Investigation on the source rock potential of Denmark

Abstract

Source rock analyses are carried out at the Geological Survey of Denmark using mineralogical, coal petrographical and organo-chemical methods. Investigations have been concentrated on Mesozoic deposits from the Danish part of the Central Graben and on Palaeozoic and Mesozoic deposits from the Danish onshore area. The results from the Central Graben indicate that the Kimmeridgian deposits are the principal source rocks for the known oil fields in the Danish sector, but with regional variations with respect to richness and maturity, the northern part of the study area being the most promising. From the Danish onshore area coal petrographical analyses indicate that Rhaetian-Jurassic-Early Cretaceous deposits are mainly immature-premature with respect to oil generation. Combined mineralogical and coal petrographical analyses on a limited number of samples from the Palaeozoic indicate post-mature Early Palaeozoic deposits. while Carboniferous and Permian sediments have been found to be in a premature-mature stage.