ORGANIC PETROLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF WESTPHALIAN COALS FROM THE NETHERLANDS - CORRELATION BETWEEN TMAX, VITRINITE REFLECTANCE AND HYDROGEN INDEX

Maceral analyses, Tmax, hydrogen index, and vitrinite reflectance meas urements have been carried out on a large set of Westphalian coal samp les from cored wells situated in The Netherlands. Generalized maceral group analyses indicate substantial differences between the sedimentar y regimes in the vicinity of the Variscan deformation belt and more di stal areas. The hydrogen index of the coals from these different sedim entation areas is also significantly different. The apparent variation of Tmax-vitrinite reflectance correlations are discussed in relation to maceral group composition and hydrocarbon generation during maturat ion. The correlation between both maturity parameters is compared with literature data. The differences between our maturity data and publis hed data are significant. These differences are quantified and illustr ated by geological reconstructions of the South Limburg area (The Neth erlands). It is demonstrated that the use of generalized correlation s chemes for the purpose of geological modeling may lead to a misinterpr etation of the geological history.