ORGANIC PETROLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF WESTPHALIAN COALS FROM THE NETHERLANDS - CORRELATION BETWEEN TMAX, VITRINITE REFLECTANCE AND HYDROGEN INDEX

Maceral analyses, Tmax, hydrogen index, and vitrinite reflectance measurements have been carried out on a large set of Westphalian coal samples from cored wells situated in The Netherlands. Generalized maceral group analyses indicate substantial differences between the sedimentary regimes in the vicinity of the Variscan deformation belt and more distal areas. The hydrogen index of the coals from these different sedimentation areas is also significantly different. The apparent variation of Tmax-vitrinite reflectance correlations are discussed in relation to maceral group composition and hydrocarbon generation during maturation. The correlation between both maturity parameters is compared with literature data. The differences between our maturity data and published data are significant. These differences are quantified and illustrated by geological reconstructions of the South Limburg area (The Netherlands). It is demonstrated that the use of generalized correlation schemes for the purpose of geological modeling may lead to a misinterpretation of the geological history.