Abstract
Abundant oil prone coal (Type III kerogen) deposits are preserved within the high latitude, middle Palaeocene, Todalen member of the Central Tertiary Basin, Spitsbergen Island, Norwegian Arctic. The coals (Svea, Longyear, Svarteper and Askeladden seams) have been subjected to only minor previous geochemical characterisation. Focussing upon the Longyear seam, this paper characterises the present, prospective and economic oil potential of the Svalbard coals. Organic biomarker parameters, Fe–S chemistry and coal maceral analysis are then applied to understand the provenance and environmental origins of this unusual source rock. The upper Todalen Mbr. coals (Longyear, Svarteper and Askeladden seams) have significantly more oil potential than the Lower Svea seams with estimated retortion yields of 170–190kg/tonne vs. 24kg/tonne respectively. The Longyear seam exhibits relatively high HI values (ca. 300–400mg/g TOC) consistent with a hydrogen rich mixed Type II/III kerogen source. Greatest oil potential is shown to be favoured by formation within a fen environment, with high bacterial degradation (>100μg/g TOC hopanes), marine influence (>0.5wt.% sulfur, Fe/S
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 22-33 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | International Journal of Coal Geology |
Volume | 143 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 17 Mar 2015 |
Keywords
- Palaeocene
- Spitsbergen
- Svalbard
- Arctic Norway
- Non-marine source rocks
- Coal
- Hopane
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Christopher Marshall
- UHI North West and Hebrides - Peatland Scientist
Person: Academic Research Active