Abstract The Vaca Muerta Formation is an emerging unconventional resource play of late
Jurassic (Tithonian) to early Cretaceous (Valanginian) age. Depositional sequences of
mudstones with variable contributions from carbonates and clastics/volcaniclastics are found
admixed throughout the succession. Vertical and lateral distribution of mudstone lithofacies
indicate westward progradation of the system, resulting in temporal and geographic controls
on hydrocarbon play elements quality and distribution. This study utilizes x-ray fluorescence …