Paleogene Coal Research Articles

Investigating the hydrocarbon potential of the Paleogene coal seams in Kapuni field, Taranaki basin, New Zealand: Implications for coal-oil correlation

Hydrocarbon generation in Taranaki Basin, New Zealand, has been proven in several source rocks within the syn- and post-rift basin-fill sedimentary successions. These source rocks are mainly hosted in the marginal and deep marine Upper Cretaceous shales, which generate marine and terrigenous oils. Some of the terrigenous oils could have been linked to the Paleogene coals; however, the capability of these coals to generate and expel liquid hydrocarbons is poorly-investigated. In this study, we present organic geochemistry, kerogen petrography, wireline logging, and basin modelling to evaluate the hydrocarbon generation potential of the Paleogene coals and coal-rich facies of the Kapuni Group sediments in Kapuni Field, Taranaki Basin. A compositional correlation between oil in the Kapuni Group reservoirs and coal extracts was performed to decipher the oil origin and define its parent source rock. Kapuni oils display high pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) > 5, low dibenzothiophene (DBT)/phenanthrene <0.1 and high relative abundance of C29 regular steranes >60%, typifying their generation from a terrigenous source rock deposited in an oxic, fluvio-deltaic environment. Similar values were also observed in the muddy coal extracts of Farewell Formation, thereby reflecting a positive coal-oil correlation. The maturity-relevant biomarkers (Ts/Tm trisnorhopanes; C29 steranes isomers, and 22S-, 22R C32 homohopanes) are similar in both oils and Farewell coal extracts confirming oil expulsion from Farewell coals during the peak oil window maturity. These results demonstrate the generation and expulsion of coal-oil, thereby shedding light on the prospectively of the Paleogene plays in the Taranaki Basin.

Sulfur stable isotopes in Paleogene coals of Northeast India

Sulfur stable isotope signatures are instrumental in tracing the sources and tracking the movement of sulfur in different environmental compartments, besides providing vital insights into the origin and transport dynamics. Sulfur stable isotope composition in coal can give valuable information regarding sulfur sources and the process of sulfur incorporation in coal. The present study was conducted to determine the total sulfur content and sulfur isotopic composition for bulk sulfur (bulk S δ34S) in Oligocene and Eocene coal samples from coal mines and a few coal stockings in northeast India. The results revealed that the total sulfur content in coal samples varied between 1.03 and 4.80 (wt%) with an average value of 2.64 wt%. The bulk S δ34S in coal samples exhibited a wide range between −4.66 ‰ to 14.78 ‰ (VCDT). Oligocene coal samples from mines in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Nagaland were enriched with heavier sulfur isotopes relative to Eocene coal samples from the Jaintia Hills region of Meghalaya. A moderate positive correlation was observed in the Oligocene coal samples, in contrast to the moderate negative correlation found in the Eocene coal samples. The bulk S δ34S values and sulfur content in coal samples from coal stockings matched closely with Assam and Meghalaya mine samples. The findings of this study can be used to track the sources and movement of coal sulfur in various environmental compartments, besides providing valuable information about sulfur sources, the process of sulfur incorporation in coal, and the depositional environment.

Inorganic geochemical attributes of Jaintia Hills coals, India: Implications for paleo-depositional conditions

The Paleogene coal deposits of the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya have undergone examinations by various researchers, primarily focusing on organic petrography and geochemistry and highlighting the rank, type, and grade, with perspectives on potential utilization. However, the genesis of these coals has received limited attention from the researchers. This research article addresses this gap by conducting a comprehensive examination of the geochemical and mineralogical aspects of these coals. Coal samples from two coal seams at nine locations in the Sampar coalfield in Jaintia Hills were collected and studied. The samples are subjected to X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proximate, and ultimate analysis to study geochemical and mineralogical composition and ash yield. The study utilizes various geochemical proxies based on the inorganic constituents, providing insights into the paleo-depositional conditions and contributing to a deeper understanding of the unique characteristics of Meghalayan coals. The research indicates that these coals were formed in coastal swamps and lagoons on stable platforms, experiencing minimal tectonic activity, influenced by seawater incursions. These coals were deposited in reducing to significantly reducing conditions and warm and humid to semi-arid climatic conditions. No signature of a geothermally active fluid has been recorded.

