173 Geologic Energy Resources and Storage for Now and the Future

This session seeks contributions describing research on multi-resource development efforts, non-traditional uses of fossil fuels, natural hydrogen and helium, CCUS, enhanced geothermal energy, storage of hydrogen and compressed air, and enhanced methane recovery and carbon storage in coal.

Tuesday, 21 October 2025
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
HBGCC, 302C

Geochemical and Biomarker Characterization of Kansas Hydrocarbons: Implications for Source Rock Attribution

Paper number: 173-12
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM

Authors

Abstract

Hydrocarbon production plays a significant role in the Kansas energy sector, yet the geochemical characteristics and sources of these hydrocarbons have not been extensively studied. While key petroleum system elements like the reservoir rocks, seals, and traps are well defined within the state, the source rock(s) remain a subject of debate. This study presents a comprehensive geochemical characterization of eighteen hydrocarbon samples collected from five subbasins and six producing intervals across Kansas, utilizing gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques.

Biomarker and non-biomarker parameters such as Pr/Ph ratios ≥ 1, low NP/AK, CPI ≥ 1, and C29/C30 hopane ratios < 1 indicate a predominantly shale-derived source rock across all sampled regions. Sterane and terpane biomarker distributions further differentiate the organic matter source, with hydrocarbons from the Central Kansas Uplift (CKU), Hugoton Embayment (HUE), Salina Basin (SLB), and Sedgwick Basin (SGB) suggesting marine origins, whereas oils from the Forest City Basin (FCB) are terrigenous. Pr/n-C17 vs. Ph/n-C18 crossplot and Pr/Ph ratios (0.98-2.25) support hydrocarbon generation in marginal marine settings under suboxic redox conditions without water stratification, as evidenced by C35 homohopane index, C32/C31 hopane ratios, and Gam/C30 hopane crossplot. Thermal maturity assessments, including CPI and OEP values of 1.0, steranes and terpane isomerization ratios such as C29 sterane 20S/(20S + 20R), C29 sterane ββ/(ββ + αα), C32 homohopane 22S/(22S + 22R) ratios (0.59–0.64), moretane/hopane values (0.09–0.16), and Ts/(Ts + Tm) plot confirm that the source rocks lie within the oil generation window. These results collectively offer insights into the source origin, depositional environment, redox conditions, and the maturity of the organic matter that generated hydrocarbons being produced across different subbasins in Kansas.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-414633

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