Characterization of selected Egyptian oil shales from the Red Sea area: Composition of inorganic matrix and potential of organic matters

Nine Egyptian oil shale samples were assembled from the main producing mine s (Abu-Shigeili, El-Beida, El-Nakheil, Abu-Tundub) in the Red Sea area. The oil shale rocks were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction and optical micr oscopic techniques in order to identify minerals of the oil shales. It was found that montmorillonite, quartz, gypsum, kaolinite, calcite, and dolomit e constitute the main bulk composition of the inorganic matrix. In addition , photomicrographs of the oil shales indicated that pyrite crystals may als o be present. Bitumen and kerogen concentrates were extracted from the stud ied oil rocks. Genetic potential of organic matters in the oil shales was s tudied by means Rock-Eval pyrolysis and FTIR spectroscopy. It was suggested that Abu-Shigeili oil shales are moderate source rocks with some potential for gas, whereas the other oil shales showing high values of S-1 + S-2 are good sources for oil.