STABLE HYDROGEN ISOTOPE RATIOS OF SEDIMENTARY HYDROCARBONS: A POTENTIAL METHOD FOR ASSESSING THERMAL MATURITY?

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
D. Dawson ◽  
K. Grice ◽  
R. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Potential Method ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Crude Oils ◽  
Thermal Maturity ◽  
Peak Oil ◽  
Data Set ◽  
High Maturity ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Hydrogen Isotope Ratios

A relationship has been identified between the maturity level of source rocks and the stable hydrogen isotopic compositions (δD) of extracted saturated hydrocarbons, based on the analysis of nine sediments and five crude oils from the Perth Basin (WA). The sediments cover the immature to late mature range. Distinct δD signatures are observed for the immature sediments where pristane and phytane are significantly depleted in deuterium (D) relative to the n-alkanes. With increasing maturity the difference between the δD values of n-alkanes and isoprenoids reduces as pristane and phytane become progressively enriched in D. The n-alkane–isoprenoid δD signature of the crude oils, including one from a different source facies, is similar to mature–late mature sediments representative of the peak oil–generative window. Enrichment of D in isoprenoids is attributed to isotopic exchange associated with thermal maturation. Average δD values of pristane and phytane correlate well with vitrinite reflectance, as does the biomarker maturity parameter Ts/Tm. The limited data set suggests that δD values of aliphatic hydrocarbons may be useful for establishing thermal maturity, particularly when other maturity parameters are not appropriate. Furthermore, we suggest δD values may be useful over a wider maturity range than traditional parameters, particularly at very high maturity where biomarker parameters are no longer effective.

scholarly journals Biomarkers and C and S Isotopes of the Permian to Triassic Solid Bitumen and Its Potential Source Rocks in NE Sichuan Basin

Geofluids ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunfang Cai ◽  
Chenlu Xu ◽  
Wenxiang He ◽  
Chunming Zhang ◽  
Hongxia Li
Keyword(s):  
Source Rock ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Lower Triassic ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Upper Permian ◽  
Solid Bitumen ◽  
Lower Silurian ◽  
High Maturity ◽  
Gas Fields ◽  
Extractable Organic Matter

The potential parent source rocks except from Upper Permian Dalong Formation (P3d) for Upper Permian and Lower Triassic solid bitumen show high maturity to overmaturity with equivalent vitrinite reflectance (ERo) from 1.7% to 3.1% but have extractable organic matter likely not contaminated by younger source rocks. P3d source rocks were deposited under euxinic environments as indicated by the pyrite δ34S values as light as -34.5‰ and distribution of aryl isoprenoids, which were also detected from the Lower Silurian (S1l) source rock and the solid bitumen in the gas fields in the west not in the east. All the solid bitumen not altered by thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) has δ13C and δ34S values similar to part of the P3l kerogens and within the S1l kerogens. Thus, the eastern solid bitumen may have been derived from the P3l kerogens, and the western solid bitumen was likely to have precracking oils from P3l kerogens mixed with the S1l or P3d kerogens. This case-study tentatively shows that δ13C and δ34S values along with biomarkers have the potential to be used for the purpose of solid bitumen and source rock correlation in a rapidly buried basin, although further work should be done to confirm it.

scholarly journals Organic geochemical and palynological studies of the Maastrichtian source rock intervals in Bida Basin, Nigeria: implications for hydrocarbon prospectivity

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 3191-3206
Author(s):  
Olusola J. Ojo ◽  
Ayoola Y. Jimoh ◽  
Juliet C. Umelo ◽  
Samuel O. Akande
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Source Rock ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Thermal Maturity ◽  
Hydrocarbon Source Rock ◽  
Moderate Amount ◽  
Oxic Condition ◽  
Freshwater Swamp

