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Crude Oil Geochemistry and Its Relation to the Potential Source Beds for Some Meleiha Oil Fields in the North Western Desert, Egypt
Mohamed M. El Nadya; Fatma S. Harba; Janette S. Bastaa a Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt Online publication date: 19 February 2003
To cite this Article Nady, Mohamed M. El , Harb, Fatma S. and Basta, Janette S.(2003) 'Crude Oil Geochemistry and Its
Relation to the Potential Source Beds for Some Meleiha Oil Fields in the North Western Desert, Egypt', Petroleum Science and Technology, 21: 1, 1 28 To link to this Article: DOI: 10.1081/LFT-120016913 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1081/LFT-120016913
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Crude Oil Geochemistry and Its Relation to the Potential Source Beds for Some Meleiha Oil Fields in the North Western Desert, Egypt
Mohamed M. El Nady,* Fatma S. Harb, and Janette S. Basta
Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
ABSTRACT
The results of the geochemical evaluation for eleven crude oil samples from some Meleiha oil elds revealed that, these oils have high specic gravity ( API), low sulfur content and rich in saturated hydrocarbons. Two oil classes were recognized. The rst is carbonate oils of high maturity level, originated from marine origin. The second, deltaic oils of moderately level of maturation, derived mainly from terrigenous sources. Oil: source correlation for the productive oils and the extracts of the potential source beds revealed a genetic close relationship between oils and extracts of Khatatba and
*Correspondence: Mohamed M. El Nady, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr City, Hei Al-Zehour, 11727, Cairo, Egypt; Fax: (202) 2747433. 1
DOI: 10.1081/LFT-120016913 Copyright & 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1091-6466 (Print); 1532-2459 (Online) www.dekker.com

El Nady, Harb, and Basta Alam El Bueib formations. This indicates that the source of the oils in the study area may be related to mixed sources of these formations.
1. INTRODUCTION Meleiha area is located in the northern part of the Western Desert of Egypt between latitudes 30 500 and 31 000 N and longitudes 27 000 and 27 600 E, south of Mediterranean Coastal town of Mersa Matruh (Fig. 1). This area is related to Meleiha sub-basin of Cretaceous age (Meshref, 1990). The sedimentary section of the North Western Desert including Meleiha area exceeds 4573 m in thickness and range in age from Paleozoic to Miocene (Fig. 2). Bahariya Formation (Early Cenomanian age) is the main productive horizon in the most oil elds in Meleiha area (RRI, 1990). The main objectives of the present study, that are essentially to illustrate two purposes for the petroleum produced from some oil elds in Meleiha area. The rst is the evaluation of the geochemical characteristics for the crude oils in order to identify gross composition, origin, oil
Figure 1.
Location map of the study area.

Crude Oil Geochemistry
Figure 2. Generalized litho-stratigraphic column of the Meleiha area (Kholeif et al., 1986).
classes, maturation, depositional environments, and the genetic relationship between these oils. The second purpose, is the discussion of the relation between the produced oils and the potential source rocks in study area (oil: source correlation), to conrms the indigenous sources for the petroleum produced from the Meleiha oil elds.
2. GEOLOGIC SETTING The geologic setting of the Meleiha oil elds have been studied by many authors of mention as Dia El Din (1974); El Sheikh (1990); Darahem et al. (1990); Salah and Paradisi (1992); and Metwalli et al. (1998, 2000).

