Organic indicators of thermal maturity, a review

Conference · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5624668

Van Gijzel, P

Organic geochemical parameters include: (1) Rock-Eval data, including T/sub max/, S/sub 1/, S/sub 2/, S/sub 3/, and plots of some indices, (2) extract and chromatographic data (i.e., several ratios and the shape of chromatograms), and (3) fluorescence colorimetry and 3-dimensional spectra of extracts. Organic petrologic indicators are indispensable for assessing thermal maturity. Microscopic analysis provides a quality control of geochemical data and enables identification of kerogen mixtures and contaminants from caved rocks and drilling mud additives. Organic petrologic indicators are: (1) ranges of mean vitrinite reflectance (R/sub o/) for the oil window (0.60 - 1.35%), for the onset of wet gas formation (0.90%), and for the occurrence of dry gas only (2.0%), (2) fluorescence observations and spectral measurements, such as double-peaked spectra for mature kerogen and a shift in its fluorescence at increasing maturity, extinguished when the oil floor is reached (parameters include spectral peaks, spectral ratio, F.C.I., and photochemical effect, and crude oil is microscopically identified by spectral data and kerogen liquefaction under UV-exposure), and (3) visual estimation of the TAI of spore colors in transmitted light. Conclusions are routinely drawn only from those parameters that show reliable data from both geochemical and petrologic determinations. Lopatin calculations from maturity profiles in wells are used to determine both the thermal history of a basin and mature source rocks.

• Research Organization: Getty Oil Co., Houston, TX
• OSTI ID: 5624668
• Report Number(s): CONF-850322-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 69:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
CHEMISTRY
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
MACERALS
MATURATION
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PETROLOGY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESOURCES
SOURCE ROCKS