Question

Describe the sequence of processes by which oil and natural gas forms

A) Source Rock, Kerogen, Migration, Trapping
B) Tar Sands, Oil Shale, Reservoir Rock, Seismic Exploration
C) Maturation, Petroleum System, Fracking, Condensate
D) Refining, Exploration, Drilling, Distillation

Answer 1

Oil and natural gas formation involves a sequence of processes including source rock formation, transformation to kerogen, migration to adjacent rock layers, and trapping in reservoir rocks.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Sequence of Processes for Oil and Natural Gas Formation:

1. Source Rock: Oil and natural gas formation begins with the accumulation of organic-rich sedimentary rocks called source rocks.
2. Kerogen: Heat and pressure cause the organic material in the source rock (such as dead plants and marine organisms) to undergo chemical changes and transform into a waxy substance called kerogen.
3. Migration: Over time, the kerogen undergoes further heating and converts into oil and natural gas, which then migrate from the source rock through pores and fractures in adjacent rock layers to reach areas of higher pressure or traps.
4. Trapping: Oil and natural gas become trapped in reservoir rocks, which are rocks with interconnected pore spaces that can hold the hydrocarbons. The trapping can occur due to structural features in the rock layers or by the presence of impermeable barriers called caprocks that prevent the hydrocarbons from escaping to the surface.