Modelling of hydrocarbon generation as a function of thermal history relies on the knowledge of the reactions and kinetic parameters involved. We obtain kinetic models of hydrocarbon generation and cracking for individual compositional ranges for use in basin modelling programs.

We use the closed-system MSSV (Micro-Scale Sealed Vessel) pyrolysis technique described by Horsfield et al. (1989), often in combination with open-system pyrolysis. Heating rates can vary between 0.24 K/hour (40 days duration) and  5 K/minute. This large difference allows a good extrapolation of the models into geological times.

The recently developed software tool KING derives distributions of activation energies and frequency factors for generation and cracking of the individual petroleum fractions from the experimental results.