Rock-Eval Pyrolysis

Selected References - revised November, 2009

   These bibliographic references have been compiled as a TSOP project, and organic petrologists have found the references to be useful in their work. They should be available at university or geological research center libraries. They are not available from TSOP, except for those listed on our Publications page, or as part of the TSOP Newsletter.

Akande, S.O., O.J. Ojo, B.D. Erdtmann, and M. Hetenyi, 1998, Paleoenvironments, source rock potential and thermal maturity of the Upper Benue rift basins, Nigeria: implications for hydrocarbon exploration: Organic Geochemistry, v. 29, p. 531-542.

Akinlua, A., T.R. Ajayi, D.M. Jarvie, and B.B. Adeleke, 2005, A re-appraisal of the application of Rock-Eval pyrolysis to source rock studies in the Niger Delta: Journal of Petroleum Geology, v. 28, p. 39-47.

Anders, D., 1991, Geochemical exploration methods, in R.K. Merrill, ed., Source and migration processes and evaluation techniques: AAPG Treatise of Petroleum Geology, Handbook of Petroleum Geology, p. 89-95.

Banerjee, A., A.K. Sinha, A.K. Jain, N.J. Thomas, K.N. Misra, and K. Chandra, 1998, A mathematical representation of Rock-Eval hydrogen index vs Tmax profiles: Organic Geochemistry, v. 28, p. 43-55.

Baskin, D.K., 1997, Atomic H/C ratio of kerogen as an estimate of thermal maturity and organic matter conversion: AAPG Bulletin, v. 81, p. 1437-1450.

Baskin, D.K., 2001, Comparison between atomic H/C and Rock-Eval Hydrogen Index as an indicator of organic matter quality, in C.M. Isaacs and J. Rullkötter, eds., The Monterey Formation from rocks to molecules: New York, Columbia University Press, p. 230-240.

Behar, F., V. Beaumont, B. De, and H.L. Penteado, 2001, Rock-Eval 6 technology: performances and developments: Oil & Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP 56, p. 111-134.

Bertrand, P., 1984, Geochemical and petrographic characterization of humic coals considered as possible oil source rocks: Organic Geochemistry, v. 6, p. 481-488. (Ro vs. Tmax for coal)

Bertrand, R., and M. Malo, 2001, Source rock analysis, thermal maturation and hydrocarbon generation in the Siluro-Devonian rocks of the Gaspé Belt basin, Canada: Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, v. 49, p. 238-261. (new calibration of collotelinite, chitinozoans, and solid bitumen)

Bordenave, M.L., J. Espitalie, J. Leplat, J.L. Oudin, and M. Vandenbroucke, 1993, Screening techniques for source rock evaluation, in M.L. Bordenave, ed., Applied petroleum geochemistry: Paris, Editions Technip, p. 217-278. (Rock-Eval, p. 237-255)

Bostick, N.H., and T.A. Daws, 1994, Relationships between data from Rock-Eval pyrolysis and proximate, ultimate, petrographic, and physical analyses of 142 diverse U.S. coal samples: Organic Geochemistry, v. 21, p. 35-49.

Brosse, E., and A.Y. Huc, 1986, Organic parameters as indicators of thermal evolution in the Viking Graben, in J. Burrus, ed., Thermal modeling in sedimentary basins: Paris, Editions Technip, Collection Colloques et Seminaires, v. 44, p. 517-530. (use of Tmax, p. 523-528)

Burkley, L.A., and J.R. Castano, 1985, Alaska North Slope oil-source rock correlation study, in L.B. Magoon and G.E. Claypool, eds., Alaska North Slope oil/rock correlation study: AAPG Studies in Geology 20, p. 95-121.

Clementz, D.M., 1979, Effect of oil and bitumen saturation on source-rock pyrolysis: AAPG Bulletin, v. 63, p. 2227-2232.

Copard, Y., J.R. Disnar, and J.F. Becq-Giraudon, 2002, Erroneous maturity assessment given by Tmax and HI Rock-Eval parameters on highly mature weathered coals: International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 49, p. 57-65.

Cornford, C., P. Gardner, and C. Burgess, 1998, Geochemical truths in large data sets. I: Geochemical screening data: Organic Geochemistry, v. 29, p. 519-530.

Dahl, B., J. Bojesen-Koefoed, A. Holm, H. Justwan, E. Rasmussen, and E. Thomsen, 2004, A new approach to interpreting Rock-Eval S2 and TOC data for kerogen quality assessment: Organic Geochemistry, v. 35, p. 1461-1477.

Davis, J.B., and J.P. Stanley, 1982, Catalytic effect of smectite clays in hydrocarbon generation revealed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography: Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, v. 4, p. 227-240.

Delvaux, D., H. Martin, P. Leplat, and J. Paulet, 1990, Comparative Rock-Eval pyrolysis as an improved tool for sedimentary organic matter analysis: Organic Geochemistry, v. 16, p. 1221-1229.

Dembicki, H., Jr., B. Horsfield, and T.T.Y. Ho, 1983, Source rock evaluation by pyrolysis gas chromatography: AAPG Bulletin, v. 67, p. 1094-1103.

