The preliminary assessment of the selected Paleozoic deposits of the Holy Cross Mountains

The hydrocarbon potential of selected Paleozoic lithostratigraphic complexes of the Holy Cross Mountains was determined based on the results of Rock-Eval pyrolysis of 47 samples. For investigations only rocks in dark colours from Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Carboniferous and Permian strata were selected. The Cambrian and Ordovician strata from the Łysogóry Region have poor source-rock parameters. Among the Silurian strata, the claystones of the Bardo Beds (ca. 3 wt. % TOC) are the richest in total organic carbon (TOC). The claystones of the Zaręby Formation (Carboniferous - Visean and Tournaisian) have mean TOC content ca. 2.8 wt. % and the Zechstein Limestone (Permian) ca. 1.6 wt. % TOC. In the Early Paleozoic strata marine kerogen (Type-II) is present. It dominates also in the Upper Paleozoic strata. Local inputs of the terrigenous Type-III kerogen were confirmed in the Zaręby Formation (Carboniferous). The Cambrian and Ordovician strata in the Łysogóry region are overmature. Maturity of the investigated Silurian, Carboniferous and Permian strata corresponds with the initial and middle phases of the "oil window". The NW margin of the Holy Cross Mountains, where the Paleozoic complexes rich in the organic matter are covered by the Mesozoic complex, is perspective area for hydrocarbon exploration

Petroleum processes in the Palaeozoic-Mesozoic strata of the Grobla-Limanowa area (basement of the Polish Carpathians)

The geochemical characteristics of the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic strata of the basement of the Carpathian Foredeep depicted the Devonian and Carboniferous source rocks as the best source for hydrocarbon generation. Moreover, the Outer Carpathian sequence was geochemically characterized and proved capable of generating hydrocarbons. The oil-source rocks’ correlations indicated that the source of the condensate accumulated in the Łąkta field, while oil in the Grobla field. Maturity modelling identified Devonian source rocks as they reached a late phase of the “oil window” and, locally, even the “gas window”. The Carboniferous source rock was mature enough to start the generation processes. The generation started in the late Carboniferous, both in the Upper Silesian and Małopolska blocks. The main phase of the petroleum processes took place in late Neogene. The expulsion was observed only in the Devonian source rocks, and vertical migration by fault system in both blocks resulted in oil and gas accumulation in the Upper Jurassic carbonates and Upper Cretaceous sandstones. The petroleum modelling indicated the Devonian source for oil and gas fields in the study area. However oil-source rock correlation also suggests the presence of the Carpathian flysch source for hydrocarbons accumulated in the Łąkta field

Shale Gas in Poland

An example of interpretation of the Silurian and Ordovician shale formations in the Baltic Basin in Poland regarding determination of potential sweet spots is presented. Short geological information shows the position of shale gas play. Description of the data—laboratory measurement outcomes (petrophysical and geochemical) and well logging—presents results available for analyses. Detailed elemental analyses and various statistical classifications show the differentiation between sweet spots and adjacent formations. Elastic property modelling based on the known theoretical models and results of comprehensive interpretation of well logs is a good tool to complete information, especially in old wells. Acoustic emission investigations show additional characteristic features of shale gas rock and reveal that acoustic emission and volumetric strain of a shale sample induced by the sorption processes are lower for shale than for coals

Simulated maturation by hydrous pyrolysis of bituminous coals and carbonaceous shales from the Upper Silesian and Lublin basins (Poland): Induced compositional variations in biomarkers, carbon isotopes and macerals

Hydrous pyrolysis (HP) to simulate the maturation of organic matter (OM) and a variety of organic geochemical analyses and petrographic analyses of OM were performed to establish the origin and depositional environment in the Serpukhovian (Mississippian) and Pennsylvanian coals and carbonaceous shales from the Upper Silesian and Lublin coal basins. OM of coals and shales is dominated by vitrinite- with subordinate liptinite- and inertinite-group macerals, derived from C3 plants. The OM in both coals and shales is of humic origin, deposited in terrestrial, paralic and terrestrial, deltaic and lacustrine environments. The OM is rich in resins related to the presence of waxes derived from the coat of vascular plants. Shales were deposited in a more brackish-lacustrine environment than coals with algae and microbially reworked OM. Shales occurring above coal seams were deposited in more dynamic conditions than shales below seams. Coal sedimentation occurred in a stagnant setting reflected in the presence of paleosols and diverse plant groups. After heating at HP 330 °C and 360 °C, various new vitrinite forms appear, and semicoke, in the OM. The distributions of some biomarkers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are characteristic of specific macerals, and their ratios are controlled by OM type and thermal maturity related to the conditions of the HP experiments. This behaviour can be related to OM of type III and chemical reactions at two maturation stages. No significant geochemical or genetic differences in the OM of coals or shales from either basin are evident