El Nady, Harb, and Basta
Structurally, the Meleiha oil eld was characterized by three development leases and consists of a series of en-echelon, WNW-ESE horsts and grabens (Kholeif et al., 1986). Oil accumulation in these elds appears to be structurally controlled, associated with horsts (Kholeif et al., 1986). The tectonic activity in this area was occurred mainly during Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary time (Darahem and Paradisi, 1992). The organo geochemical characteristics of the source rocks of the Meleiha area were discussed by RRI (1990), El Sheikh (1990), Metwalli et al. (1998 and 2000) and El Nady (2001). Many workers discussed the crude oil evaluation of the North Western Desert including Meleiha area in detail. Metwalli and Abd El-Hady (1975), stated that Umbarka oil eld produced a waxy oil of 44 API, from Aptian clastics, and the Alamein dolomite acts a sealing rock for the oil accumulated in Aptian clastics in that eld. They also added that the variation of crude oilgravities, in the Western Desert, reects dierent stages of oil migration and accumulation as well as dierent oil source rocks in the same and dierent ages. Metwalli and Abd El-Hady (1975), also suggested the dierent cycles of oil generation and accumulation in the northern part of the Western Desert. First cycles in Jurassic and underlying older formations, second cycle in Cretaceous formations and third cycle for Tertiary hydrocarbons. Taher et al. (1988) reported that there are two oil families, which were derived mainly from terrestrial source. Zein El Din et al. (1990) recognized that Meleiha oil elds are belonging to Abu Gharadig oil group which of marine origin. Halim et al. (1996) referred to that the whole oil and condensates of the Western Desert have been originated from terrigenous organic matter of coaly facies. El Nady (1998) divided the oil of some oil elds of the North Western Desert into two types. 1. Waxy oil was originated from non-marine origin. 2. Non waxy oil was sourced from carbonates source rocks. Ghanem et al. (1999) recognized two oil groups in the North Western Desert (Light and heavy oil) which are rich in a terrigenous organic matter.
3. SAMPLES AND ANALYTICAL METHODS Eleven crude oil samples were collected from eleven productive wells in Meleiha area namely: Aman-1x, Aman-2x, Aman-3x, Falak-1, Emry-1x, Lotus-1x, Kanak-1x, and Meleiha North East 1,2,3, and 4 wells. Most of the produced oils of these wells were mainly from Early Cenomanian reservoir, except the Lotus-1x well which was produced

from Middle Jurassic reservoir (Khatatba Formation). Five core samples (mainly shale) were taken from Meleiha NE wells to represent the dierent potential source beds in the study area, including Khatatba, Alam El Bueib, Kharita, Bahariya, and Abu Roash formations. These core samples were used to identify the correlation with the oils produced in that area. The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation and Agiba Petroleum Company were kindly supplied all these samples (oil and core).
3.1. Crude Oil Analyses 3.1.1. API Gravity and Sulfur Content API gravity: is a measure of crude oils density at 15.6 C (60 F) and is related by equation: 141:5 131:5 Waples, 1985 API Specific garvity Sulfur content: was determined by X-ray sulfur meter model RX500 S according to ASTM D-42914 procedure, and the results expressed as weight percent.
3.1.2. Stable Carbon Isotopes Carbon isotope values are obtained by converting the sample to CO2 in atmosphere of oxygen at 86 C, then by using a mass spectrometer the relative amount of 13C and 12C in the sample is measured and compared with those in Peedee Belemnite standard (PDB limestone). The results are expressed as per-mil deviation (%o) and are calculated using the following equation: " # 13 C=12 C sample 13 C 13 12 1 1000 Waples, 1985 C= C standard
3.2. Source Rock Extraction About 200 g of core samples were powdered to 250-mesh size and then extracted with chloroform by using Soxhlet extractor, according to methods of Korachagina and Cheteverkova (1976), and Waples (1985).

3.3. Column Chromatography Analysis The deasphalted residue of crude oils and bitumen were separated into saturates, aromatics and resins including NSO compounds by column chromatography. The column was packed with 1:1 (by weight) alumina overlying silica gel such that the weight of the sample (asphaltenes free) was about 2% of the combined weight of the packed materials. Successive elution with n-heptane, toluene, and chloroform yielded saturates aromatics and resins with NSO component fractions, respectively. The obtained fractions were free from solvents by evaporation. The results are expressed as weight percent to the whole oil and extracts.
3.4. Gas Chromatography Analysis (GC) Saturated fractions for oils and extracts were analysed by means of gas chromatography using (Perkin Elmer Instrument Model 8700) provided with a ame ionization detector (FID). Oven temperature was programmed for 100320 C at 5 C/min. Parans and naphthenes ratios for the saturates were calculated by the GC chromatogram draft. All the analyses were carried out in the laboratories of the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, except carbon isotopes analysis is done in the laboratories of nuclear materials organization.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.1. Crude Oil Characterization Geochemical characterization of crude oils increases the eciency of petroleum exploration and exploitation programs (Demaison and Huizinga, 1991). According to Tissot and Welte (1984), and Waples (1985), the common method for determining geochemical characterization of crude oils is the measurement of API gravity, sulfur content, crude oil compositions and stable carbon isotope ratio (13C%o).
4.1.1. API Gravity Tissot and Welte (1984) recognized that, crude oils have API gravities less than 20 are immature, and above 20 are mature oils.