Dembicki, H., Jr., 1992, The effects of the mineral matrix on the determination of kinetic parameters using modified Rock-Eval pyrolysis: Organic Geochemistry, v. 18, p. 531-539.

Dembicki, H., Jr., 2009, Three common source rock evaluation errors made by geologists during prospect or play appraisals: AAPG Bulletin, v. 93, p. 341-356.

Dewing, K., and H. Sanei, 2009, Analysis of large thermal maturity datasets: Examples from the Canadian Arctic Islands: International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 77, p. 436-448.

Durand, B., and M. Paratte, 1983, Oil potential of coals: a geochemical approach, in J. Brooks, ed., Petroleum geochemistry and exploration of Europe: Boston, Blackwell Scientific Publications, The Geological Society, Special Publication 12, p. 255-265. (Tmax vs. Ro, p. 264)

Espitalie, J., J.L. Laporte, M. Madec, F. Marquis, P. Leplat, J. Paulet, and A. Boutefeu, 1977, Methode rapide de caracterisation des roches meres de leur potentiel petrolier et de leur degre d’evolution: Revue de l’Institute Francais du Petrole, v. 32, p. 23-42.

Espitalie, J., M. Madec, and B. Tissot, 1980, Role of mineral matrix in kerogen pyrolysis: influence on petroleum generation and migration: AAPG Bulletin, v. 64, p. 59-66.

Espitalie, J., K.S. Makadi, and J. Trichet, 1984, Role of the mineral matrix during kerogen pyrolysis: Organic Geochemistry, v. 6, p. 365-382.

Espitalie, J., 1986, Use of Tmax as a maturation index for different types of organic matter. Comparison with vitrinite reflectance in J. Burrus, ed., Thermal modeling in sedimentary basins: Paris, Editions Technip, p. 475-496.

Espitalie, J., F. Marquis, E. Lafargue, and R. Antonas, 1996, Improve exploration success using new source rock analyzer: World Oil, v. 217, no. 4, p. 111-112.

Glikson, M., D. Taylor, and D. Morris, 1992, Lower Paleozoic and Precambrian petroleum source rocks and the coalification path of alginite: Organic Geochemistry, v. 18, p. 881-897. (bitumens suppress Tmax)

Graham, S.A., S. Brassell, A.R. Carroll, X. Xiao, G. Demaison, C.L. McKnight, Y. Liang, J. Chu, and M.S. Hendrix, 1990, Characteristics of selected petroleum source rocks, Xianjiang Uygur autonomous region, northwest China: AAPG Bulletin, v. 74, p. 493-512.

Hartman-Stroup, C., 1987, The effect of organic matter type and organic carbon content on Rock-Eval hydrogen index in oil shales and source rocks: Organic Geochemistry, v. 11, p. 351-369.

Hetényi, M., 1998, Oxygen index as an indicator of early organic maturity: Organic Geochemistry, v. 29, p. 63-77.

Hunt, J.M., 1996, Petroleum geochemistry and geology, 2nd ed.: New York, W.H. Freeman and Company, 743 p. (Rock-Eval, p. 341)

Inan, S., M.N. Yalcin, and U. Mann, 1998, Expulsion of oil from petroleum source rocks: inferences from pyrolysis of samples of unconventional grain size: Organic Geochemistry, v. 29, p. 45-61.

Jacobsen, S.R., 1991, Petroleum source rocks and organic facies, in R.K. Merrill, ed., Source and migration processes and evaluation techniques: AAPG Treatise of Petroleum Geology, Handbook of Petroleum Geology, p. 3-11. (mineral matrix effects on Rock-Eval, p. 9)

Jarvie, D.M., 1991, Factors affecting Rock-Eval derived kinetic parameters: Chemical Geology, v. 93, p. 79-99.

Jasper, K., B.M. Krooss, G. Flajs, C. Hartkopf-Fröder, and R. Littke, 2009, Characteristics of type III kerogen in coal-bearing strata from the Pennsylvanian (Upper Carboniferous) in the Ruhr Basin, western Germany: Comparison of coals, dispersed organic matter, kerogen concentrates and coal-mineral mixtures: International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 80, p. 1-19.

Jones, R.W., 1984, Comparison of carbonate and shale source rocks, in J. Palacas, ed., Petroleum geochemistry and source rock potential of carbonate rocks: AAPG Studies in Geology 18, p. 163-180.

Katz, B.J., 1983, Limitations of ‘Rock-Eval’ pyrolysis for typing organic matter: Organic Geochemistry, v. 4, p. 195-199.

Lafargue, E., F. Marquis, and D. Pillot, 1998, Rock-Eval 6 applications in hydrocarbon exploration, production, and soil contamination studies: Oil & Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP 53, p. 421-437.

Langford, F.F., and M.-M. Blanc-Valleron, 1990, Interpreting Rock-Eval pyrolysis data using graphs of pyrolizable hydrocarbons vs. total organic carbon: AAPG Bulletin, v. 74, p. 799-804.

Larue, D.K., 1991, Organic matter in the Franciscan and Cedros subduction complexes: the problems of ‘instantaneous maturation’ and ‘missing petroleum’ in accretionary prisms: Marine and Petroleum Geology, v. 8, p. 468-482.

