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GEOREF RECORD

Modeling oil generation with time-temperature index graphs based on the Arrhenius equation

John M. Hunt, M. D. Lewan and R. J. C. Hennet
Modeling oil generation with time-temperature index graphs based on the Arrhenius equation
AAPG Bulletin (April 1991) 75 (4): 795-807

Abstract

The time and depth of oil generation from petroleum source rocks containing type II kerogens can be determined using time-temperature index (TTI) graphs based on the Arrhenius equation. Activation energies (E) and frequency factors (A) used in the Arrhenius equation were obtained from hydrous pyrolysis experiments on rock samples in which the kerogens represent the range of type II kerogen compositions encountered in most petroleum basins. The E and A values obtained were used to construct graphs that define the beginning and end of oil generation for most type II kerogens having chemical compositions in the range of these standards. Activation energies of these standard kerogens vary inversely with their sulfur content. The kerogen with the highest sulfur content had the lowest lvalue and was the fastest in generating oil, whereas the kerogen with the lowest sulfur content had the highest E value and was the slowest in generating oil. These standard kerogens were designated as types IIA, B, C, and D on the basis of decreasing sulfur content and corresponding increasing time-temperature requirements for generating oil. The Sigma TTIARR values determined graphically with these type II kerogen standards in two basin models were compared with a computer calculation using 2000 increments. The graphical method came within +/- 3% of the computer calculation. As type II kerogens are the major oil generators in the world, these graphs should have wide application in making preliminary evaluations of the depth of the oil window in exploration areas.


ISSN: 0149-1423
EISSN: 1558-9153
Coden: AABUD2
Serial Title: AAPG Bulletin
Serial Volume: 75
Serial Issue: 4
Title: Modeling oil generation with time-temperature index graphs based on the Arrhenius equation
Affiliation: Woods Hole Oceanogr. Inst., Woods Hole, MA, United States
Pages: 795-807
Published: 199104
Text Language: English
Publisher: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa, OK, United States
References: 38
Accession Number: 1991-036473
Categories: Economic geology, geology of energy sources
Document Type: Serial
Bibliographic Level: Analytic
Illustration Description: illus. incl. 5 tables
N51°00'00" - N61°10'00", W04°00'00" - E11°00'00"
N41°00'00" - N45°00'00", W111°04'60" - W104°04'60"
Secondary Affiliation: Amoco Prod. Co., USA, United StatesS. S. Papadopulos & Assoc., USA, United States
Country of Publication: United States
Secondary Affiliation: GeoRef, Copyright 2019, American Geosciences Institute.
Update Code: 1991
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