Techniques and Methods of Organic Geochemistry as Applied to Petroleum Exploration

Abstract

 The organic geochemistry, with the passage of time has evolved as a useful approach to exploration for oil and gas. The paper describes the general principle of organic geochemistry, as applied to oil and gas exploration and prospect evaluation. The concept and the techniques are presented in considerable detail. The basic techniques / methods used to identify and evaluate the potential source rocks with respect to the organic richness, quality of organic matter and various stages of thermal maturation are also highlighted. The most common techniques used are organic carbon, pyrolysis, hydrocarbon extraction, gas chromatography, vitrinite reflectance and mass spectrometry for the source rock analysis, crude oil analysis and oil-source rock correlation studies.