OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BICYCUC AND TRICYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN CRUDE OILS FROM THE GULF OF SUEZ, EGYPT

The distribution patterns of methylhomologs of naphthalene and phenanthrene in five crude oils from the southern part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, have been examined by quantitative capillary gas chromatography (GC) and computerized gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In general, the relative abundance of individual naphthalenes and phenanthrenes were not significantly different in the five oil samples. Correlation between the source rock deposition and the abundance of specific methylnaphthalene and melhylphenanthrene isomers are consistent with a marine type source materials for the analyzed Gulf of Suez oils. Maturity parameters based on methylnaphthalene and methylphenanthrene isomers were almost identical and are consistent with an advanced stage of maturity. Further, calculated vitrinite reflectance (Re) confirmed that the sediments have a range of maturity within the “oil window”.