Advances in OrllanleGeochemistry1989

Org. Geochem. Vol. 16, Nos 1-3, pp. 325-338, 1990 0146-6380/90 $3.00+ 0.00
Printed in Great Britain.All rights reserved Copyright © 1990PergamonPress plc

Organofacies variation control on hydrocarbon generation:

A Lower Congo Coastal Basin (Angola) case history
R. BURWOOD, P. J. CORNET, L. JACOBSand J. PAULET
Petrofina S.A., rue de l'Industrie 52, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

(Received 20 September 1989; accepted 17 January 1990)

Abstraet--A group of Lower Congo Coastal Basin (Angola) Carbonate Platform petroleums, all
determined to be of Lower Cretaceous (Pre-Salt "Bucomazi" Fm., Neocomian-Aptian) rift phase
provenance, showed considerable internal diversity. Recognised in terms of biomarker abundances and
waxiness, this variation was particularly evident in their carbon isotopic compositions which ranged from
-26.4 to -29.7 ppt. Although not exclusive to all oils, many contained an abundance of an unusual
triterpane tentatively characterised as 25,30-bisnorhopane.
Using a combination of kerogen type (I/II/III) and kinetic data (Ea and A), plus kerogen pyrolysate
isotopic signatures, a conspicuous variation in organofacies was observed over the vertical and lateral
development of this lacustrine source unit in a series of control wells. Three oil prone organofacies were
recognised, two of which could be individually characterised as Type I (6 ~3Cdepleted) and Type II (6 ~3C
enriched) assemblages. A third assemblage of Type II/II,up,norcharacter, and an intermediate isotopic
signature not dependent upon mixing of the above end members, was similarly recognised. Significantly,
the 25,30-bisnorhopane marker observed in many of the oils was found to be exclusively associated with
the Type II, 6 tsC enriched organofacies. On this basis, rationalisation of crude oil character and genera
was possible in terms of phased co-generation from these limiting organofacies with subsequent
co-mingiing of the resultant oils. Although dissimilar end member oils could be isotopically matched to
source facies representative of the more labile Type II (lower E,) to the less labile Type I (higher E,)
candidates, most oils showed a mixed character reflecting their aggregate composition.
Definition of organofacies make-up and variation is crucial to the fine-tuning of contemporary
modelling practises in their application to the study of hydrocarbon productive habitats.

Key words--source rock, organofacies, kerogen kinetics, pyrolysis, carbon isotopes, "Bucomazi" Fm.,
Lower Congo Coastal Basin

INTRODUCTION However, in reality kerogen is often a heterogeneous

As a concept, organofacies is now increasingly used
to describe the nature and variability of the keroge-
nous, i.e. solvent insoluble, organic content of sedi-
mentary rocks (Jones, 1987; Huc, 1990).
Consistent with the definition of facies being "The
sum total o f features such as sedimentary rock type,
mineral content, fossil content, etc., which characterise
a sediment as having been deposited in a given environ-
ment" (Whitten and Brooks, 1972), organofacies
comprises two distinct considerations.
Organic richness and compositional make-up,
measured as total organic carbon (TOC %wt), pyrol-
ysis yield ($2 %wt) and visual kerogen description,
are gross properties of the sediment. Additionally,
the component kerogen content will have inherent
characteristics such as compositional type (I/II/III)
and their attendant transformation kinetic criteria,
including activation energy (Ea) and the pre-
exponential value (A). As with stable isotope
signatures, these factors are independent of overall
kerogen abundance. Where the kerogen is representa-
tive of a homogeneous detritai input, these consider-
ations are a definitive property of the sediment.
assemblage of constituents: such assemblages varying
over both the vertical and lateral extent of the host
sediment. Typical examples have been described
for prominent petroleum source rocks such as the
Kimmeridge Clay Fm. (Burwood et al., 1990; Huc
et al., 1985; Schou et aL, 1985; Cooper and Barnard,
1984; Grantham et al., 1980), the Toarcian (Espitali6
et al., 1987; Schoell, 1984a; Kiispert, 1982) and
Kingak Shale (Hubbard et al., 1987). The assemblage
concept has important implications for hydrocarbons
generation in that each constituent, or sub-organofa-
cies, may respond differently and warrant individual
consideration. As noted by Mackenzie et aL (1983),
the composition of a petroleum in the broadest sense
will be the sum aggregate of its contributory com-
ponents. In this context sub-facies variability could
influence both generative timing and the isotopic and
biomarker signatures of resultant hydrocarbons,
hence the composition of the aggregate petroleum. In
such cases, the interplay of variable organofacies and
progressive or phased generation could result in
petroleums of diverse characteristics.
Variation in paleoenvironmental conditions, and
hence detrital input during sedimentation, is an

