Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1986

Journal / Book Title

Organic Geochemistry

Abstract

Much of the Miocene Monterey Formation of California is rich in biogenic sediment, especially organic matter and silica. Because of the geologic structure, the Monterey in the subsurface near Lost Hills in the San Joaquin Basin forms a natural laboratory for the study of the diagenetic responses of these materials. Rocks of similar age and lithology are buried to depths ranging between 500 and 3500 m, and are thus exposed to a temperature range of 45–130°C. The diagenetic progression of silica from opal-A to opal-CT to microquartz is well-documented in Monterey burial history studies. However, diagenetic indicators need to be established below the depth of complete conversion of opal-CT to quartz, which may be very shallow (1500 m or less at Lost Hills). Conventional maturity indicators are problematic. The scarcity of vitrinite in many Monterey samples hampers reflectance measurements. In addition, values that are measured may be anomalously low. Maximum pyrolysis temperatures are depressed, due in part to high heavy bitumen content. Biomarker geochemistry provides effective alternative maturity indicators. Of particular interest are the stereochemical variations observed in the assemblages of steranes and triterpanes extracted from oil well core samples. For example, the 20S/20R ratio of 5α(H), 14α(H), 17α(H)-24-ethylcholestane increases from 0.09 to 0.56 over the depth range cited. Samples from petroleum accumulation zones are distinguished by anomalously mature biomarker assemblages considering their depth of burial. This indicates that these bitumens are as mature as the deepest non-production zone sample (3430 m), even though they are from much shallower depths (580–1572 m). Other maturity (and/or migration) indicators confirm this, such as the relative increases in amounts of 14β(H), 17β(H)-steranes, rearranged steranes and tricyclic terpanes. Thus, it appears that any immature indigenous bitumen in production zone samples is overwhelmed by a mature component, which presumably migrated updip, from deeper, warmer strata. Since much oil is produced from shallow, organic-rich fractured Monterey shales, early in situ generation has previously been hypothesized. However, while both source and reservoir rock are lithologically similar and lie within the same formation, biomarker geochemistry indicates that substantial generation occurs only in deeply buried Monterey shales.

Comments

- Maturity ratio maxima, even in accumulation zones, are below equilibrium values. The 20S/20R and 𝛼𝛽𝛽/𝛼𝛼𝛼 20R (C29 steranes) and 22S/22R (C32 hopanes) conventionally all equilibrate during the phase of peak oil generation. Therefore at Lost Hills: (a) mature hydrocarbons, generated in the trough of the San Joaquin syncline, entrain enough immature bitumen during the course of their up-dip migration through fractured organic-rich Monterey shales to depress their biomarker maturity signatures and/or (b) the Lost Hills accumulations are the product of slightly early generation from rich Monterey kerogens.

- The diagenetic transformation of biogenic silica to quartz is complete in Lost Hills rocks at depths of 1500 m or less. It is estimated by biomarker maturity ratios that upper Miocene rocks would have to reach depths > 3400 m to begin the main phase of oil generation. Therefore, the conversion to quartz seems an unsuitable diagenetic event to associate with the onset of major petroleum formation . However, once converted to quartz, siliceous rocks, such as those in the upper McClure Members, are brittle. Under tectonic stress fractures form which may become filled with petroleum if it is available. In dealing with the Monterey Formation, it is important to separate the issue of hydrocarbon reservoir quality from that of hydrocarbon generation.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/0146-6380(86)90050-1

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