Hydrocarbon generation potential, palynofacies examination and 1D basin modeling of the Middle Jurassic–Lowermost Cretaceous intervals, Mesopotamian Foredeep Basin, Iraq

This study evaluates hydrocarbon generation, palynofacies, and burial-thermal evolution of Middle Jurassic-Lowermost Cretaceous source rocks in the Ajeel Field, located in the Mesopotamian Foredeep Basin of Iraq. Through Rock-Eval pyrolysis, Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, and palynofacies, a comprehensive investigation of 109 core and cutting samples in wells 8 and 12 was supported by one-dimensional (1D) basin modeling. The geochemical data show a TOC maximum of 23.0 wt.%, with reported m