325
326 R. BURWOODet al.
important control on organofacies development
(Jones, 1987). The present case study illustrates the
complexity of a West African Lower Cretaceous
Pre-Salt* lacustrine sequence. Here the interplay of
variable kerogen transformation kinetics and carbon
isotopic signatures provides the key to understanding
the internal diversity of a suite of petroleums of
common stratigraphic provenance.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A group of crude oils from the AGELFI suite
(Connan et al., 1987) were chosen as representative of
Pre-Salt, Upper and Lower Pinda (Albian) and Ter-
tiary reservoirs for the study area (Fig. 1). Biomarker
analyses were performed by high resolution GC-MS
procedures on unfractionated oils. Stable isotope
measurements (t~2H, 613C) were made on whole oils
and on chromatographically prepared fractions. Re-
sults are reported vs SMOW and PDB (NBS
22 = - I 19 and -29.8 ppt) standards, respectively. A
Wax Factor was calculated on the basis of the
C23+/C~5+ n-alkane content of the oils. A summary
of this data is tabulated in the Appendix. Source rock
analyses for the Pre-Salt section (Chela-"Bucomazi"
Fms) were performed for three keys wells (Kiela-1,
Maiangala-I and Sereia-1) at a frequency of 10 m or
greater, materials permitting. Abundant (i.e. pri-
mary) hydrocarbon source potential was ascribed to
those sediments with $2/> 5 kg/t. Precision Rock-
Eval measurement were made on pre-extracted (de-
bitumenised) sediments using standard operating
conditions. Kerogen kinetic data (Ea and A) was
determined from such $2 analyses using a deconvolu-
tion technique similar to that described by Freeman
and Carroll (1958) which makes no assumption as to
the order of reaction. Kerogen and kerogen py-
rolysate carbon isotopic determinations were per-
formed on demineralised concentrates by Geochem
Group (U.K.) Ltd, using a technique and specifica-
tion as previously described (Burwood et al., 1988).
For the display of data, the kerogen pyrolysate ~ 13C
range and mean values are quoted. Weighted means
are calculated with respect to source potential thus:
613C(pyrolysate) = ~613C(pyrolysate) x $2//~S2.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Hydrocarbon habitat
During the Late Mesozoic separation of Africa and
southern America, a range of localised basins devel-
oped along the rifted Atlantic margins of both West
*Pre-Salt stratigraphic terminology used in this paper de-
notes Lower Cretaceous sediments older than the Loeme
Fm. and collectively embracing the Lucula, "Bucornazi"
and Chela Fins of Neocomian through Aptian age
(Fig. 2).
Africa, including Angola and Brazil. In some, ideal
conditions for the sedimentation of organic rich,
potentially productive source rocks prevailed. Sub-
sequent thermal maturation via conducive subsidence
histories, resulted in hydrocarbon generation. This
evolution provides a series of play settings exploiting
a diversity of productive source and recipient reser-
voir combinations (Edwards and Bignell, 1988).
The study area comprises part of the land-
ward Lower Congo Coastal Basin. The tectonic-
stratigraphic development of this area has been
described by Brice et aL (1982), with the schematic
source-reservoir-seal relationship illustrated in Fig.
2. Rift associated events are denoted as Prerift,
Synrift I, Synrift II and Postrift. The study group of
oils was chosen originally as representative of the
range of Pre-Salt, Albian (Upper and Lower Pinda)
and Tertiary reservoirs for the Sereia-Maiangala sub-
basin hinterland. In this area source rock deposition
was dominated by synrift lacustrine sedimentation
("Bucomazi"-Chela Fms) and subsequent accretion-
ary wedge episodes in the Late Cretaceous and
Paleogene (Iabe, Landana Fms).
Segregation o f oil families
The study oils showed diverse compositional prop-
erties with a range of gravities (30-40°API) and
waxiness (Wax Factors 30-50%), respectively. Car-
bon-hydrogen isotopic crossplots segregated the
group into two broad generic families (Fig. 3). Those
depleted in deuterium (Accretionary Wedge oils) are
all typically of lower waxiness and representative of
Tertiary reservoirs. In previous work these oils were
found to be abundant in 18~t(H)oleanane (Riva et al.,
1988) and have been ascribed an Iabe-Landana Fm.
provenance (cf. Fig. 2). With the present study focus-
ing on Pre-Salt sourcing, these oils are not considered
further.
Carbonate Platform oils, reservoired mainly in
Pinda Fro. traps, but with some Pre-Salt analogues,
showed Wax Factors ranging from 30 to 50%. These
oils, although consistently enriched in deuterium
(62H - 9 2 _ 6 ppt), spanned a wide carbon isotopic
band (613C - 29.7 to - 26.4 ppt) indicative of diver-
sity in either sources or generative maturity, as
proposed by Silverman (1967) and Sofer 0984). The
deuterium enriched character is associated with
biomass adapted to and sedimented under high evap-
orative loss aquatic conditions (Schoell, 1984b). Sug-
gestive of a lacustrine depositional environment of
semi- to highly-arid hinterland (Gonfiantini, 1986),
the carbon isotopic range of these oils could be
accounted for by organofacies variations within the
source sequence. A saturate vs aromatic fraction
carbon isotopic crossplot (Fig. 4) amplifies this diver-
sity and is consistent with the high-low wax concept
of Sofer (1984). Typical biomarker signatures for the
oils are represented in Fig. 5 (triterpanes) and Fig. 6
(steranes). Consistent with the observations of Mello
et aL (1988), we noted many of the features shown by
 -• t I
(ZAIRE~
~;.. .... -:~
," ; AN'GOt
PITANGU~IRA I
f ....... -,,, ..L'-;
I c~.,.xo e- t I "~X
\ I ,'1 i,,,,,,~, ... I'1 ©
I BAflANEIRA I

