Hydrocarbon minerals in the Midland Valley of Scotland with particular reference to the Oil-Shale Group

Abstract

Solid hydrocarbon minerals are widespread throughout the outcrop of the Oil-Shale Group in the Lothian Region and Fife. The products of local diagenesis are common in oil shales, limestones and siderite nodules throughout the Carboniferous outcrop in the Midland Valley. Within the Oil-Shale Group, hydrocarbon minerals are particularly related to volcanic necks and igneous dykes and sills. Heat from the intrusions caused the generation of oil and solid hydrocarbon minerals. In the eastern part of the Oil-Shale Group outcrop, hydrocarbon minerals are more associated with Carboniferous extrusive rocks. Hydrocarbon minerals are associated with metallic sulphides in mineralised limestones, volcanic vents and vein deposits in the Ochil Hills and at Hilderstone.