Abstract The Patti Formation which consists of sandstone and shale offers the best potential source beds in the Bida Basin. This inland basin is one of the basins currently being tested for hydrocarbon prospectivity in Nigeria. Fresh samples of shale from Agbaja borehole, Ahoko quarry and Geheku road cut were analysed using organic geochemical and palynological techniques to unravel their age, paleoecology, palynofacies and source bed hydrocarbon potential. Palynological data suggest Maastrichtian age for the sediments based on the abundance of microfloral assemblage; Retidiporites magdalenensis, Echitriporites trianguliformis and Buttinia andreevi. Dinocysts belonging to the Spiniferites, Deflandrea and Dinogymnium genera from some of the analysed intervals are indicative of freshwater swamp and normal sea conditions. Palynological evidence further suggests mangrove paleovegetation and humid climate. Relatively high total organic carbon TOC (0.77–8.95 wt%) was obtained for the shales which implies substantial concentration of organic matter in the source beds. Hydrocarbon source rock potential ranges from 0.19 to 0.70 mgHC/g.rock except for a certain source rock interval in the Agbaja borehole with high yield of 25.18 mgHC/g.rock. This interval also presents exceptionally high HI of 274 mgHC/g.TOC and moderate amount of amorphous organic matter. The data suggests that in spite of the favourable organic matter quantity, the thermal maturity is low as indicated by vitrinite reflectance and Tmax (0.46 to 0.48 Ro% and 413 to 475 °C, respectively). The hydrocarbon extracts show abundance of odd number alkanes C27–C33, low sterane/hopane ratio and Pr/Ph > 2. We conclude that the source rocks were terrestrially derived under oxic condition and dominated by type III kerogen. Type II organic matter with oil and gas potential is a possibility in Agbaja area of Bida Basin. Thermal maturity is low and little, or no hydrocarbon has been generated from the source rocks.

Structural styles of the External Rif and Flysch Domain (Rif belt, northern Morocco) through thermal maturity and structural data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Schito ◽  
Achraf Atouabat ◽  
Sveva Corrado ◽  
Faouziya Haissen ◽  
Geoffroy Mohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Structural Evolution ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Thermal Modelling ◽  
Thermal Maturity ◽  
North African ◽  
Data Set ◽  
The North ◽  
Rif Belt

<p>Located in northern Morocco, the Rif belt represents the western edge of the Maghrebides system. This domain underwent a significant Cenozoic alpine compressional deformation, due to the collision between the North African margin and the south-western margin of the exotic Alboran Domain. This collision led to the development of a nappe stack during the Miocene.</p><p>This contribution aims to characterize the main tectonic mechanisms driving the evolution of the Rifain wedge, its burial-exhumation paths and to understand the former architecture of the North African paleo-margin. The work focuses mainly on the Flysch domain, originated from the Maghrebian branch of the Tethys and on the External domain (namely Intrarif, Mesorif and Prerif) that belong to the former north African margin. To define the thrust sheet stacking pattern and their burial-exhumation paths, a regional transect from Chefchaouen and Ouezzane towns (Central Rif), crossing the orogenic wedge from the Flysch to the Prerif Units is constructed.</p><p>The methodological approach consists in combining petrography and Raman micro-spectroscopy on organic matter and 1D thermal modelling, together with field structural data.</p><p>A new paleo-thermal data set of vitrinite reflectance (Ro%) and Raman micro-spectroscopy displays levels of thermal maturity between early and deep diagenetic conditions (Ro% ranges from 0.50% to 1.15%).</p><p>Preliminary results show an abrupt change in the thermal maturity and the rate of shortening in the Loukkos sub-unit (Intrarif Domain) that is structurally squeezed between Tangier sub-unit (Intrarif Domain) and the “Izzaren Duplex” (Mesorif).</p><p>Furthermore, previous studies show that the thickest crust below the Rif fold-and-thrust belt is located below the Izzaren area, suggesting a deep crustal imbrication at the transition between the Intrarif and the Mesorif. These observations joined with the thermal maturity data and 1D thermal modelling allow revisiting the structural evolution of the central part of the Rif belt, by defining the rate of shortening and proposing a new geological restoration with respect to the Mesozoic North African margin structural original setting.</p>

scholarly journals A Novel Redox Indicator based on Relative Abundances of C31 And C32 Homohopanes in the Eocene Lacustrine Dongying Depression, East China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chong Jiang ◽  
Haiping Huang ◽  
Zheng Li ◽  
Hong Zhang ◽  
Zheng Zhai
Keyword(s):  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
East China ◽  
Peak Oil ◽  
Dongying Depression ◽  
Anoxic Environments ◽  
Oil Generation ◽  
Shahejie Formation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Fourth Member

