Van Krevelen diagram


Van Krevelen diagrams are graphical plots developed by
Dirk Willem van Krevelen and used to assess the origin and maturity of kerogen and petroleum. The diagram cross-plots the hydrogen:carbon atomic ratio as a function of the oxygen:carbon atomic ratio.

Types of Kerogen

have differing potentials to produce oil during maturation. These various types of kerogen can be distinguished on a van Krevelen diagram.