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Chemical and isotopic evidence of thermochemical sulphate reduction by light hydrocarbon gases in deep carbonate reservoirs

Abstract

Large H2S accumulations in deep carbonate reservoirs have been attributed to thermochemical sulphate reduction. Although organic matter has been invoked as the reducing agent, individual reactants in specific environments have hitherto not been identified. Carbon isotope data reveal that light hydrocarbon gases have been effective reducing agents in some Palaeozoic foothill reservoirs of western Canada.

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Krouse, H., Viau, C., Eliuk, L. et al. Chemical and isotopic evidence of thermochemical sulphate reduction by light hydrocarbon gases in deep carbonate reservoirs. Nature 333, 415–419 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/333415a0

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