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  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X

  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X

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Correlations are comparisons of (1) oils with other oils or (2) oils with [[source rock]] extracts to determine whether a genetic relationship exists. Correlations are accomplished by comparing elemental, molecular, and isotopic parameters using techniques such as gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and carbon isotope ratio determination.

Correlations are comparisons of (1) oils with other oils or (2) oils with [[source rock]] extracts to determine whether a genetic relationship exists. Correlations are accomplished by comparing elemental, molecular, and isotopic parameters using techniques such as [[gas chromatography]] (GC), [[Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS): procedures|gas chromatography with mass spectrometry]] (GC/MS), and [[Isotopic_parameter_data_for_oil–oil_and_oil–source_rock_correlations#Carbon_isotope_ratios|carbon isotope ratio]] determination.

'''Objectives''' of correlation studies include the following:

'''Objectives''' of correlation studies include the following:

* Classifying oils into genetic families

* Classifying oils into genetic families

* Establishing oil–source rock relationships

* Establishing oil–source rock relationships

* Addressing problems of reservoir continuity

* Addressing problems of [[reservoir]] continuity

'''Exploration applications''' of correlation studies include the following:

'''Exploration applications''' of correlation studies include the following:

* Determining how many effective [[source rocks]] exist in a given area

* Determining how many effective [[source rocks]] exist in a given area

* Proposing [[migration|migration pathways]] from kitchen areas to new prospects or plays

* Proposing [[migration|migration pathways]] from kitchen areas to new prospects or plays

* Providing input data for volumetric calculations

* Providing input data for [[volumetric calculations]]

* Providing data for development geology

* Providing data for development geology

All good correlations require full integration of geochemical data with geology. The final interpretation must fit all available geologic and geochemical data, as well as local and global geologic and geochemical concepts.

All good correlations require full integration of [[Geochemitry|geochemical data]] with geology. The final interpretation must fit all available geologic and geochemical data, as well as local and global geologic and geochemical concepts.

Correlations represent a powerful but underutilized capability within petroleum geochemistry, largely because many geologists are unfamiliar with both the technology and the value of correlations. Future applications of geochemistry should place more emphasis on correlations, and geologists should become more conversant with correlation technology and philosophy. Geochemists alone are seldom able to extract full value from correlation studies because they often do not have the necessary geologic information or the expertise to integrate geologic concepts with the geochemical data. Therefore, the participation of geologists in correlation studies is essential.

Correlations represent a powerful but underutilized capability within petroleum geochemistry, largely because many geologists are unfamiliar with both the technology and the value of correlations. Future applications of geochemistry should place more emphasis on correlations, and geologists should become more conversant with correlation technology and philosophy. Geochemists alone are seldom able to extract full value from correlation studies because they often do not have the necessary geologic information or the expertise to integrate geologic concepts with the geochemical data. Therefore, the participation of geologists in correlation studies is essential.