Studies on thermal maturity and hydrocarbon potential of lignites of Bikaner–Nagaur basin, Rajasthan

Abstract

In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study lignite samples from the working mines of Bikaner–Nagaur basin of Rajasthan with reference to their maturity and their hydrocarbon potential. The study has been made on the basis of petrological and geochemical characteristics. The assessments made through the empirically derived equations have been cross-checked and correlated with the rock-eval data. The study reveals that the low rank coals of Bikaner–Nagaur basin contain mainly kerogen type-III organic matter and are dominantly composed of huminite (77–87%) with small concentrations of liptinite (4–11%) and inertinite (2–14%), which are worth liquefying to obtain liquid oil and gas. Further, the high conversion factor (93–95%) and high oil yield (63–65%) make them industrially significant, considering the vast lignite resource of the region.