A FLUORESCENCE ALTERATION OF MULTIPLE MACERALS (FAMM) STUDY OF NETHERLANDS COALS WITH NORMAL AND DEVIATING VITRINITE REFLECTANCE

Suites of well-characterised Westphalian coals from The Netherlands wi th ''normal'' and ''deviating'' vitrinite reflectance have been examin ed by the FAMM (fluorescence alteration of multiple macerals) techniqu e. The fluorescence alteration characteristics of the ''normal'' Nethe rlands coals change with rank in a similar manner to ''normal'' Austra lian Permian coals, except that the telovitrinites of the Netherlands coals appear to be relatively more perhydrous. This difference is also apparent in a comparison of Rock-Eval hydrogen index values. A fluore scence alteration diagram has been calibrated for the Netherlands Carb oniferous from which accurate equivalent vitrinite reflectance values can be obtained, as well as suppression corrections for measured vitri nite reflectances. However, the errors in using the equivalent Austral ian Permian diagram for the determination of the suppression correctio n are small (less than or equal to 0.05% absolute). The well Hengeveld e-1 is used as an example to illustrate how corrections may be made to perhydrous samples with ''deviating'' vitrinite reflectance for matur ation assessment in petroleum exploration. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science L td.