SPECIFIC GRAVITY AS A KEROGEN TYPE AND MATURATION INDICATOR WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO AMORPHOUS KEROGENS

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Abstract
Mineral‐free kerogen concentrates have been fractionated into their components by the use of differential and sequential gravity separation methods. The density of each component within a kerogen depends upon its chemical composition which is a function of the original organic matter and its level of organic maturation.The mineral‐free kerogen concentrates were analysed for the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and these results, combined with visual kerogen examination, allowed estimations of kerogen type and degree of maturation to be made.The separation procedure also allows the composition of the sedimentary organic matter to be assessed and thus, with the knowledge of the level of maturity and the possible convertibility of each component into fluid hydrocarbons, a more accurate assessment of the hydrocarbon potential of the kerogen can be obtained.The quantity of unproductive carbon can be identified by density separation, and the different types of amorphous kerogen can also be identified and separated by means of this method. The oil‐prone amorphous kerogens have lower specific gravities than the amorphous gas‐prone material.