Enrichment of diamondoids and 13C in condensate from Hudson Canyon, US Atlantic

Gas condensate migrated vertically to Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous reservoir rocks in the Hudson Canyon (HC) area of the Baltimore Canyon Trough, US Atlantic. Condensate samples are enriched in diamondoids (4742–4774 ppm) and 13C (δ13C = −23.7‰ to −24.6‰ PDB). Several lines of evidence suggest that the main source rock is within the Middle to Lower Jurassic section of Hudson Canyon. Condensates from Hudson Canyon are similar to condensates generated by the Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation of the US Gulf Coast, a laminated lime mudstone with shale facies. The petrologic fabric of the lime mudstone favors early generation of diamondoids. Hydrogen rich kerogen and clay catalysts are concentrated within thin laminations of depositional origin separated by thicker barren carbonate layers.