An interpretation of the geothermal history of the Otway Basin based on vitrinite reflectance and fission track analyses

The study of the maturation of organic matter is of interest to the Petroleum Exploration Industry. Liquid hydrocarbons are generated over a restricted maturation interval, and are related to a time, temperature function. Techniques now available for determining the location of the hydro-carbon -generating interval in a sedimentary basin; ; a r e I "fission track" a time-consuming quasi-academic technique, and vitrinite reflectance - a fully commercial technique, that takes a fraction of the time.