Thermal maturation is the temperature- and time-dependent transformation of sedimentary organic matter, primarily kerogen, into hydrocarbons and related products within sedimentary basins. Governed by burial depth, geothermal gradient, and heating duration, it involves progressive bond cleavage, aromatization, and structural reorganization of macromolecular organic networks. Thermal maturation is quantified using indicators such as vitrinite reflectance, Tmax from Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and biomarker isomerization ratios, which constrain organic facies evolution and hydrocarbon generation windows (oil and gas windows). It is a central topic in petroleum systems analysis, basin modeling, and the assessment of unconventional resource quality and producibility.
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