Waples (1985) reported that, the normal crude oils have API gravity range form 20 to 45 , less than 20 are usually biodegraded and above 45 are condensates oil. Therefore the studied crude oil samples have API gravities range from 22.51 to 43.11 (Table 1) reecting a mature normal oils, except oil of Lotus-1x well has API (46.85 ) indicating a condensate oil.
4.1.2. Sulfur Content Waples (1985), and Zumberge (1993), revealed that, crude oils with sulfur percent more than one are high sulfur content and less than one are low sulfur content. In the present work oil samples are characterized by sulfur percent range from 0.13% to 0.51% (Table 1) indicating the low sulfur content of the crude oil samples. Tissot and Welte (1984), and Waples (1985) reported that, this type oils might be rich in marine organic matters.
4.1.3. Gross Composition of Crude Oils Saturates, aromatics, asphaltenes, and resins are the main common group composition of any crude oils. All the oil samples under investigation are rich in saturated hydrocarbon ( > 50%) (Table 1), indicating mature oils, locate in the region of normal oil and showing no biodegradation (Fig. 3). On the other hand, the oil samples could be classied into two oil classes as shown on ternary diagram (Fig. 4) namely; paranic and naphthenic oil classes. The former has more than (50%) parans and less than (50%) naphthenes and aromatic hydrocarbon plus NSO compounds (Table 1). The later is characterized by more than (40%) naphthenes and less than (50%) parans and aromatic hydrocarbons plus NSO compounds (Table 1). Moreover, the abundance of parans exceeding naphthenes and NSO compounds revealed that the mature oil. This conclusion is conrmed by the use of ternary diagram (Fig. 5), which shows that all the oil samples locate around to the increase of maturation trend. Zumberge (1993) used the gross composition of crude oils as an indicator for the origin source (Fig. 6). This gure revealed most of the studied oils were derived from marine origin, except samples from Falak-1x, Emry-1, and Karnak-1 oils which were originated from terrigenous source.
Table 1.
Wells
Gross compositions, stable carbon isotope, and isoprenoids data for the studied oil samples.
Data 40.25 0.16 70.20 19.07 2.48 8.25 10.73 29.53 29.11 1.52 61.59 8.61 0.68 0.20 0.18 1.00 61.19 4.99 0.73 0.19 0.20 1.01 18.71 44.11 1.12 0.28 0.21 1.91 21.13 46.87 1.20 0.32 0.26 1.12 58.48 13.38 0.12 0.34 0.36 1.00 29.15 28.10 0.28 29.18 27.12 1.97 29.51 28.15 0.52 28.12 26.65 0.33 28.65 26.92 1.07 46.81 41.76 1.11 0.44 0.34 1.15 28.72 28.18 1.09 57.47 6.35 0.31 0.26 0.28 0.93 66.18 25.52 3.19 5.11 8.30 62.82 23.53 3.81 9.84 13.65 68.00 25.66 3.87 2.47 6.34 71.86 15.79 4.16 8.19 12.35 61.57 28.00 4.50 5.93 10.43 63.82 25.09 3.15 7.94 11.09 62.84 32.00 4.48 5.16 9.64 27.11 25.72 0.16 53.05 9.79 0.24 0.21 0.24 0.89 38.21 0.22 27.11 0.42 22.51 0.51 46.85 0.19 26.46 0.48 33.61 0.28 32.13 0.35
Aman-1X Aman-2X Aman-3X Falak-1X Emry-1X Lotus-1X Karnak-1X
Meleiha Meleiha Meleiha Meleiha NE-1 NE-2 NE-3 NE-4 36.71 0.30 62.59 25.00 2.56 9.85 12.41 27.98 26.72 0.18 58.83 3.76 0.38 0.28 0.31 1.02 34.51 0.23 55.99 33.00 3.20 7.81 11.01 27.14 25.65 0.07 51.13 4.86 0.37 0.39 0.49 0.99
43.11 API gravity (60 F) % Sulfur 0.13 Gross oil composition % Saturates 70.89 % Aromatics 15.79 % Asphaltenes 3.63 % Resins 9.69 % NSO compounds 13.32 Carbon isotope composition % Saturates 28.91 % Aromatics 27.88 CV 0.40 C15HC composition % Parans 59.53 % Naphthenes 11.36 Pristane/phytane 0.52 0.16 Pristane/n-C17 0.17 Phytane/n-C18 CPI 0.98
NSO compounds (nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen) asphaltenes resins. CV (mathematical canonical variable) 2.53 13Csaturate 2.22 13Caromatic 11.65 (Sofer, 1984).