Abstract A suite of oils and bitumens from the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es) in the Dongying Depression, East China was geochemically characterized to illustrate the impact of source input and redox conditions on the distributions of pentacyclic terpanes. The fourth member (Es4) developed under highly reducing, sulfidic hypersaline conditions, while the third member (Es3) formed under dysoxic, brackish to freshwater conditions. Oils derived from Es4 are enriched in C32 homohopanes (C32H), while those from Es3 are prominently enriched in C31 homohopanes (C31H). The C32H/C31H ratio shows positive correlation with homohopane index (HHI), gammacerane index (G/C30H), and negative correlation with pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratio, and can be used to evaluate oxic/anoxic conditions during deposition and diagenesis. High C32H/C31H ratio (> 0.8) is an important characteristic of oils derived from sulfidic, hypersaline anoxic environments, while low values (< 0.8) indicate non-sulfidic, dysoxic conditions. Extremely low C32H/C31H ratios (< 0.4) indicate strong oxic conditions of coal depsoition. Advantages to use C32H/C31H ratio as redox condition proxy compared to the HHI and gammacerane indexes are wider valid maturity range, less sensitive to biodegradation influence and better differentiation of reducing from oxic environments. Preferential cracking of C35-homohopanes leads HHI to be valid in a narrow maturity range before peak oil generation. No C35 homohopane can be reliably detected in the Es4 bitumens when vitrinite reflectance is > 0.75%, which explains the rare occurrence of high HHI values in Es4 source rocks. Gammacerane is thermally more stable and biologically more refractory than C30 hopane, leading G/C30H ratio more sensitive to maturation and biodegradation than C32H/C31H ratio. Meanwhile, both HHI and gammacerane index cannot differentiate level of oxidation. The C32H/C31H ratio can be applied globally as a novel redox proxy in addition to the Dongying Depression.

scholarly journals Petroleum Geochemistry Regional Study of Murzuq Basin: Insights from Biomarkers Characteristic, Stable Carbon Isotope and Environmental Characterization

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Aboglila S
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Stable Carbon Isotope ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Crude Oils ◽  
Type I ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Geochemical Parameters ◽  
Rock Eval

This search aims to apply developed geochemical methods to a number of oils and source rock extracts to better establish the features of ancient environments that occurred in the Murzuq basin. Geochemical and geophysical approaches were used to confirm further a source contribution from other Paleozoic formations to hydrocarbon accumulations in the basin. One hundred and forty rock units were collected from B1-NC151, D1-NC174, A1-NC 76, D1-NC 151, F1-NC58, A1-NC 186, P1-NC 101, D1-NC 58, H1-NC58 and A1-NC58 wells. Seven crude oils were collocated A1-NC186, B1-NC186, E2-NC101, F3-NC174, A10-NC115, B10-NC115 and H10-NC115 wells. A geochemical assessment of the studied rocks and oils was done by means of geochemical parameters of total organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval analysis, detailed-various biomarkers and stable carbon isotope. The TOC values from B1-NC151 range 0.40% to 8.5%, A1-NC186 0.3% and 1.45, A1-NC76 0.39% to 0.74%, D1-NC151 0.40% to 2.00% to F1-NC58 0.40% to 1.12%. D1_NC174 0.30% to 10 %, P1-NC101 0.80% to 1.35%, D1-NC58 0.5% to 1.10%, H1-NC58 0.20% to 3.50%, A1-NC58 0.40% to 1.60%. The categories of organic matter from rock-eval pyrolysis statistics point to that type II kerogen is the main type, in association with type III, and no of type I kerogen recognized. Vitrinite reflectance (%Ro), Tmax and Spore colour index (SCI) as thermal maturity parameters reflect that the measured rock units are have different maturation levels, ranging from immature to mature sources. acritarchs distribution for most samples could be recognized and Palynomorphs are uncommon. Pristane to phytane ratios (> 1) revealed marine shale to lacustrine of environmental deposition. The Stable carbon isotope ( δ 13 C) values of seven rock-extract samples are -30.98‰ and -29.14‰ of saturates and -29.86‰ to -28.37‰ aromatic fractions. The oil saturate hydrocarbon fractions range between -29.36‰ to -28.67‰ and aromatic are among -29.98 ‰ to -29.55 ‰. The δ 13 C data in both rock extractions and crude oils are closer to each other, typical in sign of Paleozoic age. It is clear that the base of Tanezzuft Formation (Hot shale) is considered the main source rocks. The Devonian Awaynat Wanin Formation as well locally holds sufficient oil prone kerogen to consider as potential source rocks. Ordovician Mamuniyat Formation shales may poorly contain oil prone kerogen to be addressed in future studies. An assessment of the correlations between the oils and potential source rocks and between the oils themselves indicated that most of the rocks extracts were broadly similar to most of the oils and supported by carbon stable isotope analysis results.

