Paul C. Hackley, Ph.D.
Paul Hackley is a Research Geologist with the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center in Reston, VA.
As project chief of the Thermal Indices project I manage research on thermal maturity, chemical composition and physical state of sedimentary organic matter. The Thermal Indices project is part of the Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center and is funded by the Energy Resources Program (ERP). The Thermal Indices project team develops and applies petrographic methods for the reliable identification of different types of sedimentary organic matter, and measures and interprets the response of organic matter to thermal stress in natural environments and in laboratory-based heating experiments. Improved understanding of the thermal evolution of sedimentary organic matter enables more accurate assessment of petroleum source rock maturation, thereby decreasing uncertainty in the determination of thermal histories, the timing of petroleum generation and the placement of resource assessment spatial boundaries. This leads to the overall goal of improving estimates of undiscovered petroleum resources, which is a central mission of the ERP.
My work focuses on four integrated research task areas which have petrographic approaches to thermal indices as their common denominator: 1) standardization and reproducibility of measurement, 2) utilization of hydrous pyrolysis for (artificial) thermal conversion of sedimentary organic matter, 3) petrographic innovation areas for thermal indices and organic evolution, and 4) petrographic laboratory support.
Thermal indices research is accomplished from the Organic Petrology and Hydrous Pyrolysis laboratories in Reston. The laboratories include facilities for sample preparation, hydrous pyrolysis, optical and fluorescence microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The Thermal Indices project team works with external collaborators from global academic, government and industry groups. All thermal indices research efforts reach toward the goal of improving fossil fuel resource assessments by generating new understanding of the processes occurring during thermal evolution of sedimentary organic matter and its conversion to petroleum.
Professional Experience
Unconventional petroleum systems
Conventional oil and gas assessment
Coalbed methane
Coal
Application of organic petrology techniques to fossil fuel resource assessment
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., George Mason University
M.S., George Washington University
B.A., Shippensburg State University
Affiliations and Memberships*
The Society for Organic Petrology (TSOP)
International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology (ICCP)
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Geological Society of America (GSA)
Honors and Awards
AAPG Robert H. Dott Sr. Memorial Award - 2022
AAPG Gordon I. Atwater Award - 2019
ICCP Organic Petrology Award - 2019
TSOP Ralph Gray Award - 2018, 2013
AAPG A.I. Levorsen Award - 2017
TSOP Jack Crelling Distinguished Service Award - 2013
AAPG Vincent Nelson Award - 2011
Science and Products
Petrographic Thermal Indices Research
Photomicrograph Atlas
Vitrinite Reflectance Service
Thermal Indices Innovation
Hydrous Pyrolysis and Kerogen Conversion
Standardization of Petrographic Thermal Indices
Geochemical and mineralogical data on core samples from the Lewis Shale in the USGS Cow Creek 1-21 well, eastern Washakie Basin, Wyoming Geochemical and mineralogical data on core samples from the Lewis Shale in the USGS Cow Creek 1-21 well, eastern Washakie Basin, Wyoming
Data for Reaction Kinetics and Catalytic Effects of Sulfides in Early Mature Hydrocarbon Generation using Hydrous Pyrolysis Data for Reaction Kinetics and Catalytic Effects of Sulfides in Early Mature Hydrocarbon Generation using Hydrous Pyrolysis
Total organic carbon and programmed temperature pyrolysis data with calculated thermal maturity parameters for Babouri-Figuil Basin samples Total organic carbon and programmed temperature pyrolysis data with calculated thermal maturity parameters for Babouri-Figuil Basin samples
Data supporting nanometer-scale relationships between sedimentary organic matter molecular composition, fluorescence, cathodoluminescence, and reflectance Data supporting nanometer-scale relationships between sedimentary organic matter molecular composition, fluorescence, cathodoluminescence, and reflectance
Insights into the formation of thucholites Insights into the formation of thucholites
Raman spectral parameters of pyrolyzed samples for three types of graptolites Raman spectral parameters of pyrolyzed samples for three types of graptolites
Micro-Raman spectroscopy parameters investigating biochar's carbon stability and structural development in comparison to fusinite and semifusinite Micro-Raman spectroscopy parameters investigating biochar's carbon stability and structural development in comparison to fusinite and semifusinite
Properties of solid bitumen formed during hydrous, anhydrous, and brine pyrolysis of oil shale Properties of solid bitumen formed during hydrous, anhydrous, and brine pyrolysis of oil shale