PAMBO o~..o "~ O

8APESAPEmO iF~- -~ . \
GUINFUQUENA
,o~o ~ . -..: g~
8
CUNTALA - I
/. o--~,~,~A, t "'
9.300.000
O

;-' i j , i ,,- \
( 1~ , % ,,\:
IL \ O

~ P : MAIN OIL FIELD8

\
DETELE. TAMPA
3~.30 '

,,..aeee., ~ ~ PP.E. 8AUr I

• ISOPACH I M ) O

• 81110E00UI
;- . . . . _. .- -.-.- -_] Y'~
Ill 1 0 IIM
-- " KI~EEH ANAUrSE8 ~j; %~
\
200.000 % 't2"30'

Fig. 1. Location map showing the Angolan Lower Congo Coastal Basin study area with respect to West Africa South American pre-separation margins (Lower Cretaceous time).
328 R. BURWOOD et al.

MYBP EPOCH I AGE LITHOLOG.YI FORMATIONS SR RES SEAL

0'
OUAT. & PLIOC. ~ ' ; . ' ~ . . A : : .
• , ....._ . .-.~_-_.
10, L' -- . . . . . . .
_ _____.__ --,. - . . . . -----Z-,
MIOCENE ~:::;:~..d. ~-_; A " ' "-~-'~-- •
~'0. _"m.~'.-~--~--"-L_-'-- m .__ ,._-_-_,
E ~--E--"-- . +.'-,_ .---=~
-- .m. ~"---..~M..~--a.-- " S~ l ~
30.
ouGoc~.E - - - - ~ _ _ . 2_o

SO - ::
Y

00 PALEOCENE

70' U MAASTRICHTIAN
p '
Be, p i~
- ~ SANTONIAN
R - " CONIACtAN~
90 J R- TURONIAN
E CENOMANIAN
100' T -- I
A
C ALBIAN
110, E L OEME:r-,...~
0 0 APTIAN
120. U WE BARREMIAN ,, ~ 0

130 ' S R ~|-IIALTI

NEOCOMIAN

590" !~- PRE " CAMBRIAN' ' T ~ ' T

Fig. 2. Schematic stratigraphy for the Lower Congo Coastal Basin summarising the local
source-reservoir-seal relationships.

