COURSEWORK
Source rock evaluation: Wessex Basin, UK
Coursework instructions
Presentation: Friday, 26th July 2024, 17
Submission: Thursday 25th July 2024 5 pm – PowerPoint slides
Introduction
This piece of assessed work involves an evaluation of the hydrocarbon potential and maturity
of the Lower Lias both at outcrop and in three drilled wells in the basin, and a comparison with
the Kimmeridge Clay Formation at outcrop. The locations are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Simple geological map showing the approximate locations of the two outcrop areas and the
three drilled wells for which data are provided.
The exercise
You are provided with tables of geochemical screening data (TOC; Rock-Eval pyrolysis;
vitrinite reflectance) for Lias and Kimmeridge Clay samples; these are given in an Excel
workbook containing four worksheets. You have three tasks:
1. Determine the hydrocarbon potential of the Lias source rocks, considering the (a) organic
richness and (b) kerogen type at all the localities for which you have data. Are there any
differences between the different units of the Lias (where they are defined) and any lateral
variation? (10 marks)
2. How mature are the Lias source rocks? Does this vary between localities? Has hydrocarbon
generation begun at any of the localities? (10 marks)
3. In what ways does the Kimmeridge Clay differ from the Lower Lias source rocks and in
what ways is it similar? (NB: consider both hydrocarbon potential and maturity, and
explain any differences between the source rocks). (10 marks)
The data set
The numbers of samples for which the different types of data are available in the Excel
workbook (separate file provided, see appendix for example of one data set) are listed below:
Lower Lias TOC RockEval Vitrinite
Outcrop 19 9 2
Chickerell-1 25 25 8
Down Barn Farm- 25 25 9
1 20 20 13
Kimmeridge-5
Kimm. Clay TOC RockEval Vitrinite
Outcrop 25 25 0
Make sure you use all the relevant geochemical data to make your interpretations. Additional
information is given where available (e.g. lithology).
Down Barn Farm-1 well is a deviated well (sited onshore but drilled into a target offshore), so
approximate true vertical depths have been provided for this well. The Lower Lias section at
this well has not been fully divided into units; only the Blue Lias has been identified. The well
was drilled with an oil-based drilling mud.
Presentation of the coursework
Prepare a powerpoint presentation to compile your results and key points. For each task prepare
a maximum of three slides (1-2 for figures and 1 for text; only key summary points, NO long
text) - Imagine you prepare a presentation for a broad audience with representatives from
academia and petroleum industry, so keep it sharp and focused!
You will need to calculate standard parameters from the raw Rock Eval pyrolysis data (e.g. HI,
PI) and produce various relevant graphs/plots (e.g. depth plots, frequency plots, modified van
Krevelen plots) to support your interpretation. Your graphs should be clearly labeled; use
colours or symbols to distinguish between source rock units and/or locality, as required. For the
text slides use short bullet points to summarize your key observations/interpretations shown in
the figures.
!! GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN !!
Appendix:
Example of data set provided in the separate excel file: