Data used in oil correlations

Exploring for Oil and Gas Traps
Series	Treatise in Petroleum Geology
Part	Critical elements of the petroleum system
Chapter	Oil–oil and oil–source rock correlations
Author	Douglas W. Waples, Joseph A. Curiale
Link	Web page
Store	AAPG Store

Correlation studies compare the parameters of an oil with those of another oil or with a source rock extract. These parameters are of three types:

• Elemental—the bulk composition of a sample
• Isotopic—ratios of one stable isotope to another in a sample
• Molecular—the presence and relative or absolute abundance of certain specific molecules in a sample

Molecular parameters are the most important because they provide the most specific data, including data that can sometimes be used for estimating ages of oils or source rocks.

Selection of correlation parameters

As wide a range of data types as possible should be used in correlations. Particular emphasis should be placed on molecular and isotopic parameters because they carry much more information than do elemental parameters.

See also

• Elemental parameter data for oil–oil and oil–source rock correlations
• Isotopic parameter data for oil–oil and oil–source rock correlations
• Molecular parameter data for oil–oil and oil–source rock correlations

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