Source Rock Studies and Investigation of Garu Formation in Kuhe Sefid Sections (Kermanshah-Ilam border)

Although some researchers have claimed Garu Formation in West of Iran as a potential source rock, no documented analytical result has been reported yet in this regard. Since identification of source rock(s) in any exploratory area is essential, a geological section containing the Garu Formation from Kuhe-Sefid (80km S-E of Kermanshah, Iran) was sampled. Seventy nine samples were analyzed by Rock-Eval Pyrolysis based on TOC measurements. As the samples of the mentioned locality contained the minimum required TOC values required for a potential source rock, 12 samples were selected for organic-petrographical investigations. After extracting the Kerogen of the selected samples, their Vitrinite Reflectance (Ro%) was measured. Elemental analysis of Kerogen was also carried out on 6 samples. The mean vitrinite reflectance values ranged between 0.80 to 1.10% which indicates existence of organic maturation level at the end of oil window. The results of elemental analyses and Rock-Eval data indicate the presence of Kerogen (mainly type III and partially type II). Although the TOC content is low (due to considerable thickness of the source rock), this formation is potentially capable of producing large quantities of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons.