Direct radiometric dating of hydrocarbon deposits using Rhenium-Osmium isotopes

Selby, D; Creaser, R.A

Abstract

Rhenium-osmium (Re-Os) data from migrated hydrocarbons establish the timing of petroleum emplacement for the giant oil sand deposits of Alberta, Canada, at 112 ± 5.3 million years ago. This date does not support models that invoke oil generation and migration for these deposits in the Late Cretaceous. Most Re-Os data from a variety of deposits within the giant hydrocarbon system show similar characteristics, supporting the notion of a single source for these hydrocarbons. The Re-Os data disqualify Cretaceous rocks as the primary hydrocarbon source but suggest an origin from older source rocks. This approach should be applicable to dating oil deposits worldwide.

Citation

Selby, D., & Creaser, R. (2005). Direct radiometric dating of hydrocarbon deposits using Rhenium-Osmium isotopes. Science, 308(5726), 1293-1295. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1111081

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2005-05
• Deposit Date: Feb 16, 2007
• Journal: Science
• Print ISSN: 0036-8075
• Electronic ISSN: 1095-9203
• Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 308
• Issue: 5726
• Pages: 1293-1295
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1111081
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1596609