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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 80 (1996)

Issue: 4. (April)

First Page: 531

Last Page: 544

Title: Previous HitElasticNext Hit Anisotropy of Source Rocks: Implications for Hydrocarbon Generation and Primary Migration

Author(s): Lev Vernik (2), Charles Landis (3)

Abstract:

We combined acoustic velocities and anisotropy measurements with x-ray diffraction mineralogy, Rock-Eval organic geochemical analyses, vitrinite reflectance, and scanning electron microscope observations on 69 cores of hydrocarbon source rocks collected from eight sedimentary basins. The velocity data indicate the lamellar distribution of solid organic matter (kerogen) in compacted black shales and show a strong correlation between their Previous HitelasticNext Hit anisotropy and organic richness. The experimental results are consistent with the two-component anisotropic model of black shales with a continuous kerogen network in both bedding-parallel and bedding-normal directions beginning from relatively low TOC values. The strong Previous HitelasticNext Hit anisotropy of tight, thermally mature source rocks i further enhanced by overpressure-induced bedding-subparallel microcrack development during the main stage of hydrocarbon (HC) generation and primary migration at R0 greater than 0.75%. In agreement with published petrographic observations, these microcracks significantly aid primary HC migration, particularly horizontally. Previous HitElasticNext Hit anisotropy of medium- to high-porosity illite/smectite shales is weaker than in lower porosity, predominantly illite shales; however, the overall positive trend of Previous HitelasticTop anisotropy with kerogen content remains unchanged.

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