Source rock potential of Nonesuch shale, White Pine district, Michigan

Conference · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5199269

McMahon, D A; Kneller, W A

The White Pine mining district at the western end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula has long been known to contain Precambrian hydrocarbons. Here the Nonesuch Shale is the source rock. This 1-b.y.-old Keweenawan shale sequence possesses several key characteristics that make it a good source rock. The shale has 0.8-1.2 wt. % organic carbon and an alkane diversity of greater than 600 ..mu..g/g shale, as extractable bitumen. These extractable hydrocarbons consist of less than 2 ..mu..g/g shale gasoline-range hydrocarbons but a significant amount of plus C/sub 10+/ hydrocarbons, including pristane, phytane, and measurable vanadyl-porphyrins. These hydrocarbons place the Nonesuch Shale in the good source rock range as defined by total hydrocarbon content and diversity. Additionally, a mild thermal history is essential for a formation of this age to have sufficient maturity to retain economic amounts of hydrocarbons. This maturity is implied by the presence of thermally sensitive vanadyl-porphyrins.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Toledo, OH
• OSTI ID: 5199269
• Report Number(s): CONF-860624-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 70:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
FEDERAL REGION V
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
MATURATION
MICHIGAN
NORTH AMERICA
PRECAMBRIAN ERA
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
SOURCE ROCKS
USA