GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Tmax = the temperature at which the maximum release of hydrocarbons from cracking of kerogen occurs during pyrolysis (top of S2 peak). Tmax is an indication of the stage of maturation of the organic matter.

Detailed explanation-2: -Tmax is the temperature at which the maximum rate of hydrocarbon generation occurs in a kerogen sample during pyrolysis analysis. The S2 peak represents the rate of hydrocarbon generation (the area under the curve represents the amount).

Detailed explanation-3: -Optimal formation temperatures for maturation and catagenesis range from 90° to 125 °C, reached at burial depths between 2 and 4 km. Greater depth and higher temperature destroy the hydrocarbons. After oil and gas form, propelled by their buoyancy, they migrate from source rocks to porous and permeable reservoir rocks.

Detailed explanation-4: -As temperatures and pressures increase (deeper burial) the process of catagenesis begins, which is the thermal degradation of kerogen to form hydrocarbon chains.

Detailed explanation-5: -The gaseous hydrocarbons contained in pores of sediments and sedimentary rocks. It is recovered from rocks at the temperatures of about 120°C–220°C, because at these temperatures kerogen is not as inert with respect to the generation of carbon (Fig.