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Small Angle Neutron Scattering Signature of Oil Generation in Artificially and Naturally Matured Hydrocarbon Source Rocks

Created 20/01/2026

Updated 20/01/2026

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We have demonstrated for the first time the application of a small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique for the precise determination of the onset of hydrocarbon transport (primary migration) in shaly source rocks. We used a sequence of rocks pyrolysed in the laboratory under nitrogen at temperatures in the range 310-370°C. These rocks contained several percent of dispersed marine Type II organic matter. Geochemical analysis indicated a peak of the hydrocarbon generation in the middle of the temperature range (at 340°C). We observed a sharp decrease of SANS intensity in a narrow maturity range within the geochemically determined region of the onset of hydrocarbon generation. This decrease was a direct consequence of the SANS contrast variation caused by the invasion of the pore space by bitumen during the primary migration of hydrocarbons. A similar phenomenon was observed for a natural maturity sequence of source rocks originating from the same location.

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Title Small Angle Neutron Scattering Signature of Oil Generation in Artificially and Naturally Matured Hydrocarbon Source Rocks
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/2bc4c68e-c3af-4e26-acc5-ca6c7571cd3f
Contact Point
Geoscience Australia Data
clientservices@ga.gov.au
Reference Period 22/04/2018
Geospatial Coverage Australia
Data Portal Data.gov.au