scholarly journals Burial history, thermal history and hydrocarbon generation modelling of the Jurassic source rocks in the basement of the Polish Carpathian Foredeep and Outer Carpathians (SE Poland)

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Kosakowski ◽  
Magdalena Wróbel
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Thermal History ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Hydrocarbon Generation ◽  
Thermal Maturity ◽  
Burial History ◽  
Se Poland ◽  
Carpathian Foredeep ◽  
Outer Carpathians

Burial history, thermal history and hydrocarbon generation modelling of the Jurassic source rocks in the basement of the Polish Carpathian Foredeep and Outer Carpathians (SE Poland)Burial history, thermal maturity, and timing of hydrocarbon generation were modelled for the Jurassic source rocks in the basement of the Carpathian Foredeep and marginal part of the Outer Carpathians. The area of investigation was bounded to the west by Kraków, to the east by Rzeszów. The modelling was carried out in profiles of wells: Będzienica 2, Dębica 10K, Góra Ropczycka 1K, Goleszów 5, Nawsie 1, Pławowice E1 and Pilzno 40. The organic matter, containing gas-prone Type III kerogen with an admixture of Type II kerogen, is immature or at most, early mature to 0.7 % in the vitrinite reflectance scale. The highest thermal maturity is recorded in the south-eastern part of the study area, where the Jurassic strata are buried deeper. The thermal modelling showed that the obtained organic matter maturity in the initial phase of the "oil window" is connected with the stage of the Carpathian overthrusting. The numerical modelling indicated that the onset of hydrocarbon generation from the Middle Jurassic source rocks was also connected with the Carpathian thrust belt. The peak of hydrocarbon generation took place in the orogenic stage of the overthrusting. The amount of generated hydrocarbons is generally small, which is a consequence of the low maturity and low transformation degree of kerogen. The generated hydrocarbons were not expelled from their source rock. An analysis of maturity distribution and transformation degree of the Jurassic organic matter shows that the best conditions for hydrocarbon generation occurred most probably in areas deeply buried under the Outer Carpathians. It is most probable that the "generation kitchen" should be searched for there.

scholarly journals Petroleum System Modelling of the Akri-Bijeel Oil Field, Northern Iraq: Insights From 1-Dimensional Basin Modelling

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-47
Author(s):  
Rzger Abdula ◽  
Hema Hassan ◽  
Maryam Sliwa
Keyword(s):  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Petroleum System ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Maturity Stage ◽  
System Modelling ◽  
Northern Iraq ◽  
High Maturity

The petroleum system of the Akri-Bijeel oil field shows that the Palaeogene formations such as the Kolosh Formation seem to be immature. However, the Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous source rocks such as those from the Chia Gara, Naokelekan, and Sargelu formations are thermally mature and within the main oil window because their vitrinite reflectance (Ro%) values are >0.55%. The Triassic Kurra Chine and Geli Khana formations are thought to be in the high maturity stage with Ro values ≥1.3% and within the wet and dry gas windows, whereas the older formations are either within the dry gas zone or completely generated hydrocarbon stage and depleted after the hydrocarbons were expelled with subsequent migration to the reservoir rock of the structural traps.

scholarly journals Geochemistry and petrology of selected sediments from Bukit Song, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, with emphasis on organic matter characterization

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 3663-3688
Author(s):  
Amin Tavakoli
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Depositional Environment ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Xrd Analysis ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Hydrocarbon Generation ◽  
Thermal Maturity ◽  
Petroleum Potential ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Two Samples

