Geochemical characterization of hydrocarbon source rocks in the Mandawa basin of southern coastal Tanzania: it’s implication in petroleum generation potential

Abstract

Geochemical characterization of Mandawa Basin Triassic Mbuo Formation, Lower Jurassic Nondwa Formation and Mid-Jurassic Mihambia Formation source rocks intersected in exploration wells Mandawa -7, Mbuo-1, Mita Gamma-1 and East Lika-1 show, the Mbuo source rock have organic matter richness (TOC) rated between fair and very good potential. In addition it has mixture of kerogen type III and III/II prone of generating gas and oil, with calculated vitrinite reflectance maturity indicator indicates the source rock is within mature zone of oil window. The Nondwa formation source rock has fair to excellent source rock quality with a mixture of kerogen type I, II, III/II, and III prone of generating oil and gas meanwhile it shows generally immature to marginally mature (oil window) in all the four exploration wells where the source rock is intersected. Furthermore, the Mihambia Formation source rock has good rating of source rock quality with kerogen type III prone of generating gas with calculated vitrine reflectance show the source rock is mature within oil generation window