Anatomy of a Petroleum Source Rock

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Katie Heckman
EQT
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Timothy Vance
Consol Energy
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Shell Appalachia
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Schlumberger
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Mountaineer Keystone
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Schlumberger
Matt Weinreich
Vista Resources
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PAPG Dinner Meeting
Thursday March 19th, 2015
Anatomy of a Petroleum Source Rock
Barry Jay Katz
AAPG J. Ben Carsey Distinguished Lecturer
Abstract
With the growing global attention in shale gas and shale oil plays
there has been a renewed interest in source rock geochemistry.
This has resulted in a number of key questions concerning source
characterization, including: 1) how much internal variability might
be anticipated; 2) what is the potential impact of the variability on
resource assessment; and 3) how best may a source be sampled to
"fully" understand its variability? These questions were examined,
in part, through the detailed sampling of the Kimmeridge Clay at
the type locality. A representation of variability was obtained from
basic source rock data collected on fresh outcrop samples. Total
organic carbon contents, for this world-class source rock, varied
between 0.88 and 21.35 wt.%, with a mean of 9.13 wt.%. Samples
with greater than 1.0 wt.% TOC had total pyrolysis yields ranging
between 6.31 and 126.65 mg HC/g rock, with a mean of 54.16 mg
HC/g rock. Hydrogen index values ranged from 240 to 611 mg HC/g
TOC, with a mean of 516 mg HC/g TOC. Even these ranges do not
fully capture the variability of the source, if data from elsewhere in
the North Sea region are included. For example, TOC values
exceeding 40 wt% have been measured. Although the hydrogen
index values suggested similar liquid hydrocarbon products at
Kimmeridge Bay across the outcrop the variability across the North
Sea suggests that there are regions that are more gas-prone
character. The differences in organic carbon content and
hydrocarbon yields, which range by more than an order of
magnitude, would have direct impact on estimates of both…
Abstract cntd…
conventional and unconventional resources, if assessments were based on individual
discrete samples. Discrete sampling either from an outcrop or a core commonly results in
bias. Historically, these biases have been skewed toward the more organically enriched
samples. This can be overcome through an increase in the number of samples and the
incorporation of lithologic information, so that weighted averages can be generated to
obtain a better representation of the unit. The analysis of cuttings samples introduces a
different suite of problems, associated with representativeness and positioning. Regional
variation also needs to be incorporated through an examination of the depositional systems
of the unit, ensuring that the key environments are sampled accounting for the impact of
factors such as sedimentary dilution, influence of storms, and oxygen content of the water
column.
Biography
Barry is a Chevron Fellow and team leader for hydrocarbon charge in Chevron’s Energy
Technology Company. He received his B.S. in geology from Brooklyn College in 1974 and his
Ph.D. from the University of Miami in 1979 in marine geology and geophysics.
After receiving his doctorate, Barry joined Texaco’s Bellaire Research Center where he held
numerous technical and supervisory positions. He continued with Chevron after the merger
in 2001, where he has been part of Chevron’s Energy Technology Company. His work has
focused on petroleum systems, lacustrine basins and the applications of geochemistry to
petroleum exploration and development. He has been engaged in both research and
technical support activities and has worked in approximately 50 basins on six continents.
Barry has authored more than 75 peer-reviewed papers and has edited five books. He
serves on the editorial boards of four journals, including the AAPG Bulletin as Senior
Associate Editor and as Editor-in-Chief of The Open Geology Journal. He has been chairman
of IODP’s Environmental Protection and Safety Panel for the past decade and serves on the
AAPG Research Committee. His honors include being named a Chevron Fellow, Honorary
AAPG Member, recipient of AAPG’s Robert H. Dott, Sr. Memorial Award, AAPG’s
Distinguished Service Award, and Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorations’ Best
Presentation Award. He served as Elected Editor for the Houston Geological Society and as
President of HGS.
Meeting Details & Reservations
Date March 19th, 2015 Location Cefalo’s Banquet & Event Center , 428 Washington Ave,
Carnegie, PA 15106. Tel: 412-276-6600 Time 5:00pm Social Hour , 6:00pm Dinner Buffet ,
7:00pm Speaker
Cost
$35 Paid in advance , $40.00 Paid at the door, $10.00 Students (Checks payable to PAPG)
E-mail your reservation request to Timothy Vance [email protected] OR visit the
PAPG website at http://www.papgrocks.org/sign_up.html to register using PayPal or your
credit card
Upcoming PAPG event
Upcoming PAPG event
Please mark your diaries for the 2015 PAPG Field trip to be led by Dr Carl Brett of
the University of Cincinnati. We will travel to Ohio the afternoon of May 13th to
study outcrops of the Utica and Point Pleasant formations beginning the
following morning. The field group will travel back Saturday May 16th. Further
details of the trip will be sent to the PAPG membership including sign up
instructions soon.
Calendar of events
3rd:
March
Recent Trends in Design and Acquisition, Stuart A. Wright, Dawson Geophysical Company,
Cefalo's, Carnegie, PA 5pm.
March 12th: HAGS Meeting 4pm – 8pm, Harrisburg, PA
Description - Dr. Jennifer Elick - Susquehanna University
March 18th: PGS monthly meeting - "Factors controlling karst development in the Great Valley of
Maryland“, David K. Brezinski Ph.D., Appalachian Stratigrapher/Paleontologist, Maryland Geologic Survey
March 23rd-24th: Reservoir Characterization And Production Properties of Source Rock Reservoirs. Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Description - This course is an introductory course in shale reservoir evaluation. It includes
reservoir geology in terms of depositional facies, mineralogy, fractures, and rock type delineation.
March 30th: Workshop titled: “Optimizing the Use of Geophysical Data” offered by THG Geophysics, Comfort
Inn Conference Center, 699 Rodi Road, Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Description - This workshop is a clientoriented seminar focused on helping the end users of geophysical surveys to optimize the results of
geophysical surveys on their projects. Join colleagues in geological, environmental, engineering,
construction and archaeological fields as we discuss ways to improve your use of geophysical surveys on
your projects. The workshop will review the theory, processing, and applications of commonly used
geophysical techniques. A special emphasis will made to help you understand the advantages, and
limitations of different techniques. Finally, we will focus on geophysical data interpretation and the
assumptions involved; helping you to become more knowledgeable with reported datasets and how best to
utilize them.
It will be an 8 credit hour workshop. Registration is $300, and includes a continental breakfast and lunch
with coffee breaks. If you are interested in participating, please contact Kate McKinley at THG Geophysics at
(724) 325-3996 or email at [email protected].
March 31: PCPG Annual Meeting, 11:30 AM - 6:30 PM, Holiday Inn Harrisburg East, 4751 Lindle Road,
Harrisburg, PA
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The PAPG 2014-15 Committee
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