Figure 3. Ternary diagram for the bulk composition of crude oil samples: I, normal oils; II, mostly heavy degraded oils.
Figure 7 shows relations between the physical properties and gross composition of the studied crude oils, where API gravity (as a mature level) was plotted against three compositional parameters. These relationships indicate the following trends with the increase in API gravity: 1. Decrease in sulfur content. According to Martinez et al. (1984), the crude oils could be classied into heavy, medium and light as the API gravity is less than 22.3 , 22.3 to 31.1 , and> 31.1 , respectively. Therefore the studied crude oils can be categorized into two groups (Fig. 7-A): Light oils which have API gravidities more than 31 and sulfur content less than 0.4% and moderately oils characterized by API gravities rang from 22.5 to 31 and sulfur content more than 0.4%. Decrease in asphaltenes percent (Fig. 7-B). Increase in the saturate/aromatic ratios (Fig. 7-C).
2. 3.
These trends illustrate the crude oils maturity relationships as reported by Milner et al. (1977), Rohrback (1983), and El-Sabagh and El-Afeleq (1995).

10
Figure 4. Ternary diagram showing the classes of crude oil samples: I, paranic oils, II, naphthenic oils, III, paranic naphthenic oils, IV, aromatic intermediate oils, V, aromatic naphthenic oils, VI, aromatic aliphatic oils.
Figure 5. Ternary diagram showing the main trends of thermal maturation and alteration of crude oil samples. - .. Main path of biodegradation m..General trend of thermal maturation, .. Main path of degradation.
m

11
Figure 6. C15 hydrocarbon composition of crude oil samples: I, terrigenous source; II, marine source.
4.1.4. Carbon Isotopes Composition (13C%o) The isotope composition of oil fractions (saturates and aromatics) can be used to distinguish between marine and terrigenous oils by applying a mathematical relation known as canonical variable (CV) (Sofer, 1984). The oil sample with CV value lower than 0.47 is classied as non-waxy (marine) oil and that with CV more than 0.47 classied as waxy (terrigenous) oil. The calculated (CV) values of the crude oil samples under study are listed in Table 1. These values revealed that, most of the oil samples have CV values range from 0.16 to 0.33, which indicates nonwaxy oil rich in marine organic matter. Moreover oil samples of Emry-1x, Falak-1x, and Karnak-1x wells have CV values of 0.52, 1.07, and 1.97, respectively (Table 1) reecting waxy oil derived from non-marine origin. On the other hand, carbon isotope values for the saturates and aromatics fraction of the oil samples under consideration range from 27.11 to 29.53 and 25.65 to 29.11 respectively (Table 1). These values indicate minor variation in isotopic composition of the oils, due to the maturation level between the oil samples (Demaison and Huizinga, 1991). It is that the oils within the study area were derived mainly from marine

12
Figure 7.
API gravity vs. bulk composition of crude oil samples.

13
Figure 8. Stable carbon isotope ratios for saturated vs. aromatic hydrocarbons for oil samples. The best seperation line (dashed) is based on a statistical analysis of hundreds of known marine and non marine crude oils (Sofer, 1984).
origin, except few samples derived from terrigenous source (Fig. 8) according to Zumberge (1993) and Peters et al. (2000).
4.2. Saturated Hydrocarbon Composition (C15Q) The specic geochemical parameters, which have been assessed by the aid of C15 analysis, are: Normal alkanes, pristane/phytane ratio, isoprenoids/n-alkanes ratio and carbon preference index. These parameters can be used for interpreting some geochemical aspects of the studied crude oils such as origin, depositional environments, and biodegradation (Waples, 1985).
4.2.1. Normal Alkanes The distribution of normal alkanes in the saturated hydrocarbons sheds light on the genetic origin of crude oils. The amorphous organic

