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Hydrocarbon Potential of the Triassic Lacustrine Source Rocks in the Newark Basin, USA

Received: 30 October 2019     Accepted: 18 November 2019     Published: 22 November 2019
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Abstract

This study investigates the hydrocarbon potential of the organic matter-rich Triassic rocks of the Newark basin in the USA. The development of anoxic conditions during the Late Triassic led to the accumulation and preservation of the organic matter during the deposition of the Lockatong formation in a lacustrine setting. The total organic carbon (TOC) values of the black shale samples from the Nursery and Titusville cores of this formation range from 0.50 to 2.72% (avg.=1.2%), indicating a fair to good source rock. On the Hydrogen Index (HI) vs the Oxygen Index (OI) diagram, the studied samples plot at the end of the evolutionary paths of kerogen types I, II, and III. This indicates that the organic matter is overmature and is in the dry gas window. This degree of maturity is also consistent with the Tmax values ranging from 506°C to 547°C and is confirmed by published vitrinite reflectance values (%Ro) which vary between 1.95 and 2.69%. This overmaturity is the result of an active subsidence during the Late Triassic-early Jurassic in relation with the reactivation with the deep-seated regional NE-SW-trending faults. Although the overmaturity of the organic matter renders the identification of the type of organic matter difficult, the organic matter is likely kerogen II-III type. On the basis of the available data, it is concluded that this formation has no generative liquid hydrocarbon potential.

Published in Journal of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering (Volume 4, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.jeece.20190404.11
Page(s) 47-53
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2019. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Source Rock, Lockatong Formation, Organic Matter, Hydrocarbon Potential, Newark Basin

References
[1] F. B. Van Houten (1964) Cyclic lacustrine sedimentation, Upper Triassic Lockatong Formation, New Jersey and adjacent Pennsylvania. In: Symposium on Cyclic Sedimentation. D. F. Merriam (eds.). Kansas Geological Survey Bulletin, 169, 497–531.
[2] P. E Olsen (1986) Milankovitch cycles in Early Mesozoic rift basins of Eastern North America provide physical stratigraphy and time scale for understanding basin evolution. Lamont (Newsletter), 13, 5-6.
[3] N. M. Ratcliffe, W. C. Burton, R. M D’Angelo and J. K. Costain (1986) Low-angle extensional faulting, reactivated mylonites, and seismic reflection geometry of the Newark basin margin in eastern Pennsylvania. Geology, 14, 766–770.
[4] R. W. Schlische M. O. Withjack, and P. E Olsen (2003) Relative timing of CAMP, rifting, continental breakup, and basin inversion: Tectonic significance. In: The Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, Insights from fragments of Pangea. W. E. Hames J. G. McHone P. R. Renne and C. Ruppel (eds.). American Geophysical Union, Geophysical Monograph 136, pp. 33–59.
[5] B. J Katz C. R. Robison T. Jorjorian and F. D Foley (1988) The level of organic maturity within the Newark basin and its associated implications. In: Triassic-Jurassic Rifting, Continental Breakup and the Origin of the Atlantic Ocean and Passive Margins. W. Manspeizer (eds.). Part B: Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Developments in Geotectonics, v. 22, pp. 683-696.
[6] M. L. Malinconico (2002) Lacustrine organic sedimentation, organic metamorphism, and thermal history of selected early Mesozoic Newark supergroup basins, eastern U.S.A. Columbia University Ph.D. dissertation, New York, New York, 419 p.
[7] L. M. Pratt A. K. Vuletich and T. A. Daws (1985) Organic geochemistry and thermal maturity of organic matter in rocks of Newark Supergroup. In: Proceedings of a workshop on the Eastern Mesozoic Basins Program. U.S. Geological Survey Circular, 946, pp. 74-78.
[8] P. E. Olsen (1980) Triassic and Jurassic formations of the Newark basin. In: Field Studies in New Jersey Geology and Guide to Field Trips. Manspeizer, W. (eds.) 52nd Annual Meeting, New York State Geological Association, Newark College of Arts and Sciences, Newark, Rutgers University, pp. 2–39.
[9] R. D. Nance and U Linneman (2008) The Rheic Ocean: Origin, evolution, and significance. GSA Today, 18, 4–12.
[10] W. Manspeizer (1988) Triassic-Jurassic rifting and opening of the Atlantic: An overview. In: Triassic- Jurassic rifting, continental breakup, and the formation of the Atlantic Ocean and passive margins. In: W. Manspeizer (eds.). Part A: Elsevier. Amsterdam, Netherlands, Elsevier, pp. 41–79.
[11] R. W. Schlische, and P. E. Olsen (1990) Quantitative filling model for continental extensional basins with applications to early Mesozoic rifts of eastern North America. Journal of Geology, 98, 135-155.
[12] M. Serfes G. Herman, S Spayd and J Reinfelder (2010) Sources, mobilization and transport of arsenic in groundwater in the Passaic and Lockatong Formations of the Newark basin, New Jersey. New Jersey Geological Society Bulletin, 77, pp. 1–40.
[13] M. O. Withjack R. W. Schlische, and P. E. Olsen (1998) Diachronous rifting, drifting, and inversion on the passive margin of central eastern North America: An analog for other passive margins. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 82, no. 5A, pp. 817-835.
[14] J. Espitalié G. Deroo, and F. Marquis (1985) La pyrolyse Rock-Eval et ses applications. 2ème partie. Revue de l’Institut Français du Pétrole, v. 40, pp. 755-784.
[15] M. L. Malinconico (2010) Synrift to early postrift basin-scale groundwater history of the Newark basin based on surface and borehole vitrinite reflectance data. In: Herman, G. C., and M. E. Serfes (eds.). Contributions to the Geology and Hydrogeology of the Newark Basin, N. J. Geological Survey Bulletin 77, Chapter C., pp. 1-38.
[16] L. Rddad (2017) Fixation and redistribution of arsenic of the Lockatong Formation, Newark basin, USA: Implications for the quality of groundwater. Atlantic Geology Journal, 53, 253 –268.
[17] K. E. Peters C. C. Walters, and J. M. Moldowan (2005) The biomarker guide, second edition, volume I, biomarkers and isotopes in petroleum systems and human history. United Kingdom, Cambridge University Press, 476 p.
[18] A. S. Pepper and P. J. Corvi (1995a) Simple kinetic models of petroleum formation. Part I: oil and gas generation from kerogen. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 12, 291-319.
[19] A. S. Pepper and P. J. Corvi (1995b) Simple kinetic models of petroleum formation. Part III: Modeling an open system. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 12, 417-452.
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    Larbi Rddad. (2019). Hydrocarbon Potential of the Triassic Lacustrine Source Rocks in the Newark Basin, USA. Journal of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, 4(4), 47-53. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeece.20190404.11

