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Hydrocarbon Source Potential of Coal-bearing Tikak-Parbat Formation of Barail Group in a Part of the Belt of Schuppen, India

  • Research Articles
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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

The Oligocene succession of the Tikak Parbat Formation has prominent coal bearing horizons. The formation comprises of medium to coarse grained light coloured sandstone, clay and carbonaceous shale with four workable coal seams. Core samples from two wells has been studied with regards to organic matter content and type. Relatively high total organic carbon (TOC) contents are present (average 72.103 wt %) in coal; the hydrogen index (HI) values reach a maximum of 410 mg HC/g TOC, indicating presence of type III-II kerogen, and the organic matter is thermally immature (Tmax 428°C) in coal. The genetic potential have maximum yield of 246.53 mg/g, so the coal deposits could act as an excellent source rock for hydrocarbons if the burial depth is sufficient. Carbonaceous shale samples are at early mature stage (Tmax 438°C). Kerogen at this maturity level is within oil window and is capable of generating oil and thermogenic gas upon thermal cracking. The study highlights dense accumulation of reactive macerals (vitrinite + liptinite) and low concentration of inertinite. The empirically derived values for coal reveal a high conversion (>90%) and oil yield (>60%).

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Acknowledgement

Authors thank the Head, CGM (Chem.), Regional Geoscience Labs., Oil and Natural gas Corporation Limited, Sivasagar, India for helping us in analysis of Rock Eval Pyrolysis and TOC of the studied samples. The authors are indebted to the Project Head, Dart Energy and Head, CBM Project, OIL for providing core samples. We are also grateful to AICTE, India for funding under RPS-NER project of “To study the coal characteristics of north-eastern coals for estimation of gas content within coal seams and storage capacity of coal.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Petroleum Engineering, DUIET, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam, 786 004, India

    Prasun Banik

  2. Department of Geological Sciences, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, 781 014, India

    Sarat Phukan

  3. Department of Petroleum Technology, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam, 786 004, India

    Minati Das

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  1. Prasun Banik
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Banik, P., Phukan, S. & Das, M. Hydrocarbon Source Potential of Coal-bearing Tikak-Parbat Formation of Barail Group in a Part of the Belt of Schuppen, India. J Geol Soc India 97, 767–771 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-021-1758-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-021-1758-3

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