Difference between revisions of "Source rock"
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| part = Critical elements of the petroleum system | | part = Critical elements of the petroleum system | ||
| chapter = Evaluating source rocks | | chapter = Evaluating source rocks | ||
| − | | frompg = 6- | + | | frompg = 6-4 |
| − | | topg = 6- | + | | topg = 6-6 |
| author = Carol A. Law | | author = Carol A. Law | ||
| link = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch06/ch06.htm | | link = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch06/ch06.htm | ||
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| isbn = 0-89181-602-X | | isbn = 0-89181-602-X | ||
}} | }} | ||
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| − | A source rock is a rock that is capable of generating or that has generated movable quantities of hydrocarbons. | + | [[File:MarcellusShaleCloseUp.jpg|thumb|400px|Marcellus Shale, New York|"Marcellus Shale Close Up" by Lvklock - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.]] |
| + | A '''source rock''' is a rock that is capable of generating or that has generated movable quantities of [[hydrocarbon]]s. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The first factor to be assessed in an exploration play in an area yet to be drilled is whether a source rock is present. If so, then we ask, “How good is it? Will it generate oil or gas? Has it generated hydrocarbons already?” To answer these questions, we must know the basics of what constitutes a source rock, how to classify source rocks, and how to estimate potential. This article provides a background in these fundamentals. | ||
==Definitions of source rock types== | ==Definitions of source rock types== | ||
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{| class = "wikitable" | {| class = "wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | ! Type | + | ! Type || Definition |
| − | + | |- | |
| + | | Potential source rock || Rock which contains [[organic matter]] in sufficient quantity to generate and expel hydrocarbons if subjected to increased [[thermal maturation]]. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Effective source rock || Rock which contains organic matter and is presently generating and/or expelling hydrocarbons to form commercial accumulations. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Relic effective source rock || An effective source rock which has ceased generating and expelling hydrocarbons due to a thermal cooling event such as [[uplif]]t or [[erosion]] before exhausting its organic matter supply. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Spent source rock || An active source rock which has exhausted its ability to generate and expel hydrocarbons either through lack of sufficient organic matter or due to reaching an [[overmature]] state. | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Characterizing source rocks== | ||
| + | To be a source rock, a rock must have three features: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Quantity of organic matter | ||
| + | * Quality capable of yielding moveable hydrocarbons | ||
| + | * Thermal maturity | ||
| + | |||
| + | The first two components are products of the depositional setting. The third is a function of the structural and tectonic history of the province. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Determining source rock potential== | ||
| + | The quantity of organic matter is commonly assessed by a measure of the [[total organic carbon (TOC)]] contained in a rock. Quality is measured by determining the types of [[kerogen]] contained in the organic matter. Thermal maturity is most often estimated by using [[vitrinite reflectance]] measurements and data from [[Pyrolysis gas chromatography|pyrolysis]] analyses. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The table below shows the most common methods used to determine the potential of a source rock. | ||
| + | |||
| + | {| class = "wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | ! To determine… || Measure… |
| − | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | | Quantity of source rock || Total organic carbon (TOC) present in the source rock |
| − | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | | Quality of source rock || |
| − | + | * Proportions of individual kerogens | |
| + | * Prevalence of [[long-chain hydrocarbons]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | | Thermal maturity of source rock || |
| − | + | * [[Vitrinite reflectance]] | |
| + | * Pyrolysis [[Tmax]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| − | * [ | + | * [http://www.fallsoftheohio.org/SourceRockforPetroleum.html Source rock for oil and gas] |
| − | * [ | + | * [http://www.ysi-ca.org/content/how-are-rocks-formed How are rocks formed] |
| + | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| Line 57: | Line 84: | ||
[[Category:Critical elements of the petroleum system]] | [[Category:Critical elements of the petroleum system]] | ||
[[Category:Evaluating source rocks]] | [[Category:Evaluating source rocks]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Treatise Handbook 3]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:38, 4 February 2022
| 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 |
A source rock is a rock that is capable of generating or that has generated movable quantities of hydrocarbons.
The first factor to be assessed in an exploration play in an area yet to be drilled is whether a source rock is present. If so, then we ask, “How good is it? Will it generate oil or gas? Has it generated hydrocarbons already?” To answer these questions, we must know the basics of what constitutes a source rock, how to classify source rocks, and how to estimate potential. This article provides a background in these fundamentals.
Definitions of source rock types
Source rocks can be divided into at least four major categories:
- Potential
- Effective
- Relic effective
- Spent
These categories and their definitions are shown in the table below.
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Potential source rock | Rock which contains organic matter in sufficient quantity to generate and expel hydrocarbons if subjected to increased thermal maturation. |
| Effective source rock | Rock which contains organic matter and is presently generating and/or expelling hydrocarbons to form commercial accumulations. |
| Relic effective source rock | An effective source rock which has ceased generating and expelling hydrocarbons due to a thermal cooling event such as uplift or erosion before exhausting its organic matter supply. |
| Spent source rock | An active source rock which has exhausted its ability to generate and expel hydrocarbons either through lack of sufficient organic matter or due to reaching an overmature state. |
Characterizing source rocks
To be a source rock, a rock must have three features:
- Quantity of organic matter
- Quality capable of yielding moveable hydrocarbons
- Thermal maturity
The first two components are products of the depositional setting. The third is a function of the structural and tectonic history of the province.
Determining source rock potential
The quantity of organic matter is commonly assessed by a measure of the total organic carbon (TOC) contained in a rock. Quality is measured by determining the types of kerogen contained in the organic matter. Thermal maturity is most often estimated by using vitrinite reflectance measurements and data from pyrolysis analyses.
The table below shows the most common methods used to determine the potential of a source rock.
| To determine… | Measure… |
|---|---|
| Quantity of source rock | Total organic carbon (TOC) present in the source rock |
| Quality of source rock |
|
| Thermal maturity of source rock |
|
See also
External links
| find literature about Source rock |
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