Geochemical record for the depositional condition and petroleum potential of the Late Cretaceous Mamu Formation in the western flank of Anambra Basin, Nigeria

Carbonaceous shale exposures of the Late Cretaceous Mamu Formation along Ifon-Uzebba road in western arm (Benin Flank) of Anambra Basin, southwestern Nigeria, were analyzed for bulk organic geochemical, molecular biological and poly-aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compositions to investigate the organic matter source, paleo-depositional condition, thermal maturity and petroleum potential of the unit. The bulk organic geochemistry was determined using Leco and Rock–Eval pyrolysis analyses while the biomarkers and PAH compositions were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC–MS). The bulk organic geochemical parameters of the shale samples showed total organic carbon (TOC) (1.11–6.03 wt%), S2 (0.49–11.73 mg HC/g Rock), HI (38–242 mg HC/g TOC) and Tmax (425–435 °C) indicating good to excellent hydrocarbon source-rock. Typical HI-Tmax diagram revealed the shale samples mostly in the gas-prone Type III kerogen region with few gas and oil-prone Type II-III kerogen. The investigated biomarkers (n-alkane, isoprenoid, terpane, hopane, sterane) and PAH (alkylnaphthalene, methylphenanthrene and dibenzothiophene) indicated that the carbonaceous shales contain mix contributions of terrestrial and marine organic matter inputs that were deposited in a deltaic to shallow marine settings and preserved under relatively anoxic to suboxic conditions. Thermal maturity parameters computed from Rock–Eval pyrolysis, biomarkers (hopane, sterane) and PAH (alkylnaphthalene, alkylphenanthrene, alkyldibenzothiophene) suggested that these carbonaceous shales in Anambra Basin have entered an early-mature stage for hydrocarbon generation. This is also supported by fluoranthene/pyrene (0.27–1.12), fluoranthene/(fluoranthene + pyrene) (0.21–0.53) ratios and calculated vitrinite reflectance values (0.49–0.63% Ro) indicative that these shales have mostly reached early oil window maturity, thereby having low hydrocarbon source potential.