Research Committee objectives include:

  • promoting research in organic petrology
  • developing acceptable classifications of sedimentary organic matter
  • establishing and recommending sample preparation and analysis procedures
  • promoting new technologies for applications in organic petrology.

Activities include:


Last modified 8 September 2012

Research Committee

TSOP Sponsored Research Projects

Objective of Program:

  • Develop research in organic petrology through national and international collaboration.

Benefits from TSOP Sponsorship:

  • An international network of colleagues to consult and assist with the project
  • Prestige of having the project officially sponsored by an international scientific society
  • Potential to receive grants from TSOP of up to $US1,000 per year to pursue the research

Current Sponsored Projects

Two research projects, established in previous years, are currently in progress:

Atlas of Dispersed Organic Matter

Leaders:
Carolyn Thompson-Rizer, Lavern Stasiuk and others

Objectives:

  1. Create a standardized nomenclature for dispersed organic matter in sedimentary rocks. The list is understood to have already been approved by both TSOP and ICCP.
  2. Document that nomenclature by photomicrographs, based on various sample preparations and microscope lighting conditions, of samples of known maturity and hydrocarbon generating potential.
  3. Distribute that documentation via CD or web download, similar to the CD for "A Petrographic Atlas of Canadian Macerals and Dispersed Organic Matter" (2000-2001), eds. J. Potter, L. Stasiuk, and A. Cameron.

2009 Work Program:

  1. Obtain photomicrographs of missing components. See notice in December 2008 and March 2009 Newsletters. The project is also able to provide TOC and Rock-Eval analyses free of charge on samples submitted for the organic matter atlas.
  2. Write introduction to Atlas and other text material.
  3. Integrate new photos and text with existing material, and compile into linked computer files.
  4. Send compiled material to reviewers for referee checks.
  5. Finalize Atlas, produce CDs and release.

Coal Seam Gas in Low-rank Coals

Leaders:
Peter Warwick (pwarwick@usgs.gov), Charles Barker, Charles Nelson, Jeff Levine, Maria Mastalerz, Tim Moore

Objectives:

  1. Identify and describe the unique procedures that need to be used for testing and evaluating CBM resources in low-rank coal basins.
  2. In conjunction with ASTM, develop a draft Standard Practice for coal-bed gas desorption testing.

2009 Work Program: A final draft of the Practice was submitted to ASTM in September, 2008. This is expected to go to public review and then be submitted for ASTM approval early in 2009.

The draft Practice can be seen at:
http://www.astm.org/DATABASE.CART/WORKITEMS/WK8750.htm

Starting a new Project

Starting a Research Subcommittee is a straightforward process. New subcommittees may be initiated at any time. A proposal is submitted to the Research Committee Chairman using the form provided for that purpose. Include information on:

  • Titles of Subcommittee and Project
  • Benefit of Project to TSOP
  • Goal(s) of Project
  • Approach or Method(s)
  • Anticipated Product(s)
  • Suggested Chairperson and Members
  • Milestones and Estimated Time for Completion
  • Estimated Cost of Project
With the endorsement of the Research Committee Chairman, the proposal is submitted to Council for approval at its mid-year or annual meetings. Monetary grants ($1000 US per year) are available through Council to pursue subcommittee activities. A subcommittee chairman will be nominated by the Research Committee Chairman (generally the principal investigator) and approved by Council. A subcommittee is discontinued when there has been no activity for two years. There is presently no limit on the number of years a subcommittee may exist as long as there is progress on the research.

Download this discussion and the Research Subcommittee Proposal Form.

Further Information:
Colin Ward, Research Committee Chair c.ward@unsw.edu.au

New Projects

Proposals for new research projects are invited. See the discussion and link at the bottom of this page