In the world, there are many examples of rocks that contain a dominant, significant, characteristic, or just incidental content of organic matter. Sedimentary rocks that are primarily more or less enriched in organic matter are particularly interesting to study, and they can be source rocks for petroleum and/or gas generation. The aim of this dissertation is to study carbonate rocks containing organic matter in different proportions. These rocks are well known in the Slovenian region but have not yet been studied in detail. As the object of study, we chose geologically well-known strata formed in the Mesozoic on the Adriatic (Dinaric) carbonate platform (AdCP), namely the Carnian dark limestone in the Drenov Grič and the Cretaceous-Paleogene Liburnian Formation in the Kras area. 155 samples were taken, 38 from the Carnian carbonate rocks and 117 samples from the Liburnian Formation, from two sections. In the selected samples we investigated total organic carbon (TOC) content, parameters from Rock-Eval pyrolysis, maceral composition, vitrinite reflectance, thermal alteration index (TAI), fluorescence, biomarkers in the selected samples, and geochemical composition with a focus on rare earth elements and redox sensitive trace elements. These parameters allowed us to determine the type and origin, thermal maturity, and quality of the organic matter, as well as the potential for hydrocarbon generation. In addition, we also analyzed the sedimentary environment in which the source rocks were deposited. We found that the organic matter in the studied rocks is mainly of terrestrial origin (kerogen III – vitrinite) with the add of marine detritus. The average total organic carbon (TOC) content in the Carnian beds is 0.70 wt.%, indicating a good source rock from which hydrocarbons could be generated under suitable conditions. However, the organic matter is too mature (>3 %RO) and therefore has no potential for hydrocarbon generation, therefore the Carnian limestones represent a poor source rock. Only small amounts of dry gas could be generated. In contrast, the organic matter in the Liburnian Formation is of appropriate maturity (~1 %RO) and is within the oil window, but the organic matter content is too low (only 0.12 wt.% on average) and is therefore considered a poor source rock with no potential for hydrocarbon generation.
|