Basin Evolution and Geochemical Modeling
- Nubian Reservoir Projects
Basin evolution of, and igneous activities within the Sirt Basin of Libya
PhD research by Mustafa Karer, Dr Jonathan Redfern and Dr Dorthe Møller Hansen (Current research)
The project aims are to assess the nature of volcanic units found within the Sirte basin of Libya, within the context of the basins evolution. A variety of data will be used, including 3D seismic, gravity, aeromagnetic, and well log data, all donated by Wintershal.
- Ghadames Basin Study
Basin modeling in the Ghadames Basin
PhD Research by Ruth Underdown and Dr Jonathan Redfern (Current research)
The main focus is on the burial history and hydrocarbon generation in the Ghadames basin of Libya, Algeria, with the goal of assessing reservoir quality. This includes the role of structures on sedimentation, and in particular burial history with the effects of the thermal history on maturation and migration pathways. Modeling undertaken using the IFP / Beiceip Temis Pak and Genex software.
- Regional AFTA (Apatite fission track) Study
Research by Dr Frank Lisker, Dr Jonathan Redfern, and Stefan Lubeseder (Current research)
A regional Apatite Fission Track study is ongoing, to evaluate the evolution of the North Africa Sedimentary basins, and their sedimentary fill, tectonics and erosion denudation. In particular this aims to quantify the effect of the regional unconformities that have a very significant effect of hydrocarbon generation, migration and timing in the basins.
- Saharan uplift history
Research by Henning Kocks and Dr Sebastian luning (Completed research)
The project aim is to demonstrate the value, applicability and technical feasibility of apatite fission track studies (AFTA) for petroleum exploration in the Berkine, Illizi and Murzuq basins using outcrop and downhole samples.
- Regional Source Rock Studies
The research project evaluates regionally significant source facies of North Africa. A synthesis study is being carried out about Upper Cretaceous (Campanian to Maastrichtian) organic-rich strata. Silurian and Devonian black shales are studied in the field and using well data. The project includes an assessment of techniques to accurately measure source rock quality of Palaeozoic shales from outcrop studies.
Research by Dr Sebastian Lunging, Stephan Lubeseder and Dr Jonathan Redfern (Current research)
The Campanian-Maastrichtian study covers an important source rock phase in North Africa, during which e.g. the famous source rocks in the Sirte Basin and of some Egyptian basins were deposited. Also in the offshore of NW Africa this unit may be important.
Research by Dr Sebastian Luning, Stephan Lubeseder and Dr Jonathan Redfern (Current research)
Fieldwork was carried in November 2003 in the Moroccan Anti-Atlas where the Frasnian and Silurian hot shales have been studied in outcrops by portable gamma-ray spectrometer. Mapping of the organic richness of the Silurian / Upper Devonian shales in weathered outcrops, (e.g. in Morocco, Algeria or Libya) was carried out.
- Petroleum Systems of the Eastern Sirte Basin (Libya)
Research by Dr Jonathan Redfern, Dr Ralph Burwood, and Dr Michael Cope (Completed research)
The Senonian marine Sirte Shale source rock provides the dominant charge in the basin and is the main source for the archetypal oils recognised in the Messla, Hamid and Sarir L Fields. Application of geochemical inversion procedures to biomarker and isotope data has allowed the identification of seven end-member generic oil families, and additionally a number of mixed-system hybrid oils.