Incubation experiments to constrain the production of methane and carbon dioxide in organic-rich shales of the Permian Irati Formation, Paraná Basin

Abstract The Permian Irati Formation in Brazil hosts organic-rich shales and heavy hydrocarbons suitable for biogenic production of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). In this study, shale samples from the Irati Formation were used in laboratory incubation experiments performed under different temperatures (22 °C, 50 °C, 70 °C and 80 °C) to evaluate the generation of CH4 and CO2 under thermal conditions compatible with biodegradation in shallow gas systems (