Kerogen type and quality: visual assessment
 |
It has been suggested that this article be merged with [[::Kerogen|Kerogen]]. (Discuss) |
| Exploring for Oil and Gas Traps | |
| |
| Series | Treatise in Petroleum Geology |
|---|---|
| Part | Critical elements of the petroleum system |
| Chapter | Evaluating source rocks |
| Author | Carol A. Law |
| Link | Web page |
| Store | AAPG Store |
The method
To assess kerogen quality visually, we can separate it from the mineral matrix through acidification. We can then examine the kerogen using transmitted light through a microscope to determine its form (structured or amorphous) and origin. Structured kerogens include woody, herbaceous, vitrinite, and inertinite. Amorphous kerogens are by far the most prevalent and include most of the algal material.
Visual kerogen estimates are usually presented in terms of the percentage of each type of kerogen in a sample derived from cuttings composites or core (conventional or sidewall). For example, a visual estimate of kerogen type might be stated as 50% woody, 45% amorphous, 5% inertinite. In general, the more amorphous kerogen present, the more oil prone the rock is.
Visual kerogen types and quality
Visual kerogen types and quality are shown in the table below.
| Visual kerogen type | Hydrocarbon potential |
|---|---|
| Woody | Gas prone |
| Herbaceous | Oil and gas prone |
| vitrinite | Gas prone |
| Inertinite | No potential |
| Amorphous (dominantly algal) | Oil and gas prone |
See also
- Kerogen types
- Rock Eval analysis using hydrogen index (HI) and oxygen index (OI)
- Pyrolysis gas chromatography
External links
| find literature about Kerogen type and quality: visual assessment |
|
|
|
|