Master of Science / Geology / Matthew W. Totten / The thermal maturity of hydrocarbon-rich source rocks can be estimated by several different methods. These methods focus on a specific geochemical or mineralogical aspect contained within the rock. Because each method has limitations, it is advisable to use several methods to better determine thermal maturation. This report summarizes two common methods used to determine thermal maturity, vitrinite reflectance and illitization. Vitrinite reflectance and illitization have both been shown to be effected by similar temperatures that are within the hydrocarbon generation window. In some previous studies these two methods give different levels of maturation when looked at in tandem. Formations such as the Woodford Shale of Oklahoma are made up almost completely of illite in the clay fraction, even at low levels of vitrinite reflectance. These are also without a clear source of potassium, which is often the limiting factor in the process of illitization. Totten et al. (2013) suggest that in place of potassium feldspars, which are a common source of K⁺ for illite (but lacking in the Woodford) that the needed K⁺ was provided by the organic material that was being altered under the same temperatures of the clay minerals. The Woodford contains large amounts of organic matter, This would be consistent with promoting illitization at lower thermal maturities than organic-poor shales.

Anomalously high groundwater salinities exist within the syn-impact sediment of the Chesapeake Bay impact crater, including an unexplained brine. This brine may be the result of phase-separation of seawater that occurred within the syn-impact sediments as underlying deformed and possibly melted basement rock cooled following impact. The 85 km wide crater has been described as a complex peak-ring crater; created 35.8 million years ago in the then submerged unconsolidated sediments of the Atlantic Coastal Plain and now completely buried by post-impact sediments. An annular trough with relatively undisturbed basement surrounds a ~38 km diameter inner basin with a peak ring and central uplift. The basement surface within the inner basin was modified by the impact and is projected to be approximately 1.6 km below sea level. Geothermometry and advective and conductive heat flow modeling was performed to characterize a possible post-impact hydrothermal system. Thermal maturity and radiogenic techniques were used to estimate the temperature history of the crater sediments. Core samples from one borehole just outside the crater, two within the annular trough, and one shallow borehole within the inner basin were examined. Numerical heat and fluid flow models were developed using a range of likely sediment parameters and basal heat flow values to determine if phase-separation temperatures were likely to have occurred, and to evaluate what affect, if any, lithostatic overpressures may have had on post-impact cooling. Geothermometry results indicate that no detectable thermal anomaly exists within the syn or post-impact sediments at these boreholes; however, no data are available within the deep inner basin where temperatures were likely to have been higher. Samples from existing boreholes suggest that sediment are organically immature and likely were never heated above ~40°C for a geologically significant period of time. These results support apatite He (U/Th) and previously published apatite fission track radiogenic ages indicating no Cenozoic resetting. Heat flow simulations indicate that a high temperature (>400°C) hydrothermal system could have existed within the inner basin and not caused any measurable effect on thermal maturity in the annular trough and shallow portion of the inner basin. Results also indicate that phase-separation could have occurred in the syn-impact sediments using reasonable estimates of basal heat flow, permeability, thermal conductivity, and porosity values, and that overpressures resulting from rapid deposition of syn-impact sediments dissipate within a few thousand years and are not an important heat transport mechanism. / Master of Science

Scanning electron microscopy of Ar-ion milled samples from the Eagle Ford Formation, South Texas shows that the character and abundance of porosity changes significantly across burial conditions as a result of compaction, cementation, bitumen generation, and generation of secondary porosity within organic matter (OM). Samples displaying a range of compositions and maturities are imaged and quantified to provide insight into the effects of these processes. Porosity in low-maturity samples (Ro~0.5%) is volumetrically dominated (0.1% -12.5% bulk volume, average 6.2%) by relatively large, mostly interparticle, primary mineral-associated pores (median sizes range 35.9-52.7 nm). Larger pores are generally associated with coccolith debris that is commonly aggregated into pellets. Porosity and pore size correlate directly with calcite abundance and inversely with OM volumes. OM is dominantly detrital kerogen "stringers" that range in size and have spatial distributions and character suggestive of detrital origin. Destruction of primary porosity in low-maturity samples has occurred due to compaction of ductile kerogen and clays and, to