Vitrinite Reflectance Standard should aid hydrocarbon discovery.
Press Release Summary:
ASTM D7708, Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the Reflectance of Vitrinite Dispersed in Sedimentary Rocks, will help improve predictions of location, quantity, and quality of undiscovered hydrocarbon resources. Specifically, this standard will provide framework and reference to understand most common measurement used to determine whether source rock is immature, mature, or overmature with respect to hydrocarbon generation.
Original Press Release:
New ASTM Vitrinite Reflectance Standard Will Aid in Prediction of Undiscovered Hydrocarbon Resources
W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.-A new ASTM International standard for measuring the reflectance of vitrinite in sedimentary rocks will help improve predictions of the location, quantity and quality of undiscovered hydrocarbon resources.
ASTM D7708, Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the Reflectance of Vitrinite Dispersed in Sedimentary Rocks, was developed by Subcommittee D05.28 on Petrographic Analysis of Coal and Coke, part of ASTM International Committee D05 on Coal and Coke.
"Vitrinite is the primary component of coal and measuring the reflectance of vitrinite eroded from coal beds and dispersed into sedimentary rock is considered the most robust assay for determination of thermal maturity in hydrocarbon exploration," says Paul C. Hackley, research geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, and chairman of D05.28. "However, there was no standardized methodology available until the new test method was developed."
ASTM D7708 will provide a framework and reference to understand the most common measurement used to determine whether a source rock is immature, mature or overmature with respect to the generation of hydrocarbons.
Primary users of the new standard will be service laboratories to the hydrocarbon exploration industry. Hackley notes that ASTM D7708 will be adopted within the dispersed vitrinite reflectance accreditation program of the International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology, which currently includes approximately 40 laboratories around the world.
All interested parties are invited to participate in a planned interlaboratory study to develop a precision and bias statement for ASTM D7708. In addition, Hackley notes that the development of an online photomicrograph database that will supplement the standard is ongoing. All are welcome to submit photomicrographs showing dispersed organic materials in sedimentary rocks or samples of sedimentary rock containing organic matter.
To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585; service@astm.org). ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.
ASTM International is one of the largest international standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM International meets the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for the development of international standards: coherence, consensus, development dimension, effectiveness, impartiality, openness, relevance and transparency. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems and commercial transactions.
View this release on the ASTM Web site at www.astmnewsroom.org.
ASTM Committee D05 Next Meeting: Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2011, October Committee Week, Tampa, Fla.
Technical Contact: Paul C. Hackley, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Va., Phone: 703-648-6458; phackley@usgs.gov
ASTM Staff Contact: Scott Orthey, Phone: 610-832-9730; sorthey@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org
