East African Oil Systems

An oil family thought to be derived from Lower Jurassic source rocks with affinities to the organically rich Liassic of Madagascar and Tanzania. The Upper Triassic is thought to be a significant contributor to possible hydrocarbon accumulations with Triassic source rocks being recognised in Madagascar, Tanzania and Kenya. The Upper Triassic to Liassic can be thought of as a continuum, with facies changes over time and space, being responsible for the ultimate hydrocarbon type and character.

To the NE of the Indian Ocean region, a very much younger Late Cretaceous to Lower Tertiary source is indicated with affinities to the oils of the Bombay High region. The Sakoa and equivalent aged Type III Kerogens are thought to be the source of the dry gas accumulations along the West Indian Ocean hinge.