analogous Brazilian lacustrine basin derived oils,
including the tricyclic terpane series, 28,30-bisnorho-
pane and gammacerane. Gammacerane has been
observed to have a strong association with lacustrine
depositional environments (Powell, 1986) with poss-
ible hypersalinity connotations (Volkman, 198~.
Additionally, a majority of the oils were conspicu-
ous in containing a demethylated hopane (m/z 177
fragmentogram), tentatively identified as 25,30-
bisnorhopane. Of somewhat equivocal origin, this
marker has previously been recorded in heavily
biodegraded oil residuum (Volkman et al., 1983) and
shale extracts (Noble et al., 1985),
Ethyl cholestane epimer (20 S : R ) based maturity
data for these oils was obtained using a relationship
devised, and previously calibrated for W. African
basins, by Zumberge (see Bein and Sofer, 1987), as
illustrated in Fig. 7. Exhibiting early through to late
phase maturity levels, the most mature oils were also
observed to be the carbon isotopic lightest (most '3C
depleted). This effectively ruled out any thermal
control over isotopic composition, the situation being
the exact converse of the suggested ~3C enrichment
accompanying maturation (e.g. Silverman, 1967). Re-
gional subsidence and maturity levels, plus many of
the above considerations, suggested that the Carbon-
ate Platform oils were derived from a Pre-Salt lacus-
trine source unit, this being of somewhat variable
organofacies.
Characteristics of the Pre-Salt ("Bucomazi"-Chela
Fm.) candidate source unit
A considerable thickness (up to 3 km) of fine
texture sediments, interspersed with coarser elastics,
are deposited in rift phase graben/half-graben in-
itiated troughs of the Lower Congo margins.
The "Bucomazi" Fm. is frequently penetrated as
an organic rich, bituminous shale. By analogy to the
present day East African rift system (Reading, 1986),
a range of Synrift I lacustrine depositional environ-
ments representative of fresh, brackish through the
hypersaline and alkaline conditions, could be antici-
 Organofacies as a control on hydrocarbon generation
.4o i J i ~ J -23
-80"
z -loo.
@
@ @@
I ~ I ' I '
.$1 .29 -27
61:)C ( P P T )
Fig. 3. Stable isotope (t52H, ~ 13C)crossplot for the AGELFI
collection of Angolan Lower Congo Coastal Basin oils.
Note the separation into the deuterium segregated families:
the t~2Hdepleted (lighter) Aeeretionary Wedge and the 62H
enriched (heavier) Carbonate Platform reservoired pet-
roleums, respectively. Identity of petroleums: l----Camar~o
E. (L); 2--Ganda-I b (C); 3--Vuandembo (C); 4---N'Zombo
NE (LP); 5--Quinfuquena (LP); 6---Pangala (UP); 7--Ki-
tona (UP); 8---Quinfuquena (UP); 9---Cuntala-1 (UP); lff--
Lumueno (UP); ll---Quinguila (UP); 12--Bananeira;
13--Essungo; 14---Mavanga; 15---Pitangueira. Reservoirs:
(L) Lucula; (C) Chela; (LP) Lower Pinda and (UP) Upper
Pinda.
pated. A Synrift II sequence, representative of a
transition from lacustrine to marginally marine con-
ditions, caps the sequence (Upper "Bucomazi"--Chela
Fro.) as a prelude to final marine incursion and
massive evaporitic salt deposition (Loeme Fro.).
A composite of source rock data for the control
wells is illustrated in Fig. 8. For clarity, only those
sediments with attractive source potential
($2 t> 5 kg/t) were considered. The control wells were
chosen to provide both differing depositional con-
texts (proximal versus distal) and sediments that were
essentially immature to threshold mature, only. In the
absence of any significant generation, kerogen
characteristics would be representative of, or close to,
those of the precursor assemblage(s).
Assemblages can be segregated into four domains
according to their kerogen type, as delineated by the
hydrogen index-Tmu erossplot, and corresponding
experimentally determined activation energies. A
typical Type I kerogen showed consistently high
activation energies (c. 75 kcal/mol) and also equated
to the richest source with a mean $2 based potential
of 30 kg/t. Much of the Maiangala data set corre-
sponded to a Type II assemblage of lower activation
energy (c. 49 kcal/mol) and mean potential (19 kg/t).
The latter data set also showed some horizons with
Type III assemblage content, of low potential
(~< 5 kg/t), but nevertheless indicating a greater terres-
trial influence at this location. Intermediate between
the Type I and II assemblages, a Type II,,~o, (II,,p.)
component was also reeognised. Potential was similar
OG 16/I-3--X
329
~ .2?
X
ACC~TIOtU~y
OILS ~ .2e •
.31 -
I '
-29 -23
,
•31 ' ,
-29 I -I, ' -,19 ' .9.
013C SAT ( P P T )
Fig. 4. Sorer-style carbon isotopic crossplot for the Angolan
Lower Congo Coastal Basin Carbonate Platform reser-
voired petroleums. Identity of petroleums as in Fig. 3.
to the Type II analogue but activation energies were
variable, being higher and sometimes similar to those
for the Type I assemblages (54--82 kcal/mol).
Whereas this could be ascribed to mixing, being the
co- or alternating sedimentation of Type I and II end
members, biomarker signatures (absence of 25,30-bis-
norhopane) showed this not to be the case. Mixed
kerogen type facies are not unusual having previously
been reported for recent East African Rift sediments
(Talbot, 1988), and Paleogene Chinese (Daqing) ana-
logues (Wanli, 1985).
Schematic organofacies logs for each of the well
sections were constructed in the format illustrated in
Fig. 9. Organofacies boundaries were delineated
in terms of kerogen type (I/IIg,p/II), as defined in
Fig. 8. The zonation achieved was additionally co-
plotted against whole kerogen and kerogen py-
rolysate carbon isotope values as a further and
sensitive facies variation indicator. Representative
solely of the oil labile component of the kerogen
assemblage, the pyrolysate procedure has consider-
able merit as an oil to source correlation parameter
(Bailey et al., 1990; Burwood et aL, 1988, 1989).
Elsewhere, the use of whole kerogen carbon isotopic
signatures has been successfully applied to segre-
gation of Pre-Salt organofacies in a Brazilian basin
(Rodrigues et al., 1988). These authors record at least
two isotopically and biomarker differentiable
organofacies within equivalent sediments of the
Espirito Santo Basin.
A considerable diversity is evident within these
logs, the alternation in kerogen type and variation in
carbon isotope signature being conspicuous. The
depositional cyclicity in Kiela-I and the isotopic
heavy nature of the Chela-immediate Pre-Chela hor-
izons (Sereia-I and Maiangala-1) is especially note-
worthy. Extracts from these sediments were also
screened or the presence of 25,30-bisnorhopane, this
330 R. BURWOODet al.

100 "

I M/Z 177 I
80-

"<"------ 25 , 30 - BISNORHOPANE

60

40

20

>-
f-

Z
i,= I I I I I I I I I I I I
I-
z

i¢I
>
w
1-
100 -~
,j
it- I, , M/Z 191

60

28, 30 - BISNORHOPANE GA MMACERANE

I I
60 /
/
/
\ /
\ /
\ /
40 /
TRICYCLIC I
SERIES I

ZO

I I "l I I I I I I I I
48:00 56:00 64:00 ?2:00
GC R E T E N T I O N T I M E (rain.)

