Petroleum system analysis of Fujairah basin, eastern offshore of the United Arab Emirates

The Fujairah basin, located on the eastern margin of the United Arab Emirates, forms part of the hinterland basin of the Oman-UAE mountains. Despite its geological significance, the hydrocarbon potential of this basin remains unexplored. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by using 2D seismic reflection data, three exploration wells, geochemical data from one well, a 2D velocity section, and two pseudo-wells. The study began with the interpretation of the seismic profiles and then proceeded to create depth maps for the most significant units. We used Rock-Eval pyrolysis plots to identify the primary source rocks and to classify their kerogen types. The seismic interpretation formed a basis for the 1D and 2D basin modeling techniques that are used to determine the petroleum system of the basin. Our results identify the Pliocene, Miocene, and Eocene sequences as potential source rocks in the basin with TOC values less than 1 wt% and low expulsion efficiencies. The Pliocene and Miocene source rocks are mainly type-II kerogen, whereas most Eocene samples are characterized as type-III kerogen. The Pliocene and Miocene source rocks are immature in the basin. The Eocene is mature depending on the burial within the sub-basins. The Eocene started expelling hydrocarbons during the Burdigalian, which was linked to the collision of the Arabian and Central Iran plates along the Zagros suture zone. Structural and stratigraphic traps may have entrapped the generated hydrocarbons. The three drilled wells in the basin lack good reservoir rocks. However, low-velocity anomalies and bright spots indicate possible hydrocarbon accumulations in the basin. •Fujairah basin has an active petroleum system.•Pliocene, Miocene, and Eocene sequences are potential source rocks but have low expulsion efficiencies.•The Pliocene and Miocene source rocks are immature in the basin.•Eocene is mature within sub-basins and began hydrocarbon expulsion during the Miocene.•Low-velocity anomalies and bright spots suggest possible hydrocarbon accumulations.