ABSTRACT: Spectral Reflectance Properties of Hydrocarbon-Bearing Rocks and Sediments: Implications for Laboratory and Field Characterization of Material Properties

CLOUTIS, EDWARD A., O'Connor Associates, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, PHOEBE L. HAUFF, Spectral Research, Lafayette, CO, and THOMAS L. MOSLOW, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The visible and near-infrared spectral reflectance properties of hydrocarbon-bearing rocks and sediments such as oil sands, oil shales, and coals have been examined in the laboratory in order to assess the applicability of reflectance spectroscopy for sample characterization. Each group of hydrocarbon-bearing materials exhibits unique spectral properties in the visible and near-infrared spectral range. Oil sands spectra display complex absorption features associated with the organic and clay fractions present in the samples. The shapes and intensities of these absorption bands vary with changes in sample properties such as phase abundances and compositions. The nonlinear variations seen in organic absorption band intensities suggests that factors such as organic phase composition affe t the reflectance spectra. The spectral variations seen in clay-rich samples can be correlated with both abundances and compositions of the various clay species present. The rapid speed with which reflectance spectra can be acquired in comparison to more traditional analytical techniques, the ability to measure spectra in the field and in near real time in industrial process streams indicates that reflectance spectral analysis can and will become a particularly useful analytical technique for organic materials analysis. Spectral analysis of other hydrocarbon-bearing geological materials such as oil shales and coals has not been pursued to the same extent as for oil sands but preliminary results suggest that both these types of materials will be amenable to spectral analysis of at least s me of their physical and chemical properties.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91012©1992 AAPG Annual Meeting, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 22-25, 1992 (2009)