a minor degree, as a result of cementation and infill of early bitumen. Smaller, secondary OM-hosted pores (median size range 11.1-14.9 nm) volumetrically dominate porosity (0.02%-3.6% bulk volume, average of 1.36%), in most high-maturity samples (Ro~1.2%-1.3%). Mineral-associated pores are present, but are typically smaller (median size range from 20.3-40.6 nm) and less abundant (0.0%-10.0% bulk volume, average of 2.5%) than at low maturity. Abundant mineral-associated porosity is present locally in samples where incursion of primary pore space by bitumen has not occurred. OM within high-maturity samples is distributed more evenly throughout the rock fabric, occupying spaces similar in size and morphology to primary interparticle pores, coating euhedral crystals (probable cements), and filling intraparticle porosity. These observations, and positive correlation between calcite and OM volumes (OM-hosted pore volume included) in samples with dominantly OM-hosted pore networks, suggests that a large portion of OM within high-maturity samples is diagenetic in origin and has filled primary pore space. Destruction of primary porosity in high-maturity samples has occurred through cementation, bitumen infill, and, possibly greater compaction. Additional porosity, however, has been generated through maturation of OM. / text

Commonly the thermal maturity of the Late Devonian to Early Mississippian Woodford shale found on the flanks of the Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma is determined by vitrinite reflectance, values ranging from 0.3-1.5%. Using phyllosilicate minerals, specifically diagenetic mixed layer illite/smectite and diagenetic illite, an understanding of the extent and processes leading to the thermal maturation may be developed. Analysis by XRD of the clay mineralogy of the Woodford shale found kaolinite and mixed layer illite/smectite with <5% smectite and R≥3 stacking order. Modeling of the Woodford shale also suggests the percentage of smectite present in mixed layer illite/smectite to be <5% and commonly <2.5%. Deconvolution of the illite (001) peak supports the low smectite content and high illite crystallinity. The long range ordered illite, R≥3, and high illite crystallinity values are indicative of diagenesis to anchizone conditions suggesting a higher thermal maturity relative to previously measured values of vitrinite reflectance.

The thermal maturity of sediments from the upper Cambrian to lower Ordovician Mila and Ilbeyk  formations in the Zagros Basin in southwestern Iran is evaluated in this thesis. A number of low-cost,  fast, optical evaluation methods are utilised to assess their effectiveness for providing accurate, well  constrained thermal maturity results. Palynomorph colours under transmitted light are measured using  two optical evaluation methods (Palynomorph Darkness Index , PDI- Goodhue &amp; Clayton 2010;  Acritarch Alteration Index, AAI- Legall et al., 1981) to study 540 acritarchs of three acritarch  morphotype-groups: acanthomorphs, Cristallinium-type and veryhachides. Correlation of the PDI and  AAI results collected in this study with UV fluorescence and rock-eval pyrolysis data taken from  previous studies suggests that the studied sediments are within the wet gas thermal maturity window.  Furthermore, investigating the PDI results of acritarchs allowed for the identification of reworked or  recycled acritarchs. Investigation of the stratigraphy of strata containing abundant reworked or recycled  acritarchs allowed for the identification of a ravinement surface in a transgressive shallow water  depositional environment in the studied strata.

Master of Science / Department of Geology / Matthew Totten / The Woodford shale is recognized as an abundant source rock across Oklahoma and much of the midcontinent (Lambert, 1990), and up to 8% of the world’s hydrocarbon reserves are estimated to have been sourced by the Woodford and its equivalents (Fritz et al, 1991). The Woodford shale is far more complex than other Devonian black shales found in North America due to the presence of alternating bands of chert-like amorphous silica and silica-rich shale. Analysis of chert and its possible role in gas generation and storage in shales has been largely overlooked. The goal of this study is to determine if chert size, amounts, or polycrystallinity can be indicators of thermal maturity within the Woodford shale. Handheld XRF analysis was conducted on the whole rock samples, and a mudrock specific sodium bisulfate fusion was used to separate the non-clay fraction. SEM was performed on the resulting separates to study and observe changes in chert fabric, grain-size, and amount. No correlations were observed to indicate that chert is an indicator of thermal maturity within the Woodford shale. Increase in chert growth and amount was also not detected within the size fractions as thermal maturity increases. Handheld XRF proved to be a good proxy for quick, onsite analysis of silica concentrations, as well as the amount of organic matter within drill core. This could be beneficial as hydraulic fracking produces best results in areas of higher silica content, and the wells with the highest organic matter have the highest potential for petroleum accumulations.

