Source rock
Revision as of 14:00, 24 January 2014 by Matt (talk | contribs) (Matt moved page Types of source rocks to Source rocks: More generic)
| 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 |
Definition of source rock
A source rock is a rock that is capable of generating or that has generated movable quantities of hydrocarbons.
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. |
See also
External links
| find literature about Source rock |
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