Study of Hydrocarbon Source Potential of Kapurdi Lignites of Barmer Basin, Rajasthan, Western India

The present investigation is an attempt to study hydrocarbon source potential of early Paleogene lignites of Kapurdi, Barmer Basin. The samples collected from the working mines have been subjected to petrographic and geochemical analyses. The petrographic study includes both maceral as well as microlithotype analyses whereas geochemical study includes proximate and ultimate analyses. Besides, rock eval pyrolysis, FTIR and NMR studies have also been carried out. The analytically generated data were also correlated and checked with empirical equations. The study shows that these lignites of Barmer Basin are rich in kerogen type-III organic matter and contain high concentration of reactive macerals (huminite + liptinite) to the tune of ∼98% (mineral matter free basis) and they have attained low maturity (Rmax is 0.43%). These lignites have a fairly high conversion factor (95–97%) and oil yield (65–67%) which is also supported by the rock-eval data. Further, 1H and C13 shifts of NMR also suggest a high potential of hydrocarbon of Kapurdi lignites.