Source Rock Evaluation using Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and the Loss- On-Ignition (LOI) Techniques

This paper analyzes the methods used to determine Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content in rock samples. These methods include the High Temperature Catalytic Oxidation HTCO and the Loss-on-ignition (LOI). The study was conducted on shale samples. The main objective is to identify the potential petroleum productivity of these rocks. Two samples were tested. One is presumed to be an organic shale, while the other is a typical ‘inorganic shale” sample. In the Loss-on-ignition method, the effect of sample size and time of exposure on TOC values were also investigated. The results show that Loss-on-ignition yields higher values than the HTCO method. In addition, size and exposure time cause a significant effect on TOC values. Therefore, these two parameters have to be mentioned along with each TOC measurement.