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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 69 (1985)

Issue: 1. (January)

First Page: 142

Last Page: 142

Title: Petroleum Source Rock Potential of Arbuckle and Ellenburger Groups, Oklahoma and North Texas: ABSTRACT

Author(s): Lynn Cardwell

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

Oil and gas have been produced from the Cambro-Ordovician Arbuckle and Ellenburger Groups in Oklahoma and Texas for more than 50 years, but as yet no studies have addressed the question of petroleum source beds within these units. The solution of this problem is important in determining whether significant petroleum accumulations can be expected to be found deep within this thick and relatively unexplored section of carbonate rocks.

Detailed studies of the composition of oils produced from Arbuckle fields compared with those from Pennsylvanian fields show no discernible differences. These studies, which include determination of the composition of gasoline-range and C15+ saturate hydrocarbons and also saturate/aromatic/asphaltic ratios, strongly suggest that very similar source beds generated all the oils. Similar analyses of the bitumen present in nonreservoir Arbuckle and Ellenburger rocks show that very distinct differences exist between the oils and the rock bitumens. Arbuckle and Ellenburger rocks apparently were not the source beds for any of the oils investigated in this study.

Further studies of thermal maturity and organic richness of Arbuckle and Ellenburger rocks by use of pyrolysis-gas chromatographic methods reveal that this part of the section is thermally mature, and has generated at least some hydrocarbons; however, hydrocarbon and organic carbon contents are very low, indicating that commercially significant amounts of petroleum have not been generated or expelled. The lack of adequate amounts of organic matter is interpreted to be the reason that these rocks have not acted as significant petroleum sources. Based on this geochemical evidence, other, younger, rocks have generated the oils found in the Arbuckle and Ellenburger Groups.

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