Molecular fossil chronicles and geochemical probes of Paleogene coals from Meghalaya, India

The Paleogene coals from the Jaintia, Khasi, and the Garo hills of Meghalaya, India, are studied for biomarker distributions, carbon isotope signatures (δ13Cbulk), and Rock-Eval pyrolysis (REP) to elucidate their organic matter (OM) source, depositional environment, thermal maturity, and hydrocarbon generation potential. Sulfur-rich OM (1.52 wt%–24.57 wt% S dry-basis) with Hydrogen Index (HI) values ranging from 172 mg HC/g TOC – 353 mg HC/g TOC suggest the presence of type IIS-IIIS admixed kerogen. Mixed gymnosperm – angiospermous OM input to the peatland is implied by δ13Cbulk values spanning from −26.7‰ to −25.5‰, −27.4‰ to −25.1‰, and −27.0‰ to −25.2‰ in the Jaintia, Khasi, and Garo coals, respectively. Further, the presence of pimarane, isopimarane, labdane, rimuane, phyllocladanes, and ent-beyerane, mark the conifer OM input, substantiated by the 1,7-dimethylphenanthrene (1,7-DMP), 1,6-dimethylnaphthalene (1,6-DMN), and 1,2,5- trimethylnaphthalene (1,2,5-TMN) compounds. The abundances of these gymnosperm markers decline from the Garo to the Jaintia coals implying plausible shifts in paleovegetation. Compound A from the oleanoid skeleton and subordinate amounts of oleanane indicate variable contributions from angiosperms. The oleanane index declines from the Garo to Jaintia coals suggesting a lower contribution of angiospermous OM from Garo to the Jaintia samples, which may also indicate a shift in the OM depositional environment towards the Jaintia Hills. Dibenzothiophene isomers increase while dibenzofuran isomers decrease from the Garo to Jaintia coals suggesting shifts from terrestrial to marginal marine depositional environment. Additionally, the gammacerane index increases from the Garo to Jaintia coals implying a transition from a stratified brackish water column or marine transgression to the peatland of the Jaintia Hills. Moreover, the studied coal samples exhibit variable thermal maturity. The mean random vitrinite reflectance of the Garo coals (R¯r=0.48%–0.61%) indicates subbituminous to bituminous rank, while the Khasi (R¯r=0.44%–0.60%) and Jaintia coals (R¯r=0.26%–0.75%) belong to subbituminous to bituminous D, and lignite to bituminous C rank, respectively. Tmax of these coals ranges from 414 °C to 446 °C, indicating the samples span from pre-catagenetic to catagenetic stages of maturation. Saturated C32-bishomohopane epimer and C30 βα-moretane/αβ-hopane ratios, along with aromatic MPI-3 and 3-MP/retene ratios, exhibit an increasing maturity trend from the Garo Hills to the Jaintia Hills samples.

New insight into geochemical characterization of Paleogene coals from Jarain coalfield, Meghalaya, N-E India: Hydrocarbon potential and organic petrographic analysis

In the present work, geochemical techniques such as Rock-Eval pyrolysis, TOC, Organic petrographic analysis, and statistical investigation have been performed to conclude hydrocarbon generation potential and thermal maturity of studied source rocks samples. Thermal maturity measurement of source rock samples has been assessed by calculated VRo and pyrolysis temperature Tmax (400–418 °C). The result demonstrates that samples are thermal immature in nature and cannot produce hydrocarbons at the commercial level. Modified Van Krevelen diagram (HI versus Tmax) and hydrogen indices (HI) plotted against OI. The study of samples demonstrates that Type II and mixed Type II-III kerogens exist in almost all investigated samples; the HI varies from 203 to 447 mg HC/g TOC and thus can be considered fair oil source and gas/oil source rock. The plot between HI vs Tmax also evaluated the above result. The result of HI vs Tmax is also confirmed by the hydrocarbon richness value (S2/S3), which indicates the emphatic possibility for oil and gas generation in all studied samples. The ternary diagram obtained from microscopic petrographic data typifies that coal forms in platform regions during the coalification process under alternating oxic and anoxic moor conditions. The finding of statistical techniques like Pearson's correlation and cluster analysis also demonstrated that the source rock has tremendous potential for producing hydrocarbons, with a negative correlation between TOC and HI and a decent association between S2 and HI.