The Cretaceous Mowry Shale is an organic-rich, siliceous marine shale, and as such is a known source rock in the Western United States. Studies have documented that total organic carbon (TOC) in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming increases to the southeast. These studies cover large areas with limited sample sets. In this study, over 250 samples were collected near Lander, Wyoming to address spatial heterogeneity of TOC within the Mowry Shale at a much finer scale than previously examined. Samples were collected along five vertical sections at three localities, and following correlation of the vertical sections, which was strongly aided by the presence of regional bentonite horizons, samples were collected laterally from the same unit at regular 25-foot intervals. These samples were analyzed using pyrolysis and x-ray diffraction techniques. Average TOC values are fairly consistent within the study area (1.65%, with a range of 2.10% to 1.15%). Average Tmax values for vertical and lateral samples is 433 °C with a standard deviation of 7.25 °C suggesting immature to very early oil window thermal maturity. Kerogen types are determined to be dominantly type III, suggesting a dominance of terrestrial input, becoming slightly more mixed type II/III to the southeast. Redox-sensitive trace metals such as uranium, thorium, vanadium, chromium, cobalt, and molybdenum values all suggest a slightly oxygenated sediment water interface during time of deposition. These pyrolysis and trace metal data suggest that the study area was in a prograding proximal marine/prodeltaic depositional environment during Upper Mowry time with influences from higher energy bottom flows. Lateral homogeneity of strata and the low variability in geochemical character across the study area suggest that the local basin in the study area was not segmented by structural or oceanographic conditions. While efforts were made to collect unaltered outcrop samples (digging back into what appeared to be unfractured, unaltered rock), alteration or weathering of organic material is a concern for source rock evaluation of near-surface outcrops. In order to address this concern, a 5-foot-deep trench was dug back into the outcrop at the target horizon in one locality. Samples were taken at regular three-inch intervals from this trench as it was excavated to determine the effect of weathering on TOC in the study area. Based on pyrolysis results, TOC was affected by weathering only along fracture sets (several samples intersected fractures in the shallow subsurface) and did not appreciably increase from the surface to a depth of five feet. Due to the impermeable nature of shale rock, decreases of TOC due to weathering appear to be limited to the immediate surface of samples and along fracture sets.

The Northern Carnarvon Basin is the richest petroleum province in Australia. About 50 gas/condensate and oil fields, associated mainly with Jurassic source rocks, have been discovered in the sub-basins and on the Rankin Platform since 1964. The basin is located at the southern end of the North West Shelf of Australia. It can be mainly subdivided into the Exmouth, Barrow, Dampier and Beagle Sub-basins, the Rankin Platform and Exmouth Plateau. The sub-basins are rift-related grabens and half-grabens developed during the Jurassic to the earliest Cretaceous and contain over 10 kilometres of Mesozoic and Cainozoic sedimentary rocks, among which are several thousand meters of Jurassic rocks. The formations of the Jurassic and the lower part of the Barrow Group of Early Cretaceous age in the sub-basins of the Northern Carnarvon Basin were found to be overpressured with excess pressures of 5-29 MPa at depths of 2900-3600 m indicated by repeat formation tests (RFTs) and drill stem tests (DSTs). The characteristics of organic matter, thermal history and thermal maturity, pressure seal and overpressure evolution in the sub-basins are crucial to a proper understanding of the nature and dynamic processes of hydrocarbon generation and migration in the basin. Based on organic geochemical data, the important source rocks in the basin are Jurassic organic-rich fine-grained rocks including the Murat Siltstone, the rift-related Athol Formation and Dingo Claystone. The Mungaroo Formation of the Middle-Upper Triassic contains gas-generating source rocks. These formations recognised to be organic rich based on 1256 values of the total organic carbon content (TOC, %) from 17 wells. Average TOC values (calculated from samples with TOC < 15 %) are about 2.19 % in the Mungaroo Formation, about 2.09 % in the Murat Siltstone and about 1.74 % in the Athol Formation and Dingo Claystone. / Data from kerogen element analysis, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, visual kerogen composition and some biomarkers have been used to evaluate the kerogen type in the basin. It appears that type III kerogen is the dominant organic-matter type in the Triassic and Jurassic source