![Sample our Earth Sciences journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5930/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Earth-Sciences.jpg"})
Summary
Determining the amount and geochemistry of organic matter in rocks is an important and essential step of hydrocarbon resource development. Despite extensive publications there still is a need for improved analytical methods for source rock evaluation and characterisation. Techniques based on infrared and Raman spectroscopy are promising in terms of providing qualitative and quantitative information on carbonaceous materials. However, the application of these methods for routinely determining parameters relevant to the organic geochemistry of petroleum systems has not been thoroughly addressed. The objective of this research is to evaluate the reliability of vibrational spectroscopic techniques for understanding the organic composition and geochemistry of shale rocks. It has been shown that infrared and Raman spectroscopy can be used to derive a number of important parameters such as the hydrocarbon generating potential, thermal maturity and total organic carbon.