Petrographic Thermal Indices Research
A petrographic thermal index is typically an organic matter indicator in sedimentary rocks that allows for estimations of burial temperature. Petrographic thermal indices include the commonly used proxy vitrinite reflectance as well as other approaches such as solid bitumen reflectance, fluorescence, micro-Raman, and micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. Measurements from these approaches can be used to estimate the thermal maturity of organic matter, which in turn can lead to improved predictions of undiscovered hydrocarbon resource volumes, petroleum system properties, and calibration of burial history models.
These various petrographic thermal indices differ in their responses to temperature stress and are sometimes limited in their application to certain rock types. Correlations among thermal indices have also historically been poorly documented or misapplied. Thus, additional investigations of the physical and chemical evolution of sedimentary and organic matter during burial and heating are required to better develop and refine petrographic thermal indices. This work improves the assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources in the United States, which is a central mission of the Energy Resources Program. Improved understanding of petrographic thermal indices can also be used in organic petrology investigations, which include environmental studies that investigate paleoclimate conditions and anthropogenic contaminant research.
Research Geologist | Paul C. Hackley | phackley@usgs.gov | 703-648-6458 |
Physical Science Technician | Javin J. Hatcherian | jhatcherian@usgs.gov | 703-648-6455 |
Research Geologist | Celeste D. Lohr | clohr@usgs.gov | 703-648-6438 |
Research Geologist | Ryan J. McAleer | rmcaleer@usgs.gov | 703-648-6052 |
Physical Scientist | Jennifer L. Nedzweckas | jlrivera@usgs.gov | 703-648-6449 |
Research Geologist | Margaret M. Sanders | msanders@usgs.gov | 703-648-6427 |
Research Scientist | Clinton Scott | clintonscott@usgs.gov | 703-648-6329 |
Physical Scientist | Rebecca A. Smith | rsmith@usgs.gov | 703-648-6433 |
Physical Scientist | Brett J. Valentine | bvalentine@usgs.gov | 703-648-6480 |
Listed below are other science projects or tasks associated with this project.
Listed below are data products associated with this project.
USGS Gulf Coast Source Rock Database (ver. 2.0, October 2023)
Nanoscale Molecular Composition of Solid Bitumen from the Eagle Ford Group Across a Natural Thermal Maturity Gradient
Petroleum geology data from Cenozoic rock samples in the eastern U.S. Gulf Coast collected 2014 to 2016
Petroleum geology data from Mesozoic rock samples in the eastern U.S. Gulf Coast collected 2011 to 2017
Listed below are publications associated with this project.
The Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Working Group of the ICCP: Final report 2021
New insights into organic matter accumulation from high-resolution geochemical analysis of a black shale: Middle and Upper Devonian Horn River Group, Canada
Vitrinite reflectance analysis
Hydrous pyrolysis of New Albany Shale: A study examining maturation changes and porosity development
Compositional evolution of organic matter in Boquillas Shale across a thermal gradient at the single particle level
Meter-scale lithofacies cycle and controls on variations in oil saturation, Wolfcamp A, Delaware and Midland Basins
An integrated geochemical, spectroscopic, and petrographic approach to examining the producibility of hydrocarbons from liquids-rich unconventional formations
Organo-facies and mineral effects on sorption capacity of low-maturity Permian Barakar shales from the Auranga Basin, Jharkhand, India
A review of spatially resolved techniques and applications of organic petrography in shale petroleum systems
Investigating the effects of broad ion beam milling to sedimentary organic matter: Surface flattening or heat-induced aromatization and condensation?
Nanoscale molecular composition of solid bitumen from the Eagle Ford Group across a natural thermal maturity gradient
Listed below are online interactive applications associated with this project.
Listed below are partners who collaborate on work performed within this project.
A petrographic thermal index is typically an organic matter indicator in sedimentary rocks that allows for estimations of burial temperature. Petrographic thermal indices include the commonly used proxy vitrinite reflectance as well as other approaches such as solid bitumen reflectance, fluorescence, micro-Raman, and micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. Measurements from these approaches can be used to estimate the thermal maturity of organic matter, which in turn can lead to improved predictions of undiscovered hydrocarbon resource volumes, petroleum system properties, and calibration of burial history models.
These various petrographic thermal indices differ in their responses to temperature stress and are sometimes limited in their application to certain rock types. Correlations among thermal indices have also historically been poorly documented or misapplied. Thus, additional investigations of the physical and chemical evolution of sedimentary and organic matter during burial and heating are required to better develop and refine petrographic thermal indices. This work improves the assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources in the United States, which is a central mission of the Energy Resources Program. Improved understanding of petrographic thermal indices can also be used in organic petrology investigations, which include environmental studies that investigate paleoclimate conditions and anthropogenic contaminant research.
Research Geologist | Paul C. Hackley | phackley@usgs.gov | 703-648-6458 |
Physical Science Technician | Javin J. Hatcherian | jhatcherian@usgs.gov | 703-648-6455 |
Research Geologist | Celeste D. Lohr | clohr@usgs.gov | 703-648-6438 |
Research Geologist | Ryan J. McAleer | rmcaleer@usgs.gov | 703-648-6052 |
Physical Scientist | Jennifer L. Nedzweckas | jlrivera@usgs.gov | 703-648-6449 |
Research Geologist | Margaret M. Sanders | msanders@usgs.gov | 703-648-6427 |
Research Scientist | Clinton Scott | clintonscott@usgs.gov | 703-648-6329 |
Physical Scientist | Rebecca A. Smith | rsmith@usgs.gov | 703-648-6433 |
Physical Scientist | Brett J. Valentine | bvalentine@usgs.gov | 703-648-6480 |
Listed below are other science projects or tasks associated with this project.
Listed below are data products associated with this project.
USGS Gulf Coast Source Rock Database (ver. 2.0, October 2023)
Nanoscale Molecular Composition of Solid Bitumen from the Eagle Ford Group Across a Natural Thermal Maturity Gradient
Petroleum geology data from Cenozoic rock samples in the eastern U.S. Gulf Coast collected 2014 to 2016
Petroleum geology data from Mesozoic rock samples in the eastern U.S. Gulf Coast collected 2011 to 2017
Listed below are publications associated with this project.
The Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Working Group of the ICCP: Final report 2021
New insights into organic matter accumulation from high-resolution geochemical analysis of a black shale: Middle and Upper Devonian Horn River Group, Canada
Vitrinite reflectance analysis
Hydrous pyrolysis of New Albany Shale: A study examining maturation changes and porosity development
Compositional evolution of organic matter in Boquillas Shale across a thermal gradient at the single particle level
Meter-scale lithofacies cycle and controls on variations in oil saturation, Wolfcamp A, Delaware and Midland Basins
An integrated geochemical, spectroscopic, and petrographic approach to examining the producibility of hydrocarbons from liquids-rich unconventional formations
Organo-facies and mineral effects on sorption capacity of low-maturity Permian Barakar shales from the Auranga Basin, Jharkhand, India
A review of spatially resolved techniques and applications of organic petrography in shale petroleum systems
Investigating the effects of broad ion beam milling to sedimentary organic matter: Surface flattening or heat-induced aromatization and condensation?
Nanoscale molecular composition of solid bitumen from the Eagle Ford Group across a natural thermal maturity gradient
Listed below are online interactive applications associated with this project.
Listed below are partners who collaborate on work performed within this project.