Stratigraphic and geographic distribution of possible Rocky Mountain source rocks determine which stratigraphic sequences in each geologic province might be considered "hydrocarbon machines" or generation-accumulation cells. Knowledge of source rock facies distribution enables the explorationist to: (1) understand local, regional, and global depositional frameworks, (2) construct useful models of burial history and maturation patterns, (3) reconstruct the most likely migration pathways, (4) correlate these facies to hydrocarbons reservoired in known accumulations, and (5) efficiently explore for undiscovered accumulations. Source rock distribution must be integrated with evaluation of reservoir, seal, and trap distribution as well as with changes in heat flow, diagenesis, tectonics, hydrodynamics, and burial history through time.

The significance of Rocky Mountain source rock facies can be evaluated in terms of the number of accumulations and volume of reserves attributable to each. Unproven source rock facies are evaluated by high-lighting their potential based on their geochemical characteristics.

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