THE DETERMINATION OF THE PETROLEUM POTENTIALS OF TERRESTRIAL SOURCE ROCKS

Primary terrestrially-derived crude oils from Australia and China are characterized by ratios of normal to total alkanes in the range 0.20-0 .56 and by a maximum non-alkane content of 60% by wt. Biodegraded crud e oils are readily distinguished by these parameters. Evaluation by th e same parameters of the products of pyrolysis or extraction of source rocks allows a rapid and simple estimation of the maximum petroleum p otentials of the rocks to be made. The advantage of the method is that only a knowledge of the easily determined normal and total alkane con tents of the products are required. The construction of a prospectivit y chart and the application of this novel procedure to the evaluation of hydrous pyrolysates are demonstrated.