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    ACS Style

    Larbi Rddad. Hydrocarbon Potential of the Triassic Lacustrine Source Rocks in the Newark Basin, USA. J. Energy Environ. Chem. Eng. 2019, 4(4), 47-53. doi: 10.11648/j.jeece.20190404.11

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    AMA Style

    Larbi Rddad. Hydrocarbon Potential of the Triassic Lacustrine Source Rocks in the Newark Basin, USA. J Energy Environ Chem Eng. 2019;4(4):47-53. doi: 10.11648/j.jeece.20190404.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.jeece.20190404.11,
      author = {Larbi Rddad},
      title = {Hydrocarbon Potential of the Triassic Lacustrine Source Rocks in the Newark Basin, USA},
      journal = {Journal of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering},
      volume = {4},
      number = {4},
      pages = {47-53},
      doi = {10.11648/j.jeece.20190404.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeece.20190404.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jeece.20190404.11},
      abstract = {This study investigates the hydrocarbon potential of the organic matter-rich Triassic rocks of the Newark basin in the USA. The development of anoxic conditions during the Late Triassic led to the accumulation and preservation of the organic matter during the deposition of the Lockatong formation in a lacustrine setting. The total organic carbon (TOC) values of the black shale samples from the Nursery and Titusville cores of this formation range from 0.50 to 2.72% (avg.=1.2%), indicating a fair to good source rock. On the Hydrogen Index (HI) vs the Oxygen Index (OI) diagram, the studied samples plot at the end of the evolutionary paths of kerogen types I, II, and III. This indicates that the organic matter is overmature and is in the dry gas window. This degree of maturity is also consistent with the Tmax values ranging from 506°C to 547°C and is confirmed by published vitrinite reflectance values (%Ro) which vary between 1.95 and 2.69%. This overmaturity is the result of an active subsidence during the Late Triassic-early Jurassic in relation with the reactivation with the deep-seated regional NE-SW-trending faults. Although the overmaturity of the organic matter renders the identification of the type of organic matter difficult, the organic matter is likely kerogen II-III type. On the basis of the available data, it is concluded that this formation has no generative liquid hydrocarbon potential.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

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    T1  - Hydrocarbon Potential of the Triassic Lacustrine Source Rocks in the Newark Basin, USA
    AU  - Larbi Rddad
    Y1  - 2019/11/22
    PY  - 2019
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeece.20190404.11
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    T2  - Journal of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
    JF  - Journal of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
    JO  - Journal of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
    SP  - 47
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2637-434X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeece.20190404.11
    AB  - This study investigates the hydrocarbon potential of the organic matter-rich Triassic rocks of the Newark basin in the USA. The development of anoxic conditions during the Late Triassic led to the accumulation and preservation of the organic matter during the deposition of the Lockatong formation in a lacustrine setting. The total organic carbon (TOC) values of the black shale samples from the Nursery and Titusville cores of this formation range from 0.50 to 2.72% (avg.=1.2%), indicating a fair to good source rock. On the Hydrogen Index (HI) vs the Oxygen Index (OI) diagram, the studied samples plot at the end of the evolutionary paths of kerogen types I, II, and III. This indicates that the organic matter is overmature and is in the dry gas window. This degree of maturity is also consistent with the Tmax values ranging from 506°C to 547°C and is confirmed by published vitrinite reflectance values (%Ro) which vary between 1.95 and 2.69%. This overmaturity is the result of an active subsidence during the Late Triassic-early Jurassic in relation with the reactivation with the deep-seated regional NE-SW-trending faults. Although the overmaturity of the organic matter renders the identification of the type of organic matter difficult, the organic matter is likely kerogen II-III type. On the basis of the available data, it is concluded that this formation has no generative liquid hydrocarbon potential.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Earth and Planetary Division, Physical Sciences Department, Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York, New York, USA

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