VITRINITE REFLECTANCE - A MAJOR METHOD IN ANALYSIS OF MATURITY AND THERMAL HISTORY OF SEDIMENTS IN NORTH BULGARIA

7th International Scientific Conference - SGEM2007, www.sgem.org, SGEM2007 Conference Proceedings/ ISBN: 954-918181-2, June 11-15, 2007

ABSTRACT

Vitrinite reflectance (%Ro) analysis is the major method in definition of thermal
maturity of sediments. The rock katagenetic alterations can also delineate the
thermal history of well sections, structures, zones and sedimentary basins as
shown in this case study for North Bulgaria.
The well R-1 Dragana data modeling visualizes a local heat flow, temperature
and vitrinite reflectance distribution in geological time. Additionally, the
geohistory analyses define the exact period of oil and gas generation from
perspective Lower-Middle Jurassic source rocks. Regional maturity mapping
demonstrates some important detailes in location of “petroleum kitchen” and
related hydrocarbon findings. So, the main task of the paper (using well data,
computer models and maturity summary) is to underline the importance of
vitrinite reflectance method (%Ro) and show some characteristic trends in
North Bulgaria.

Keywords: vitrinite reflectance, maturity, thermal history, heat flow, oil and gas
generation.