Quantitatively unmixing method for complex mixed oil based on its fractions carbon isotopes: A case from the Tarim Basin, NW China

Deep mixed oils with secondary alterations have been widely discovered in the Tarim Basin,but current methods based on biomarkers and isotopes to de-convolute mixed oil cannot calculate the exact mixing proportion of different end-member oils,which has seriously hindered further exploration of deep hydrocarbons in the study area.To solve this problem,we constructed a novel method based on the carbon isotope(δ13C)of the group components to de-convolute mixed liquid hydrocarbons under the material balance principle.The results showed that the mixed oil in the Tazhong Uplift was dominantly contributed at an average proportion of 68% by an oil end-member with heavier d13C that was believed to be generated from the Cambrian-Lower Ordovician source rocks,whereas the mixed oil in the Tabei Uplift was predominantly contributed at an average proportion of 61% by an oil end-member with lighter d13C that was believed to be generated from the Middle-Upper Ordovician source rocks.This indicates that,on the basis of the detailed description of the distribution of effective source rocks,the proposed method will be helpful in realizing differential exploration and further improving the efficiency of deep liquid hydrocarbon exploration in the Tarim Basin.In addition,compared to traditional δ13C methods for whole oil and individual n-alkanes in de-convoluted mixed oil,the proposed method has a wider range of applications,including for mixed oils with variations in color and density,indicating potential for promoting the exploration of deep complex mixed oils in the Tarim Basin and even around the world.

Distribution and isotopic signature of 2-alkyl-1,3,4-trimethylbenzenes in the Lower Paleozoic source rocks and oils of Tarim Basin:Implications for the oil-source correlation

Series of 2-alkyl-1,3,4-trimethylbenzenes(ATMBs)were detected in most of crude oils and source rocks collected from various strata and locations of the Tarim Basin.They appeared to have heavy carbon isotopic signatures(δ13C,up to~-16‰)compared to those hydrocarbons from oxygenic phototrophic organisms,indicating that the unequivocal source of green sulfur bacteria(GSB)and photic zone euxinia(PZE)existed in the original environment.Considering the high paleoproductivity,the PZE may have enhanced the preservation of organic matter,which triggered the formation of extremely organic-rich source rocks with TOC up to 29.8%for the Lower Cambrian Yuertus Formation(€1y).The coexistence of ATMBs and the diagnostic products from secondary alterations(e.g.,abundant 25-norhopanes,thiadiamondoids,and diamondoids)indicated a stronger ability of anti-second-alterations.Combined with the results of quantitatively de-convoluting mixed oil,the oil-source correlation based on ATMBs from a large number of Lower Paleozoic samples of the Tarim Basin suggested that the abundant deep crude oil resources co ntained a dominant contribution(>50%)from the€1y source rocks.Therefore,the ATMBs,as diagnostic biomarkers indicating unequivocal precursors under special habitat conditions,might provide important insights for the exploration of deep Lower Paleozoic crude oils in the Tarim Basin.