Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.11, No.2, pp. 169-184, 1988

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

GAS-PRONE SOURCE ROCKS FROM CRATOGENE KAROO BASINS IN TANZANIA

T. Kreuser*, R. Schramedei* and J. Rullkötter+

*Geologisches Institut der Universität zu Köln, Zülpicherstr. 49, 5000 Köln 41, F.R. Germany.

+Institut fur Chemie ICH 5, Kernforschungsanlage Julich (KFA), Posfach 1913, 5170 Julich, F.R. Germany.

Abstract

Source-rock quality and organic matter maturity of coals and sediments from several Tanzanian Karoo basins (Permian-Triassic) have been evaluated by microscopic, pyrolytic and geochemical methods. The Intracratonic Ruhuhu Basin (SW Tanzania) differs from two peripheral cratogene basins (Mikumi and Rufiji) with respect to the composition of organic matter, thermal evolution and probable hydrocarbon generation in a tensional tectonic stress field of the East African craton at the Palaeozoic/Mesozoic boundary.