14
matters which derived from marine origin have a maximum concentration at n-C15n-C21 (Waples, 1985). The humic organic matters, which originated from mixed organic source (i.e., marine and terrestrial organic matter) are characterized by a maximum concentration of n-C25C29 (Tissot and Welte, 1984). The nger print of gas chromatograms for the oil samples shows more abundance of the light hydrocarbons in the range of C15C21, contains low to moderate amount of heavy normal alkanes, and shows no even or odd carbon preference (Fig. 9), indicating mature oils of marine origin. Furthermore, few oil samples characterized by moderately to large amount of heavy normal alkanes in the range of C24C29, and slightly odd carbon preference (Fig. 9-D, E, and G), reveal moderately mature samples of mixed organic sources.
4.2.2. Pristane/Phytane Ratios The pristane/phytane ratios of oil show some kind of correlation with the canonical variable (CV) values (Sofer, 1984; Chung et al., 1994). They are found that, low pristane/phytane ratio ( <1) and CV ( <0.47) associates with carbonate oils, rich in marine organic matter and more than one of pristane/phytane ratio and CV (> 0.47) indicates deltaic oils, derived from contribution of terrestrial and detrital sediments. Thus most of oil samples have pristane/phytane ratios range from 0.24 to 0.73 (i.e., less than one) and CV of 0.18 to 0.33 (Table 1), indicating marine oils. However, few oil samples from Falak-1x, Emry-1x, and Karnak-1x wells have pristane/phytane ratios of 1.111.20 and CV values range from 0.52 to 1.97 (i.e., >0.47, Table 1), reect deltaic oils.
4.2.3. Isoprenoids/n-Alkanes Ratio The studied oil samples have pristane/n-C17 and phytane/n-C18 ratios range from 0.160.44 and from 0.170.49, respectively (Table 1). These ratios indicate that, most of these oils were derived mainly from marine organic matter deposited under reducing environments, except some oils originated from mixed organic sources which were deposited under transitional environments according to Shanmugum (1985) (Fig. 10). Also, this gure also shows that with increasing the maturity, n-alkanes are generated faster than isoprenoids resulting in a decrease of isoprenoids/ n-alkanes ratio and regression along the line toward the origin. It is clear

15
Figure 9.
Gas chromatograms of the saturated hydrocarbon fractions (C15) for the crude oil samples.
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Table 2.
Geochemical characteristics of crude oil and extract samples.
Samples 70.89 70.20 66.18 62.82 68.00 71.86 61.57 63.82 62.84 62.59 55.99 51.50 50.21 49.10 27.81 22.50 2.34 2.84 1.92 1.51 1.10 18 16 17 16 25 0.23 0.14 0.19 0.16 0.11 0.98 1.01 0.82 0.94 0.81 0.62 0.53 1.12 0.32 0.12 0.24 0.31 0.12 0.22 0.13 4.49 3.68 2.59 2.67 2.65 4.55 2.20 2.54 1.96 2.50 1.70 15 17 18 25 25 17 25 16 15 15 15 0.20 0.18 0.34 0.19 0.17 0.11 0.12 0.42 0.16 0.25 0.33 0.98 1.00 1.01 1.91 1.21 1.00 1.51 0.93 0.89 1.02 0.99 0.52 0.68 0.73 1.12 1.20 0.12 1.11 0.31 0.24 0.38 0.37 0.16 0.20 0.19 0.28 0.32 0.34 0.41 0.26 0.21 0.28 0.39
Saturates (%) Cmax CPI
Saturates/ aromatics
C21C22/ C28C29 Pristane/ phytane Pristane/ n-C17
Pristanen-C17/ phytanen-C18 0.13 0.82 0.78 0.19 0.17 0.69 0.13 0.71 0.64 0.59 0.15 El Nady, Harb, and Basta 0.61 0.64 0.14 0.19 0.11
Oils Aman-1X Aman-2X Aman-3X Falak-1X Emry-1X Lotus-1X Karnak-1X Meleiha NE-1 Meleiha NE-2 Meleiha NE-3 Meleiha NE-4 Extracts Khatatba Alam El Bueib Kharita Bahariya Abu Roash

