Page 28 - Geology and Geochemistry of Oil and Gas

ROCKS, WATER, ORGANIC MATTER AND GASES AS A SPECIFIC NATURAL SYSTEM 7
objects. This does not happen, however. Let us consider constituents (minerals) of
granite. Regardless of the duration of their joint occurrence, the granite as a rock will
not form until the occurrence of certain genetic processes that will combine these
minerals into a rock. To transform these components into granite, high temperature
and pressure are needed. Moreover, the newly formed rock may be different: not a
granite but a gneiss, because some constituents of granite may have been generated
in the process of its formation.
Thus, one may conclude that classification C in geology and particularly, in pe-
troleum geology, covers qualitatively different sets. These sets are combined not by
the unity of formally chosen parameters but by transformation (genetic) processes
characterized by quantum leaps. Formal logic so far does not have the appropriate
techniques of developing such genetic C’s. Under these circumstances, to develop
geologic hierarchical C’s one can try the systems approach.

1.2. ROCKS, WATER, ORGANIC MATTER AND GASES AS A SPECIFIC NATURAL SYSTEM
The systems approach is natural and useful when dealing with geologic domain. A
system should not be considered as a certain aggregate of constituent (composite)
elements. A system as an entity is always in a state of perpetual development, with
changes in the interrelations and mutual transitions among the system’s elements,
and interactions with the outside environment. Such changes are implemented
through various processes, which are, commonly, physicochemical. The important
characteristic of a natural system is its energetic state. The energetic state is the most
significant parameter of a system. It appears that a general approach to the problem
must consider the energetic state of the system as a whole, and not of its individual
elements or kinds of energy. According to Komarov (1984, p. 163), the geoid’s
source of evolution is a contradictory unity of its substratum shells, including the
core. All systems identified in the Earth’s crust should be recognized as open systems,
at least from the energy viewpoint. The total energy (E ) of open geologic systems is
the sum of the potential energy (P ) (including elastic and surface energies), kinetic
energy (K ) and free (chemical) energy (F ). This total energy (E ) in the Earth’s crust
is not constant:

E ¼ P þ K þ Faconst.
Between terms of this inequality there are complex transitions. There are only a
few geologic systems for which even the most general trend in transition may be
identified.
The first step in the systems analysis is identification or delimiting of a system’s
boundaries. Setting the system’s boundaries is an important stage of a system-
structural analysis. These boundaries define the ‘‘postulate’’ (Descartes, 1950), which
is a basis for logical constructions. Besides, this postulate determines to a significant
degree the ‘‘true’’ method leading to the cognition (Bacon, 1938). A sedimentary
sequence (formation) or a sedimentary basin is the most commonly selected main
(reference) system in petroleum geology. This is an unavoidable stage on the way of