
TAI
yellow on scale of Staplin (1977) and correspond to TAI
2 values of 2 to 2+ (Table 5). This means that the Madbi
2 Formation source rock is at the oil window phase, where peak
2 oil generation to main phase of oil expulsion is reached.
2+
2+ Petroleum generation potential
2+
2+ The samples of the Madbi Formation exhibits an estimated PP
2+ of 4–11 mg HC/g dry rock to generate oil from the kerogen
2+ types II–III enclosed in the Madbi source rock (Fig. 10). This
2+
source rock contains average 4 wt % TOC and shows average
2+
HI of 257 and 173 mg HC/g TOC for the Lam and
2+
Meem members respectively, indicating mainly good to
partially excellent potential of oil generation (Fig. 11)
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2528
Fig. 10 TOC wt% and hydrocarbon generation potential (milligram of
HC per gram of rock) of the Sabatayn-1 well
from kerogen type II–III. This hydrocarbon generation
is further supported by the Tmax versus PI plot, which
indicates that the samples are thermally mature (showing a
maximum Tmax value of 440 °C) and are mostly susceptible to
generate oil (Fig. 12).
Conclusion
The organic geochemical analyses of the studied samples
show that the Madbi Formation sediments are rich enough
Fig. 11 Plot of HI versus TOC wt% showing hydrocarbon source
potential
Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530
Fig. 12 Plot of Tmax versus PI showing the potential hydrocarbon
generation of Madbi Formation
in organic matter (varies between 1.2 and 7.1 wt% TOC) to
act as a good source for generating both oil and gases.
Palynofacies analysis of the Madbi and Nayfa formations
sediments reflect the occurrence of mixed types II to III
kerogen and type III, and were deposited in middle to outer
shelf environments under dysoxic–anoxic conditions.
However, kerogen occurred in shales of the lower Sabatayn
Formation is composed of types III to II and was deposited in
an inner shelf environment of prevailing dysoxic–suboxic
conditions. Subtropical to tropical forests are thought to thrive
under regional warm and relatively dry palaeoclimatic condi-
tions during deposition of the studied sediments. This is based
on the abundant to common frequencies of the Classopollis
and Araucariacites pollen grains. However, local humid con-
ditions developed near/at the site of the well are also seen,
based on the presence of pteridophyte spores (e.g. Cyathidites,
Cicatricosisporites).
Organic geochemical analyses supported by the optical
palynology of the upper part of the Madbi Formation (Lam
Member) samples indicate mainly kerogen types II to III (oil
to gas prone) that have entered the early mature oil window
stage, and show a good potential to generate and expel oil in
commercial amounts. Therefore, the Madbi Formation is
considered as the main hydrocarbon source rock in the
Marib-Shabwah Basin. The calcareous shale of the lower
part of the Madbi Formation (Meem Member) is more
enriched in thermally mature, gas-prone organic matter than
the overlying Lam Member. Accordingly, the Meem Member
is considered as a potential active source for the gas and oil in
the overlying sandstone reservoir of the Sabatayn Formation
in the Sabatayn-1 well.
The promising results of the present study recommend
carrying out a further extensive investigation on the Madbi
Formation source rock of the Marib-Shabwah Basin through
several wells. This further investigation will be introduced
in a forthcoming paper.
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Arab J Geosci (2014) 7:2515–2530
Acknowledgment The authors deeply thank the Petroleum Exploration
and Production Authority-Republic of Yemen, Jannah Hunt Oil Company,
for providing samples and raw data upon which the present work was
carried out. The authors also deeply thank the Iraqi Oil Company; the
Department of Geology, College of Science, University of Baghdad-Iraq,
and the Department of Geology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Taiz
University, Yemen, for assistance in palynological and geochemical
analyses. We acknowledge Abdulghani F. Ahmed, Taiz University, for
his assistance in lab work.
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