Question

What is the parameter responsible for transforming Kerogen to Petroleum

Answer 1

The most important parameter for converting kerogen to petroleum is higher temparature.

which requires both the higher temperatures than of which one finds at the surface of the earth and also a long period of geological time

About 100–150◦C is the ideal temperature range for this conversion of kerogen to oil, which is called maturation.

The chemical bonds in these large molecules (kerogen) are broken with increasing temparature and kerogen is transformed into smaller molecules which make up oil and gas.

The conversion of kerogen to petroleum is a chemical reaction

The rate of chemical reaction depends on following factors

1. Temperature
2. Pressure
3. Time
4. Minerals or other substances which increase the rate of reaction (catalysts) or which inhibit reactions (inhibitors).