Occurrence Patterns and Enrichment Influencing Factors of Trace Elements in Paleogene Coal in the Fushun Basin, China

The occurrence forms of trace elements in coal are of great significance for the clean utilization, abnormal enrichment, and recovery of beneficial elements in coal. The Fushun Basin in Northeast China has thick coal deposits which provide a good opportunity for studying their geochemistry. This study aims to estimate the element enrichment of Paleogene coal seams and their influencing factors during deposition based on statistical and geochemical analyses. Compared with world hard coals, coals in the Fushun Basin feature enrichment of Ga and Sb (CC > 5), slight enrichment of V, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Rb, Zr, Nb, and Cd (2 < CC < 5), and depletion of B, Tl, Bl, and U (CC < 0.5). The CC values of the remaining elements (0.5 < CC < 2) are close to the average values for world hard coals. The main carriers of Ga, Co, Rb, Mo, As, Se, Pb, V, and Li are potassium, iron, and sulfate minerals and those of Cd, Cr, Ni, Sb, Th, Sn, U, Hf, Zr, Cs, Ta, and Nb are clay minerals. The CIA, Sr/Cu, Rb/Sr, and Ga/Rb values suggest that the studied coal seam formed under humid/warm climatic conditions. The coal seam is mainly derived from intermediate source rocks and sandstone or mudstone source rocks which were exposed to intensive chemical weathering and deposited in a freshwater setting. Additionally, paleoweathering, paleoclimate, detrital input, and provenance all contributed to the enrichment of geochemical elements in the studied Paleogene coal. The results of this study are preliminary, and the authors will continue to conduct mineralogical analysis.

Abundance of Sulphur in Paleogene coals of North-East India and Its Paleo-environmental Implications

The present paper entails the occurrence and distribution of different forms of sulphur in Paleogene coals of north-eastern India. All the coal seams present in the north-eastern region of India are characterized by the presence of high sulphur with total sulphur content ranging from 3 to 7%. Among all the forms of sulphur recognised, organic sulphur is dominant. The total sulphur content originated in the Platform area for Eocene coal under stable shelf condition vary from 4.20 % to 6.01 % for Jaintia Hills, from 2.78 % to 4.01 % for Khasi Hills and from 1.90 % to 3.00 % for Garo Hills, whereas Oligocene coal evolved under the foredeep basin have total sulphur ranging in from 2.90 % and 6.60 %. In the Eocene coals, there is a distinct lateral and vertical variation of sulphur i.e., sulphur content increases from the bottom to the top seam and also from western side of Meghalaya to the eastern side. This lateral variation of sulphur was because of the more marine nature of the Eastern Meghalaya than the Western Meghalaya. Both Eocene and Oligocene coals have been derived from seawater as evidenced by the presence of pyritic form of sulphur. Study of forms of sulphur also suggests that the deposition of the coals in a different part of the region was influenced by roof strata, peat-forming plant communities, tectonic uplifting, and marine or freshwater incursion.

High sulphur Paleogene coals of North East India: implications for paleoenvironment and paleoclimate

High sulphur Paleogene coals of North East India: implications for paleoenvironment and paleoclimate

Hydrocarbon generation potential of Paleogene coals and organic rich mudstones in Xihu sag, East China Sea Shelf basin, offshore eastern China

