Modeling oil generation with time-temperature index graphs based on the Arrhenius equation

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:5848993

Hunt, J M ^[1]; Lewan, M D ^[2]; Hennet, R J.C. ^[3]

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1. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MA (United States)
2. Amoco Production Co., Tulsa, OK (United States)
3. S. S. Papadopulos and Associates, Inc., Rockville, MD (United States)

The time and depth of oil generation from petroleum source rocks containing type II kerogens can be determined using time-temperature index (TTI) graphs based on the Arrhenius equation. Activation energies (E) and frequency factors (A) used in the Arrhenius equation were obtained from hydrous pyrolysis experiments on rock samples in which the kerogens represent the range of type II kerogen compositions encountered in most petroleum basins. The E and A values obtained were used to construct graphs that define the beginning and end of oil generation for most type II kerogens having chemical compositions in the range of these standards. Activation energies of these standard kerogens vary inversely with their sulfur content. The kerogen with the highest sulfur content had the lowest E value and was the fastest in generating oil, whereas the kerogen with the lowest sulfur content had the highest E value and was the slowest in generating oil. These standard kerogens were designated as types IIA, B, C, and D on the basis of decreasing sulfur content and corresponding increasing time-temperature requirements for generating oil. The {Sigma}TTI{sub ARR} values determined graphically with these type II kerogen standards in two basin models were compared with a computer calculation using 2,000 increments. The graphical method came within {plus minus} 3% of the computer calculation. As type II kerogens are the major oil generators in the world, these graphs should have wide application in making preliminary evaluations of the depth of the oil window in exploration areas.

• OSTI ID: 5848993
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Vol. 75:4; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM
MATURATION
ACTIVATION ENERGY
ARRHENIUS EQUATION
CALCULATION METHODS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
DATA
GEOLOGIC MODELS
KEROGEN
REACTION KINETICS
SOURCE ROCKS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUATIONS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INFORMATION
KINETICS
MATERIALS
MATTER
ORGANIC MATTER
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
023000 - Petroleum- Properties & Composition