Illite-smectite diagenesis and palaeotemperatures in Northern North Sea Quaternary to Mesozoic shale sequences

Abstract

Clay mineral abundances and illite-smectite (I/S) compositions have been determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) in shales of Permo-Triassic to Quaternary age from seven wells in the Viking Graben and Moray Firth. Chemical analyses of size fractions provide evidence that diagenetic illitization of smectite has occurred during burial by uptake of Al and K, and release of Si. K-feldspar was probably the main source of K for illitization. The depth at which random I/S disappears occurs at similar temperatures (mean 93°C) in each well for which reliable measurements are available. Vitrinite reflectance measurements at this depth are also similar (mean 0·64% R ₀) and correspond to early oil generation. I/S diagenetic levels may have been imprinted by a Tertiary heating event.