ROCK-EVAL 6 APPLICATIONS IN OIL CONTAMINATION STUDIES

Successful petroleum exploration relies on detailed analysis of the petroleum system in agiven area. Identification of potential source rocks, their maturity and kinetic parameters, and theirregional distribution is best accomplished by rapid screening of rock samples (cores and/or cuttings)using the Rock-Eval apparatus. The technique has been routinely used for about fifteen years and hasbecome a standard tool for hydrocarbon exploration. This paper describes how Rock Eval 6 pyrolysis isused to identify the type and maturity of organic matter and to detect petroleum potential in sediments.Rock Eval pyrolysis is done using the Delsi-Nermag Rock Eval II Plus TOC module. Samples chosen tobe measured on the Rock Eval are usually subsampled from the freeze-dried material previously crushedfor analyses on the coulometer and CNS.

Keywords:

Rock Eval 6 , source rock characterization , oil contamination