Fractionation of carbon isotopes during migration of hydrocarbons in the gas phase through rocks

Journal Article · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979 · Int. Geol. Rev.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00206818209467087· OSTI ID:5863721

Syngayevskii, E D ^[1]; Lebedev, V S; Safronova, T P; Sushilin, A V

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1. All Union Scientific Research Inst. of Nuclear Geophysics and Geochemistry, Mowcow, USSR

This experimental investigation of the migration of a gas solution through slightly permeable rocks at high pressures revealed that it is accompanied by a chromatographic separation of the components and fractionation of the carbon isotopes of hydrocarbons. Carbon isotope separation is characteristic of methane (up to 1%) and liquid hydrocarbons (up to 0.3%). Fractionation of carbon isotopes of hydrocarbons is directly related to the degree of chromatographic separation of the gas solution. The direction of carbon isotope separation differed according to the stage of transfer of the gas solution through the rock. Both effects are determined by the mineral composition, the moisture content and permeability of the rock, and the composition of the migrating solution. The use of data on the change in the hydrocarbon and isotopic composition is useful in assessing the direction and range of the migration paths during the formation of deposits. 3 figures, 2 tables.

• OSTI ID: 5863721
• Journal Information: Int. Geol. Rev.; (United States), Vol. 21:5; Other Information: Translated from Geol. Nefti Gaza; No. 1, 53-59(1978)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CARBON ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
HYDROCARBONS
MIGRATION
METHANE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
FRACTIONATION
GASES
HIGH PRESSURE
KAOLINITE
LIQUIDS
MOISTURE
MONTMORILLONITE
PERMEABILITY
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
SAND
SEPARATION PROCESSES
ALKANES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM SILICATES
CLAYS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
FLUIDS
INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
MINERALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
030200 - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
400303 - Organic Chemistry- Isotope Exchange & Isotope Separation- (-1987)