Relation between source rock properties and wireline log parameters: An example from Lower Jurassic Posidonia Shale, NW-Germany

Abstract

The relationships between source rock quality and wireline log parameters were established for the Lower Jurassic Posidonia Shale, the most prolific petroleum source rock of Central Europe. Wireline logs used are the gamma ray spectrometry, density, sonic and various resistivity logs. The organic geochemical parameters considered include the organic carbon content, hydrogen index, and the hydrocarbon potential expressed by pyrolysis yield. The case history presented is based on a continuous core through the entire Posidonia Shale interval from a location where this source rock is immature. Care was taken to detect and to avoid samples and log values influenced by bore hole roughness and fractures. Fair correlations were observed only between uranium content from gamma ray spectrometry log and organic carbon content. No correlation was recognized between uranium content and kerogen type as defined by hydrogen indices. For various reasons density, sonic, and resistivity logs did not provide useful data in this study. Three rock units with irregular, high and low uranium contents could be differentiated. Possible causes for this tripartition are different environments during deposition and postdepositional redistribution of uranium during early diagenesis and in association with fractures.