Regional assessments of the hydrocarbon generation potential of selected North American proterozoic rock sequences. Progress report, September 1989--April 1990
Our primary research objectives for the first year of this grant are nearing completion. This includes comprehensive sedimentologic/organic geochemical studies of two depositionally distinct, unmetamorphosed units, the Nonesuch Formation ({approximately}1.1 Ga lacustrine rift deposit) and the Dripping Spring Quartzite ({approximately}1.3 Ga marine shelf deposit). As discussed in this progress report, an attempt has been made to (1) identify source rocks by quantification and characterization of constituent organic matter, (2) recognize depositional/diagenetic/catagenetic factors that may have influenced source rock quality and (3) evaluate the possibility of previous or current hydrocarbon generation and migration. Organic petrology and geochemical analyses suggest important differences between kerogens in the Michigan (MI) and Wisconsin (WI) Nonesuch Formation study areas. When considered within a geographic/stratigraphic framework, the Nonesuch Formation in the MI study area exhibits superior source rock potential. It is suggested that sedimentary organic matter in the WI area was subject to more extensive microbial alteration during early diagenesis. It is also possible that thermal maturity levels were slightly to moderately higher in WI than MI. Petrologic evidence for migrated bitumens and the stable isotope composition of late vein carbonates suggest, furthermore, that oil generation and migration may have actually been more extensive in the WI study area.
- Research Organization:
- Oklahoma Univ., Norman, OK (United States). School of Geology and Geophysics
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG05-89ER14075
- OSTI ID:
- 10171238
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/14075-1; ON: DE93018156
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Apr 1990
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Proterozoic Midcontinent Rift System, an overview
Related Subjects
58 GEOSCIENCES
MICHIGAN
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
WISCONSIN
SOURCE ROCKS
GEOCHEMISTRY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
PROGRESS REPORT
ORGANIC MATTER
DIAGENESIS
PETROLOGY
PRECAMBRIAN ERA
CARBON 13
STRATIGRAPHY
NITROGEN 15
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
KEROGEN
020200
580000
RESERVES, GEOLOGY, AND EXPLORATION
GEOSCIENCES