Source rock potential of shallow-water continental evaporites: investigation from holocene-pleistocene evaporite-carbonate sequences of Salt Flat Playa, west Texas-New Mexico

Conference · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6147026

Hussain, M

Source rock potential of the shallow-water evaporite-carbonate sequences at the Salt Flat Playa, evaluated on the basis of total organic carbon (TOC), nature of the organic carbon, preservation, and generation potential assessed by Rock-Eval pyrolysis, suggests similar sequences in the geological record should serve as moderate to good-quality source beds. Average TOC content of the sediments is about 0.57% but may be 5.0% or more in gypsum-rich sediments. Organic matter in gypsum-rich horizons is dominantly of algal origin, showing a strong n-C17 alkane peak in gas chromatograms and a carbon preference index value close to unity (1.04). Genetic potential value ranges from a low 1.85 kg/ton for carbonate-rich beds to a high of 5.42 kg/ton for gypsum-rich beds, characterizing gypsum-rich beds as an excellent potential source bed. Hydrogen index value is generally high, ranging from a low of 300 mg HC/g C/sub org/ or carbonate-rich beds to a high of 888 mg HC/g C/sub org/ for gypsum-rich beds.

• Research Organization: Sul Ross State Univ., Alpine, TX (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6147026
• Report Number(s): CONF-890404-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 73:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
CARBONATE ROCKS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DECOMPOSITION
EVAPORITES
FEDERAL REGION VI
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PYROLYSIS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOURCE ROCKS
TEXAS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
USA