Paleogene coals and organic rich mudstones in Xihu sag, East China Sea Shelf basin in offshore eastern China were analysed to evaluate the hydrocarbon generation potential based on organic petrographic and organic geochemical methods. The results reveal that the source rocks are dominated by Type III-II2 kerogens deposited in sub-oxic to oxic environments as coal-bearing source rocks. The total organic carbon (TOC) content values for the samples range from 0.31 wt% to 75.68 wt%, suggesting fair to excellent hydrocarbon generation potential, which is also consistent with the Hydrogen Index (HI) and extractable organic matter (EOM) content results. Thermal maturity of organic matter in Western Depression Group (WDG) area are mainly in early thermal maturity stage (Rr ranges from 0.57% to 0.76%), while Central Uplift Group (CUG) area samples have relatively higher thermal maturity (Rr ranges from 0.72% to 1.41%). The characteristics of Paleogene coal and organic rich mudstones reveal that the potential source rocks in both WDG and CUG area have fair to excellent hydrocarbon generative potential, but vary in hydrocarbon phase. WDG source rocks are expected to generate both commercial liquid hydrocarbons and gaseous hydrocarbons, which is also implied by the presence of significant liptinite and exsudatinite macerals. On the other hand, source rocks for CUG area exhibit a dominant gaseous hydrocarbon generation and some oil hydrocarbon generation potential. The data exhibited in this study illustrate source rock characteristics and provide evidence for hydrocarbon generation potential of Paleogene coal and organic rich mudstones in Xihu sag, in offshore eastern China.

Semi-open and closed system pyrolysis of Paleogene coal for evaluating the timing of hydrocarbon gas expulsion

Hydrocarbon gas expulsion from coal source rocks takes place under conditions intermediate between an open and closed system. The compositional and isotopic changes of hydrocarbon gases generated from Paleogene coal with increasing maturity were investigated under semi-open and closed system laboratory pyrolysis to evaluate the maturity level at the time of hydrocarbon gas expulsion. Lower yields of saturated hydrocarbon gases and their higher δ13C values were observed in the semi-open system pyrolysis compared to those at the same maturity level in the closed system pyrolysis, since gaseous hydrocarbons depleted in 13C were removed during semi-open system pyrolysis. The δ2H values of hydrocarbon gases generated in the closed system pyrolysis were initially lower than those in the semi-open system pyrolysis, and then became markedly higher at the higher maturity level (vitrinite reflectance [VRr]>1.2%), indicating significant hydrogenation of isotopically heavier inorganic hydrogen derived from water moisture in the coal matrix. The semi-open and closed system pyrolysis showed that the relationship between the isotopic composition of hydrocarbon gases expelled from coal and the maturity of coal depends on the state of openness or closedness of the hydrocarbon generation environment. Diagrams showing the relationship between the δ13C values of hydrocarbon gases expelled from Paleogene coal and the VRr under conditions intermediate between semi-open and semi-closed systems were proposed for evaluating the timing of hydrocarbon gas expulsion in sedimentary basins.

Mineralogical and Elemental Analysis of Some High-Sulfur Indian Paleogene Coals: A Statistical Approach

The northeast (NE) region of India has a prominent reserve of Oligocene to Eocene coals of significant interest. An extensive study on the mineralogical and elemental composition of nine high-sulfur coal samples from the various Paleogene coalfields of the NE portion of India was conducted to understand the modes of occurrence and distribution patterns of the minerals, as well as the trace and rare-earth elements (REEs) in these coals. The majority of minerals associated with the NE region coals mainly includes, kaolinite, illite, mixed-layer illite/smectite, zircon, pyrite, goyazite, chlorite, xenotime, siderite, titanium oxide (anatase or rutile), iron-bearing gahnite, rhabdophane, carbonate, and jarosite. The minerals are of different origins, such as authigenic, syngenetic, and epigenetic. The presence of ferropseudobrookite is observed for the first time in any Paleogene Indian coals. Calcite is dominant in the coals. The NE region coals are enriched in F (70.40 μg/g), Pb (21.84 μg/g), Sr (125.69 μg/g), Zr (285.93 μg/g), and Ba (117.80 μg/g). However, NER coals contain lower REEs (on average), such as Ce (17.92 μg/g), Eu (0.30 μg/g), Y (8.51 μg/g), La (30.82 μg/g), Ce (65.61 μg/g), and Nd (27.55 μg/g), as well as Th (18.68 μg/g). The high Zr and Sr contents in the NE Indian coals are attributed to the presence of zircon and goyazite in the coals. The statistical analysis of the major oxides, sulfur, and trace elements in the coals is also performed to know their corelations. Minerals from the aluminosilicate group are prominent in NE Indian coals.

