Development of palynology in fossil fuel exploration in India with emphasis on recent significant contributions from Western-Offshore,Krishna-Godavari Basin and Frontier Areas

A summarized account of developments in palynological studies and their application in fossil fuel exploration in various petroliferous basins of India is presented here. The high resolution biostratigraphic, palaeogeographic and palaeoenvironmental delineations, sequence biostratigraphy and source rock evaluation studies have greatly helped in developing geological models for exploration. Precise age determination through dinoflagellate cyst study and palynofacies modeling has proved extremely useful in delimiting potential facies for the exploration. Further, high impact fossil fuel exploration related palynological researches have been strengthened at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) and Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleobotany (BSIP) in past several years. The updated informations from Krishna-Godavari and Western Offshore basins are of much significance. A recent research from BSIP showing first record of Type I matured liptinite organic matter from Late Neoproterozoic sediments is of much value, since it has shown the prospects of hydrocarbon exploration in Neoproterozoic sediments of Rajasthan and other similar prospective basins in India. Recent findings of acritarchs and algae suggesting a Cryogenian to Ediacaran age for the pre-Tertiary Sequence of Ganga Basin, point towards an extension of Marwar Super Group sediments. Organic matter maturation studies indicate possibility of hydrocarbons in Ganga Basin. Potential areas in frontier basins have also been identified for extending such researches. A brief account of organic petrological studies performed on solid fossil fuel at BSIP, that can be utilized for source rock evaluation, has also been provided. © Printed in India.