This book aims at a modern review of processes relevant to basin and petroleum evolution. The topics are exciting ones because of enormous developments over the past 5 years. The book provides an overview of the various methodologies needed to construct a sound simulation of basin-forming processes, petroleum generation, expulsion and migration history. Not only are the conceptual models presented, but also material on basic input data, such as heat flow, kinetics and source rock quality are presented. Overall, this is a useful and instructive book, even for someone already reasonably well-versed in the topic.
The book shares the "pros and cons" of many multi-author books. Positive is that the various authors are all specialists in their respective fields, which allows, in theory, the presentation of excellent material reflecting the authors' grasp of the topic. Good contributions, such as some chapters of the book, radiate authority. Unfortunately, substandard contributions always seem to find their way into these multiauthor books, and this book is no exception to the rule.
Reading the book, particularly the two initial chapters on basin forming processes, is not always smooth. The reader is somewhat flooded by lists of relevant factors and warnings about the complexity of phenomena, but, at the end, he;clshe has no deeper understanding of the processes involved. References are not always adequate. Important papers are often omitted, and there is a heavy bias toward the German literature.
Chapter 1 offers a very wide overview of all parameters, processes and factors which should be taken into account when tackling the tectonics of basin formation and modeling. The text is, however, difficult to read, mainly because it lacks a "problem-solving" approach. Warnings are often repeated that things are not simple, that all parameters should be accounted for, etcetera, but no real guidance is provided and little is said on the relative importance of these factors. Too little is reported regarding tectonic processes which should have been given as an overview before the book dives into more petroleum-related problems. Similarly, very little is said about modeling techniques.
Chapter 2 is devoted to the thermal history of sedimentary basins. After an exposition of the main theoretical aspects, the numerous factors affecting
thermal history are listed. In the first part, parameters affecting thermal modeling are presented at length, although providing more warnings than solutions. The thermal models presented are quite simple and, in general, neglect crustal- and lithospheric-scale processes. Six case studies are presented in the second part. They are interesting, but lack "geological" information.
The title for Chapter 3, "Maturation and petroleum generation", does not really match the contents of this chapter. A good and detailed overview is presented of maturity parameters, from simple vitrinite reflectance, to the various complex molecular indices such as sterane isomerisation/aromatisation. However, a novice in this field may find it difficult to apply the various maturity parameters based on this chapter. The authors do not specify which parameters work best under what geological conditions. They offer no opinion, judgment, advice, or limitations on the various tools that were not elaborated on. Also, topics such as suppression of vitrinite reflectance have not been mentioned. The reader is not educated by this chapter to view all maturity parameters with great care. Regarding petroleum generation, the reader will not find anything on reaction mechanisms that could describe the breakdown of kerogen into hydrocarbons.
Chapter 4, "Kinetics of petroleum formation and cracking", is an excellent contribution! Well-written and composed in a transparent manner. The difficult material on generation kinetics is very well explained, as are the various methods to measure them. The authors come to the very wise conclusion that it makes little sense to "delve deeper and deeper into the complexities of laboratory pyrolysis", in trying to further refine the generation schemes. What is needed now are reliable data from nature to constrain our models.
Chapter 5, "Deposition of source rocks", seems to be out of touch with modern developments and is very disappointing. Nothing new is offered, and a large number of very important, (sub)recent references are missing. For example, the world-wide review of petroleum source rock (Klemme & Ulmischek, 1991) is not referred to. When discussing black shales, the excellent recent monograph by Wignall (1994) is not mentioned. Modern developments linking sequence stratigraphy and deposition of organic-rich shales (e.g. Herbin et al., 1995, Marine Petroleum Geology, v. 12, or Creaney and Passey, 1993, AAPG Bulletin, v. 77) are essentially missing. Although some case histories on source rock deposition are offered, the reader will look in vain for any word on the most important source rocks of the world (nothing on the Hanifa, very little on the Kimmeridge, nothing on the La Luna or Duvernay). A serious omission also is that carbonate source rock depositional models are not discussed at all! This chapter should not have past reviewers.
Chapter 6, "The bulk composition of first formed petroleum in source rocks", by Horsfield is a pleasure to read: transparent, well written, interesting and useful. Horsfield demonstrated the usefulness of pyrolysis gas chromotography work on kerogens to help predict gas-oil ratios in undrilled areas.
Chapter 7, by Mann et al. on "Petroleum migration" is of outstanding quality. It is well composed, and smoothly runs from field work to experiments to computer models. Everything is integrated and seems to fit together. Mechanisms of petroleum migration are reviewed, and field/experimental observation are offered to substantiate the opinion of the authors. The chapter illustrates recent progress and highlights remaining problems. Short case histories complete this excellent chapter.
The overall contents of the book are of variable quality, and the book is probably a good buy. Those earth scientist who are, or want to become active in the field of petroleum formation and basin evolution, will find it useful. One comment on the print quality in the copy that we received, a very irritating "double printing" occurred. Diagrams or text from another page are printed in light tones over the contents of the page one is reading. Springer may want to sell-off those copies that have this phenomenon at half price.
GIOVANNI BERTOTTI
Faculty of Earth Sciences
Vrije Universiteit
De Boelelaan 1085
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
WIEKERT VISSER
Shell International Exploration and Production
Volmerlaan 6-8
2288 GD Rijswijk
The Netherlands
Source
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