Energy Education

Kerogen: Difference between revisions

← Older edit
No edit summary
m 1 revision imported
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Category: Done 2015-09-06]]
[[Category:Done 2026-06-01]]  
[[File:640px-OIL_SHALE._IT_IS_THE_KEROGEN_IN_THIS_ROCK_WHICH_WHEN_HEATED_TO_900_F.,_YIELDS_OIL_-_NARA_-_552547.jpg|400px|framed|right|Figure 1. Oil shale that contains kerogen.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (May 14, 2015). ''Oil Shale'' [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OIL_SHALE._IT_IS_THE_KEROGEN_IN_THIS_ROCK_WHICH_WHEN_HEATED_TO_900_F.,_YIELDS_OIL_-_NARA_-_552547.jpg#/media/File:OIL_SHALE._IT_IS_THE_KEROGEN_IN_THIS_ROCK_WHICH_WHEN_HEATED_TO_900_F.,_YIELDS_OIL_-_NARA_-_552547.jpg</ref>]]
[[File:640px-OIL_SHALE._IT_IS_THE_KEROGEN_IN_THIS_ROCK_WHICH_WHEN_HEATED_TO_900_F.,_YIELDS_OIL_-_NARA_-_552547.jpg|400px|framed|right|Figure 1. Oil shale that contains kerogen.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (May 14, 2015). ''Oil Shale'' [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OIL_SHALE._IT_IS_THE_KEROGEN_IN_THIS_ROCK_WHICH_WHEN_HEATED_TO_900_F.,_YIELDS_OIL_-_NARA_-_552547.jpg#/media/File:OIL_SHALE._IT_IS_THE_KEROGEN_IN_THIS_ROCK_WHICH_WHEN_HEATED_TO_900_F.,_YIELDS_OIL_-_NARA_-_552547.jpg</ref>]]


<onlyinclude>'''Kerogen''' is a waxy, insoluble [[organic molecule|organic]] substance that forms when organic [[shale]] is buried under several layers of [[sediment]] and is heated. If this kerogen is continually heated, it leads to the slow release of [[fossil fuel]]s such as [[oil]] and [[natural gas]], and also the non-fuel [[carbon]] compound graphite.</onlyinclude><ref name="geo">Stephen Marshak. (May 14, 2015). ''Earth: Portrait of a Planet'', 3rd ed. New York, NY, U.S.A:W.W. Norton & Company, 2008</ref> Shales that are especially rich in kerogen can actually be burned directly, but only have seen limited use as a [[fuel]] throughout history.<ref name="wolfson"/> During petroleum generation, bitumen also forms from kerogen.<ref name="RE1">Oilfield Glossary. (May 14, 2015). ''Kerogen'' [Online]. Available: http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/en/Terms.aspx?LookIn=term%20name&filter=kerogen</ref>
<onlyinclude>'''Kerogen''' is a waxy, insoluble [[organic molecule|organic]] substance that forms when organic rich [[shale]] is buried under several layers of [[sediment]] and is heated. If this kerogen is continually heated, it leads to the slow release of [[fossil fuel]]s such as [[oil]] and [[natural gas]], and also the non-fuel [[carbon]] compound graphite.</onlyinclude><ref name="geo">Stephen Marshak. (May 14, 2015). ''Earth: Portrait of a Planet'', 3rd ed. New York, NY, U.S.A:W.W. Norton & Company, 2008</ref> Shales that are especially rich in kerogen can actually be burned directly, but have seen limited use as a [[fuel]] throughout history.<ref name="wolfson"/> During petroleum generation, bitumen also forms from kerogen.<ref name="RE1">Oilfield Glossary. (May 14, 2015). ''Kerogen'' [Online]. Available: http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/en/Terms.aspx?LookIn=term%20name&filter=kerogen</ref>


There are different types or classes of kerogen. Type I consists mainly of [[algae]] and is the most likely type of kerogen to produce oil when exposed to high [[temperature]]s. Type II is a type of kerogen that is composed of a mix of terrestrial and marine organic materials and can sometimes produce oil. Type III kerogen is composed mainly of [[wood]]-like material along with some algae and plankton, generally creating natural [[gas]].<ref name="RE1"/>
Kerogen is considered to be a major [[carbon sink]] in the [[carbon cycle]], containing nearly 10<sup>16</sup> tonnes of carbon.<ref name="RE2">C. Largeaub,M. Vandenbrouckea. (May 14, 2015). "Kerogen origin, evolution and structure", ''ScienceDirect'', vol.38 no.5, pp.719-833, 2007.</ref> The ability to study kerogen has also led to insight in the formation of [[sedimentary rock]]s and how organic materials are incorporated into these rocks.


