Influence of refractory organic matter on source rock hydrocarbon potential: A case study from the Second White Specks and Belle Fourche formations, Alberta, Canada

This study investigates the organic petrology and geochemistry of a sediment core from the thermally immature area of the Upper Cretaceous Second White Specks Formation and Belle Fourche Formation. Reflectance and relative abundance of three maceral groups (bituminite, alginite, and refractory organic carbon macerals) showed significant organic matter compositional differences between micro-facies in the Second White Specks Formation. A change is also observed in organic matter composition from the upper part of the Belle Fourche Formation to the Second White Specks Formation. These compositional changes represent shifts in sediment source, sea floor oxygen levels, and depositional energy levels. These changes can be episodic, as observed between micro-facies, or longer time scale trends, as observed between the studied formations.