Simulation of transformations of organic matter into hydrothermal petroleum (A review)

The routes of transformation of organic matter into hydrothermal petroleum, reactions of model compounds in water at elevated pressures and temperatur es, and experiments on hydrous pyrolysis of carbonaceous sedimentary rocks are surveyed. Studies on the primary hydrothermal alteration of sapropelite kerogen in conjunction with solving the problem of its origin are deemed t o have promise.