oa Molecular Composition of Abu Gabra Organic-rich Sediments in the Fula Sub-basin, Muglad Basin (Sudan)

The Abu Gabra sediments possess a very good oil-generative potential as suggested by high amounts of organic matter with high TOC values in the range of 1.3 to 8.3 % that is dominated by Type I and Type II oil-prone kerogens. This is indicated by a significant presence of alginite and amorphous organic matter and supported by HI values in the range of 287–865 mg HC/ g TOC. Vitrinite reflactence (0.60–0.72%Ro) and Tmax values (430–438oC), and biomarker thermal maturity parameters indicate that the Abu Gabra sediments have entered an early mature of oil window. The predominance of even-over-odd (n-C14 to n-C20) with significant presence of waxy n-alkanes (+n-C23) and with isoprenoids Pr/Ph ratios in the range of 1.17–2.51, indicating that these sediments were deposited in a suboxic, lacustrine environment that received both algal/bacterial and terrigenous organic matter input.