rocks, while the Dingo Claystone may contain some oil-prone organic matter. The vitrinite reflectance (Ro) data in some wells of the Northern Carnarvon Basin are anomalously low. As a major thermal maturity indicator, the anomalously low Ro data seriously hinder the assessment of thermal maturity in the basin. This study differs from other studies in that it has paid more attention to Rock-Eval Tmax data. Therefore, problems affecting Tmax data in evaluating thermal maturity were investigated. A case study of contaminated Rock-Eval data in Bambra-2 and thermal modelling using Tmax data in 16 wells from different tectonic subdivisions were carried out. The major problems for using Tmax data were found to be contamination by drilling-mud additives, natural bitumen and suppression due to hydrogen index (HI) > 150 in some wells. Although the data reveal uncertainties and there is about ±3-10 % error for thermal modelling by using the proposed relationship of Ro and Tmax, the "reliable" Tmax data are found to be important, and useful to assess thermal maturity and reduce the influence of unexpectedly low Ro data. / This study analyzed the characteristics of deep overpressured zones and top pressure seals, in detail, in 7 wells based on the observed fluid pressure data and petrophysical data. The deep overpressured system (depth greater than 2650-3000 m) in the Jurassic formations and the lower part of the Barrow Group is shown by the measured fluid pressure data including RFTs, DSTs and mud weights. The highly overpressured Jurassic fine-grained rocks also exhibit well-log responses of high sonic transit times and low formation resistivities. The deep overpressured zone, however, may not necessarily be caused by anomalously high porosities due to undercompaction. The porosities in the deep overpressured Jurassic rocks may be significantly less than the well-log derived porosities, which may indicate that the sonic-log and resistivity-log also directly respond to the overpressuring in the deep overpressured fine-grained rocks of the sub-basins. Based on the profiles of fluid pressure and well-log data in 5 wells of the Barrow Sub-basin, a top pressure seal was interpreted to be consistent with the transitional pressure zone in the Barrow Sub-basin. This top pressure seal was observed to consist of a rock layer of 60-80 % claystone and siltstone. The depths of the rock layer range from 2650 m to 3300 m with thicknesses of 300-500 m and temperatures of 110-135 °C. Based on the well-log data, measured porosity and sandstone diagenesis, the rock layer seems to be well compacted and cemented with a porosity range of about 2-5 % and calculated permeabilities of about 10-19 to 10-22 M2. / This study performed thermal history and maturity modelling in 14 wells using the BasinMod 1D software. It was found that the thermal maturity data in 4 wells are consistent with the maturity curves predicted by the rifting heat flow history associated with the tectonic regime of this basin. The maximum heat flows during the rift event of the Jurassic and earliest Cretaceous possibly ranged from 60-70 mW/m2 along the sub-basins and 70-80 mW/m2 on the southern and central Exmouth Plateau. This study also carried out two case studies of thermal maturity and thermal modelling within the deep overpressured system in the Barrow and Bambra wells of the Barrow Sub-basin. These case studies were aimed at understanding whether overpressure has a determinable influence on thermal maturation in this region. It was found that there is no evidence for overpressure-related retardation of thermal maturity in the deep overpressured system, based on the measured maturity, biomarker maturity parameters and 1D thermal modelling. Therefore, based on the data analysed, overpressure is an insignificant factor in thermal maturity and h hydrocarbon generation in this basin. / Three seismic lines in the Exmouth, Barrow and Dampier Sub-basins were selected and converted to depth cross-sections, and then 2D geological models were created for overpressure evolution modelling. A major object of these 2D geological models was to define the critical faults. A top pressure seal was also detected based on the 2D model of the Barrow Sub-basin. Two-dimensional overpressure modelling was performed using the BasinMod 2D software. The mathematical 2D model takes into consideration compaction, fluid thermal expansion, pressure produced by hydrocarbon generation and quartz cementation. The sealed overpressured conditions can be modelled with fault sealing, bottom pressure seal (permeabilities of 10-23 to 10-25 M2 ) and top pressure seal (permeabilities of 10-19 to 10-22 m2). The modelling supports the development of a top pressure seal with quartz cementation. The 2D modelling suggests the rapid sedimentation rates can cause compaction disequilibrium in the fine-grained rocks, which may be a mechanism for overpressure generation during the Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous. The