Quality of organic matter of the Lublin Formation in the Lublin Coal Basin (Poland)

Lublin Formation (upper Westphalian A and Westphalian B) is composed mainly of mudstones and claystones. It is the most important part of the coal-bearing Carboniferous series of the Lublin Coal Basin (LCB). The paper presents geochemical data such as total organic carbon (TOC), Rock-eval pyrolysis data, as well as vitrinite reflectance and petrographic composition of ogranic matter in the Westphalian claystones from the central part of the Lublin Coal Basin. Investigation of ogranic matter has been used to determine the source rock characteristics and petroleum generative potential. The TOC contents of the analysed samples range from 0.38 to 12.95 % indicating their different petroleum generative potential. The results of Rock-eval pyrolysis indicat that most of the samples contain type III kerogen. Tmax range of 421-438°C suggesting low degree of thermal maturation, which can be described as the initial phase of oil generation.