Oil-source rock correlation - A powerful geochemical tool for the petroleum explorationist

Conference · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:5673785

Curiale, J A ^[1]

---

1. Unocal, Inc., Brea, CA (United States)

A successful oil-source rock correlation results from the application of geological and geochemical methods to establish a genetic relationship between a petroleum source rock and crude oil. Molecular (hydrocarbon biomarker and heterocompound concentrations and ratios), isotopic (stable carbon and sulfur isotope ratios), and elemental (concentration of sulfur, vanadium, nitrogen, etc.) geochemical comparisons are necessary parameters of an oil-source rock correlation, but they are not sufficient. Geological knowledge of basinal history and structural setting must also be applied to deduce migration timing and pathway(s). Geologically 'blind' correlations often led to misinterpretations. As a part of an oil-source rock correlation, the geochemist must distinguish between the genetic (source-induced) and nongenetic (maturation-, migration-, and alteration-induced) processes affecting the chemistry of crude oil. Techniques for making such a distinction are described here. In addition, worldwide examples of successful oil-source rock correlations are reviewed from geological and geochemical perspectives. Finally, anticipated technological advances are discussed, including (1) whole oil/whole source rock correlation efforts using pyrolysis-gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry and (2) compound-specific stable carbon isotope ratio techniques (i.e., GC-IRMS). Using these techniques and others the authors will eventually be able to analyze the entire oil and, thus, fully acquire complete information about its source rock characteristics and post sourcing history.

• OSTI ID: 5673785
• Report Number(s): CONF-910403--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States) Journal Volume: 75:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
023000* -- Petroleum-- Properties & Composition
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CORRELATIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
EVALUATION
EXPLORATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
ISOTOPE RATIO
MINERAL RESOURCES
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOURCE ROCKS
SURVEYS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT