Oil-source rock correlation and quantitative assessment of Ordovician mixed oils in the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin

The origin of the marine oils in the Tarim Basin has long been a disputed topic. A total of 58 DST （drill stem test） crude oil and 8 rock samples were investigated using a comprehensive geochemical method to characterize and identify the origin of the Ordovician oils in the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin, northwest China. Detailed oil–oil and oil–source rock correlations show that the majority of the oils have typical biomarker characteristics of the Middle-Upper Ordovician （O2＋3） source rock and the related crude oil. These characteristics include a distinct ＂V-shaped＂ relative abundance of C27, C28 and C29 regular steranes, low abundance of dinosterane, 24-norcholestanes, triaromatic dinosteroids and gammacerane. Only a few oils display typical biomarker characteristics indicating the Cambrian–Lower Ordovician （∈-O1） genetic affinity, such as linear or anti ＂L＂ shape distribution of C27, C28 and C29 regular sterane, with relatively high concentrations of dinosterane, 24-norcholestanes, triaromatic dinosteroids and gammacerane. It appears that most of the Ordovician oils in the Tazhong Uplift were derived from the O2＋3 intervals, as suggested by previous studies. However, the compound specific n-alkane stable carbon isotope data indicate that the Ordovician oils are mixtures from both the ∈-O1 and O2＋3 source rocks rather than from the O2＋3 strata alone. It was calculated that the proportion of the∈-O1 genetic affinity oils mixed is about 10.8%-74.1%, with an increasing trend with increasing burial depth. This new oil-mixing model is critical for understanding hydrocarbon generation and accumulation mechanisms in the region, and may have important implications for further hydrocarbon exploration in the Tarim Basin.

The Occurrence of Oleananes in the Beibuwan Basin and Its Application to the Study of Maturity and Oil-Source Rock Correlation

The oleanane parameter, i.e., OP （oleananes/（oleananes＋C30hopanes）） in the two sedimentary columns of the Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea, can be used to delimit the top of oil generation window, with Ro （/%） of 0.53 in Well M1 and 0.55 in Wells H1/Hd1/Hd2, respectively. Comparing with vitrinite reflectance （Ro/%）, the OP features a dynamic range and can indicate the oil generation window more precisely. By using OP and other geochemical indices, the oil-source correlation is also conducted. It suggests that the oils in wells M1 and M2 are derived from the source rocks in situ. The mudstone in Huachang uplift is not the main source rocks for oils in this area, The OP is also a useful oil-source correlation parameter in some Tertiary lacustrine basins.

The geochemical characteristics and oil-source rock correlation of oilshow from the Majiashan profile, Chaoxian County, South of Anhui Province

In the future time the exploration of marine oil and gas will be one of the significant domains in China. In this paper the biomarker assemblage characteristics of oilshow in the Nanlinghu Formation of the Majiashan pro- file, which is located in Chaoxian County, south of Anhui Province, are described in the light of gas chromatogra- phy/mass spectrometric (GCMS) analysis on the qualitative and quantitative basis. Based on the investigation of the biomarker assemblage characteristics of possible source rocks developed in the area studied, a conclusion is drawn that the oilshow was generated from the Nanlinghu Formation source rocks (abbreviated as T1n), instead of the Qixia Formation source rocks (abbreviated as P1q). It is pointed out that the T1n is of strong potential for future oil explora- tion, and therefore much attention should be paid to it.

Dibenzofuran Series in Terrestrial Source Rocks and Crude Oils and Applications to Oil-Source Rock Correlations in the Kuche Depression of Tarim Basin, NW China

