Evaluation of Maturity (Late Diagenesis) in Source Rocks of Jaisalmer Basin in Rajasthan, India using 57Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy

The potential of a source rock for hydrocarbon generation depends on several factors such as the amount, type and maturity level of the organic matter present in it as well as the redox conditions in which the sediments containing the source rocks were deposited. Organic-rich sediments deposited in reducing environment have better prospects for a good quality source rock as compared to those deposited in oxidizing environments. The information about the oxidizing/reducing environment at the time of deposition can be obtained from the presence or absence of certain iron-bearing minerals in sediments. The presence of oxide minerals goethite (α-FeOOH) and/or hematite (α-Fe2O3) indicates that sediments were deposited in an oxidizing environment. Therefore the study of iron-bearing minerals in sediments can be used to understand the qualities of the source rocks.