Kerogen is considered to be a major [[carbon sink]] in the [[carbon cycle]], containing nearly 10<sup>16</sup> tonnes of carbon.<ref name="RE2">C. Largeaub,M. Vandenbrouckea. (May 14, 2015). "Kerogen origin, evolution and structure", ''ScienceDirect'', vol.38 no.5, pp.719-833, 2007.</ref> As well, the ability to study kerogen has led to insight in the formation of [[sedimentary rock]]s and how these organic materials are incorporated into these rocks.
The table below lists the four different types or classes of kerogen.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type !! Characteristics<ref name="RE1"/>
|-
| I || Consists mainly of [[algae]] and is the most likely type of kerogen to produce oil when exposed to high [[temperature]]s.
|-
| II || Composed of a mix of terrestrial and marine organic materials and can sometimes produce oil.
|-
| III || Composed mainly of [[wood]]-like material along with some algae and plankton, generally creating natural [[gas]], and some oil
|-
| IV || Type IV kerogen does not produce oil or natural gas.
|}
==Formation==
The formation of kerogen represents a major step in the formation of oil and natural gas, as kerogen serves as the source of fossil fuels. For kerogen to form, dead phytoplankton, zooplankton, algae, and bacteria must sink to the bottom of an ancient still [[water]] [[environment]]. After, this dead material must mix with inorganic, clay-like materials that enter these oceans from streams and rivers. This creates an organic-rich mud: which cannot be exposed to too much [[oxygen]], otherwise the organic [[matter]] within the mud will be decomposed too quickly by bacteria. Before the organic matter is destroyed, it is buried by more sediment and ''lithifies'' (becomes sedimentary rock), creating organic shale.<ref name="geo"/> If this shale is buried between 2 and 4 kilometers in depth, its temperature increases due to its location in the Earths interior. The increased temperature and pressure of the shale finally transforms it into kerogen.<ref name="wolfson">Richard Wolfson. Energy, Environment and Climate, 2nd ed. New York, U.S.A.: Norton, 2012, pp. 96-97</ref>


==Formation==
==For Further Reading==  
The formation of kerogen represents a major step in the formation of oil and natural gas, as kerogen serves as the source of these fossil fuels. For kerogen to form, dead phytoplankon, zooplankton, algae, and bacteria must sink to the bottom of an ancient still [[water]] [[environment]]. After, this dead material must mix with inorganic, clay-like materials that enter these oceans from streams and rivers. This creates an organic-rich mud - which cannot be exposed to too much [[oxygen]] or else the organic [[matter]] within the mud is decomposed too quickly by bacteria. Before this organic matter is destroyed, it is buried by more sediment and lithifies (becomes sedimentary rock), creating organic shale.<ref name="geo"/> If this shale is buried between 2 and 4 kilometers, its temperature increases due to its location in the Earths interior. This increasing pressure and temperature of the shale finally transforms it into kerogen.<ref name="wolfson">Richard Wolfson. Energy, Environment and Climate, 2nd ed. New York, U.S.A.: Norton, 2012, pp. 96-97</ref>
*[[Geologic time scale]]
*[[Oil formation]]
*[[Natural gas formation]]  
*[[Coal formation]]  
*[[Stratigraphy]]  
*Or explore a [[Special:Random|random page]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Uploaded]]
[[Category:Uploaded]]

Latest revision as of 17:16, 4 June 2026

Figure 1. Oil shale that contains kerogen.[1]

Kerogen is a waxy, insoluble organic substance that forms when organic rich shale is buried under several layers of sediment and is heated. If this kerogen is continually heated, it leads to the slow release of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas, and also the non-fuel carbon compound graphite.[2] Shales that are especially rich in kerogen can actually be burned directly, but have seen limited use as a fuel throughout history.[3] During petroleum generation, bitumen also forms from kerogen.[4]

Kerogen is considered to be a major carbon sink in the carbon cycle, containing nearly 1016 tonnes of carbon.[5] The ability to study kerogen has also led to insight in the formation of sedimentary rocks and how organic materials are incorporated into these rocks.

The table below lists the four different types or classes of kerogen.

Type Characteristics[4]
I Consists mainly of algae and is the most likely type of kerogen to produce oil when exposed to high temperatures.
II Composed of a mix of terrestrial and marine organic materials and can sometimes produce oil.
III Composed mainly of wood-like material along with some algae and plankton, generally creating natural gas, and some oil
IV Type IV kerogen does not produce oil or natural gas.

Formation

The formation of kerogen represents a major step in the formation of oil and natural gas, as kerogen serves as the source of fossil fuels. For kerogen to form, dead phytoplankton, zooplankton, algae, and bacteria must sink to the bottom of an ancient still water environment. After, this dead material must mix with inorganic, clay-like materials that enter these oceans from streams and rivers. This creates an organic-rich mud: which cannot be exposed to too much oxygen, otherwise the organic matter within the mud will be decomposed too quickly by bacteria. Before the organic matter is destroyed, it is buried by more sediment and lithifies (becomes sedimentary rock), creating organic shale.[2] If this shale is buried between 2 and 4 kilometers in depth, its temperature increases due to its location in the Earths interior. The increased temperature and pressure of the shale finally transforms it into kerogen.[3]

For Further Reading

References

  1. ↑ Wikimedia Commons. (May 14, 2015). Oil Shale [Online]. Available: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OIL_SHALE._IT_IS_THE_KEROGEN_IN_THIS_ROCK_WHICH_WHEN_HEATED_TO_900_F.,_YIELDS_OIL_-_NARA_-_552547.jpg#/media/File:OIL_SHALE._IT_IS_THE_KEROGEN_IN_THIS_ROCK_WHICH_WHEN_HEATED_TO_900_F.,_YIELDS_OIL_-_NARA_-_552547.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Stephen Marshak. (May 14, 2015). Earth: Portrait of a Planet, 3rd ed. New York, NY, U.S.A:W.W. Norton & Company, 2008
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Richard Wolfson. Energy, Environment and Climate, 2nd ed. New York, U.S.A.: Norton, 2012, pp. 96-97
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Oilfield Glossary. (May 14, 2015). Kerogen [Online]. Available: http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/en/Terms.aspx?LookIn=term%20name&filter=kerogen
  5. ↑ C. Largeaub,M. Vandenbrouckea. (May 14, 2015). "Kerogen origin, evolution and structure", ScienceDirect, vol.38 no.5, pp.719-833, 2007.
Retrieved from "https://energyeducation.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Kerogen&oldid=55294"