AbstractThe aim of this study is to provide a better understanding of the type of source input, quality, quantity, the condition of depositional environment and thermal maturity of the organic matter from Bukit Song, Sarawak, which has not been extensively studied for hydrocarbon generation potential. Petrological and geochemical analyses were performed on 13 outcrop samples of the study location. Two samples, having type III and mixed kerogen, showed very-good-to-excellent petroleum potential based on bitumen extraction and data from Rock–Eval analysis. The rest of the samples are inert—kerogen type IV. In terms of thermal maturity based on vitrinite reflectance, the results of this paper are akin to previous studies done in the nearby region reported as either immature or early mature. Ph/n-C18 versus Pr/n-C17 data showed that the major concentration of samples is within peat coal environment, whilst two samples were associated with anoxic marine depositional environment, confirmed by maceral content as well. Macerals mainly indicated terrestrial precursors and, overall, a dominance of vitrinite. Quality of the source rock based on TOC parameter indicated above 2 wt. % content for the majority of samples. However, consideration of TOC and S2 together showed only two samples to have better source rocks. Existence of cutinite, sporinite and greenish fluorescing resinite macerals corroborated with the immaturity of the analysed coaly samples. Varying degrees of the bitumen staining existed in a few samples. Kaolinite and illite were the major clays based on XRD analysis, which potentially indicate low porosity. This study revealed that hydrocarbon-generating potential of Bukit Song in Sarawak is low.

scholarly journals Special Distribution of Crude Oil in the Lucaogou Formation in Jimusaer Sag and Genetic Analysis of Its Physical Difference

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Ming Wang ◽  
Shiju Liu ◽  
Ji Li ◽  
Gang Gao ◽  
Julei Mi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Crude Oils ◽  
Sweet Spot ◽  
Material Source ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Lucaogou Formation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Sweet Spots

The shale oil of the Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusaer Sag of the Junggar Basin was divided into two sweet spots for exploration and development. Crude oil in the upper and lower sweet spots comes from the upper and lower source rocks. After years of exploration, it has been found that the crude oil in the lower sweet spot has worse physical properties than that of the upper sweet spot. In this study, through the physical and geochemical analysis of crude oil in the upper and lower sweet spots, combined with the organic petrological observation of the upper and lower source rocks, the cause of the poor physical properties of the crude oil in the lower sweet spot has been identified. n-Alkanes in the saturated hydrocarbons of crude oil in the upper and lower sweet were complete while odd-to-even predominance was evident, indicating that the poor physical properties of the crude oil are unrelated to biodegradation. In addition, the correlation between the biogenic parameters and the physical properties of crude oil was analyzed, finding that the difference in crude oil is mainly related to the composition of biogenic precursors of upper and lower source rocks. Combined with organic petrological observation, the lower source rock was found to be rich in telalginite (green algae), which is therefore the primary reason for the difference in physical properties. In comparing results from the characteristics of crude oil biomarkers from both the upper and lower sweet spots, crude oils in the upper sweet spot are similar to each other, indicating that the enrichment of crude oil has experienced a certain migration. In contrast, the differences in biomarkers between the crude oils of the lower sweet spot were relatively large and changed regularly with depth, suggesting the self-generated and self-stored characteristics of crude oil enrichment. At the same time, it was found that the crude oil in the lower sweet spot is also affected by the maturity of adjacent source rocks under the condition of a consistent parent material source. Overall, it was determined that the lower the maturity of source rocks, the poorer the physical property of the crude oil produced.

Reservoir geochemistry: Evaluation of thermal maturity from gasoline-range hydrocarbons

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. SV1-SV7
Author(s):  
Gary H. Isaksen
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Upper Jurassic ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Calibration Data ◽  
Thermal Maturity ◽  
Volatile Oils ◽  
Marine Algal ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Maturity Parameters

Oils and condensates with high concentrations of gasoline-range hydrocarbons typically lack adequate quantities of [Formula: see text] biomarkers used for thermal maturity and organic facies evaluations. I attempted a calibration of rock-based thermal maturity parameters between gasoline-range molecular parameters and nonmolecular maturity parameters such as Rock-Eval Tmax, vitrinite reflectance, and downhole temperatures. This enables maturity evaluation of volatile oils and condensates whose biomarker concentrations are at low or trace levels. The rock-based calibration data were used to assess thermal maturity of nonvolatile oils, volatile oils, and condensates from the Central Graben area of the UK North Sea and includes samples from high-pressure (gradients [Formula: see text]) and high-temperature ([Formula: see text]) hydrocarbon systems. Source rocks for theses North Sea oils and condensates are the Upper Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay and Heather shales, with a predominance of marine, algal type II organic matter.

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