Fig. 5. Typical triterpane composition for the Angolan Lower Congo Coastal Basin Carbonate Platform
reservoired petroleums (e.g. Quinfuquena, Upper Pinda reservoir). Note the presence of gammacerane,
28,30-bisnorhopane and tricyclic series in the m/z 191 fragmentogram and the promient 25,30-bisnorho-
pane response in the rn/z 177 analogue.

being the unusual and diagnostic biomarker common
to most of the oils. Grouping of these data, with
emphasis on the range in kerogen activation energy
and carbon isotopic signature, allowed identification
of three isotopically distinct organofacies (heavy,/~;
mid-range, ~; and light, ~,). Mean characteristics for
these isotopic facies are illustrated in Fig. 10. Sub-
stantiating this segregation the diagnostic biomarker,
when present, was uniquely associated with the heavy
facies (fl) being observed in the case of the Chela and
uppermost "Bucomazi" Fms. (i.e. its distribution
appears to be limited to Synrift II sediments having
a transitional lacustrine to marginally marine deposi-
tional provenance).
The absence of 25,30-bisnorhopane in extracts
from rocks containing a Type II,,p. assemblage, sup-
ports the existence of this organofacies as an entity
rather than a mixture of Type I and II end members.
 Organofacies as a control on hydrocarbon generation 331

aa ETHYL CHOLESTANE

100

Ii M,z I 20: 20R

/
/

80

60

40

20
>-
I-

z
bJ
t- i I I I I I I I I I I I I I

.J
100 -
M/Z 218 I

80

60

40

20

I I I I I I i I I I I I i
24:00 30:00 36:00 4Z:O0 48:00
GC RETENTION TIME (rain.)
Fig. 6. Typical sterane composition for the Angolan Lower Congo Coastal Basin Carbonate Platform
reservoired petroleums (e.g. Quinguila, Upper Pinda reservoir). ~tctEthyl cholestane ratios (m/z 217) can
be used for oil maturity assessment by application of the Zumberge calibration, as illustrated in Fig. 7.

Organofacies variation and oil generation
When viewed in a stratigraphic context, the data
summarised in Figs 9 and 10 provides an indication
of the vertical and lateral discontinuity associated
with a gross lacustrine depositional regime. In ad-
dition to variation in source potential ($2 kg/t),
kerogen assemblage make-up varied in terms of both
type (I/II,,p./II) and their attendant kinetic par-
ameters (E~, A). Such organofacies trends were also
matched by distinctive carbon isotopic variations. At
the extremes, ~3C enriched assemblages (isotopically
heavy--fl facies) were exclusive to Type II kerogens.
Conversely, Type I kerogens were invariably ~3C
depleted (isotopically light--? facies). These features
are believed to be controlled by precursor biomass
input and preservation. In turn, such depositionai
control will be influenced by many features, including
environmental (salinity, pH), climatic (terrestrial
influx, evaporative loss) and relative tectonic subsi-
332 R. BURWOODet al.

stratigraphic correlation. However, in a larger basinal

context, where laterally discontinuous alternation in
0 depositional conditions apply, such relationships may
be less clear. The complexity of the Sereia sub-basin,
~5 as determined by well control and seismostrati-
~ 1.4. graphic reconstruction, is illustrated in Fig. 11. Nev-
,d ertheless, it is reasonable to anticipate that the three
?, oil prolific organofacies identified could be variously
present in any generative catchment area. Further-
i 1.0-
more, their distinctive kinetic criteria as expressed by
respective kerogen transformation activation energies
o
~ 0.8-
':g will dictate the sequence and timing of effective
uJ 'KI generation. For a given subsidence regime, the
Type II (more labile) will mature earlier than those
Type II~p. assemblages of higher activation energy,
OIL IMI¢ BIT.// with Type I kerogens requiring the most forceful
GENERATIONBUPERLABIL EARLY MAINPHASE LATE
ETATU8 OL8 conditions.
o.,~ o.a o.s o.r oa O.R 1:0 1:~ Subsidence history and position within the strati-
MATURITY ( % VITRINITE REFLECTANCEEQUIV. )
graphic column will ultimately control the products
Fig. 7. ~t Ethyl cholestane derived oil maturity in terms of of generation. This has important implications for
vitrinite reflectance equivalent units, as determined from the hydrocarbon expulsion and emplacement. In that
Zumberge calibration (see Bein and Sofer, 1987). three independent hydrocarbon charges with differing
generic signature, but of phased generative timing,
dence. As such, these organofacies variations are may be available for migration out of a mature,
representative of the total paleoenvironmental con- productive catchment, opportunity for co-mingling
trol over an evolving lacustrine to marginally marine arises. A composite make-up for Pre-Salt derived
depositional regime. petroleums, drawing either individually, or in vari-
Biomarker and carbon isotopic profiling for an able combination, on these limiting sub-sources can
analogous Pre-Salt section in the Espirito Santo thus be anticipated. The operation of such co-charg-
Basin (Brazil) show comparable variations (Rod- ing and mixing processes can be demonstrated
rigues et al., 1988). Over the limited basinal cross- through source-oil correlation procedures, particu-
section examined, these authors have suggested such larly where they reflect the generic imprint of the
geochemical signatures can be used to advantage for contributory fluxes.

1000 I I I I I I I I I i I

I
goo~ I~ ~ TYPE I TYPE I
: 30 kg / tonne

8ooq- v f ,~p¢" v / ,~ E, : ~ - 81 ko.,l tool

| TYPE Z,up->-L~'~ ~ l,eo~'' __
700T ~ <)~]%~I TYPE IT sup.