On the paleogene coal-measure distribution over the China sea area

The Paleogene coal accumulation basins of China are part of the global Tertiary coal-accumulated zone of the Pacific Rim located in the eastern coastal provinces and areas. Although the coal-bearing basins of the China Sea area are faults and depressed basins, they come up in groups. The overall structures are suitable for the development of coal-bearing deposition. The continuity of basin groups are good, and the coal-bearing depositions are thick. For example, the coal-bearing deposition is more than a kilometer thick at the Qiongdongnan Basin and Xihu Sag in the East China Sea, which the continental Paleogene coal basins cannot reach. Research shows that the coal accumulation basins in the sea area consist of many sags. There are two types of coal accumulation sags: half-graben sag and graben sag. In terms of water depth, coal accumulation sags can also be classified as deep-water half-graben sag and shallow-water half-graben sag; the graben sag is the deep-water sag. There are two distinct coal-accumulated zones in the basin: gentle slope and steep slope, with the gentle slope being the dominant one. The marshes of the supratidal zone and intertidal zone in a tidal flat system is favorable for the coal accumulation process widely taking place. There are two types of peat accumulation: autochthonous accumulation and allochthonous accumulation. Because of tectonic activities in the basins, allochthonous accumulations may be the more important form of coal-forming activities in the sea area. The very thick coal-bearing deposition in the sea area provides a rich material base for the assemblage of coal-related gas. Also, as a result of the deep burial depth, the degree of coal metamorphism is relatively high, so the coal-bearing strata become good hydrocarbon source rocks.

Paleogene coal-forming plants of the Zeya-Bureya Basin (Amur River Region)

Coal-forming plants from the Early Paleogene coal mines of the Zeya-Bureya Basin (Amur River Region) were studied. Dispersed cuticles of taxodialeans were obtained from coals for the first time in this region. Since the Danian, taxodialeans became dominant elements in peat-forming environments and provided abundant plant material that transformed into coal.

Hydrocarbon potential of coal-bearing deposits of South Sakhalin

This report presents new geochemical data on the initial hydrocarbon potential of coal-bearing complexes in South Sakhalin. By the results of pyrolytic analysis, the yield of hydrocarbons (HCs) from the rocks amounts to 0.8–240 mg HC/g of rock. It is shown that lipoid coals and coaly rocks of Paleogene age may be considered as mother rocks of oil (HI of 263–619 mg HC/g Corg). The rocks of Early-Miocene age (HI of 70–247 mg HC/g Corg) are mainly gas sources. The hydrocarbon potential of organic matter in Paleogene coals and coaly rocks of South Sakhalin is higher then that of similar rocks of West Kamchatka considered as oil sources for several oil fields. The data obtained are important for characterization of the prospects of the oil-and-gas content in sedimentary basins of the Sea of Okhotsk.

The petroleum potential of Tertiary coals from Western Indonesia: Relationship to mire type and sequence stratigraphic setting

