US EPA

533558 

Journal Article 

Relations between vitrinite reflectance, peak temperature and its neighboring temperature variation rate: A comparison of methods 

Wang, W; Zhou, ZY; Yu, P 

2005 

48 

6 

1375-1383 

Chinese 

Simplified models for three existing VR models (i.e. Middleton model, Waples model and Easy% R-o model) are obtained through the Monte Carlo Method. These simplified models show that the VR value is mainly determined by peak temperature (T-max), and is related to the temperature variation rate around the peak temperature (H-r). By comparing these simplified models, it is found that the Waples model and Middleton model are more sensitive to H, than the Easy% R-o model, and, for the same value of VR, the Middleton model predicts the highest peak temperatures, Waples model the lowest and Easy% R-o model in between. These simplified models can be employed to interpret real VR data set to obtain the peak temperature that a stratum has experienced since deposition, and the thermal gradient, heat flow and time when the stratum experienced this peak temperature. Interpretation of VR data from the Inigok 1 well in the North Slope in Alaska indicates that poorly constrained data, such as thermal conductivity, may lead to errors. But these errors can be analyzed and quantified. However, the uncertainties of H-r may lead to non-uniqueness in the interpretation. 

vitrinite reflectance; peak temperature; temperature variation rate; Monte Carlo method; thermal histories; petroleum-exploration; sedimentary basins; heat-flow; model; maturation