Origin of gasoline-range hydrocarbons and their migration by solution in carbon dioxide in Norton basin, Alaska.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin
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Abstract

Carbon dioxide from a submarine seep in Norton Sound, Alaska, carries a minor component of gas- and gasoline-range hydrocarbons. The molecular and isotopic compositions of the hydrocarbon gases and the presence of gasoline-range hydrocarbons indicate that these molecules are derived from thermal alteration of marine and/or nonmarine organic matter buried within Norton basin. In the gasoline-range hydrocarbons, individual cyclic and branched-chain molecules are much more abundant than straight-chain hydrocarbons. This distribution suggests that the hydrocarbon mixture is an immature, petroleumlike condensate of lower temperature origin than normal crude oil. The submarine seep provides a natural example in support of a carbon dioxide solution transport mechanism thought to be operative in the migration of hydrocarbons in certain reservoirs.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Origin of gasoline-range hydrocarbons and their migration by solution in carbon dioxide in Norton basin, Alaska.
Series title American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin
DOI 10.1306/2F919431-16CE-11D7-8645000102C1865D
Volume 64
Issue 7
Year Published 1980
Language English
Publisher American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Contributing office(s) Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 9 p.
First page 1078
Last page 1086
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Norton Basin
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