Maturity of Menilite Shales from Polish Outer Carpathians based on vitrinite reflectance and Rock-Eval pyrolysis data

Abstract

Maturity of organic matter is one of the most important parameters characterizing the source rock. The maturation process depends on organic matter properties (kinetic parameters of kerogen) and burial history (temperature and time). The vitrinite reflectance measurements and Rock-Eval pyrolysis are widely used to characterize the maturity of organic matter occurring in the source rock. The purpose of the present study is to determine the thermal maturity of organic material present in Oligocene Menilite Shales from Polish Outer Carpathians based on vitrinite reflectance and Rock-Eval pyrolysis data. These organic-rich rocks are considered as a main source of oils accumulated in Outer Carpathian sequence (Kotarba & Kołtun 2006).