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Figure 10. Plot of pristane/n-C17 vs. phytane/n-C18, showing the source type of crude oil samples (Shanmugum, 1985).
that, all the crude oil samples take the direction of increasing maturity far from the direction of biodegradation. Moreover, Aman oils; Falak-1 and Meleiha NE-2 oils seem to be more mature than the other oil samples. This conclusion is further enhanced by Fig. 11 according to Robert et al. (1998).
4.2.4. Carbon Preference Index Carbon preference index (CPI) is a measure of the strength of the odd carbon predominance in normal alkanes, and calculated as follows: CPI Odd carbon atoms Even carbon atoms Waples, 1985
The CPI values of the crude oils range from 0.89 to 1.02 for most samples (Table 1) indicating that, these oils are mainly mature, and most probably generated from marine organic sources (Bray and Evans, 1961). The CPI values vary from 1.12 to 1.91 for the oils of Falak-1x, Emry-1x,

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Figure 11. Plot of pristane/n-C17 vs. phytane/n-C18, showing the maturation of crude oil samples (Robert et al., 1998).
and Karnak-1x wells, revealing mixed organic sources for these samples in the study area.
4.3. Oil: Source Correlation The correlation between crude oil and source rock extracts depend on establishing similarities in several molecular parameters of oil and rock extracts which indicates common points in their genesis. Many parameters for oil: source correlation were discussed by Williams (1974); Welte et al. (1975); Alexander et al. (1981); Pool and Claypool (1984); Leythaeuser et al. (1987); and Philip et al. (1989). In the present work the gross composition, C15 n-alkanes distribution, Isoprenoids/n-alkanes ratio as well as correlation assessment have been for this purpose.
4.3.1. Gross Composition of Oils and Extracts Crude oils and source rock extracts in the study area show a remarkable similarities in the gross chemical composition of Khatatba and Alam El Bueib formations, owing to high percent of saturated

19
Figure 12. Ternary diagram for the gross composition of crude oil and extract samples: I, normal oils; II, mostly heavy degraded oils.
hydrocarbons for both formations (Table 2). The ternary diagram of Tissot and Welte (1984), (Fig. 12) shows a great relation between oil and extracted samples, where both of them are related to normal oils. Furthermore, the oil samples show slightly more mature than the extracts.
4.3.2. C15 n-Alkanes Distribution The gas chromatograms of the studied oil samples are similar to those of extracts from Khatatba, Alam El Bueib, and Bahariya source rocks; except oil of Karnak-1x (Fig. 13). This evidence indicates that there are clear similarities in their molecular distribution, reecting a genetic relationship between the previous mentioned source rocks and reservoired oils.
4.3.4. Isoprenoids/n-Alkanes Ratio The pristane/n-C17 and phytane/n-C18 ratios of the crude oil and extracted samples (Table 2) reect that the oils and the extracts of Khatatba, Alam El Bueib, and Bahariya source rocks are genetically

20
Figure 13. Representative gas chromatograms of the saturated hydrocarbon fractions of the crude oil and extract samples.

21
Figure 14. Pristane/n-C17 vs. phytane/n-C18, showing the source type of crude oil and extract samples (Shanmugam, 1985).
related as they are derived from marine organic matter and mixed organic source. In contrast, the extracts of Kharita, Abu Roash source rocks are not correlated with the studied oils where they are originated from terrestrial organic matter (Fig. 14). These conclusions are conrmed by cross plot of Obermajer et al. (1999), (Fig. 15) of the isoprenoids/ n-alkanes ratio. This gure indicates the genetic relation between the crude oils and extracts of the Khatatba and Alam El Bueib source rocks. However, they are belong to type II Kerogen, except the extracts of Kharita, Bahariya, and Abu Roash formations which related to type II/III Kerogen. Furthermore the oil samples show a degree of maturation more than the extracts.
4.4. Correlation Assessment The degree of assessments for the correlation between crude oil and the extracted samples has been determined by studying the correlation score for both oils and extracts. Eight correlation parameters have been

