Kinetic parameters based on the asphaltene fractions in oils provide hydrocarbon generation potential of specific organic matter type. These are essential data that allow the calculation of cracking energies values to enhance basin model predictability.

Representative oil samples were selected from major Brazilian petroleum provinces in order to assess with more accuracy the kinetics of lacustrine Type I, mixed sources and marine Type II organic matter. Different heating rates were used to optimize the calculation of the Activation Energy (Ea) distribution. Peak generation temperatures were based on a 3.3°C/My model.

The resulting open system pyrolysis kinetic parameters can be used to better predict peak generation and expulsion timing when applied to regional basin modeling studies. It considered more reliable as input into Brazilian basin models.

Full references of all images are listed in the reports

1. Introduction
2. Analytical Program
3. Results and Discussions
4. References

1. Diagrammatic illustration of kerogen composition, which leads to oil and gas formation directly from kerogen cracking and gas from oil cracking (Modified from Pepper and Corvi, 1995).
2. Comparison of transformation rates for 5 different kerogens. (Also shown in black is the computed vitrinite reflectance).
3. Generation rate of hydrocarbons from bulk kinetic data at an arbitrary geological heating rate.
4. Kinetic results from an asphaltene cut of a Campos basin oil.
5. Oil asphaltenes show high correlation: onset temperature and activation energy.