New Global Opportunities for Hydrocarbon Exploration in Neoproterozoic Basins of Indian Subcontinent

First record of Type I matured, Liptinite organic matter facies from the Gotan Limestone (Late Neoproterozoic) in Rajasthan is considered significant. This throws open an entirely new basin for hydrocarbon exploration from the Neoproterozoic sediments in Rajasthan and other similar prospective basins in India. The palynological assemblage recorded from the studied samples also contains larve of the petroleum fly Helaeomyia (=Psilopa Coquillet) petrolei, known to live in pools of crude petroleum. The significance of the find is discussed in this brief communication.