Cretaceous and Tertiary petroleum systems in the Catatumbo basin (Colombia)

It is known that around 90% of the world’s hydrocarbons have been generated by a relatively small<br>number of ultra-rich source intervals deposited during specific periods of geological time. Many mechanisms<br>have been proposed to explain this particular stratigraphic source rock distribution (oceanic anoxia,<br>biologic evolution, global climate changes, etc), but its origin is still in debate. It is clear that basins where one<br>or more of these world class source rocks are present (e.g.: northwest South America, central North Africa)<br>makes them extraordinarily prolific. However, in most cases all the hydrocarbons found in those areas are<br>systematically considered to be uniquely sourced by these ultra-rich intervals, neglecting the importance of<br>other apparently less relevant organic-rich intervals.