− | Geochemists<ref name=ch06r5>Durand, B., 1980, Sedimentary organic matter and kerogen: definition and quantitative importance of kerogen, in Durand, B., ed., Kerogen: Techniq, p. 13–14.</ref><ref name=ch06r12>Tissot, B., P., Welte, D., H., 1984, Petroleum Formation and Occurrence, 2 ed.: New York, Springer-Verlag, 699 p. The best overall reference for petroleum geochemistry.</ref> define kerogen as the fraction of sedimentary organic constituent of sedimentary rocks that is insoluble in the usual organic solvents. Kerogens are composed of a variety of organic materials, including algae, pollen, wood, vitrinite, and structureless material. The types of kerogens present in a rock largely control the type of hydrocarbons generated in that rock. Different types of kerogen contain different amounts of hydrogen relative to carbon and oxygen. The hydrogen content of kerogen is the controlling factor for oil vs. gas yields from the primary hydrocarbon-generating reactions. | + | Geochemists<ref name=ch06r5>Durand, B., 1980, Sedimentary organic matter and kerogen: definition and quantitative importance of kerogen, in Durand, B., ed., Kerogen: Techniq, p. 13–14.</ref><ref name=ch06r12>Tissot, B., P., Welte, D., H., 1984, Petroleum Formation and Occurrence, 2 ed.: New York, Springer-Verlag, 699 p. The best overall reference for petroleum geochemistry.</ref> define kerogen as the fraction of sedimentary organic constituent of sedimentary rocks that is insoluble in the usual organic solvents. Kerogens are composed of a variety of organic materials, including algae, pollen, wood, [http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/en/Terms/v/vitrinite.aspx vitrinite], and structureless material. The types of kerogens present in a rock largely control the type of hydrocarbons generated in that rock. Different types of kerogen contain different amounts of hydrogen relative to carbon and oxygen. The hydrogen content of kerogen is the controlling factor for oil vs. gas yields from the primary hydrocarbon-generating reactions. |
− | Structured kerogens include woody, herbaceous, vitrinite, and inertinite. Amorphous kerogens are by far the most prevalent and include most of the algal material. | + | Structured kerogens include woody, herbaceous, vitrinite, and [[Wikipedia:Inertinite|inertinite]]. Amorphous kerogens are by far the most prevalent and include most of the algal material. |
| [[File:VanKrevelanDiagram.png|thumb|300px|Van Krevelen diagram.<ref>Dembicki, H., 2009, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/bulletns/2009/03mar/BLTN08076/BLTN08076.HTM Three common source rock evaluation errors made by geologists during prospect or play appraisals]: AAPG Bulletin, vol. 93, issue 3, pp. 341-356.</ref>]] | | [[File:VanKrevelanDiagram.png|thumb|300px|Van Krevelen diagram.<ref>Dembicki, H., 2009, [http://archives.datapages.com/data/bulletns/2009/03mar/BLTN08076/BLTN08076.HTM Three common source rock evaluation errors made by geologists during prospect or play appraisals]: AAPG Bulletin, vol. 93, issue 3, pp. 341-356.</ref>]] |
− | The type of kerogen present determines source rock quality. The more oil prone a kerogen, the higher its quality. Four basic types of kerogen are found in sedimentary rocks. A single type or a mixture of types may be present in a source rock. The table below lists and defines these four basic kerogen types. | + | The type of kerogen present determines [[source rock]] quality. The more oil prone a kerogen, the higher its quality. Four basic types of kerogen are found in sedimentary rocks. A single type or a mixture of types may be present in a source rock. The table below lists and defines these four basic kerogen types. |