Vitrinite Analysis

Vitrinite is a type of maceral, available in rocks that are rich in solid organic matter. A maceral in solid organic matter is equivalent to minerals present in rocks.

In Geochemistry, “Maceral Analysis”  is used to determine the density of organic matter that rocks contain. With this analysis one can identify the percentage composition volume of organic matter like vitrinite, liptines, inertinite, etc. in rocks.

The "Vitrinite Analysis" is used to express the thermal maturity of organic matter in source rocks. Vitrinite being sensitive to high temperature ranges, darkens with the amount of thermal heat it is exposed to. This “darkness” or “brightness” of vitrinite can be identified by the Reflectance Microscopy and is known as Vitrinite Reflectance (apprev: %Ro).

Vitrinite Analysis till date is an extremely important parameter for shale reservoirs.