oa Applications of Aromatic Hydrocarbons as Indicators of Thermal Maturity in the Qusaiba Source Rock

The Silurian-age Qusaiba Formation is the main source rock for the Paleozoic petroleum system across North Africa and the Arabian Plate, and is considered to be a key unconventional play in this region. However, despite recent advances in understanding its thermal maturity trends, discrepancies still remain among different maturity assessment methods, especially when dealing with highly mature samples (%VRE > 1.2%). This study aimed to address this issue by conducting a detailed analysis of the distribution of thermally sensitive aromatic hydrocarbons in Qusaiba shale extracts and produced fluids collected from several wells located in Eastern Arabia. Key findings highlight the reliability and consistency of certain aromatic hydrocarbons as thermal maturity indicators in highly mature Qusaiba samples and fluids, thereby contributing to an improved and accurate thermal maturity framework.