Reflectance data from figures in: Using X-ray spectrum of carbon in electron microprobe analysis to determine thermal maturity of organic matter in mudstones Reflectance data from figures in: Using X-ray spectrum of carbon in electron microprobe analysis to determine thermal maturity of organic matter in mudstones
Evaluation of solid bitumen created from marine oil shale bituminite under hydrous and anhydrous pyrolysis conditions Evaluation of solid bitumen created from marine oil shale bituminite under hydrous and anhydrous pyrolysis conditions
Total organic carbon and programmed temperature pyrolysis data for the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, USA Total organic carbon and programmed temperature pyrolysis data for the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, USA
Microscopic Images of Leonardite and Humate Biochar: Using Reflected Light Microscopy in Biochar Characterization Microscopic Images of Leonardite and Humate Biochar: Using Reflected Light Microscopy in Biochar Characterization
Relating systematic molecular and textural properties of graptolite pyrolyzed via gold tube hydrous pyrolysis: Implications for thermal proxies in lower Paleozoic marine shales Relating systematic molecular and textural properties of graptolite pyrolyzed via gold tube hydrous pyrolysis: Implications for thermal proxies in lower Paleozoic marine shales
Integrated stratigraphic and geochemical analysis of organic-rich intervals of the Lewis Shale in the eastern Washakie Basin, Wyoming Integrated stratigraphic and geochemical analysis of organic-rich intervals of the Lewis Shale in the eastern Washakie Basin, Wyoming
Nanometer-scale relationships between sedimentary organic matter molecular composition, fluorescence, cathodoluminescence, and reflectance: The importance of oxygen content at low thermal maturities Nanometer-scale relationships between sedimentary organic matter molecular composition, fluorescence, cathodoluminescence, and reflectance: The importance of oxygen content at low thermal maturities
Properties of solid bitumen formed during hydrous, anhydrous, and brine pyrolysis of oil shale: Implications for solid bitumen reflectance in source-rock reservoirs Properties of solid bitumen formed during hydrous, anhydrous, and brine pyrolysis of oil shale: Implications for solid bitumen reflectance in source-rock reservoirs
Evaluation of solid bitumen created from marine oil shale bituminite under hydrous and anhydrous pyrolysis conditions Evaluation of solid bitumen created from marine oil shale bituminite under hydrous and anhydrous pyrolysis conditions
The petrology of dispersed organic matter in sedimentary rocks: Review and update The petrology of dispersed organic matter in sedimentary rocks: Review and update
Insights on using solid bitumen reflectance as a thermal maturity proxy in the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, USA Insights on using solid bitumen reflectance as a thermal maturity proxy in the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, USA
Decoding paleomire conditions of Paleogene superhigh-organic-sulfur coals Decoding paleomire conditions of Paleogene superhigh-organic-sulfur coals
Structure and morphology of chars and activated carbons obtained from thermal treatment of coal and biomass origin materials, including their wastes: Results from the ICCP Microscopy of Carbon Materials Working Group Structure and morphology of chars and activated carbons obtained from thermal treatment of coal and biomass origin materials, including their wastes: Results from the ICCP Microscopy of Carbon Materials Working Group
Atlas of microscopic images of biochar using reflected light microscopy in biochar characterization Atlas of microscopic images of biochar using reflected light microscopy in biochar characterization
Novel insights about petroleum systems from source and reservoir rock characterization, Cretaceous Deposits, Babouri-Figuil Basin, Northern Cameroon Novel insights about petroleum systems from source and reservoir rock characterization, Cretaceous Deposits, Babouri-Figuil Basin, Northern Cameroon
Cathodoluminescence differentiates sedimentary organic matter types Cathodoluminescence differentiates sedimentary organic matter types
Photomicrograph Atlas Photomicrograph Atlas
Science and Products
Petrographic Thermal Indices Research
Photomicrograph Atlas
Vitrinite Reflectance Service
Thermal Indices Innovation
Hydrous Pyrolysis and Kerogen Conversion
Standardization of Petrographic Thermal Indices
Geochemical and mineralogical data on core samples from the Lewis Shale in the USGS Cow Creek 1-21 well, eastern Washakie Basin, Wyoming Geochemical and mineralogical data on core samples from the Lewis Shale in the USGS Cow Creek 1-21 well, eastern Washakie Basin, Wyoming
Data for Reaction Kinetics and Catalytic Effects of Sulfides in Early Mature Hydrocarbon Generation using Hydrous Pyrolysis Data for Reaction Kinetics and Catalytic Effects of Sulfides in Early Mature Hydrocarbon Generation using Hydrous Pyrolysis
Total organic carbon and programmed temperature pyrolysis data with calculated thermal maturity parameters for Babouri-Figuil Basin samples Total organic carbon and programmed temperature pyrolysis data with calculated thermal maturity parameters for Babouri-Figuil Basin samples