More than 500 deltaic sediments from 14 basins in Western Indonesia were subjected to detailed geochemical, petrographic and palynological analysis. The resultant data represent each of the main peat-forming tectonostratigraphic episodes (Paleogene syn-rift transgressive, Paleogene–Neogene post-rift transgressive and Neogene syn-tectonic regressive) of the Indonesian Tertiary. The coals are hydrogen-rich, with average hydrogen index (HI) of 250–300 and atomic H/C ratios of 1.0–1.3 where immature. Paleogene coals from syn-rift transgressive systems tracts are more hydrogen-rich than Neogene coals from syn-tectonic regressive systems tracts, and upon pyrolysis, yield lower gas/oil ratios, implying they are more oil-prone. Pliocene coals from a strongly regressive sequence in the Sumatran fore-arc are very hydrogen-poor with average HI of 138. Indonesian coals display a systematic increase in HI with increasing rank, peaking at a Tmax of c. 430 °C, suggesting that Rock-Eval pyrolysis underestimates petroleum potential in low rank coals. The increase in HI is accompanied by a decrease in S1/TOC ratio and the disappearance of suberinite and resinite, reflecting the assimilation of these macerals into the coal matrix with increasing diagenesis. Petrographic analyses reveal a very poor correlation between liptinite content and HI. The term Detrovitrinite Index (DI) is coined to describe the ratio of detrovitrinite/total vitrinite. A better relationship between HI and DI suggests that vitrinite type is a more important control on petroleum potential than liptinite content. The coals are classified into four sub-types (I–IV) on the basis of their pyrolysis potential and petrographic composition. Sub-types I, II and III are low ash coals and are likely to have been deposited in raised mires. Sub-type I is hydrogen-rich and primarily represents Middle to Late Miocene coals, deposited in a regressive megasequence. Sub-type II coals are hydrogen-poor and occur in multiple tectonostratigraphic settings. Sub-type III consists of very hydrogen-poor Pliocene coals from the rapidly subsiding West Sumatran fore-arc. Sub-type IV is hydrogen-rich, and consists of high ash Eocene coals, deposited in submerged mires in a transgressive, syn-rift setting. A close relationship between HI and tissue preservation index (TPI) suggests that the degree of degradation of the peat is an important factor in determining petroleum potential. Highly degraded peats result in hydrogen-rich coals with a higher proportion of vitrinite of detrital or allochthonous origin. The degree of degradation is most likely related to the amount of time the peat spends within the zone of influence of the water table, and is unlikely to be directly related to tectonostratigraphic setting.

Anomalous gold contents in brown coals and peat in the south-eastern region of the Western-Siberian platform

Abstract One hundred twenty-two samples of Jurassic and Paleogene brown coals and 1254 peat samples from the south-eastern region of the Western-Siberian platform were analyzed for gold by the neutron-activation method. Mean content of Au in Jurassic coals is 30 ± 8 ppb, in Paleogene coals is 10.6 ± 4.8 ppb, and in peat is 6 ± 1.4 ppb. Concentrations of gold as high as 4.4 ppm were found in coal ash and 0.48 ppm in the peat ash. Coal beds with anomalous gold contents were found at Western-Siberian platform for the first time. Negative correlation between gold and ash yield in coals and peat and highest gold concentrations were found in low-ash and ultra-low-ash coals and peat. Primarily this is due to gold's association with organic matter. For the investigation of mode of occurrence of Au in peat the bitumen, water-soluble and high-hydrolyzed substances, humic acids, cellulose and lignin were extracted from it. It was determined that in peat about 95% of gold is combined with organic matter. Forty to sixty percent of Au is contained in humic acids and the same content is in lignin. Bitumens, water-soluble and high-hydrolyzed substances contain no more than 1% of general gold quantity in peat. The conditions of accumulation of high gold concentrations were considered. The authors suggest that Au accumulation in peat and brown coals and the connection between anomalous gold concentrations and organic matter in low-ash coals and peat can explain a biogenic–sorption mechanism of Au accumulation. The sources of formation of Au high concentration were various Au–Sb, Au–Ag Au–As–Sb deposits that are abundant in the Southern and South-Eastern peripheries of the coal basin.

Concentration and distribution of sixty-one elements in coals from DPR Korea

Fifty coal samples (28 anthracite and 22 lignites) were collected from both main and small coal mines in DPR Korea prioritized by resource distribution and coal production. The concentrations of 61 elements in 50 coal samples were determined by several multielement and element-specific techniques, including inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ion chromatogram (IC), cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS), and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS). The ranges, arithmetic means and geometric means of concentrations of these elements are presented. A comparison with crustal abundances (Clarke values) shows that some potentially hazardous elements in the coals of DPR Korea are highly enriched Li, B, S, Cl, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Sb, W, Te, Hg, Ag, Pb, and La, Ce, Dy, Tm, Ge, Mo, Cs, Tl, Bi, Th and U are moderately enriched. A comparison of ranges and means of elemental concentrations in DPR Korea, Chinese, and world coals shows the ranges of most elements in DPR Korea coals are very close to the ranges of world coals. Arithmetic means of most elements in DPR Korea coals are close to that of American coals. Most elements arithmetic means are higher in Jurassic and Paleogene coals than coals of other ages. In DPR Korea coals, only seven elements in early Permian coals are higher than other periods: Li, Zn, Se, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Bi. Only five elements B, As, Sr, Mo, W in Neogene coals have arithmetic means higher than others. SiO 2 and Al 2O 3 in ashes are more than 70% except six samples. The correlation between ash yields and major elements from high to low is in the order of Si>Al>Ti>K>Mg>Fe>Na>Ca>P>S. Most elements have high positive correlation with ash ( r>0.5) and show high inorganic affinity.