Corrigendum to “Simulated maturation by hydrous pyrolysis of bituminous coals and carbonaceous shales from the Upper Silesian and Lublin basins (Poland) : induced compositional variations in biomarkers, carbon isotopes and macerals” [International Journal of Coal Geology volume (2021) 1–27]

Corrigendum to: "Hydrous pyrolysis (HP) to simulate the maturation of organic matter (OM) and a variety of organic geochemical analyses and petrographic analyses of OM were performed to establish the origin and depositional environment in the Serpukhovian (Mississippian) and Pennsylvanian coals and carbonaceous shales from the Upper Silesian and Lublin coal basins. OM of coals and shales is dominated by vitrinite- with subordinate liptinite- and inertinite-group macerals, derived from C3 plants. The OM in both coals and shales is of humic origin, deposited in terrestrial, paralic and terrestrial, deltaic and lacustrine environments. The OM is rich in resins related to the presence of waxes derived from the coat of vascular plants. Shales were deposited in a more brackish-lacustrine environment than coals with algae and microbially reworked OM. Shales occurring above coal seams were deposited in more dynamic conditions than shales below seams. Coal sedimentation occurred in a stagnant setting reflected in the presence of paleosols and diverse plant groups. After heating at HP 330 °C and 360 °C, various new vitrinite forms appear, and semicoke, in the OM. The distributions of some biomarkers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are characteristic of specific macerals, and their ratios are controlled by OM type and thermal maturity related to the conditions of the HP experiments. This behaviour can be related to OM of type III and chemical reactions at two maturation stages. No significant geochemical or genetic differences in the OM of coals or shales from either basin are evident"

Molecular and stable isotope composition of pollutants emitted during thermal processes within the Rymer coal waste dump (Upper Silesia, Poland)

Twenty-seven gases and sixteen rock wastes from the thermal active Rymer coal waste dump were collected. The composition and origin of gaseous, liquid, and solid pollutants emitted during the self-heating process and the development of these processes with time were established. Gases were subjected to determination of molecular and stable isotope (d13C and d2H) composition. Rock-Eval pyrolysis and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) were applied for evaluation of the quantity and molecular composition of pyrolysates released during the heating of rocks in temperatures from 100 to 650 C. The main products of Py-GC-MS are released between 350 and 650 C, namely alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and aromatic alcohols. These components were also recorded in Py-GC-MS products of samples collected from the dump surface. Besides the high-molecular-weight organic compounds, in emitted gases CO2, CO, gaseous hydrocarbons, and S-compounds were recorded. The stable isotope data indicated that methane was generated mainly during the low-temperature thermogenic process, but a share of the microbial-originated gas was visible. The source of the CO2 was the oxidation of organic matter. The gaseous S-compounds were products of high-temperature decomposition of sulphides and organic S-compounds. The hydrocarbon and CO contents of the emitted gases proved to be good indicators for tracking of the self-heating processes

Zechstein Main Dolomite oil characteristics in the Southern Permian Basin:I. Polish and German sectors

