Hydrocarbon Generation in and Expulsion from Pore Space Limited Source Rocks

Abstract

Hydrocarbon generation, migration, accumulation, and destruction in petroliferous basins are the consequences of multiple physical and chemical reactions between sediments and organic matter during geological evolution. These dynamics are ongoing in the geological settings of basin subsidence, overall uplift and shrinkage. The basin subsidence is perceived as sediment buildup, energy transformation, and accumulation, i.e., hydrocarbon generation processes, featured by a physical field of sediment load and increasing pressure, which has been discussed in chapter two. The overall uplift stage of a basin is perceived as the release of accumulated energy, i.e., hydrocarbon accumulation process, with a physical field of sediment unloading and pressure release. The shrinkage stage of a basin is perceived as energy adjustment and equilibrium of material compensation, i.e., completion of hydrocarbon accumulation with a physical field in equilibrium.