Source rock/dispersed organic matter characterization-TSOP research subcommitee results

Because sedimentary organic matter consists of a diverse mixture of organic components with different properties, a combination of chemical and petrographic results offers the most complete assessment of source rock properties. The primary purpose of this Society for Organic Petrology (TSOP) subcommittee is to contribute to the standardization of kerogen characterization methods. Specific objectives include: (1) evaluation of the applications of different organic matter (petrographic) classifications and terminology, and (2) integration of petrographic and geochemical results. These objectives were met by completing questionnaires, and petrographic, geochemical and photomicrograph round-robin exercises. Samples that were selected for this study represent different petrographic and geochemical properties, and geologic settings to help identify issues related to the utilization of different classifications and techniques. Petrographic analysis of the organic matter was completed using both a prescribed classification and the individual classification normally used by each participant. Total organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval pyrolysis and elemental analysis were also completed for each sample. Significant differences exist in the petrographic results from both the prescribed and individual classifications. Although there is general agreement about the oil- vs gas-prone nature of the samples, comparison of results from individual classifications is difficult due to the variety of nomenclature and methods used to describe an organic matter assemblage. Results from the photomicrograph exercise document that different terminology is being used to describe the same component. Although variation in TOC and Rock-Eval data exists, geochemical results define kerogen type and generative potential. Recommendations from this study include: (1) A uniform organic matter classification must be employed, which eliminates complex terminology and is capable of direct correlation with geochemical parameters. (2) A standardized definition and nomenclature must be used for the unstructured (amorphous) organic matter category. Subdivisions of this generalized amorphous category are needed to define its chemical and environmental properties. (3) Standardized techniques including multimode illumination, types of sample preparations and data reporting will help eliminate variability in the type and amount of organic components reported

Economic impact analysis of natural gas development and the policy implications

In the US, the shale gas revolution ensured that the development costs of unconventional natural gas plummeted to the levels of $2–3/Mcf. This success has motivated the development of shale gas in other regions, including Australia and Europe. This study, focussing primarily on aspects of economic impact analysis, estimates the development costs of shale gas extraction in both Australia and Europe, based on both direct and fiscal costs, and also suggests policy initiatives. The increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments in Australia are already straining domestic gas supplies. Hence, the development of more natural gas resources has been given a high priority. However, a majority of the Australian shale resources is non-marine in origin and significantly different to the marine-type shales in the US. In addition, the challenges of high development costs and the lack of infrastructure, service capacity and effective government policy are inhibiting shale gas development. Increasing the attractiveness of low risk investment by new, local, developers is critical for Australian shale gas success, which will simultaneously increase domestic gas security. In the European context, unconventional gas development will be challenged by direct, rather than fiscal costs. High direct costs will translate into average overall gas development costs over$13/Mcf, which is well over the existing market price

Source rock/dispersed organic matter characterization-TSOP research subcommitee results

Because sedimentary organic matter consists of a diverse mixture of organic components with different properties, a combination of chemical and petrographic results offers the most complete assessment of source rock properties. The primary purpose of this Society for Organic Petrology (TSOP) subcommittee is to contribute to the standardization of kerogen characterization methods. Specific objectives include: (1) evaluation of the applications of different organic matter (petrographic) classifications and terminology, and (2) integration of petrographic and geochemical results. These objectives were met by completing questionnaires, and petrographic, geochemical and photomicrograph round-robin exercises. Samples that were selected for this study represent different petrographic and geochemical properties, and geologic settings to help identify issues related to the utilization of different classifications and techniques. Petrographic analysis of the organic matter was completed using both a prescribed classification and the individual classification normally used by each participant. Total organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval pyrolysis and elemental analysis were also completed for each sample. Significant differences exist in the petrographic results from both the prescribed and individual classifications. Although there is general agreement about the oil- vs gas-prone nature of the samples, comparison of results from individual classifications is difficult due to the variety of nomenclature and methods used to describe an organic matter assemblage. Results from the photomicrograph exercise document that different terminology is being used to describe the same component. Although variation in TOC and Rock-Eval data exists, geochemical results define kerogen type and generative potential. Recommendations from this study include: (1) A uniform organic matter classification must be employed, which eliminates complex terminology and is capable of direct correlation with geochemical parameters. (2) A standardized definition and nomenclature must be used for the unstructured (amorphous) organic matter category. Subdivisions of this generalized amorphous category are needed to define its chemical and environmental properties. (3) Standardized techniques including multimode illumination, types of sample preparations and data reporting will help eliminate variability in the type and amount of organic components reported

Invisible Author/Visible Predator

(Statement of Responsibility) by Jessica Cardott(Thesis) Thesis (B.A.) -- New College of Florida, 2008(Electronic Access) RESTRICTED TO NCF STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY, AND ON-CAMPUS USE(Bibliography) Includes bibliographical references.(Source of Description) This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.(Local) Faculty Sponsor: Reid, Am

Application of organic petrography in North American shale petroleum systems: A review

AbstractOrganic petrography via incident light microscopy has broad application to shale petroleum systems, including delineation of thermal maturity windows and determination of organo-facies. Incident light microscopy allows practitioners the ability to identify various types of organic components and demonstrates that solid bitumen is the dominant organic matter occurring in shale plays of peak oil and gas window thermal maturity, whereas oil-prone Type I/II kerogens have converted to hydrocarbons and are not present. High magnification SEM observation of an interconnected organic porosity occurring in the solid bitumen of thermally mature shale reservoirs has enabled major advances in our understanding of hydrocarbon migration and storage in shale, but suffers from inability to confirm the type of organic matter present. Herein we review organic petrography applications in the North American shale plays through discussion of incident light photographic examples. In the first part of the manuscript we provide basic practical information on the measurement of organic reflectance and outline fluorescence microscopy and other petrographic approaches to the determination of thermal maturity. In the second half of the paper we discuss applications of organic petrography and SEM in all of the major shale petroleum systems in North America including tight oil plays such as the Bakken, Eagle Ford and Niobrara, and shale gas and condensate plays including the Barnett, Duvernay, Haynesville-Bossier, Marcellus, Utica, and Woodford, among others. Our review suggests systematic research employing correlative high resolution imaging techniques and in situ geochemical probing is needed to better document hydrocarbon storage, migration and wettability properties of solid bitumen at the pressure and temperature conditions of shale reservoirs