Organic geochemistry of continental margin sediments. Research period: June 15, 1977--October 31, 1978

Abstract

This contrac t involve d 4 man-mon ths of work during the period indicat ed above. The objecti ve was to purchas e and set up a pyrolys is unit for the analysi s of hydroca rbons in sedimen ts from the offshor e contine ntal margins of the United States. Funds were receive d for the project in July, 1977 at which time the pyrolys is unit origina lly request ed was no longer available. After conside rable investi gation, we ordered a Chemica l Data Systems unit for $12,600. This arrived and was put into operatio n in January , 1978. This unit has more flexibi lity in operati ng conditi ons than the one origina lly conside red. We borrowe d a gas chromat ograph and electro nic integra ter from another project and began testing the system with samples from Walvis Bay off southwe st Africa and the Persian Gulf. We also examine d a few samples of known source rocks provide d by oil compani es. 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSS ION: After several weeks of experim entatio n, we finally settled on the flow plan shown in Figure 1. A descrip tion of the procedu re is as follows: DISTRI BUTION OF THIS DOC UOUW T 19 UNI,IMI XEQ I DISCLAIMER This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government.