data suggest that the present-day deep overpressure is not associated with the porosity anomaly due to compaction disequilibrium and that compaction may be much less important than recurrent pressure charges because most of the porosity in the Jurassic source rocks has been lost through compaction and deposition rates have been very slow since the beginning of the Cainozoic. / Three simple 1D models were developed and applied to estimate how rapidly the overpressure dissipates. The results suggest that the present day overpressure would be almost dissipated after 2 million years with a pressure seal with an average permeability of 10-22 M2 (10-7 md). On the basis of numerous accumulations of oil and gas to be expelled from the overpressured Jurassic source rocks in the basin and the pressure seal modelling, it seems that the top pressure seal with permeabilities of 10-19 to 10-22 M2 (10-4 to 10-7 md) is not enough to retain the deep overpressure for tens of millions of years without pressure recharging. Only if the permeabilities were 10-23 m2 (10-8 md) or less, would a long-lived overpressured system be preserved. This study suggests that hydrocarbon generation, especially gas generation and thermal expansion, within sealed conditions of low-permeability is a likely major cause for maintaining the deep overpressure over the past tens of millions of years. Keywords: Thermal history; Deep overpressure; Type III kerogen; Rock-Eval Tmax; Thermal maturity; Palaeoheatflow modelling; Pressure seal; 2D deep overpressure modelling; Pressure behaviour modelling; Overpressure generation; Northern Carnarvon Basin.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Na avaliação da maturidade de horizontes geradores e da história térmica de uma bacia com registro de atividade magmática é preciso considerar o efeito térmico imposto pela intrusão de corpos ígneos, como diques e soleiras. Dessa maneira, foi realizada a análise numérica transiente, pelo método de diferenças finitas, do fluxo térmico por condução provocado pela intrusão das soleiras básicas cretáceas nos horizontes geradores do Membro Assistência, Formação Irati, Bacia do Paraná. Esta análise, por sua vez, viabilizou a modelagem do parâmetro de reflectância da vitrinita nos estratos de folhelhos adjacentes às soleiras. Para tanto, foram utilizados os dados de seção de três poços, os quais registram espessuras de soleiras de até 4 m, e um poço com uma soleira de 27 m de espessura. Os poços localizam-se na porção sudeste da bacia. Na simulação numérica, foi considerado o processo de solidificação do magma ou de cristalização das suas fases minerais. A modelagem de reflectância da vitrinita baseou-se em um modelo pré-concebido da história térmica da Formação Irati, sendo os resultados desta simulação de maturidade do querogênio obtidos através do uso do programa EASY%Ro. Considerando-se os erros embutidos no modelo numérico e na discretização da história térmica dos estratos estudados, foram obtidos valores modelados de reflectância da vitrinita similares aos valores medidos nos poços pelo método tradicional. Somente no caso da seção com a soleira de 27 m de espessura houve uma grande diferença entre estes valores. Contudo, o alto coeficiente de correlação (0,95) entre estes possibilita a correção do efeito da espessura da soleira em análises futuras. Assim, a análise numérica simulou o halo térmico da soleira, caracterizado, segundo os dados de modelagem de refletância da vitrinita, por uma faixa acima e abaixo da soleira com espessura equivalente à espessura da soleira encaixada nos estratos geradores da Formação Irati. Essa metodologia de avaliação propicia um estudo preditivo das condições de maturidade de horizontes geradores em bacias ou áreas com magmatismo intrusivo, nas quais as análises do parâmetro de reflectância da vitrinita sejam ausentes ou escassas. / To evaluate the thermal maturity and thermal history of source rocks in basins with magmatic activity it is important to consider the thermal effects imposed by igneous intrusions, such as sills and dykes. This work uses the finite difference method for such evaluation, with the transient numerical analysis of heat conduction from Cretaceous diabase sills intruded into the source rocks of the Assistência Member, Irati Formation, Paraná Basin. This analysis has permitted modeling vitrinite reflectance of the shale strata adjacent to the sills. The data of four wells are used from the southeastern portion of the basin, with diabase thicknesses, respectively, of 1m, 2 m, 4 m and 27 m. The numerical simulation includes the process of magma solidification or mineral phase crystallization. The vitrinite reflectance modeling followed a pre-established thermal history of the Irati Formation, using the EASY%Ro program to simulate kerogen maturity levels. Considering the errors built into the numerical model and the thermal history discretisation of studied strata, the acquired values of modeled vitrinite