In the present investigation, Bhavnagar lignites of the Saurashtra basin (Gujarat) have been studied to assess their hydrocarbon generating potential. The samples of upper as well as lower lignite seams have been studied through microscopy and subjected to various chemical analyses viz. proximate analysis, ultimate analysis and Rock-Eval Pyrolysis. These lignites have high moisture and low to moderate ash yield but are characterized by high volatile matter. Petrographically they comprise predominantly of huminite group maceral while liptinite and inertinite groups occur in subordinated amount. Huminite is chiefly composed of detrohuminite and telohuminite. The T max (av. 416.23°C) and huminite reflectivity (0.28%-0.30%) indicate a low degree of maturity for these lignites which is also substantiated by the T max versus hydrogen index plot. The organic matter is subjugated by kerogen Type-III with a potential to expel hydrocarbon on liquefaction. Study further reveals that the fixed hydrocarbon is several folds higher than the free hydrocarbons. Being high in reactive maceral content, a high 'conversion' and good 'oil yield' values for these lignites were observed. Thus, the empirically derived values match well with those obtained through the experimental values of Rock-Eval Pyrolysis and validate their hydrocarbon generating potential.
The Oligocene Laisong Formation in the Naga Schuppen Belt is coal bearing along the Dimapur-Kohima Road section, Nagaland. The coals are sulphurous and classified as lignite to sub-bituminous 'C' based on various rank parameters. The coals are dominantly composed of vitrinite followed by inertinite and liptinite in order of abundance. The coals have high-quality Type III kerogens derived mainly from angiosperm plants. The richness and quality of organic matter in the coal is excellent to act as a petroleum source rock. Most of the maturity parameters indicate that maturity ranges from immature to early mature. The biomarker parameters and facies critical maceral associations point to deposition of the coal-bearing strata in non-marine/ terrestrial depositional environment under moist hydrodynamic conditions, possibly in an upper delta plain environment. However, the high sulphur content of the coal points to deposition in a lower delta plain environment. Comparison with other Palaeogene coal deposits of the same sedimentary basin shows that the Laisong coals contain lesser amount of liptinite macerals and much higher amount of sulphur than these deposits. All these deposits are of similar rank, however, the Laisong coals show marginally low thermal maturity from the viewpoint of hydrocarbon generation.
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