Analysis of source rocks in pyrolysis experiments

A method comprising:

• determining a physical or chemical characteristic of a first source rock sample by individually imaging, as a first imaging instance, the first source rock sample;
• after the first imaging instance, disposing the first source rock sample in a first basket of a sample basket assembly, the sample basket assembly attached by one or more rods to a removable head of a pyrolysis chamber of a pyrolysis apparatus, the pyrolysis chamber comprising a floor and walls defining an interior space;
• determining a physical or chemical characteristic of second source rock sample by individually imaging, as a second imaging instance, the first source rock sample;
• after the second imaging instance, disposing the second source rock sample in a second basket of the sample basket assembly;
• at least partially filling the interior space with a volume of an aqueous fluid;
• attaching the removable head to the pyrolysis chamber, thereby suspending the first source rock sample and the second source rock sample in the interior space in a position above the floor;
• with the removable head in the closed position, applying a pressure and heat to the interior space for a duration of an experimental period, the sample basket assembly affixing the first source rock sample and the second rock sample substantially stationary in the position for the duration of the experimental period while permitting contact of the first source rock sample and the second rock sample with the aqueous fluid;
• after the experimental period, detaching the removable head from the pyrolysis chamber;
• and
• after the detaching:
• retrieving the first source rock sample and the second source rock sample from the first basket and the second basket, respectively;
• individually imaging, as a third imaging instance, the first source rock sample to determine a change in the physical or chemical characteristic of the first source rock sample;
• and
• individually imaging, as a fourth imaging instance, the second source rock sample to determine a change in the physical or chemical characteristic of the second source rock sample.