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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Journal of Petroleum Geology

Abstract

Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 289-324, 1989

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

PRIMARY PETROLEUM MIGRATION FROM SHALES WITH OXYGEN-RICH ORGANIC MATTER

L. C. Price*

* US Geological Survey, PO Box 25046, MS 940, Denver Federal Center. Denver, CO 80225, USA.

Abstract

The mechanism of primary petroleum migration (PPM) is no better understood today than 20 years ago. Serious unanswered problems exist with the popular model of monophasic or "bulk-phase" PPM from shales with oxygen-rich organic matter (OM). Among these problems are: (1) How are molecularly dispersed hydrocarbons (HCs) gathered and concentrated into microdroplets and/or filaments for migration? (2) How are astronomical capillary-displacement pressures overcome at the low burial temperatures (50° to 60°C) over which bulk-phase migration mechanisms have been proposed to operate? (3) What accounts for the significant compositional differences between crude oils and shale bitumen?

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