Abstract
Geochemical analysis of exploration and deep stratigraphic test wells has provided new information on organic richness, thermal history, and type of source material in much of the Baltimore Canyon Trough. The total organic carbon content and concentrations of light-gas through high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons in Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Tertiary samples define zones of marginal to excellent richness. Levels of thermal maturation, primarily determined by thermal alteration index and vitrinite reflectance data, indicate that burial below 3,500 m is generally required for petroleum generation. Microscopic analysis of kerogen also delimits oil-prone and gas-prone organic facies. Measured parameters when mapped by a computer contouring program show geochemical trends in strata of different ages. In addition, some geochemical zones of exploratory interest that were originally observed in the COST wells can be extended to oil company wells. Cretaceous and Cenozoic rocks have little petroleum potential in this area because of their thermal immaturity. However, organic-rich units in Jurassic strata may have generated significant quantities of natural gas or oil in some parts of the basin. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1671------------
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