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Bulk organic geochemical and palynofacies analyses of the Hettangian Datta Formation (Potwar Basin, Pakistan): Regional comparison with the time equivalent Lathi Formation (Jaisalmer Basin, India)

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Abstract

A detailed lithostratigraphic, bulk organic geochemical and palynofacies analyses were performed on organic-rich shale and coal samples from the Hettangian Datta Formation in the western Salt Range, southern Potwar Basin, Pakistan, to evaluate its hydrocarbon generation potential. Organic matter (OM) in the formation is mainly dominated by gas-prone Type III kerogen and oil- and gas-prone Type II kerogen. The coal and OM-rich shale intervals are thermally mature, while grey shale intervals are thermally immature. Palynofacies studies showed that the Datta Formation is rich in inertinite, vitrinite and amorphinite with minor liptinite. The OM is mainly of terrigenous origin with minor marine contribution and is interpreted to have been deposited under suboxic to anoxic conditions in a fluvio-deltaic depositional setting. The thermal maturity estimated from Spore Colour Index (SCI) and Thermal Alteration Index (TAI) was entirely consistent with estimates based on bulk organic geochemical data. Variations in thermal maturity are interpreted to be due to change in kerogen types as well as burial depth. Overall, the organic geochemical and palynofacies studies showed that the coal and OM-rich shale intervals in the Datta Formation have good-to-excellent source rock potential in the study area, whereas the grey shale intervals have poor potential as source rocks. The Datta Formation has tentatively been correlated with the stratigraphically equivalent Lathi Formation in the Jaisalmer Basin, India, which was deposited in a similar palaeo-depositional setting on the NW margin of the Indian Plate affected by Neo-Tethys realms.

Research Highlights

  • Organic matter within the Datta Formation is dominated by Type III and Type II kerogens.

  • The Lower Jurassic Datta Formation is enriched in inertinite, vitrinite and amorphinite with minor liptinite.

  • The Datta Formation was deposited in a fluvio-deltaic setting influenced by both terrigenous and marine organic influx.

  • The suboxic to anoxic conditions during shales deposition promoted organic matter preservation.

  • Datta Formation correlates with the Lathi Formation of Jaisalmer Basin of India.

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Acknowledgements

National Centre of Excellence in Geology (NCEG), University of Peshawar (UOP) is acknowledged for providing facilities and finances for carrying out this research work. The National Research Program for Universities Project (No. 7939) awarded to Dr Irfan U Jan, Associate Professor at the NCEG, UOP is acknowledged for supporting this study. The authors are grateful to the two unknown reviewers whose valuable comments and suggestions that significantly improved the quality of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3001, Belgium

    Nasar Khan & Rudy Swennen

  2. Department of Geology, University of Malakand, Chakdara, 18800, Pakistan

    Nasar Khan & Hafiz S Hussain

  3. National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan

    Nasar Khan & Irfan U Jan

  4. Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

    Shahid Iqbal

  5. Department of Geodynamics and Sedimentology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Shahid Iqbal

  6. Department of Geology, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

    Irfan U Jan & Osman Salad Hersi

  7. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, 2109, Australia

    Hafiz S Hussain

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  1. Nasar Khan
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  2. Irfan U Jan
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Contributions

Nasar Khan: Main idea, conceptualization, methodology, results, interpretation and initial manuscript preparation. Irfan Ullah Jan: Supervision and validation of the results interpretation. Shahid Iqbal: Co-supervision, discussion and refinement of the manuscript. Rudy Swennen: Review, improvement of technical writing and scientific input. Osman Salad Hersi: Proof reading and technical review. Hafiz Shahid Hussain: Assistance during palynofacies analysis and general draft formatting.

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Correspondence to Nasar Khan.

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Khan, N., Jan, I.U., Iqbal, S. et al. Bulk organic geochemical and palynofacies analyses of the Hettangian Datta Formation (Potwar Basin, Pakistan): Regional comparison with the time equivalent Lathi Formation (Jaisalmer Basin, India). J Earth Syst Sci 130, 148 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-021-01649-4

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