Revision of Gulf Coast Model of Smectite-illite Conversion Extended to a New Concept on the Origin of Oil: the TCRCMBRMS Hypothesis

Matthew Totten, Rene Boutin, Sambhudas Chaudhuri, Norbert Clauer, John Miesse, Daniel Ramirez-Cano, and Greg Riepl
[email protected]

The Gulf of Mexico basin is well known for the smectite to illite clay mineral transformation, a process linked to hydrocarbon generation. For this reaction to happen, supply of K is critical. Very often either K-feldspar or mica-like minerals have been cited as the source of this K, although such minerals are not always seen near the reaction site. We have the chemical evidence to show that large amounts of K can come from the organic matter undergoing transformation reactions. The conventional views on oil generation see (a) thermogenic heat from burial,(b)hydrogen for the production of oil essentially from the organic matter itself, (c) at best a minor role of the inorganic matrix, and (d) no roles of living biological entities. We emphasize that all the factors above needed to be occurring together--that is our global view, calling it to be the TCRCMBRMS hypothesis. Measurable H comes from amount of water adsorbed in compressed sediments. H radicals may be produced from this water by the energy from the decay of natural radioactive elements, rich in organic-rich shales. Radically reacted transformed organic matter adsorbs significant amount of charged metals. We have concrete evidence to show that such high-charged metal concentration happens to transformed organic matter. The issue of oil generation over a long duration period could be linked to population growth of anaerobic microbial entities.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90167©2013 GCAGS and GCSSEPM 63^rd Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 6-8, 2013