Petroleum generation and migration in Denver basin

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6686181

Clayton, J L ^[1]; Swetland, P J

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1. US Geological Survey, Denver, CO

Crude oils and shale from the northern Denver basin were analyzed using organic geochemical techniques to determine oil-source-bed relations. Geochemical analyses show that, in general, Cretaceous oils are compositionally similar throughout the basin and are dissimilar to oil produced from the Permian Lyons Sandstone. Shales were evaluated for source-rock potential based on quantity of contained organic matter, thermal maturity, and geochemical correlation with crude oils. Regional geochemical study of the Carlile-Greenhorn-Graneros-Mowry interval shows that effective source beds are limited to the basin-axis area. Although shale samples from eastern Colorado and southwestern Nebraska are rich in organic matter, they are generally thermally immature. The presence of petroleum on the east flank of the basin and the limited geographic distribution of effective source beds indicate that extensive lateral migration has occurred. Cretaceous oils in reservoirs in the Terry and Hygiene Sandstone Members of the Pierre Shale have probably undergone extensive vertical migration.

• OSTI ID: 6686181
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States), Vol. 64:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
58 GEOSCIENCES
COLORADO
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM
DIAGENESIS
GEOCHEMISTRY
RESERVOIR ROCK
WYOMING
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
LIMESTONE
MIGRATION
PERMIAN PERIOD
SANDSTONES
SHALES
CARBONATE ROCKS
CHEMISTRY
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
PALEOZOIC ERA
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020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
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580400 - Geochemistry- (-1989)