reflectance closely resembled well data analyzed by the traditional method. Major discrepancies were observed in the case of the well containing a sill 27 m thick, but even in this case the high correlation coefficient (0,95) between the measured and calculated values is expected to permit correction of the sill thickness effect in future studies. The numerical analysis correctly simulated the thermal halo induced by sill emplacement, enabling vitrinite reflectance modeling to characterize it as a zone extending both above and below the sill with thicknesses similar to that of the sills. This evaluation methodology contributes to a predictive study of the maturity conditions of source rocks within basins or areas with intrusive magmatism where analysis of the vitrinite reflectance parameter are sporadic or absent.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Na avaliação da maturidade de horizontes geradores e da história térmica de uma bacia com registro de atividade magmática é preciso considerar o efeito térmico imposto pela intrusão de corpos ígneos, como diques e soleiras. Dessa maneira, foi realizada a análise numérica transiente, pelo método de diferenças finitas, do fluxo térmico por condução provocado pela intrusão das soleiras básicas cretáceas nos horizontes geradores do Membro Assistência, Formação Irati, Bacia do Paraná. Esta análise, por sua vez, viabilizou a modelagem do parâmetro de reflectância da vitrinita nos estratos de folhelhos adjacentes às soleiras. Para tanto, foram utilizados os dados de seção de três poços, os quais registram espessuras de soleiras de até 4 m, e um poço com uma soleira de 27 m de espessura. Os poços localizam-se na porção sudeste da bacia. Na simulação numérica, foi considerado o processo de solidificação do magma ou de cristalização das suas fases minerais. A modelagem de reflectância da vitrinita baseou-se em um modelo pré-concebido da história térmica da Formação Irati, sendo os resultados desta simulação de maturidade do querogênio obtidos através do uso do programa EASY%Ro. Considerando-se os erros embutidos no modelo numérico e na discretização da história térmica dos estratos estudados, foram obtidos valores modelados de reflectância da vitrinita similares aos valores medidos nos poços pelo método tradicional. Somente no caso da seção com a soleira de 27 m de espessura houve uma grande diferença entre estes valores. Contudo, o alto coeficiente de correlação (0,95) entre estes possibilita a correção do efeito da espessura da soleira em análises futuras. Assim, a análise numérica simulou o halo térmico da soleira, caracterizado, segundo os dados de modelagem de refletância da vitrinita, por uma faixa acima e abaixo da soleira com espessura equivalente à espessura da soleira encaixada nos estratos geradores da Formação Irati. Essa metodologia de avaliação propicia um estudo preditivo das condições de maturidade de horizontes geradores em bacias ou áreas com magmatismo intrusivo, nas quais as análises do parâmetro de reflectância da vitrinita sejam ausentes ou escassas. / To evaluate the thermal maturity and thermal history of source rocks in basins with magmatic activity it is important to consider the thermal effects imposed by igneous intrusions, such as sills and dykes. This work uses the finite difference method for such evaluation, with the transient numerical analysis of heat conduction from Cretaceous diabase sills intruded into the source rocks of the Assistência Member, Irati Formation, Paraná Basin. This analysis has permitted modeling vitrinite reflectance of the shale strata adjacent to the sills. The data of four wells are used from the southeastern portion of the basin, with diabase thicknesses, respectively, of 1m, 2 m, 4 m and 27 m. The numerical simulation includes the process of magma solidification or mineral phase crystallization. The vitrinite reflectance modeling followed a pre-established thermal history of the Irati Formation, using the EASY%Ro program to simulate kerogen maturity levels. Considering the errors built into the numerical model and the thermal history discretisation of studied strata, the acquired values of modeled vitrinite reflectance closely resembled well data analyzed by the traditional method. Major discrepancies were observed in the case of the well containing a sill 27 m thick, but even in this case the high correlation coefficient (0,95) between the measured and calculated values is expected to permit correction of the sill thickness effect in future studies. The numerical analysis correctly simulated the thermal halo induced by sill emplacement, enabling vitrinite reflectance modeling to characterize it as a zone extending both above and below the sill with thicknesses similar to that of the sills. This evaluation methodology contributes to a predictive study of the maturity conditions of source rocks within basins or areas with intrusive magmatism where analysis of the vitrinite reflectance parameter are sporadic or absent.