22
Figure 15. Cross plot of pristane/n-C17 vs. phytane/n-C18, showing the genetic type of organic matter for crude oil and extract samples (Obermajer et al., 1999).
studied for this purpose includes, saturates (%), saturates/aromatics ratio, Cmax, C21C22/C28C29, CPI, pristane/phytane, pristane/n-C17 and pristanen-C17/phytanen-C18 (Table 2). The score points, which have been allotted to dierent mentioned parameters according to Alexander et al. (1981), are 5 score points for each, saturates/aromatics ratios and CPI, 10 points for each pristane/n-C17 and carbon maxima. (Cmax), 15 points for each saturate (%), C21C22/C28C29 and pristane/ phytane ratio, and 25 point to pristane n-C17/phytanen-C18. This is depending on their powers, which reect the genetic relations between oils and potential source rocks (Welte et al., 1975; Alexander et al., 1981). Based on the above correlation parameters, an overall correlation score was obtained for each extract by summing up to the contribution from each parameter. The ratio of correlation parameter to the total parameters (parameter match) has been also considered in evaluating the correlation rate (C.R.). The samples show a score 50 points and 5/8-parameter match or more, indicating good correlation with oil. Samples with a score 4050 points and 4/8 parameter match are considered marginally correlatable. Table 3 shows the parameters and score points allotted to the studied crude oil and extract samples. The crude oil samples have been correlated with each other, except some samples are marginally correlatable.
Table 3.
Correlation assessment between crude oil and extract samples.
Samples
Saturates Saturates/ C21 Pri.n-C17/ Parameter/ (%) aromatics Cmax C22/C28 CPI Pri./Phy. Pri./n-C17 Phy. n-C18 Score 5 matching > 25 > 2.00 <22 C29>2 1.0 0.1 2.0 0.6 0.7 0.6 1.2 0.6 0 Nil >4/8
C.R./ 50
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 85 60 40 40 15
Oils Aman-1X Aman-2X Aman-3X Falak-1X Emry-1X Lotus-1X Karnak-1X Meleiha NE-1 Meleiha NE-2 Meleiha NE-3 Meleiha NE-4 Extracts Khatatba Alam El Bueib Kharita Bahariya Abu Roash 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 45 70 95 35 35 70 35 85 65 85 55
5/8 6/8 7/8 4/8 4/8 6/8 4/8 7/8 5/8 7/8 5/8 7/8 5/8 4/8 5/8 2/8
Nil Good Good Nil Nil Good Nil Good Good Good Good Good Good Nil Nil Nil
C.R. Correlation rating.
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The extract samples of Khatatba and Alam El Bueib source rocks have been correlated with the studied oils. This evidence indicates that these extracts show good correlation with oils.
CONCLUSIONS
From the evaluation of the geochemical characteristics of eleven crude oil samples which collected from the main producing horizons of eleven oil wells in the Meleiha area revealed the following:
.
The crude oil samples characterized by high API gravities, low sulfur contents and rich in saturated hydrocarbon fractions, can be classied into in two groups: A. B. Light oils: have API gravity more than 30 and sulfur content less than 0.4%. Moderately oils: characterized by API less 30 and sulfur content more than 0.4%.
The distribution of the saturates, aromatics, NSO compounds, parans, and naphthenes showed that, most of these oils are belonging to the paranic oil class, except some oils are related to naphthenic oil. . Carbon isotopic ratios of the saturate and aromatic fractions of the crude oils, revealed that most oils can be classied into non waxy oils derived mainly from marine sources and few oils are waxy originated from terrigenous sources. . Gas chromatographic analyses indicate that, most of the studied oils are mainly mature, derived from sources rocks, deposited under marine environments, except few samples which are originated from mixed organic sources, deposited in transitional environments. . Oil: source correlation revealed that close genetic relationship and remarkable similarities in the origin and maturation for the oils and extracts of the Khatatba and Alam El Bueib source rocks. Therefore, most of the studied oil samples are mainly genetically related to each other in physical and geochemical properties. Also, it may be sourced from mixed organic matters of Khatatba and Alam El Bueib formations.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors are deeply grateful to the authority of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, especially Exploration and Production Divisions. Thanks also to Agiba Petroleum Company for providing the oil and rock samples needed for the completion of this work.
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Location map of the study area.

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Crude Oil Geochemistry

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El Nady, Harb, and Basta

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Aman-1X Aman-2X Aman-3X Falak-1X Emry-1X Lotus-1X Karnak-1X

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El Nady, Harb, and Basta

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Crude Oil Geochemistry

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El Nady, Harb, and Basta

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Crude Oil Geochemistry

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API gravity vs. bulk composition of crude oil samples.

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Crude Oil Geochemistry

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El Nady, Harb, and Basta

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Geochemical characteristics of crude oil and extract samples.

Saturates (%) Cmax CPI

C21C22/ C28C29 Pristane/ phytane Pristane/ n-C17

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