Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.9, No.4, pp. 413-428, 1986

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

OIL AND GAS ACCUMULATIONS AND THEIR POSSIBLE SOURCE ROCKS IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND

E. J. Ebukanson* and R. R. F. Kinghorn**

* Lately of the Department of Geology, The University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

** Department of Consort Geology, Imperial College of Science and Technology, The Royal School of Mines, Prince Road, London SW7 2BP.

Abstract

A number of commercial hydrocarbon accumulations, which include oil and gas, are now known in southern England. Investigations into the organic maturity and hydrocarbon potentials of sedimentary rocks in the area suggest that the Jurassic Lias, Oxford Clay and Kimmeridge Clay units are the most probable sources for these hydrocarbon accumulations. The Lias on the southern side of the Purbeck-Isle of Wight Disturbance appears to be the main source of the Dorset oils (Wytch Farm and Kimmeridge Bay) on the bases of adequate maturity, n-alkane distribution, alkane ratios and stable carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios. On the basis of organic maturity, the oil accumulations in the Weald and the adjacent Hampshire areas are considered to be composed of varying contributions of bitumen generated from the three Jurassic source formations.