Distribution of Steranes and Triterpanes Biomarkersas Indication of Depositional Environment and Maturity of Sargelu and Kurrachine Formations in Different Wells Northern Iraq

Eight cuttings samples were obtained from Sargelu and Kurrachine formations in different wells at different depths to detect steranes and triterpanes biomarkers as an indicator of the depositional environments and thermal maturity of organic matter. This was accomplished using GC-MS technology. The diasterane/sterane ratio showed low ratios in analyzed samples (BJS2, JKS3, BJK1, JKK4, JKK7) as in most marine carbonate sources, while algal-bacterial organic matter contribution for the samples analyzed based on the predominance of C23 tricyclic relative to the C19 tricyclic terpene and the C23 tricyclic greater than C24 tricyclic terpane. The Gammacerane index indicated that normal salinity conditions during depositions. The biomarkers related to maturation such as diasterane/sterane, Ts/(Ts+Tm), and C29Ts/C29 hopane show that the organic matter in Ain Zalah well (Sargelu Formation) is within early mature (oil window).