Diatomitic bedsin Western Crete were geochemically analyzed and proven to have a good hydrocarbon potential, illustrating a prolific source rock, comparable to similar worldwide data. Diatomites are siliceous sedimentary rocks composed mainly of diatoms, silicoflagellates, sponge spicules and/or radiolaria, well-organized in cyclic light and dark color alternations (laminae), mostly connected to seasonality. Diatomsare autotrophic, silica-based,unicellular algaethat form in marine and freshwater environments, and they have shown rapid evolution during Cenozoic and particularly during Oligocene-Miocene -Pliocene (Tulan,2020). Among others, their significance relies on their high valueonhydrocarbon exploration. The latteris supported by their mainly gas generation potential as suggested by several research works (Aoyagi and Omokawa 1992,1993;Tulan,2020), as well as their prolific hydrocarbon source rock character in many basins worldwide (Tulan,2020).
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