Abstract
Source-rock characteristics of Lower Triassic Montney Formation presented in this study shows the total organic carbon (TOC) richness, thermal maturity, hydrocarbon generation, geographical distribution of TOC and thermal maturity (Tmax) in Fort St. John study area (T86N, R23W and T74N, R13W) and its environs in northeastern British Columbia, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). TOC richness in Montney Formation within the study area is grouped into three categories: low TOC ( 3.5 wt%), and high TOC (>3.5 wt% %). Thermal maturity of the Montney Formation source-rock indicates that >90% of the analyzed samples are thermally mature, and mainly within gas generating window (wet gas, condensate gas, and dry gas), and comprises mixed Type II/III (oil/gas prone kerogen), and Type IV kerogen (gas prone). Analyses of Rock-Eval parameters (TOC, S2, Tmax, HI, OI and PI) obtained from 81 samples in 11 wells that penetrated the Montney Formation in the subsurface of northeastern British Columbia were used to map source rock quality across the study area. Based on total organic carbon (TOC) content mapping, geographical distribution of thermal maturity (Tmax) data mapping, including evaluation and interpretation of Rock-Eval parameters in the study area, the Montney Formation kerogen is indicative of a pervasively matured petroleum system in the study area.
Highlights
Analyzed data in this study shows that Type IV kerogen constitutes the highest percentile in the Montney Formation. [48] [50] [53] [54] defined Type IV kerogen as inertinite, composed of hydrogen poor (HI ≤ 50) constituent, difficult to distinguish from Type III kerogen by using only Rock-Eval pyrolysis [54]
The Montney Formation source-rock characteristics presented in this study shows that total organic carbon (TOC) is statistically distributed into low (3.5 wt%)
The analysis and interpretation in this study shows that the Montney Formation in the study area is rich in TOC, and thermally matured
Summary
Source-rocks are precursors for hydrocarbon accumulation and reservoir potential. In general, source rocks are organic rich sediments that have, or may generate hydrocarbons [1], and are a primary element in any petroleum system [2]. Successful exploration for oil and gas depends largely upon the quality of source-rock. To determine source rock quantity, total organic carbon (TOC) content, and quality, Rock-Eval technique is used. Rock-Eval pyrolysis methods have been utilized worldwide for more than three decades as an aid to determining source-rock parameters: Tmax, TOC richness, Hydrogen Index (HI), Oxygen Index (OI), Production Index (PI), the remaining hydrocarbon generating potential (S2), and a host of other products [3]-[11]. Rock-Eval pyrolysis is used to rapidly evaluate and depict the petroleum generating potentials of prospective source rocks [11] by providing information about their: 1) kerogen type and organic matter quality; 2) type of organic matter and characteristics; 3) thermal maturity of the organic matter; and 4) hydrocarbon type (oil, gas or both).
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