Evaluation of Neoproterozoic Source Rock Potential in SE Pakistan and Adjacent Bikaner- Nagaur Basin India Based on Integrated Geochemical, Geological, and Geophysical Data

Abstract Discoveries of heavy crude oil in the Neoproterozoic rocks (Infracambrian rock sequence) from the Bikaner-Nagaur Basin of India emphasizes the significance to study and explore the Neoproterozoic source rocks potential in the southeastern part of Pakistan. This study evaluates the potential of the source rock in the Infracambrian rock sequence (Salt Range Formation) based on surface geochemical surveys, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, source biomarkers, geophysical characterization, and seismic inversion using machine learning for maturity index estimation. Core samples of Infracambrian rock were extracted for Rock-Eval pyrolysis and biomarker characterization. Also, 81 geo-microbial soil and gas samples were collected from the surface to explore the petroleum system and potential source rocks in the subsurface. We followed the standard laboratory procedures to investigate the origin and concentration of hydrocarbons gases at the surface, thermal maturity, the source facies, and the environment of deposition of organic matter. The results show that the investigated samples are characterized by restricted marine clay devoid of carbonate source facies with thermal maturity in the early-stage of the oil generation window. Surface geochemical samples also confirm higher concentrations of thermogenic C2-C4 hydrocarbons over the vicinity of anticlinal structures proving the existence of an effective migration path along deep-seated faults to the surface. The inverted maturity index profile demonstrates a reasonable correlation of thermal maturity with the surface geochemical survey, source biomarkers, and Rock-Eval pyrolysis. It validates the reliability of multilayer linear calculator and particle swarm optimization algorithms for inverting seismic reflection data into a maturity index profile. The obtained results indicate a higher probability of heavy and light oil along the eastern flank of Pakistan, where Infracambrian rocks are thicker and more thermally mature, and deep-seated pledged structural closures occur, in comparison to the Bikaner-Nagaur Basin, India.