WU~ 000 Ea : 54 - 82 kc.I / tool

z so0 TYPE ]Z
S'~ : 19 kg / tonne

~ 400 T '~7~ l"]~ / E. : 43 - 62 kcal / rnol

TYPE 111"
300t LI
200
flITTYPE~PE~TIT
~
' ITTIlTrl / ~ / ~ 9 , 1/ ~. 90, o ~ 0 ~.-~ S-2:: ~425kcal
Ea
kgI/lonne
mo]

0| I I I I 1 I I I I I I I
400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520
T MAX ( ° C )
Fig. 8. Lower Congo Coastal Basin Pre-Salt section source rock kcrogcn type and characteristics summary
for $2 populations I>5 kg/t. Assemblages differentiated on the basis of activation energy (E,) as Type I
or II,~p and as Type II and III. Key: ~, Kiela-1; F-l, Sereia-l; ~, Maiangala-1.
 KIELA "1
SEREIA. 1 MAIANGALA -I
NHW
L 5 ICm ~[ $9 Km
SE
t x
UlUL) u(lt| m o a l zmo~m tOI ~
m l ] ~ ' l ~'~zOtmq t 41.ym
. , . , , • . ,
LOEME FkL

O'¢IEL A f ~

l &X
t')

;'~;I * +o -IgOOJ
5e
I I/1

• ¢
o
~;"-'{ ¢ x O: O

-
(ss)
40
' ~ ",~) '6o - - QQ
S2: Kg / TONNE 13C ( P P T ) 40

m q f #

O SO 100 150 0 2O 4O 6O -31 -29 -27 -25 - 2 3 -21 API UNI"T$ SZ: K g / T O N N [ ~3 C ( PPT )
A P t Ut#ITS S 2 : KglTONN£ 13C ~ PPT

Fig. 9. Organofacies variation logs, in terms of kerogen type, kinetic parameters and carbon isotopic signatures, for those Pre-Salt sediments with attractive source potential ($2 >/5 kg/t)
penetrated in control wells Kiela-1, Sereia-1 and Maiangala-l. Organofacies boundaries set in terms of kerogen type as defined in Fig. 8. Experimentally determined mean activation energy
(Ea) and pre-exponential factor (A) quoted for each organofacies zone.
334 R. Bu~wooo et al.

sOU.CE
6~ DIAGNOSTIC SIGNATURES
KEROGEN ~-~ Ea
(ISOTOPIC) ~. ¢ K E R O G E N PYROLYSATE
BIOMARKER
~AC,ES =o ,~ TYPE (kg/t ( "A" )
25,30-SISNORHOPANE 13 C ( PPT )
I,,-
Id P
• CHELA FM. R
E -24.53
HEAVY ][ 19 49+-4 - S
E -25.22 -23.47
(I]) > ( 14 ) • UPPERMOST N
(o " S U C O M A Z I " EQUIV. T
/*
/

-27.97
MID-RANGE "IT/~'sup. 22 61 ~ 10 • " B U C O M A Z I " EQUIV. A ', I ',
-29.33 -26.83
((3) (17) a
S

N -29.79
LIGHT "IT sup. / [ 30 75 --- 4 ~ " B U C O M A Z I " EQUIV. ',# :
T
-31.40 -28.81
(y) (23)

-3~ -29 -27 -25 -23

Fig. 10. Angolan Lower Congo Coastal Basin Pre-Salt section. Tabulation of component organofacies
source data. Kerogen pyrolysate carbon isotopic segregated facies (~t,/L ~') quoted vs kerogen type and
mean source richness ($2 kg/t), activation energy (E~, kcal/mol) and pre-exponential factor (A).

Source-oil correlation and organofacies control A composite oil-source correlation profile, identi-
fying the three limiting Pre-Salt organofacies, is
For reliable source-oil correlation, comparison of illustrated in Fig. 12. On this basis the provenance
parameters inherent to both the progenitor rock and and internal diversity of the Carbonate Platform oils
the parented hydrocarbons are essential (Weber, 1986; and Pre-Salt reservoired analogues can be ration°
Burwood et al., 1989). Crude oil and source kerogen alised. For discussion purposes three categories of
pyrolysate carbon isotopic profiling (Burwood et al., oil are evident: 6]~C depleted, i.e. isotopic light
1988), supported by biomarker observations (Bailey (Camarfio East etc.); mid-range (N'Zombo etc.); and
et al., 1990) have been applied successfully. I~C enriched, i.e. heavier (Cuntala etc.).

KIELA- I SEREIA- I

t
I '( s.s Km , ]1~ I
t
MISL) I I ulSt)
I . . . .
I ZSO0
2500

3000 . . . . •. . . . .
/l
• • . .......... .¢,,,;..,-,~.,,-.-,-.-° LOEME ~ ~ ~
•

'
.

