Geochemistry of natural bitumens in West of Kermanshah province (Gilan-e-Gharb)

Authors

1 Department of Geology, Faculty of Sceinces, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

2 Department of Geology, Faculty of Basic Sceinces, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

Abstract

The natural bitumen reserves in the Gilan-e-Gharb region are located in the Zagros folded belt. The study area lies within the tectonic-stratigraphic zones of Lorestan and the Mesopotamia region, and structurally, within the simple fold belt. Elemental analysis conducted on natural bitumen samples was utilized to determine the types of bitumen in the Gilan-e-Gharb region, identify the various type of kerogen, and estimate the approximate reflectance of vitrinite. For these purposes, eight samples from natural bitumen reserves were subjected to organic geochemical analysis. Natural bitumens with a reservoir origin typically have an H/C ratio of less than 1. Whereas, the analyzed samples have an average ratio of 1.15. Given this, the reservoir origin of the natural bitumens in the study area is deemed improbable.Hence a source rock origin for these reserves is plausible. The average carbon content of the samples is approximately 65 Wt%, indicating their high quality. The types of bitumen in the study area include Grahamite (Ptm3), weathered Albertite (Mjm, Ptm1), Glance Pitch (Jv, Ptm2), and low-weathered Gilsonite (Jv). An inverse relationship exists between the percentage of ash and the percentage of volatiles in the natural bitumen samples, as well as between the percentage of ash and the percentage of carbon. As the amount of ash increases, the carbon content decreases, leading to a reduction in the quality of the natural bitumen. A direct relationship is observed between the percentage of volatiles and the carbon content.

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History

  • Receive Date: 08 June 2024
  • Revise Date: 04 August 2024
  • Accept Date: 11 September 2024

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