Publications

The Southern Kutai Basin is currently less explored than the Mahakam area and others in the northern part of this Basin. Therefore, this research focuses on knowing the potential of active source rocks that can produce hydrocarbons, the volume that can be produced and its migration that can encourage exploration activities in this area. The method of this research is to conduct a geochemical evaluation as a screening of source rock which has the potential to generate biogenic and thermogenic hydrocarbons. Rock - Eval Pyrolysis, biomarker analysis in the form of Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) evaluated from eight exploration wells was used to determine the quantity, quality, maturity and environment of organic material deposition. 1D and 3D basin modelling using geochemical and geological evaluations to determine the presence of thermogenic hydrocarbon shows accumulations around the study area through migration analysis. Isotope analysis, thermal gradient and sedimentation rates are used to determine the environment and activity of anaerobic micro-organisms in generating biogenic gases. Geophysical analysis including interpretation and mapping of subsurface structures using 2D and 3D seismic are used to determine the distribution of potential source rock and its migration history. Geochemical data indicate that biogenic gas have been generated from within the Late Miocene tol recent sedimentary section where the quantity of organic matter is fair to excellent (0.51 – 7.31 %wt TOC) which represents the results of micro-organism activities where sedimentation rates avg 6,2 x 107 ton/year. Thermogenic gas; however, is estimated from the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene series of post rift sediment throughout the Kutai Basin.