Micrinite and exudatinite in some Australian coals,and their relation to the generation of petroleum

The occurrence and microscopic features of micrinite and exudatinite in some Australian coals are reported. The origin of these macerals and also the significance of their occurrence are discussed in connection with hydrocarbon genesis. In Australia, micrinite occurs in bituminous and sub-bituminous coals which are very rich in inertinite, and also in brown coal rich in inertinite. One of the possible progenitors of micrinite is oxidized porigelinite. There is little reason to conclude that micrinite was formed from resinite and other macerals at an early stage of coalification and that liquid hydrocarbons were formed during this process. Exudatinite occurs in sub-bituminous and high-volatile bituminous coals in the Gippsland Basin. There is no positive evidence of a genetic relation between liquid hydrocarbons, exudatinite, micrinite and liptinite macerals. The formation of liquid hydrocarbons from solid liptinite etc. may take place just before and during Teichmüller's so-called ‘2nd coalification jump’.