Geochemical analyses were used to classify 39 Zechstein (Late Permian, Lopingian) Main Dolomite (Ca2) crude oil samples from fields in the eastern and southern sector of the Southern Permian Basin (SPB) of Europe and to provide new insights into the origin of the oil. Geochemical data indicate that Ca2 oils were generated in the early-to-late oil window and are mostly non-waxy oils. Various biomarker and stable carbon isotopic ratios were used to identify source and depositional settings for source rocks of Ca2 oils arranged within 10 distinct oil groups. Specifically, the geochemical analyses and oil-oil correlations revealed a set of characteristic biomarkers including an even-over-odd predominance (EOP) for the C20-30n-alkanes, C40 carotenoid occurrence (isorenieratane, chlorobactane, β-isorenieratane), bisnorhopane/hopane (BNH/H) ratios >0.1, high abundances of C35 homohopanes and elevated concentrations of C32 and C34 homohopanes, a predominance of C29 homologues among 4-desmethyl steranes in the majority of oil samples, and a high abundance of diasteranes. Stable carbon isotopes and biomarkers provided ample evidence that Ca2 oils were generated from predominantly algal-rich marly carbonate/evaporite source rocks located in the lower slope/shallow-basin and lagoonal facies of the Ca2 basin, all deposited under suboxic-anoxic (euxinic) conditions. In the case of all higher maturity oils, the source rocks could not be reliably identified but high (>2) C24Tet/C23 values suggest a carbonate-evaporite depositional setting

Evaluation of ground pollution by hydrocarbons using Rock-Eval pyrolysis

The exploration and utilization of petroleum are potential hazards to the environment. Successful determination of petroleum contamination in ground relies on accurate definition of the type, source and quantity of contaminant. For this purpose the Rock-Eval® pyrolysis was applied, which is a rapid quantitative (Bulk Rock method) and qualitative (fractional composition using Multi-Heating Rates method) technique. Results of Rock-Eval analysis of 13 samples of concrete and 2 samples of gravel taken from the different sites of the petrol station indicate the highest concentration of light hydrocarbons (gasoline and naphtha fractions), up to over 5% wt. in the direct proximity of petrol pumps. Similarly high contamination (almost 4%wt.), was found near fuel tanks. Here the highest contribution has lubricating oil fraction and the tankers providing fuels are probably the source of this pollution. In the gravel collected in the vicinity of the fuel tanks high concentration (over 5 wt.%) of non-pyrolyzable carbon (soot) was recorded, the source of which are probably diesel engines of fuel tankers supplying fuel

Evaluation of ground pollution by hydrocarbons using Rock-Eval pyrolysis

The exploration and utilization of petroleum are potential hazards to the environment. Successful determination of petroleum contamination in ground relies on accurate definition of the type, source and quantity of contaminant. For this purpose the Rock-Eval® pyrolysis was applied, which is a rapid quantitative (Bulk Rock method) and qualitative (fractional composition using Multi-Heating Rates method) technique. Results of Rock-Eval analysis of 13 samples of concrete and 2 samples of gravel taken from the different sites of the petrol station indicate the highest concentration of light hydrocarbons (gasoline and naphtha fractions), up to over 5% wt. in the direct proximity of petrol pumps. Similarly high contamination (almost 4%wt.), was found near fuel tanks. Here the highest contribution has lubricating oil fraction and the tankers providing fuels are probably the source of this pollution. In the gravel collected in the vicinity of the fuel tanks high concentration (over 5 wt.%) of non-pyrolyzable carbon (soot) was recorded, the source of which are probably diesel engines of fuel tankers supplying fuel

Comparative petrography and organic geochemistry of different types of organic matter occurring in the Outer Carpathians rocks

The characterization of organic matter (OM) in sedimentary rocks is important in many types of biological, geological and environmental research. The integrated use of microscopy and geochemistry, as here, is particularly useful in any attempt to define the origin and evolution of OM in sedimentary basins. The organic petrography and geochemistry different types of allogenic and authigenic OM from the Polish Outer Carpathian (POC) rocks were studied in present study to compare their genetic type, thermal maturity, depositional environment and post-sedimentation processes. Special attention was paid to redeposited coal clasts occurrences. The used techniques show differences in organic matter type originating from various sources. The organic petrography analysis shows that redeposited coal clasts (CC) and terrigenous organic matter (TOM) are composed predominantly of woody material (the gas-prone Type-III kerogen). Similar results were obtained during the Rock-Eval pyrolysis. Moreover, the GC-MS analysis of extracts indicated the additional source of OM, namely planktonic organic matter (POM) with oil-prone kerogen Type-I or II. This OM is in some cases high thermally mature and could potentially has allochthonous origin. The n-alkane, saturated and aromatic biomarker data revealed deposition of this POM in anoxic deltaic or close-shore sedimentary environments whereas the redeposited coal clasts were probably originally deposited in coal swamps as were the Upper Silesian bituminous coals