~
. '•'°

'
......
~ ' ~ '
• , , ,

3000

. . . . . . . . . . ..-2"""~."":.""'.~"j,..g.~::'.~.$.:?~:': '.';.*:'::~.:. :.:~"" ' * ' • • • ' ' '

=:-.--..-_-_ :-..-..-..-~. . . . . ~,.~:,~ :..: ",~ ;!:::::'~: . ," . . . . . . . . . . .

3500 -(2~._.. " ------~ '~.~. ~::~::.....~ ~.:~.,:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~35oo

4000

4500

SO00 • "-'-*-*-*-*-*-* * " *-*'*'*'* *'* * * * * S000

LEGEND ]

CHELA * U.'BUCOMAZI EQUIV." SANDSTONES ~ ORGANIC ZONE SHALE8

U.'BUCOMAZ! EQUIV." 8HALE8 ~ INTRA-'BUCOMAZI EQUIV." 8ANDIITONEII
.OZ** ORGANIC ZONE MARKER ~ LUCULA 8AND8TONE8

Fig. 11. Lithostratigraphic cross-section for the Kiela-1 to Sereia-1 traverse o f the Sereia Trough s h o w i n g
the variation in lacustrine depositional regime.
 Organofacies as a control on hydrocarbon generation 335

f PETROLEUMS i
I I I I I l I

ABSENT PRESENT -'<- 25,30-BISNORHOPANE

SATURATE

WHOLE OIL

AROMATIC

POLAR

ASPHALTENE-

' I i I i I I

[ PRE-SALT SOURCE ORGANOFACIES L

T ~ r - - T I "r"--''"l--T'-"~
{ KEROGEN TYPE ; I t I ~ i i i l ~
MID-RANGE G HEAVY ~ Ell : 49 keel/tool
25,30-BNH : present
KEROGEN KEROGEN TYPE : 11' I~.s A
Ell : 61 kcallmol I
PYROLYSATE 2S,3()-BNH : absent
i V

• A J KEROGEN TYPE : ~ II
Ell : 75 kcel/mol I LIGHT y
1 Y ' 25,30-BNH : absent

+ ~ t '--I " - t I" t

-31 -29 -27 -ms -23
6 ;3 C ( PPT )
Fig. 12. Composite source-oil correlation profile showing the relationship between three oil prone Pre-Salt
source units of differing organofacies, defined in terms of kerogen type, activation energy and carbon
isotopic signature, and the three sub-families of Carbonate Platform reservoired petroleums.

