Advances in Forensic Geochemistry

This chapter is meant to give the state of the art of forensic geochemistry and recent advances. In terms of forensic organic geochemistry, detecting mature organic matter including polluting hydrocarbons follows an experimental procedure by using recent experimental analytical techniques. However, the interpretation of these results needs an understanding of the geochemical context to make a distinction between the natural and the human made origin of oil. Infrared data coupled with statistical analyses would have an important relevance for the detection of the pollution during the Anthropocene, which is marked an increasing human pollution reaching the level of environmental crimes. In terms of nuclear and isotopic forensic geochemistry, recent studies provided that nuclear forensics considers the fact that some measurable parameters or signatures are distinctive.

Study of synthesis of hydrogen and hydrocarbons by mechanochemical activation of the surface of mineral rocks

In the light of the eternal discussion regarding the sources of hydrocarbons for the initial oil and gas-forming substance, it is possible to recognize the legitimacy of both organic matter, which is confirmed by the biogenic theory of the origin of oil, and deep gases, declared by supporters of the theory of the inorganic concept, referring to the extraordinary richness of hydrocarbons in the mantle. But, the catagenic stage, the process of obtaining oil from the initial substance, in which the primary carbonaceous substance (often under such hypothetical concepts as “micron-oil”, “fluids”) passes into hydrocarbons in the form of oil deposits, causes no less scientific interest and also insufficiently studied. The author sees it as fair to attempt to put emphasis on predominantly geodynamic conditions, tectonic stresses, physico-chemical and thermobaric conditions, the generation of hydrocarbons, on the basis of the synthesis of hydrocarbons in any geological period. The article proposes the author’s chemical model describing the low-temperature polycondensation synthesis of hydrocarbons from water and carbon dioxide in the process of mechanical reactions on the surface of a rock model.

New Finding on Oil Distribution in Jabung Block and its Implication to Pre-Talang Akar Formation (Pre-TAF) Play in the Block and South Sumatera Basin Respectively

The kerogen types at the origin of oil in the Jabung block are predominantly type-II and III based on Rock Eval pyrolysis, and are interpreted to originate from the fluvio-deltaic shale & coal of the Oligocene Talang Akar Formation (TAF). However, several outlying oils have been found in the wells NB-1 & NB-4 of the North Betara Field and indicate that kerogen type-I of lacustrine origin may also be in play. This scenario is further suggested by biomarker and carbon isotope ratios. In this paper, we infer that those oils are sourced from the Eocene Pre-Talang Akar Formation (Pre-TAF) section. This opens new exploration prospectivity for the Jabung area. Our analysis of selected petroleum system elements suggests that the lacustrine oils encountered in NB-1 & NB-4 originate from Eocene Pre-TAF source rock in deeper part and migrated into the younger Oligocene TAF sandstone as a sub-surface leak, or “a subsurface oil seep”. Oil migrated by fault vertically and then spread laterally to fill traps in TAF. A widespread unconformity at top pre-TAF may have provided an excellent seal at the origin a pre-TAF confined petroleum system, prevented the lacustrine oil from entering all the fields/structures in the Jabung block, This could explain the minimal distribution of the lacustrine oil at TAF level and above in the Jabung area. The Pre-TAF is associated with the early syn-rift phase in South Sumatra Basin. It also refers as Lahat or Lemat Formation in the basin and is a widely under-explored play, evidenced by the low reserve magnitude of fewer than 100 MMBOE. The distribution of Pre-TAF as source and reservoir rock is restricted to syn-rift depocenter area. From our latest interpretation, Pre-TAF in NEB Field, observed clearly from the 3D seismic data, is potentially well developed and of good quality, although no wells have penetrated the interval to date

Mineral oil: the development of ideas about the inorganic origin of oil and gas deposits

The widely accepted theory of the organic origin of oil and gas accumulations is practically not used to select promising areas and places for exploratory drilling. This makes us pay close attention to the alternative mineral concept of the genesis of these minerals. The purpose of the book is to show how ideas about the deep inorganic origin of accumulations of oil and hydrocarbon gas developed from antiquity to modern times, before the creation of modern mineral theory. The importance of mineral theory for forecasting large oil and gas fields, as well as for optimizing oil and gas geoecology is shown. For a wide range of readers interested in the origin of oil and gas fields, as well as the history of the development of this field of knowledge.

Physical-chemical and microbiological analysis of water from shallow wells in Imperatriz (MA), Brazil

The quality of groundwater from Imperatriz (MA) is little known. This work investigated microbiological contaminants (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) and the levels of 10 physicochemical parameters in 10 wells located in the urban periphery of the municipality of Imperatriz. The counts of E. coli and total coliforms were ≥ 1600 CFU mL-1 in all the wells. Levels of chloride, sulfate, hardness and turbidity levels were below the maximum allowed for drinking water. However, levels of iron (0.46 – 1.75 mg L-1) and pH (5.02 – 5.92) were not in compliance with drinking water standards in all the wells investigated. The same was observed in relation to oil and grease in water (0.0 – 6.8 mg L-1), which were detected in 40% of the wells. Levels of nitrite (0.71 – 3.84 mg L-1), nitrate (4.16 – 13.52 mg L-1) and total dissolved solids (810 – 2060 mg L-1) were above the highest limit in 50%, 60% and 70% of wells, respectively. The acidic pH observed in all the wells makes them also unsuitable for animal intake and irrigation. The acidity and the high level of iron in all wells suggest that they are natural characteristics of the soil and the groundwater of the region. Contamination with nitrite and nitrate in some wells, as well as high counts of coliforms, may be related to deficiencies in basic sanitation in the area. The origin of oil and grease in the wells should be better investigated to avoid contamination of the water table.

The The origin of oil palm social conflict in Laman Satong, Ketapang, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia

This research aims to describe the process and reveal the origin of social conflict in the incoming oil palm investment. Twelve Subjects are involved in this research, located in Laman Satong Village, Ketapang District, Kalimantan Barat Province, Indonesia in February-May 2019. The results showed that a threat to society's identity meaning which depends on the forest was an origin of social conflict. The incoming of oil palm investment was considered as a threat because of the limited formal communication channel, through socialization meetings This limitation indicated to slow down their stock of knowledge renewal, that related to their future fate. Thus, it creates worries that caused resistance and internal community conflict itself. Academically this research contributes to establishing the social conflict theory and stock of knowledge concept in terms of conflict in the incoming of oil palm investment.

New representations on oil and gas origin in connection with the opening of the phenomenon of reserves replenishment in exploited oil fields

New ideas about the origin of oil and gas are discussed. They are caused by the discovery of the phenomenon of replenishment of oil and gas reserves in exploited fields. This phenomenon was discovered by the Russian geologists a quarter of a century ago, and a little later it was theoretically justified on the basis of the biosphere concept of oil and gas formation. As a result, the well-known «organic hypothesis» and «mineral hypothesis», which have long time competed in oil and gas geology are being replaced by new representations today, according to which oil and gas are the inexhaustible useful fossils of our planet. And their deposits are traps of movable carbon that circulates via the Earth’s surface in three main cycles with periods of ~108-109, ~106 -107 and ≈ 40 years. The 40-year carbon biosphere cycle, which was not previously taken into account at all, plays a main role in replenishment of deposits. Its accounting makes it possible to balance the carbon and water cycles in the biosphere, taking into account the economic activities of people and modern formation of oil and gas in the bowels, and also open up the possibility of exploiting deposits as constantly replenished sources of hydrocarbons.