Data supporting nanometer-scale relationships between sedimentary organic matter molecular composition, fluorescence, cathodoluminescence, and reflectance Data supporting nanometer-scale relationships between sedimentary organic matter molecular composition, fluorescence, cathodoluminescence, and reflectance
Insights into the formation of thucholites Insights into the formation of thucholites
Raman spectral parameters of pyrolyzed samples for three types of graptolites Raman spectral parameters of pyrolyzed samples for three types of graptolites
Micro-Raman spectroscopy parameters investigating biochar's carbon stability and structural development in comparison to fusinite and semifusinite Micro-Raman spectroscopy parameters investigating biochar's carbon stability and structural development in comparison to fusinite and semifusinite
Properties of solid bitumen formed during hydrous, anhydrous, and brine pyrolysis of oil shale Properties of solid bitumen formed during hydrous, anhydrous, and brine pyrolysis of oil shale
Reflectance data from figures in: Using X-ray spectrum of carbon in electron microprobe analysis to determine thermal maturity of organic matter in mudstones Reflectance data from figures in: Using X-ray spectrum of carbon in electron microprobe analysis to determine thermal maturity of organic matter in mudstones
Evaluation of solid bitumen created from marine oil shale bituminite under hydrous and anhydrous pyrolysis conditions Evaluation of solid bitumen created from marine oil shale bituminite under hydrous and anhydrous pyrolysis conditions
Total organic carbon and programmed temperature pyrolysis data for the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, USA Total organic carbon and programmed temperature pyrolysis data for the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, USA
Microscopic Images of Leonardite and Humate Biochar: Using Reflected Light Microscopy in Biochar Characterization Microscopic Images of Leonardite and Humate Biochar: Using Reflected Light Microscopy in Biochar Characterization
Relating systematic molecular and textural properties of graptolite pyrolyzed via gold tube hydrous pyrolysis: Implications for thermal proxies in lower Paleozoic marine shales Relating systematic molecular and textural properties of graptolite pyrolyzed via gold tube hydrous pyrolysis: Implications for thermal proxies in lower Paleozoic marine shales
Integrated stratigraphic and geochemical analysis of organic-rich intervals of the Lewis Shale in the eastern Washakie Basin, Wyoming Integrated stratigraphic and geochemical analysis of organic-rich intervals of the Lewis Shale in the eastern Washakie Basin, Wyoming
Nanometer-scale relationships between sedimentary organic matter molecular composition, fluorescence, cathodoluminescence, and reflectance: The importance of oxygen content at low thermal maturities Nanometer-scale relationships between sedimentary organic matter molecular composition, fluorescence, cathodoluminescence, and reflectance: The importance of oxygen content at low thermal maturities
Properties of solid bitumen formed during hydrous, anhydrous, and brine pyrolysis of oil shale: Implications for solid bitumen reflectance in source-rock reservoirs Properties of solid bitumen formed during hydrous, anhydrous, and brine pyrolysis of oil shale: Implications for solid bitumen reflectance in source-rock reservoirs
Evaluation of solid bitumen created from marine oil shale bituminite under hydrous and anhydrous pyrolysis conditions Evaluation of solid bitumen created from marine oil shale bituminite under hydrous and anhydrous pyrolysis conditions
The petrology of dispersed organic matter in sedimentary rocks: Review and update The petrology of dispersed organic matter in sedimentary rocks: Review and update
Insights on using solid bitumen reflectance as a thermal maturity proxy in the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, USA Insights on using solid bitumen reflectance as a thermal maturity proxy in the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, USA
Decoding paleomire conditions of Paleogene superhigh-organic-sulfur coals Decoding paleomire conditions of Paleogene superhigh-organic-sulfur coals
Structure and morphology of chars and activated carbons obtained from thermal treatment of coal and biomass origin materials, including their wastes: Results from the ICCP Microscopy of Carbon Materials Working Group Structure and morphology of chars and activated carbons obtained from thermal treatment of coal and biomass origin materials, including their wastes: Results from the ICCP Microscopy of Carbon Materials Working Group
Atlas of microscopic images of biochar using reflected light microscopy in biochar characterization Atlas of microscopic images of biochar using reflected light microscopy in biochar characterization
Novel insights about petroleum systems from source and reservoir rock characterization, Cretaceous Deposits, Babouri-Figuil Basin, Northern Cameroon Novel insights about petroleum systems from source and reservoir rock characterization, Cretaceous Deposits, Babouri-Figuil Basin, Northern Cameroon
Cathodoluminescence differentiates sedimentary organic matter types Cathodoluminescence differentiates sedimentary organic matter types
Photomicrograph Atlas Photomicrograph Atlas
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government