Geochemical Studies of Cuban Source Rocks

J. O. Lopez-Quintero, P. G. Campos-Jorge, L. E. Navarrete-Reyes, M. L. Principe-Valdes

Geochemical studies of sedimentary section of Cuba shows the existence of source rocks with a high generation potential. Rocks containing high values of organic carbon as high as 15 percent, pyrolysis peak S2 and hydrogen index more that 10,000 ppm and 300,000 ppm respectively, were deposited in deep waters conditions in the paleocontinental margin (J3-K1).

Main cuban source rocks are, at the same time, reservoir rocks and they are related to Tithonian-Neocomian carbonate sequences.

There are, also, source rocks of middle Cretaceous (Aptian-Cenomanian) age. Predominance of type II-organic matter is present in both cases.

In other sequences, the present of terrigenous-clay rich source rocks of lower to middle Jurassic and from Kimmeridgian age of organic matter-type III. Also it has been determined that source rocks of the synorogenic Paleocene-Early Eocene clay rich sequence are present.

Other sequences also are considered potential source rocks, such as Jurassic infrasalime and suprasaline sequences, submerged Cretaceous platform sequences, synorogenic sequences of Campanian to Early Eocene, and postorogenic cover sequences.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995