Geochemical evaluation of the petroleum source potential of selected Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of the Franklin Mountains of El Paso County, Texas, and Dona Ana County, New Mexico

A study of selected Paleozoic rocks occurring in the Franklin Mountains has been conducted to determine their petroleum source potential. The principal method of evaluation uses the pyrolytic technique developed in the '70s by Espitalie and others. Surface samples were collected from the following strata in the Franklin Mountains. (UNFORMATTED TABLE OR EQUATION FOLLOWS)$$\vbox{\halign{#\hfil&&\quad#\hfil\cr &\quad$\rm\underline{System}$&\qquad$\rm\underline{Stage}$&\quad$\rm\underline{Group}$ &&\quad$\rm\underline{Formation}$\cr\cr&Permian&Wolfcampian&Hueco&$*$&Hueco Canyon\cr&Pennsylvanian&Des Moinesian&&$*$&Bishop Cap\cr&&Atokan&Magdalena&&Berino\cr&&Morrowan&&$*$&La Tuna\cr&&Chesterian&&$*$&Helms\cr&Mississippian&Meramecian&&$*$&Rancheria\cr &&&&$*$&Las Cruces\cr&&&&$*$&Percha Shale\cr&Devonian&&&$*$&Canutillo\cr}}$$(TABLE/EQUATION ENDS) sk30$*$Sampled formations. Elemental and molecular analysis of organic separates confirm the pyrolytic data which indicate that all the study strata are in a post-metagenetic state and far into the gas generation window. Consequently, there is little if any genetic potential remaining for hydrocarbon generation.