Rock-Eval pyrolysis is used to rapidly evaluate the petroleum-generative potential and thermal maturity of rocks. Accurate conclusions require programs every 30-60 ft (9-18 m), understanding of interpretive pitfalls, and supporting data, such as visual kerogen, vitrinite reflectance, and elemental analyses.

The generative potential of coals is commonly overestimated by pyrolysis and is best determined by elemental analysis and organic petrography. Most coals show high S2/S3 (>5) and low HI values (< 300 mg HC/g TOC). Migrated oil and mud additives, which alter Rock-Eval data, can sometimes be removed by special processing. For immature rocks, bimodal S2 peaks and PI values over 0.2 indicate contamination.

Pyrolysis downgrades organic-poor, clay-rich rocks, which show lower HI and higher T_max values than isolated kerogen because of adsorption of pyrolyzate on the clays. T_max values for small S2 peaks (< 0.2 mg HC/g TOC) are unreliable. T_max is affected by maturation, organic matter type, contamination, and the mineral matrix.

S3 is sensitive to inorganic and adsorbed carbon dioxide, and to instrumentation problems. Acidification of carbonate-rich samples and proper maintenance improves S3 measurement.

Constant sample weights (100 mg) are recommended. Below a threshold weight, T_max increases by up to 10°C, and other parameters decrease. Organic-rich samples, which overload the detector, can be diluted with carbonate. Detector linearity is determined by pyrolyzing various weights of an organic-rich rock.