A Comparative Analysis of Different Kinetic Models for Calculating Vitrinite Reflectance in Source Rocks for Oil and Gas in the Banat Depression (Serbia)

Abstract

This paper presents, for the first time, the application of the Vitrinite Math software program for assessing the thermal maturity of organic matter through vitrinite reflectance modelling (Ro). The calculations were performed using five different kinetic models: Easy%Ro, Press%Ro, IKU%Ro, T-P-Ro, and Basin%Ro. Although laboratory-measured vitrinite reflectance values are essential for determining the maturity stage of organic matter, their comparative analysis using multiple kinetic models enhances the accuracy and reliability of interpreting results on the thermal maturity of organic matter, which is a crucial aspect of petroleum-geological research. Multiple modelling reduces the risk of erroneous conclusions when assessing the generative potential of source rocks, especially in complex sedimentary systems when exploring oil and gas deposits. The results presented in the paper indicate that the kinetic models Press%Ro and T-P-Ro, which include overpressures, show the best agreement with the measured down to 3490 m, while among the kinetic models that do not include overpressure, Basin%Ro exhibits a high correlation with the measured %Ro values.