GENERATION AND EXPULSION OF PETROLEUM FROM COAL MACERALS VISUALIZED IN-SITU DURING SEMI-OPEN AND CLOSED SYSTEM PYROLYSIS

摘要

Evaluation of oil generation potential of source rocks in a petroleum system is essential to the success of exploration. There are increasing evidences showing that some terrestrial coals, in addition to lacustrine and marine source rocks, may be an important source for oil. The oil potential of a coal depends mainly on its maceral constituents. Liptinite (exinite) is the major component that contributes oil for many oil-prone coals whereas the perhydrous vitrinite contributes oil for vitrinite-rich but liptinite-poor coals [1]. Other macerals or submacerals may possess none or little oil generation potential. The present study attempts to verify and further characterize the oil generation potential of individual macerals or submacerals using an innovative technique, which enables to visualize directly the processes of oil and gas generations and expulsion from coal macerals.