Changes

  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps

  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps

  | chapter = Applied paleontology

  | chapter = Applied paleontology

  | frompg  = 17-1

  | frompg  = 17-39

  | topg    = 17-65

  | topg    = 17-39

  | author  = Robert L. Fleisher, H. Richard Lane

  | author  = Robert L. Fleisher, H. Richard Lane

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch17/ch17.htm

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch17/ch17.htm

==Definition of palynofacies==

==Definition of palynofacies==

Combaz<ref name=ch17r27>Combaz, A., 1964, Les palynofaciès: Revue de Micropaléontologie, vol. 7, p. 205–218.</ref> introduced the term ''palynofacies'' to describe the total organic content of a palynological assemblage (e.g., tracheids, woody tissue, microplankton, microforaminiferal linings). The relationship of these organic types to [[Petroleum generation|hydrocarbon generation]] is broached by Staplin<ref name=ch17r82>Staplin, F., L., 1969, Sedimentary organic matter, organic metamorphism, and oil and gas occurrence: Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 47–66.</ref> and expressed geochemically by Tissot and Welte.<ref name=ch17r86>Tissot, B., P., Welte, O., N., 1984, Petroleum Formation and Occurrence: Berlin, Springer-Verlag, 233 p.</ref> Amorphous and structured algal-derived detritus is considered oil prone, whereas structured terrestrially sourced organic material is associated primarily with gas generation.

Combaz<ref name=ch17r27>Combaz, A., 1964, Les palynofaciès: Revue de Micropaléontologie, vol. 7, p. 205–218.</ref> introduced the term ''palynofacies'' to describe the total organic content of a palynological [[Fossil assemblage|assemblage]] (e.g., tracheids, woody tissue, microplankton, microforaminiferal linings). The relationship of these organic types to [[Petroleum generation|hydrocarbon generation]] is broached by Staplin<ref name=ch17r82>Staplin, F., L., 1969, Sedimentary organic matter, organic metamorphism, and oil and gas occurrence: Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 47–66.</ref> and expressed geochemically by Tissot and Welte.<ref name=ch17r86>Tissot, B., P., Welte, O., N., 1984, Petroleum Formation and Occurrence: Berlin, Springer-Verlag, 233 p.</ref> Amorphous and structured algal-derived detritus is considered oil prone, whereas structured terrestrially sourced organic material is associated primarily with gas generation.

==Palynofacies applications==

==Palynofacies applications==

Palynofacies is a powerful analytical tool when used in conjunction with geological and geophysical information. Determination of kerogen types, abundance, and ratios of continental- vs. marine-derived components provide clues concerning depositional environment and hydrocarbon-generating potential (e.g., type and amount). Palynofacies data can be combined with ancillary biostratigraphic information in a sequence-stratigraphic framework to help recognize reservoir–source rock geometry.

Palynofacies is a powerful analytical tool when used in conjunction with geological and geophysical information. Determination of [[kerogen types]], abundance, and ratios of continental- vs. marine-derived components provide clues concerning depositional environment and hydrocarbon-generating potential (e.g., type and amount). Palynofacies data can be combined with ancillary biostratigraphic information in a sequence-stratigraphic framework to help recognize reservoir–source rock geometry.

Two major works integrate the geological and biological aspects of palynofacies research. Traverse<ref name=ch17r88>Traverse, A., 1994, Sedimentation of organic particles: Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 547 p.</ref> includes several papers ranging from general overviews to detailed sequence-stratigraphic studies. This is complemented by Tyson's<ref name=ch17r90>Tyson, R. A., 1995, Sedimentary organic matter—organic facies and palynofacies: London, Chapman & Hall, 651 p.</ref> summation of the geochemical aspects of organic facies analysis. These two volumes should be the points of reference for designing any palynofacies study.

Two major works integrate the geological and biological aspects of palynofacies research. Traverse<ref name=ch17r88>Traverse, A., 1994, Sedimentation of organic particles: Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 547 p.</ref> includes several papers ranging from general overviews to detailed sequence-stratigraphic studies. This is complemented by Tyson's<ref name=ch17r90>Tyson, R. A., 1995, Sedimentary organic matter—organic facies and palynofacies: London, Chapman & Hall, 651 p.</ref> summation of the geochemical aspects of organic [[facies analysis]]. These two volumes should be the points of reference for designing any palynofacies study.