サハリン南西部における非海成根源岩と炭化水素ポテンシャル

There exist coal-bearing Paleogene basins along the Straits of Tatar, in the southwest Sakhalin. Those are presumed to be the northward extension of the hydrocarbon-yielding Ishikari Basin. Several basins in the southwest Sakhalin yields matured source rocks, which are evident from the existence of the offshore Izyilmetiev gascondensate field and many oil seepages on land.Five Paleocene coals, one Miocene coal and four Miocene siliceous mudstones were collected for pyrolysis analysis in the southwest Sakhalin on the land area. The results are as follows;Eocene coal (Nizhne Due Fm.) : HI : 263-430 mg/g, TOC : 45.46-73.05%, Tmax : 408-424 degree C.Miocene coal (Verkhne Due Fm.) : HI : 177 mg/g, TOC : 62.48%, Tmax : 408 degree C.Miocene siliceous mudstone (Kurassi Fm.) : HI : 159-275 mg/g, TOC : 1.26-1.79%, Tmax : 396-411 degree C.According to the results, Paleogene coals have most promising potential to expel hydrocarbon and develop seepages to the surface.This paper reports not only the non-marine source rock potential but also the petroleum potential of basins in the southwest Sakhalin on the analogy of the Yufutsu Field in the Ishikari Basin of Japan.

Studies of the coal facies in Eastern Ukraine

This article is a short review concerning the knowledge of petrographic compositions and origins of the diverse age coals in the eastern Ukraine regions, i.e. the Carboniferous age coals of the Dnieper–Donets Basin and the same age coals of the Donets Basin one as well as the Paleogene coals of Dnieper Brown Coal Basin. It was concluded that the coal-forming conditions depend on the geotectonic situations of the above basins.

MEDAL OF SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE

The American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists bestows upon SVEIN B. MANUM its Medal of Scientific Excellence for four decades of outstanding contribution to the study of land plant palynology, paleobotany, dinoflagellate cyst morphology and stratigraphy. His power of meticulous observation and scholarly investigation of new fields has been combined with the unique art of blending palynological and paleobotanical observations in evolution, morphology, paleoecology and biostratigraphy. SVEIN B. MANUM Professor Svein B. Manum was born in 1926 in Askim, Norway. He received the degree of Cand. real. (M.Sc.) in 1953 and Dr. philos. (Ph.D.) in 1962 from the University of Oslo. His interest had been drawn to the modern and fossil floras of Spitsbergen by a popular book that he had read as a teenager. As a botany student he approached the late Professor Ove Arbo Hoeg, renowned for studies of the Devonian floras of Spitsbergen, to apply for a thesis project related to Spitsbergen. He was offered a palynological study of Spitsbergen’s Paleogene coals, which started a lifelong research interest in Arctic fossil floras and paleoclimates. Svein is outstanding among the palynologists and paleobotanists of his generation. He remains one of the few who has set an example of combining in his research three distinct fields: land plant palynology, dinoflagellate cyst studies, and paleobotany. With this scientific approach Svein has generated new ideas on Spitsbergen’s Cretaceous and Tertiary floras, the evolution of the North Atlantic, biogeography and climate change. In well over 50 publications Svein has consistently set the highest standards of observation and insightful analysis of pollen, dinoflagellate cyst morphology and stratigraphy, and fossil floras of the Arctic. His investigations on clitellate cocoons demonstrate his power of meticulous observation. At the University of Oslo he has taught students and associates the importance of careful observation and thoughtful interpretation. He …