GEOCHEMICAL ANALYTICAL

TECHNIQUES
 GEOCHEMICAL ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES
CHEMICAL METHODS

Rock-Eval Bitumen Biomarker Proximate

TOC Py-GC Isotope
Pyrolysis Extraction analysis Analysis

GEOCHEMICAL ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES

OPTICAL METHODS

Visual kerogen / Vitrinite

Palynofacies TAI SCI
Maceral typing Reflectance
A method of chemical analysis in
which the sample is heated to
decomposition to produce smaller
molecules that separated by gas
chromatography
Provides a direct indicator of the
kerogen type and types of
hydrocarbons that can be generated
by the kerogen during the maturation
process

Py-GC
Petroleum Potential Bitumen (ppm)
Maturity Bitumen/TOC Poor <500
Immature <0.05 Fair 500-1000
Early maturity 0.05-0.10 Good 1000-2000
Peak maturity 0.15-0.25 Very good 2000-4000
Excellent >4000
Biomarker or biological marker, is a substance used
INSTRUMENT: Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas
as indicator of a biological state which can be
Chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
traced to a particular biological origin.

Biomarker
Analysis
Application:
GC: An analytical technique used to separate,
1)Source facies determination
quantify and identify different common compound
2)Maturity determination
used in a mixture.
3)Correlation studies
GCMS: allow detailed study of minor or trace
4)Age determination
components in hydrocarbon (m/z 191 & m/z 217).
5)Biodegradation
 Rock-Eval Pyrolysis

Petroleum Potential S1 S2 S1 - The amount of free Hydrogen Index Maturity Tmax

Pyrolysis: Heating of Poor 0-0.5 0-2.5 hydrocarbons (mg HC/g =S2*100/TOC Immature >435
organic matter in the Fair 0.5-1 2.5-5 rock) Early maturity 435-445
absence of oxygen to Good 1-2 5-10 Peak maturity 445-450
yield organic compounds Very good 2-4 10-20 Late maturity 450-470
Excellent >4 >20 Oxygen Index = Post mature >470
S3*100/TOC
S2 - The amount of
hydrocarbons generated
through thermal cracking
of kerogen(mg HC/g rock)
Production Index =
S1/(S1+S2)

S3 - The amount of CO2

produced during pyrolysis
of kerogen(mg CO2/g
rock)

Tmax - The maximum

temperature release of
hydrocarbon from
cracking of kerogen
during pyrolysis.
 Application:
Isotope Oil-oil correlation / oil-source rock correlation
Gas-gas correlation

Stable Distinguish oil families

13C & 34S

An empirical method in determining moisture,

Proximate ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon in measuring
the weight loss though standard procedure
following ASTM test method
Analysis One of maturity indicators for determining the
coal rank
 Useful for the source rock
A method to extract free
hydrocarbon in the rock
Bitumen richness determination
and thermal maturity
(bitumen or S1) using
mixed solvents Extraction assessment of the
kerogen
 Quantity of organic carbon in a
whole rock sample and includes
both kerogen and bitumen

Procedure:
Treat sample with HCL
Wash with distilled water and dry
TOC
Combustion with LECO FURNANCE or
Rock-Eval-II instruments

POTENTIAL (Quantity)
TOC (wt.%)
Poor < 0.5
Fair 0.5 -1
Good 1 2
Very Good 2 4
Excellent >4