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<p>Although the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian to Campanian) section of the frontier Canterbury Basin has high source rock potential, it has not been not studied and explored in-depth. Geochemical analysis of rock samples from four offshore wells in the Upper Cretaceous Cenomanian to Santonian (100.5–83.6&#xa0;Ma) Clipper Formation and Santonian to Campanian (83.6–72.1&#xa0;Ma) Pukeiwitahi Formation, combined with extensive seismic interpretation and basin modeling, helped bridge the research gap by providing a comprehensive evaluation of the source rocks. Hydrocarbon generation potential and thermal maturity were investigated in terms of organic matter abundance, kerogen types, maximum temperature (Tmax), and vitrinite reflectance (Ro%) using Rock-Eval pyrolysis analysis, burial and thermal history models. Geochemical results for the Clipper Formation revealed high TOC and hydrogen index (HI) range and type III kerogen (gas-prone). Vitrinite reflectance (Ro%) and high Tmax are indicative of dry gas generation and thermally over-mature levels, suggesting substantial expulsion of hydrocarbons. Seismic interpretation verified syn-rift, highly faulted, and volcanic driven filling regime for the Clipper Formation. Burial history and generation models confirmed over-maturity and near-maximum transformation/expulsion of hydrocarbons in the Clipper Formation. Taken together as early expulsion, deep burial, likely intrusion-assisted maturation, high fault-controlled compartmentalization with limited migration pathways to retain any trapped concentrations, the Clipper Formation is unlikely an effective regional source rock in the study area. Evaluation of the Pukeiwitahi Formation revealed moderate to good source rock potential, with high TOC content and kerogens ranging from type II to type III. TOC and HI indicate mixed Type II/III kerogen with moderate generative capacity. Maturity indicators (Ro%, Tmax) showed that, at the sampled wells, the section is late mature to over-mature, however, maturity may vary regionally. The seismic interpretation identified minor tectonic deformation affecting the Pukeiwitahi Formation after the main rifting event. Additionally, the Pukeiwitahi Formation reached the stage of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion, achieving sufficient maturity levels during the Miocene, with a transformation ratio of 40–60%. These findings highlight the Pukeiwitahi Formation as a promising source rock formation, thereby improving our understanding of the source rock potential in the Canterbury Basin for future exploration activities.</p>

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Unlocking the Hydrocarbon Potential of the Canterbury Basin, New Zealand: Geochemical and Basin Modeling Insights for Hydrocarbon Exploration

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月5日

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  • Muhammad Ubaid Umar,
  • Shenghe Wu,
  • S. M. Talha Qadri,
  • Shafqat Hussain,
  • Khaled Albriki,
  • Muhammad Riaz

摘要

Although the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian to Campanian) section of the frontier Canterbury Basin has high source rock potential, it has not been not studied and explored in-depth. Geochemical analysis of rock samples from four offshore wells in the Upper Cretaceous Cenomanian to Santonian (100.5–83.6 Ma) Clipper Formation and Santonian to Campanian (83.6–72.1 Ma) Pukeiwitahi Formation, combined with extensive seismic interpretation and basin modeling, helped bridge the research gap by providing a comprehensive evaluation of the source rocks. Hydrocarbon generation potential and thermal maturity were investigated in terms of organic matter abundance, kerogen types, maximum temperature (Tmax), and vitrinite reflectance (Ro%) using Rock-Eval pyrolysis analysis, burial and thermal history models. Geochemical results for the Clipper Formation revealed high TOC and hydrogen index (HI) range and type III kerogen (gas-prone). Vitrinite reflectance (Ro%) and high Tmax are indicative of dry gas generation and thermally over-mature levels, suggesting substantial expulsion of hydrocarbons. Seismic interpretation verified syn-rift, highly faulted, and volcanic driven filling regime for the Clipper Formation. Burial history and generation models confirmed over-maturity and near-maximum transformation/expulsion of hydrocarbons in the Clipper Formation. Taken together as early expulsion, deep burial, likely intrusion-assisted maturation, high fault-controlled compartmentalization with limited migration pathways to retain any trapped concentrations, the Clipper Formation is unlikely an effective regional source rock in the study area. Evaluation of the Pukeiwitahi Formation revealed moderate to good source rock potential, with high TOC content and kerogens ranging from type II to type III. TOC and HI indicate mixed Type II/III kerogen with moderate generative capacity. Maturity indicators (Ro%, Tmax) showed that, at the sampled wells, the section is late mature to over-mature, however, maturity may vary regionally. The seismic interpretation identified minor tectonic deformation affecting the Pukeiwitahi Formation after the main rifting event. Additionally, the Pukeiwitahi Formation reached the stage of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion, achieving sufficient maturity levels during the Miocene, with a transformation ratio of 40–60%. These findings highlight the Pukeiwitahi Formation as a promising source rock formation, thereby improving our understanding of the source rock potential in the Canterbury Basin for future exploration activities.