==Kerogen analysis==

==Kerogen analysis==

The classification of dispersed kerogen constituents is based primarily on their appearance, in an unoxidized state, using transmitted light with ancillary observation employing reflected fluorescent and ultraviolet methods. Many classification strategies have been proposed<ref name=ch17r22>Burgess, J., D., 1974, Microscopic examination of kerogen (dispersed organic matter) in petroleum exploration: GSA Special Paper 153, p. 19–30.</ref><ref name=ch17r7>Batten, D., J., 1981, Palynofacies, organic maturation and source potential for petroleum, in Brooks, J., ed., Organic Maturation Studies and Fossil Fuel Exploration: London, Academic Press, p. 201–223.</ref><ref name=ch17r8>Batten, D., J., 1982, Palynofacies, palaeoenvironments and petroleum: Journal of Micro[[palaeontology]], vol. 1, p. 107–114., 10., 1144/jm., 1., 1., 107</ref><ref name=ch17r9>Batten, D., J., Morrison, J., 1983, Methods of palynological preparation for paleoenvironmental source potential and organic maturation studies, in Costa, L., ed., Palynology-Micro[[paleontology]]: Laboratories, Equipment and Methods: Bulletin of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, vol. 2, p. 35–53.</ref><ref name=ch17r94>Whittaker, M. F., 1984, The usage of palynostratigraphy and palynofacies in definition of Troll field geology: Norwegian Petroleum Society Offshore North Seas conference, paper 66, p. 1–50.</ref><ref name=ch17r19>Boulter, M., C., Riddick, A., 1986, Classification and analysis of palynodebris from the Paleocene sediments of the Forties Field: Sedimentology, vol. 33, p. 871–886., 10., 1111/sed., 1986., 33., issue-6</ref><ref name=ch17r45>Hart, G., F., 1986, Origin and classification of organic matter in clastic systems: Palynology, vol. 10, p. 1–23., 10., 1080/01916122., 1986., 9989300</ref> based on degradational state and biological derivation (i.e., plant vs. animal origin). However, sample processing schemes are not standardized between studies. This makes comparison between studies difficult unless applied to strata of the same age from the same basin. Classification and processing procedures are under scrutiny for standardization, and quantitative measurements are being assessed using optical scanners.<ref name=ch17r58>Lorente, M., A., 1990a, Digital image analysis: an approach for quantitative characterization of organic facies and palynofacies, in Fermont, W., J., J., Weegink, J., W., eds., International Symposium in Organic Petrology: Mededlingen Rijks Geologie Dienst, vol. 45, p. 103–109.</ref><ref name=ch17r59>Lorente, M., A., 1990b, Textural characteristics of organic matter in several subenvironments of the Orinoco Upper Delta: Geologie en Mijnbouw, vol. 69, p. 263–278.</ref><ref name=ch17r46>Highton, P., J., C., Pearson, C., A., Scott, A., C., 1991, Palynofacies and palynodebris and their use in Coal Measure palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental analysis: Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlung, vol. 183, no. 1–3, p. 135–169.</ref>

The classification of dispersed kerogen constituents is based primarily on their appearance, in an unoxidized state, using transmitted light with ancillary observation employing reflected fluorescent and ultraviolet methods. Many classification strategies have been proposed<ref name=ch17r22>Burgess, J., D., 1974, Microscopic examination of kerogen (dispersed organic matter) in petroleum exploration: GSA Special Paper 153, p. 19–30.</ref><ref name=ch17r7>Batten, D., J., 1981, Palynofacies, organic maturation and source potential for petroleum, in Brooks, J., ed., Organic Maturation Studies and Fossil Fuel Exploration: London, Academic Press, p. 201–223.</ref><ref name=ch17r8>Batten, D., J., 1982, Palynofacies, palaeoenvironments and petroleum: Journal of Micropalaeontology, vol. 1, p. 107–114., 10., 1144/jm., 1., 1., 107</ref><ref name=ch17r9>Batten, D., J., Morrison, J., 1983, Methods of palynological preparation for paleoenvironmental source potential and organic maturation studies, in Costa, L., ed., Palynology-Micropaleontology: Laboratories, Equipment and Methods: Bulletin of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, vol. 2, p. 35–53.</ref><ref name=ch17r94>Whittaker, M. F., 1984, The usage of palynostratigraphy and palynofacies in definition of Troll field geology: Norwegian Petroleum Society Offshore North Seas conference, paper 66, p. 1–50.</ref><ref name=ch17r19>Boulter, M., C., Riddick, A., 1986, Classification and analysis of palynodebris from the Paleocene sediments of the Forties Field: Sedimentology, vol. 33, p. 871–886., 10., 1111/sed., 1986., 33., issue-6</ref><ref name=ch17r45>Hart, G., F., 1986, Origin and classification of organic matter in clastic systems: Palynology, vol. 10, p. 1–23., 10., 1080/01916122., 1986., 9989300</ref> based on degradational state and biological derivation (i.e., plant vs. animal origin). However, sample processing schemes are not standardized between studies. This makes comparison between studies difficult unless applied to strata of the same age from the same basin. Classification and processing procedures are under scrutiny for standardization, and quantitative measurements are being assessed using optical scanners.<ref name=ch17r58>Lorente, M., A., 1990a, Digital image analysis: an approach for quantitative characterization of organic facies and palynofacies, in Fermont, W., J., J., Weegink, J., W., eds., International Symposium in Organic Petrology: Mededlingen Rijks Geologie Dienst, vol. 45, p. 103–109.</ref><ref name=ch17r59>Lorente, M., A., 1990b, Textural characteristics of organic matter in several subenvironments of the Orinoco Upper Delta: Geologie en Mijnbouw, vol. 69, p. 263–278.</ref><ref name=ch17r46>Highton, P., J., C., Pearson, C., A., Scott, A., C., 1991, Palynofacies and palynodebris and their use in Coal Measure palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental analysis: Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlung, vol. 183, no. 1–3, p. 135–169.</ref>

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Quantitative paleoenvironmental analysis]]

* [[Quantitative paleoenvironmental analysis]]

* [[Thermal maturation]]

* [[Thermal maturation]]

* [[Sequence stratigraphy]]

* [[Biostratigraphy in sequence stratigraphy]]

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  

[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  

[[Category:Applied paleontology]]

[[Category:Applied paleontology]]