Coal and coal-bearing strata as oil-prone source rocks: current problems and future directions

Abstract At present, the principal problems concerning coaly sequences as oil-prone source rocks are, still, how can we identify which coals expel oil (liquid-phase petroleum) and how do we predict the presence and distribution of such coals in the sub-surface? To tackle these problems four key areas of study need addressing. Firstly, the representatives of the database, on which our current empirical understanding is based, needs verification. Secondly, the nomenclature used to describe coals and related kerogens must be clearly integrated. Thirdly, the constituents of these coals and kerogens, their botanical precursor and their petroleum products need to be established. Finally, controls on oil migration out of coal-bearing sequences need elucidating. Ways of addressing these problems might include a multi-/interdisciplinary study, ‘bottom-up’ studies from plant constituents, and comparative migration studies based on suites of coals from different settings.

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