Levine, J.R., 1993, Coalfication: the evolution of coal as source rock and reservoir rock for oil and gas, in B.E. Law and D.D. Rice, eds., Hydrocarbons from coal: AAPG Studies in Geology 38, p. 39-77 (Rock-Eval p. 59-60)

Leythaeuser, D., A. Mackenzie, R.G. Schaefer, and M. Bjoroy, 1984, A novel approach for recognition and quantification of hydrocarbon migration effects in shale-sandstone sequences: AAPG Bulletin, v. 68, p. 196-219.

Merrill, R.K., ed., 1991, Source and migration processes and evaluation techniques: AAPG Treatise of Petroleum Geology, Handbook of Petroleum Geology, 213 p. (summary sheet, p. xvii)

Miles, J.A., 1989, Illustrated glossary of petroleum geochemistry: Oxford, Clarendon Press, 137 p.

Mukhopadhyay, P.K., F. Goodarzi, M.A. Kruge, and M.H. Alimi, 1997, Comparison of source rock geochemistry of selected rocks from the Schei Point group and Ringnes formation, Sverdrup basin, arctic Canada: International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 34, p. 225-260.

Orr, W.L., 1983, Comments on pyrolytic hydrocarbon yields in source-rock evaluation, in M. Bjoroy and others, eds., Advances in organic geochemistry 1981: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., p. 775-787.

Orr, W.L., 1986, Kerogen/asphaltene/sulfur relationships in sulfur-rch Monterey oils: Organic Geochemistry, v. 10, p. 499-516.

Peters, K.E., 1986, Guidelines for evaluating petroleum source rock using programmed pyrolysis: AAPG Bulletin, v. 70, p. 318-329.

Peters, K.E., and M.R. Cassa, 1994, Applied source rock geochemistry, in L.B. Magoon and W.G. Dow, eds., The petroleum system -- from source to trap: AAPG Memoir 60, p. 93-120.

Philp, R.P., and A. Galvez-Sinibaldi, 1991, Characterization of organic matter by various pyrolysis techniques, in R.K. Merrill, ed., Source and migration processes and evaluation techniques: AAPG Treatise of Petroleum Geology, Handbook of Petroleum Geology, p. 107-112.

Price, L.C., T. Daws, and M. Pawlewicz, 1986, Organic metamorphism in the Lower Mississippian-Upper Devonian Bakken Shales, part 1: Rock-Eval pyrolysis and vitrinite reflectance: Journal of Petroleum Geology, v. 9, p. 125-162.

Robison, C.R., 1997, Hydrocarbon source rock variability within the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford Shale (Upper Cretaceous), east Texas, U.S.A.: International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 34, p. 287-305.

Scott, J., 1992, Accurate recognition of source rock character in the Jurassic of the North West Shelf, western Australia: The APEA Journal, v. 32, part 1, p. 289-299. (problems of Rock-Eval technique)

Snowdon, L.R., 1995, Rock-Eval Tmax suppression: documentation and amelioration: AAPG Bulletin, v. 79, p. 1337-1348.

Suggate, R.P., and J. P. Boudou, 1993, Coal rank and type variation in Rock-Eval assessment of New Zealand coals: Journal of Petroleum Geology, v. 16, p. 73-88.

Suggate, R.P., and J.P. Boudou, 1996, Revision of the Mahakam coal series: Rock-Eval and Rank(s) relations: Journal of Petroleum Geology, v. 19, p. 407-423.

Sykes, R., and L.R. Snowdon, 2002, Guidelines for assessing the petroleum potential of coaly source rocks using Rock-Eval pyrolysis: Organic Geochemistry, v. 33, p. 1441-1455.

Taylor, G.H., M. Teichmuller, A. Davis, C.F.K. Diessel, R. Littke, and P. Robert, 1998, Organic petrology: Berlin & Stuttgart, Gebruder Borntraeger, 704 p. (Rock-Eval p. 498)

Teichmuller, M., and B. Durand, 1983, Fluorescence microscopical rank studies on liptinites and vitrinites in peat and coals, and comparison with results of the Rock-Eval pyrolysis: International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 2, p. 197-230. (Tmax influenced by petrographic composition, p. 222)

Tissot, B.P., R. Pelet, and Ph. Ungerer, 1987, Thermal history of sedimentary basins, maturation indices, and kinetics of oil and gas generation: AAPG Bulletin, v. 71, p. 1445-1466.

Tyson, R.V., 2006, Calibration of hydrogen indices with microscopy: a review, reanalysis and new results using the fluorescence scale: Organic Geochemistry, v. 37, p. 45-63.

Whelan, J.K., and C.L. Thompson-Rizer, 1993, Chemical methods for assessing kerogen and protokerogen types and maturity, in M.H. Engel and S.A. Macko, eds., Organic geochemistry: principles and applications: New York, Plenum Press, p. 289-353.

Wilhelms, A., S.R. Larter, and D. Leythaeuser, 1991, Influence of bitumen-2 on Rock-Eval pyrolysis: Organic Geochemistry, v. 17, p. 351-354.