Isotopic light oils (Camarao East, Ganda and Vuan-
dembo). These show an excellent correlation with the
Type I "Bucomazi" assemblage of correspondingly
light kerogen pyrolysate signature (7 facies). Ganda
and Vuandembo oils, however, both exhibited the
diagnostic 25,30-bisnorhopane signature. This was
ascribed to a volumetrically small contribution from
the fl facies, this being facilitated by upward mi-
gration, with the opportunity for co-mingling, into a
stratigraphically higher Chela Fm. (sandy facies)
reservoir. As the exception in the study group oils,
Camar~o East is devoid of the diagnostic marker.
This is consistent with lateral migration into the
stratigraphic older Lucula Fm. reservoir, thereby
denying any contact with Synrift II sediments. Corre-
sponding to the higher wax category of Sofer (1984),
these petroleums probably derive from an environ-
mentally specialised (low salinity/pH) biomass. These
oils were also the most mature of the series, a factor
reflecting the more forceful thermal regime required
for their generation.
Isotopic mid-range oils (Kitona, N'Zombo NE,
Pangala and Quinfuquena). Typified by both Upper
and Lower Pinda reservoir contents in Quinfuquena,
these oils were of early to main phase generative
status. Isotopic correlation with the mid-range (Types
II/II~,p.) "Bucomazi" assemblages (a organofacies) is
observed. All the oils contained 25,30-bisnorhopane,
a feature associated with their migration out of the
"Bucomazi" Fm. into Post-Salt reservoirs. During
this process opportunity for co-mingling with a small
contribution of co-generated Upper "Bucomazi"-
Chela Fm. charge (fl organofacies) would be feasible.
Isotopic heavier oils (Cuntala, Lumueno and Quin-
guila). Typified by Quinguila, these oils were again
of early to main phase maturity and abundant in
25,30-bisnorhopane. At first sight no correlation with
a sole organofacies was evident. Examination of the
336 R. BURWOOOet al.
Quinguila situation provided an interpretative key in
that this early mature oil was evidently generated
locally within the Maiangala Trough.
Sourced by co-mingling of hydrocarbons from
the off-structure equivalents of the two richest
source intervals observed in the Maiangala 1 Pre-
Salt section, the composition of this oil approximates
to equi-proportion contributions of a and fl
organofacies. Having the lower activation energy
(49 vs 61 kcal/mol), the fl facies was probably co-
generating at the same time as the more deeply buried
analogue.
Again, the significant difference was that only the
fl facies was capable of contributing the diagnostic
25,30-bisnorhopane marker. Of lower wax content
(Fig. 4) these oils evidently contained a significant
component from the fl organofacies. Although not
observed in this work, oils derived in large part
from the fl organofacies have been observed else-
where in the greater Lower Congo Coastal Basin area
(Burwood R., unpublished data).
The synrift II depositional regime and detrital
input for the fl organofacies source, representing as it
does the transition between lacustrine and marine
conditions, is evidently significantly different from
those truly lacustrine processes. In this context, such
passive margin lacustrine environments should be
clearly distinguished from intra-cratonic equivalents,
where the intervention or progression into a marine
stage is not present.
A further important implication of these results
focuses on the application of thermal maturation and
hydrocarbon generation kinetic models. Detailed
knowledge as to the range of operative organofacies,
and their respective kinetic parameters, is essential
such that each sub-facies can be adequately modelled.
The assumption that a single set of kinetic data is
representative of a source sequence, such as in the
case of the present complex lacustrine system, could
lead to partial, if not erroneous, conclusions as to the
timing and volumetrics of generation.
CONCLUSIONS
Providing a further insight into the nature and
complexity of lacustrine source rock deposition, this
study demonstrates the importance of organofacies as
a potential control on hydrocarbon generation.
For the Pre-Salt sedimentary series of the Lower
Congo Coastal Basin, kerogen assemblages corre-
sponding to at least four independent organofacies
have been recognised. Compositionally, these facies
were segregable in terms of carbon isotopic and
biomarker signatures vs kerogen type (I, II, III)
and their respective transformation activation ener-
gies (E~). Cyclicity, as well as vertical and lateral
discontinuity in the development of these facies was
variously observed. Such variability can be ascribed
to paleoenvironmental and climatic control on
biomass input, salinity, pH, aridity and terrestrial
effluent being important constraints on the aquatic
habitat(s).
Kerogen transformation activation energies have
implications in controlling the sequence of hydro-
carbon generation. Through the post-generative mix-
ing of charges, aggregate petroleums showing a
diversity in both quality 0.¢. waxiness) and generic
signature could, and have been recognised in the case
of the northern Angola Carbonate Platform fields.
Although parented from a common Pre-Salt strati-
graphic unit, three separate oil families derived from
individual or mixed end member contributions, were
characterised in terms of isotopic and biomarker
signatures. A highly individual C25 demethylated
hopane, 25,30-bisnorhopane, was recognised as a
component apparently restricted to Synrifi II source
rock sedimentation.
The Type II, 6 ~3C depleted, kerogen assemblages
observed here derive from a transitional depositional
phase between enclosed lacustrine and marine
(oceanic) invasion. The latter preceded the massive
evaporite accumulation seen as Loeme Fro. As such,
passive margin lacustrine regimes should be distin-
guished from their intra-cratonic analogues where
such transitional and marine phases do not necess-
arily follow suit.
Detailed knowledge of the organofacies make-up
of a source unit, particularly where it is of extended
stratigraphic or regional distribution, is seen as
mandatory for realistic application of contemporary
hydrocarbon generation modelling procedures.
Acknowledgements--We thank the management of
Petrofina for permission to publish this paper and the
encouragement of W. H. Ziegler. We acknowledge access to
the AGELFI suite of materials. S. M. De Witte and R.
Janssens are thanked for technical assistance.
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338 R. BURWOOD et al.

APPENDIX
Wax
No. key Sample Factor 6uC 62H ~ C29 Gamin.
to oils Field/well Reservoir type °APl S(%) Pri/Phy (%) (-ppt) (-ppt) ratio index
1 Camario E Lucula DST 37 0.26 2.19 51 29.70 87 1.15 0.43
2 Ganda-lbis Chela PT -- 0.15 1.77 43 29.33 93 1.23 0.40
3 Vuandernbo- 1 Chela PT 33 0.15 1.61 43 29.16 91 1.29 0.40
4 N'Zombo NE Lower Pinda WH 32 0.20 1.67 30 28.70 93 0.61 0.20
5 Quinfuquena Lower Pinda TF 30 0.37 1.52 37 28.34 98 0.74 0.22
6 Pan[gala Upper Pinda WH 37 0.28 1.62 30 27.83 89 0.98 0.27
7 Kitona Upper Pinda WH 32 0.09 1.52 41 28.57 91 0.64 0.29
8 Quinfuquena Upper Pinda TF 34 0.37 1.69 35 26.88 92 0.62 0.16
9 Cuntala-I Upper Pinda DST 34 0.33 1.69 32 27.05 97 0.53 0.22
10 Lumueno Upper Pinda TF 38 0.86 1.62 31 26.42 92 0.82 0.37
II Quinguila Upper Pinda TF 32 0.19 1.64 32 28.01 92 0.82 0.32
12 Bananeira Oligocene ? -- 0.14 1.62 31 28.22 122 0.77 0.09
13 Essungo Oligocene ? -- 0.31 1.39 34 29.42 123 1.12 0.19
14 Mavanga Ofigocene ? -- 0.08 1.40 30 29.43 118 0.98 0.24
15 Pitangueira Oligocene ? -- 0.49 1.49 37 28.57 122 0.74 0.12
Key. Sample type: DST--drill stem test; PT--production test; WH--well head sample; TF--tank farm sample. Wax Factor---nC23/nC~s+ a
alkane ratio as a %. ~,,,C29 ratio---~ ethyl cholestane 20S:20R ratio. Gamm. Index--gammacerane/hopane ratio.