Algal and amorphous kerogen highly likely to generate oil is what type?

• A. Type II
• B. Type III
• C. Type I
• D. Type IV

Answer: (C)

Oil-prone kerogen comes from hydrogen-rich, amorphous organic matter like algal debris. This type has a high hydrogen content and low oxygen, so when buried and heated it readily breaks down to form liquids within the oil window, yielding abundant oil. In contrast, kerogen from woody, land-plant material (Type III) tends to generate more gas, while Type II also produces oil but generally not as richly as Type I. Type IV is inert and does not generate hydrocarbons. So the algal, amorphous kerogen is the one most likely to generate oil.