Despite the fact that kerogen decomposition has not been yet very well understood, it is possible to obtain kinetic parameters which correlate with both empirical and natural geologic data by pyrolysing samples in closed and open systems. In this study, in order to determine hydrocarbon source rocks kinetic parameters, synthetic maturation by using open pyrolysis system (Rock-Eval) was used. In order to determine the equation of the real pyrolysis temperatures, the Rock-Eval pyrolysis oven was calibrated against three standard samples. Three source rock samples from three well known Iranian source rock formations namely Pabdeh, Garu and Kazhdumi were anafyzed at temperature rates of 25, 15, 10 and 5°c/min and their kinetic parameters including activation energy distribution, Arrehnus coefficient and the amount of generated hydrocarbon were determined.

Source rock is one of main elements in petroelum system. In order to investigate a petroleum system in an oil region, it's necessary to recognize the characteristics of source rocks. In this study the source rocks of the Darkhovain oil field in Abadan plan are investigated. In this way, gamma rays and sonic log are used and source rock zones separated in Pabdeh, Garu, Gotnia, Najmeh, Sargelu and Nyriz formations. These zones sampled and total organic carbon of samples determined with Rock Eval analysis. Acording to Rock Eval results, Sargelu and Garu zones have good to excellent total organic carbon and good to moderate genetic potential. These zones have more thickness then the other zones. Kazdumi source rock samples show range of good to very good in total organic carbon and a range of moderate to good in genetic potential. Pabdeh, Sarvak and Surgah samples are poor in organic matter and have low genetic potential. Acording to this study, Sargrlu and Garu zones are main source rocks and Kazdumi and Nyriz zones are minor source rocks in Darkhovain field.

The Khaviz oil field located in Dezful embayment is one of Iran’ s southwest oil fields. In this study, a total of 28 cutting samples from Kazhdumi formation (well No. KZ1, Khaviz oil field) were subject to geochemical investigation using Rock-Eval pyrolysis for the first time. The results of pyrolysis indicated that Kazhdumi source rock has significant hydrocarbon production potentiality and already entered the oil generation window. As inferred from the diagram of OI versus HI, Kazhdumi source rock contains organic matter type II kerogen deposited in paralic environment with anoxic to suboxic conditions. Using the diagram of S2 versus TOC, the absorbed carbon content, neutral carbon, and active carbon were calculated to be 0. 42, 0. 39, and 2. 43 wt. % respectively.

Today, it is common to use Rock-Eval Pyrolysis and its results for the determination and interp-retation of the characteristics of units of sedimentary basin. The aim of this study was to examine and compare hydrocarbon generation potential of Kazhdumi Formation by using Rock Eval analysis in Binak-4 well located in Dezful Embayment. For this purpose, geochemical investigation of Kazh-dumi Formation as the potential source rocks was carried out with 5 core samples in the studied areas. Investigation of the variation S1 + S2 and TOC parameters indicated that this formation is assessed a good source rocks in producing hydrocarbon in Binak-4 well. Based on HI versus Tmax plot the Kerogen content of this formation is mainly of type II and the deposit environment of this Formation is marine. Tmax examination also showed that this formation is not mature enough to generate hydrocarbon, and has not yet entered oil generation window.

Genetic potential of four probable source rocks in Marun oilfield; Pabdeh, Gurpi, Kazhdumi and Garau were investigated. It shows that only pabdeh and particularly Kazhdumi Formations have potent ial to generate hydrocarbons. The Hydrogen Index (HI) vs. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in four formations indicates direct relation between the two parameters. Kazhdumi Formation with high Hydrogen Index comprises higher amount of total organic carbon. This could be due to reducing environment of organic matter depositional conditions. Maximum Temperature (Tmax) and depth variations shown by diagram in well No. 123 and 222 of Bangestan reservoir in Marun Oilfield indicate that inbothwells Sarvak shales are just at the beginning of oil window, but in well No. 222 Tmax variation versus depth is more severe and Tmax is higher in Kazhdumi Formations. Plot of S2 vs. TOC for inert carbon determination indicates 0.5% in Pabdeh and Gurpi, whereas inert carbons in Kazhdumi are not more than 0.25%. Organic facies curves for Kazhdumi and Garau places them in B to BC zones showing marine reducing with minor oxidizing environment. In Pabdeh and Gurpi, organic facies is variable and consist of a mixture of marine and terrestrial organic matter, indicating transgression and regression of the sea. The van Krevelen diagram indicates kerogen type II/III for all formations, but only Kazhdumi Formation is in the cat agenesis and oil window territory. Finally, among the four studied formations, Kazhdumi with highest organic carbon and optimum thermal maturation is introduced as the best source rock for Marun Oilfield.

Rock-Eval Pyrolysis and its results are commonly used for determination and interpretation of the characteristics of sedimentary basins. The aim of this study is to examine and compare hydrocarbon generation potential of Kazhdumi Formation by using Rock Eval analysis in 7 wells of the Azadegan oil field. For this purpose, geochemical investigation of Kazhdumi Formation as the potential source rocks was carried out with 22 core samples in the studied areas. Investigation of the variation S1+S2 and TOC parameters indicated that this formation is assessed as a good source rock for hydrocarbon generation in Azadegan oil field. Based on HI versus Tmax plot the kerogen of this formation is mainly a mixture of types II/III indicating the immaturity and no entry of samples into the oil window. Tmax examination also showed that this formation is not mature enough to generate hydrocarbon, and has not yet entered into the oil generation window.

To evaluate the relationship between total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock-Eval S2 (petroleum potential) of petroleum source rocks, a total of 180 outcrop samples from the black organic matter–rich facies of Mesozoic strata from a locality of southwest of Iran were investigated using Rock-Eval VI pyrolysis and Leco Carbon Analyzer. The linear regression is applied to determine the correlation between Leco TOC and Rock-Eval S1 and S2. The accuracy of the proposed model by this method has approximately 95% conformity according to the Rock-Eval S2 and Leco TOC data (TOC=0.492 + 0.174 S2). Then, by using the P value method, it was determined that TOC is a function of S2 and S1 only causes the fluctuations. By means of sensitivity analysis of TOC with respect to S1 and S2, it was shown that TOC has a linear relationship with S2 and does not have any noticeable correspondence to S1. The result of this study can be used to evaluate petroleum potential (S2) of organic matter–rich facies by using TOC obtained by Leco Carbon Analyzer. For the studied samples from the organic matter-rich facies, organic carbon richness is a quality and quantity index of petroleum potential.

In this study 44 Sedimentary rock samples from the Amadeus Basin, in southern portion of the Northern Territory, Australia, were analyzed by two well-proven organic geochemical methods: Rock-Eval (RE) pyrolysis and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. These techniques were used to obtain independent parameters on organic matter composition, its thermal maturity, and environment of deposition. This study reveals a close concordance between Rock-Eval pyrolysis data and polycyclic biomarkers parameters such as steranes.RE pyrolysis in conjunction with GC-MS analysis show that the Amadeus Basin sediments contain a variable but notable organic-rich facies in the Horn Valley siltstone and prove an unequivocal evidence for Type-II organic matter, which lies dominantly to the peak stage of the conventional oil window (end of diagenesis-middle of catagenesis). The case study from the Amadeus Basin shows that these methods remain undoubtedly suitable for a good assessment of the petroleum potential of source rocks and rapid geochemical characterization of sedimentary organic matter, and can be used in other similar basins.