ABSTRACT
Source rock typically has more than about 1" total organic carbon. This usually means organic-rich black shale, but it can also be organic-rich limestone or coal beds. The petroleum system incorporates all of the essential components and processes that lead to oil and gas accumulations. Petroleum is used for everything from transportation fuel to lubricants, for power generation to making plastics, for paving and heating, for synthetic fibers in clothing and carpets, for paints and pesticides, and for chemical feedstocks, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers. Oil is a commodity traded around the world, and as such is no different than gold, wheat, and beef. World oil production and consumption are in a delicate balance. Consumption usually goes up when economies are doing well and industries are running at full tilt. Consumption usually goes down during an economic downturn because not as much fuel is needed for manufacturing and commerce.
