MATURITY OF ORGANIC MAITER IN THE JURASSIC OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND AND ITS RELATION TO THE BURIAL HISTORY OF THE SEDIMENTS

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Abstract
An investigation of the maturity levels of organic matter in the major potential Jurassic hydrocarbon source rock units in Southern England (i.e. the Lower Lias, Oxford Clay and Kimmeridge Clay) using sporomorph colouration and alkane distribution patterns shows that the Oxford Clay and the Kimmeridge Clay organic materials are immature in most parts of the area. They are mature only in the central parts of the Mesozoic Wealden Basin.The distribution of mature Lower Lias sections is found to be more extensive. Attempted reconstruction of the burial histories of Jurassic sections across Southern England, and the application of the Lopatin method of theoretical organic maturity prediction, seem to support the observed maturity trends and suggest that the present maturity levels of Jurassic organic matter at any given locality are dependent on the structural development of that area through time.