Hydrocarbons: Petroleum and Organic Matter

Formation of Hydrocarbons Types of hydrocarbons Parameters for hydrocarbon accumulation Phases of alteration of organic matter Types of kerogen Migration of hydrocarbons Five Major Types of Hydrocarbons Kerogen: Kerogen is a fine-grained, amorphous organic matter. It is not soluble to normal petroleum solvents, like carbon disulfide. Its chemical composition is 75% C, 10% H, 15% other (sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.). It is very important in the formation of hydrocarbons because it is what generates oil and gas. Source rocks must contain significant amounts of kerogen. Asphalt: Asphalt is a solid at surface temperatures. It is soluble to petroleum solvents. It is produced by the partial maturation of kerogen or the degradation of crude oil. Crude Oil: Crude oil is a liquid at surface temperatures. It is soluble to normal petroleum solvents. It has four main groups of organic compounds: paraffin, naphthalene, aromatics, and resins. Natural Gas: Is a hydrocarbon gas. The major natural gases are methane, ethane, propane, and butane. Condensates: These are hydrocarbons transitional between gas and crude oil. Five Parameters for Hydrocarbon Accumulation - Source rocks are required to generate hydrocarbons. Generally, has greater than .5% organic matter (kerogen) by weight. - Reservoir rocks are required to store hydrocarbons. - Seal or cap rocks are present to prevent the upward escape of hydrocarbons from reservoir. - Traps occur where the source, reservoir and seal are arranged in a way that the hydrocarbons can move from the source to the reservoir. - Source rock must have been heated sufficiently for oil (greater than 60C) and gas (greater than 150C)
Three Phases of Alteration of Organic Matter Diagenesis: Diagenesis occurs at the surface at normal temperatures. The organic matter goes under bacterial decay, oxidation, dehydration and decarboxylation. The resultant is kerogen. The porosity decreases 60% to 40%. Catagenesis: Temperatures increase to 250C and kerogen