Source Rock Analysis
Unlocking Hydrocarbon Resources
GeoMark’s Source Rock Analysis solves key challenges in understanding the potential and productivity of petroleum systems. By combining TOC, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, vitrinite reflectance (%Ro), and detailed biomarker and isotope data, GeoMark helps operators assess source rock richness, maturity, kerogen type, and generative capacity.
These insights answer foundational questions like: Is there a source rock present? Has it reached thermal maturity? How much hydrocarbon has been generated and expelled? Whether you're screening for new plays, validating charge in a known system, or refining a petroleum system model, GeoMark’s high-quality, standardized source rock data provides the foundation for confident exploration and basin modeling decisions.
Discover The GeoMark Research Advantage
Contaminant Free Results
Experience matters when it comes to the removal of oil-based mud, drilling mud, cavings, and lost circulation material in your cuttings samples.
Tailored Hydrocarbon Extraction
Multiple extraction techniques and customizable methods ensure we can get the most of your rock for geochemical analysis.
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Manual shakeout and agitation
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Closed vessel cold CS2 to preserve light end hydrocarbons
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Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) for a quantitative C15+ extract
Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
Using LECO and HAWK™ systems, GeoMark quantifies organic richness, identifying prime source layers quickly
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Calibrated with internal shale standards (run every 10th sample)
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Reproducibility: ±0.1 wt% TOC at concentrations >1.0%
Programed Pyrolysis (Rock‑Eval™/HAWK™)
Assess S1 (free hydrocarbons), S2 (remaining potential), and Tmax (thermal maturity) under customizable temperature profiles to predict fluid properties.
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Custom temperature ramps up to 650°C
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Instrumentation: HAWK™ Pyrolysis Systems with dual-detector FID and CO/COâ‚‚ IR sensors
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Rock Eval™ VI
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Vitrinite Reflectance & Kerogen Typing
Detailed petrology isolates kerogen, characterizing thermal history and organic type to support your basin models
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Kerogen isolation using acid maceration and heavy liquid separation
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Polished block preparation and reflected light microscopy
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Reporting average %Ro and thermal populations with >20 readings per sample
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Visual kerogen staining (e.g., SAFRANIN, methylene blue)
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Classification by type (I, II, III, IV) and structure
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Integration with pyrolysis HI data for predictive modeling
Extensive Source Rock Mapping
Integrate customer data with GeoMark’s database to generate spatial maps of TOC, maturity, and deliver “sweet spot” guidance for both conventional and unconventional plays.
