Model coalification experiments have been carried out using organic matter in sediments from the Hils syncline. In the experiments we wanted to elucidate, to what extent different facies situations can be observed in the investigated region and which conclusions can be drawn regarding the type of originating substances for hydrocarbons adsorbed in drilling cores. As a result of chemical and isotope analyses the organic substances should be characterized not only as pure sapropelites but show in different degree the participation of humic organic matter.