Ten series of aromatic hydrocarbon compounds (biphenyl, naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, retene, chrysene, benzoanthracene, dibenzofuran, fluorene, dibenzothiophene) isolated from seven Triassic and Jurassic lacustrine mudstone samples and three swamp coal samples, as well as five crude oil samples collected in the Kuche depression of the Tarim Basin, NW China, have been analysed by GC-MS techniques. It is found that the relative abundances of dibenzofuran series are higher in the three swamp coal samples than those in the lacustrine mudstone samples. Based on the similar relative abundances of dibenzofuran series, especially dibenzofuran compound, in the TICs of aromatic hydrocarbons, crude oils from wells SA3 (K), YTK5 (E, K) and QL1 (E) are thought to have been derived predominantly from the coals of the Lower Jurassic Yangxia Formation or Middle Jurassic Kezilenuer Formation, whereas those from wells YM7 (O) and YH1 (E) were derived mainly from Triassic and Jurassic lacustrine mudstones in the Kuche depression. This is the first report about how to distinguish coal-generated oils from lacustrine mudstone-generated oils in the Kuche depression in terms of the dibenzofuran series. The present paper has enlightening and directive significance for further oil-source rock correlations and oil and/or gas exploration in the Kuche depression of the Tarim Basin.

Ruthenium-ion-catalyzed oxidation of asphaltenes and oil-source correlation of heavy oils from the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields in the Tarim Basin, NW China

The identification of marine source rocks in the Tarim Basin is debated vigorously. The intention of this paper is to investigate the asphaltenes in heavy oils from the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields and Well TD2 with ruthenium-ions-catalyzed oxidation technique (RICO), in order to explore its role in oil-oil and oil-source correlations. The RICO products included n-alkanoic acids, α, ω-di-n-alkanoic acids, branched alkanoic acids, tricyclic terpanoic acids, hopanoic acids, gammacerane carboxylic acid , regular sterane carboxylic acids and 4-methylsterane carboxylic acids. The n-alkyl chains and biomarkers bounded on the asphaltenes were of unsusceptibility to biodegradation. The distribution and absolute concentrations of n-alkanoic acids in the RICO products of heavy oils from the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields are different from those of Well TD2. The biomarkers bounded on the asphaltenes, especially steranes, have a distribution trend similar to that of the counterparts in saturates. The sterane carboxylic acids and 4-methylsterane carboxylic acids in the RICO products of heavy oils from the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields, dominated by C-{30} sterane and C-{31} 4-methylsterane carboxylic acids, respectively, are significantly different from those of the heavy oils of Well TD2, whose dominating sterane and 4|methylsterane carboxylic acids are C-{28} sterane and C-{29} 4-methylsterane acids, respectively. The RICO products of the asphaltenes further indicate that the Middle-Upper Ordovician may be the main source rocks for heavy oils from the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields.

Oil-source correlation of the pre-Tertiary in the Huanghua Depression:Insights from stable carbon isotopes and molecular markers

Stable carbon isotopes were used together with molecular markers to constrain genetic relationships between sandstone extracts and potential source rocks in the pre-Tertiary in the Huanghua Depression,North China.Comparison of the extracts from Permo-Carboniferous terrigenous mudstones and Ordovician marine carbonates indicated that their prominent differences are in stable carbon isotopes,molecular markers and thermal maturity.Although the extracts of the Mesozoic and Lower Permian Xiashihezi Formation sandstones have some similar iso-topic characteristics,molecular markers data provide a good correlation between the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous oils and the Upper Carboniferous Taiyuan Formation mudstones,and between the Lower Permian Xiashihezi Formation oils and the Lower Permian mudstones.The results showed that the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous sandstone oils were derived chiefly from the Upper Carboniferous Taiyuan Formation terrigenous mudstones and that the Lower Permian Xiashihezi Formation oils were sourced from the Lower Permian Shanxi Formation and Xiashihezi Formation terrigenous mudstones.

Oil-source correlation of Lower-Triassic oil seepages in Ni＇erguan village, Southern Guizhou Depression, China

There are abundant bitumens and oil seepages stored in vugs in a Lower-Triassic Daye formation(T_1d)marlite in Ni'erguan village in the Southern Guizhou Depression. However, the source of those oil seepages has not been determined to date. Multiple suites of source rocks of different ages exist in the depression. Both the oil seepages and potential source rocks have undergone complicated secondary alterations, which have added to the difficulty of an oil-source correlation. For example, the main source rock, a Lower-Cambrian Niutitang Formation"(∈_1n) mudstone, is over mature, and other potential source rocks, both from the Permian and the Triassic, are still in the oil window. In addition, the T_1d oil seepages underwent a large amount of biodegradation. To minimize the influence of biodegradation and thermal maturation, special methods were employed in this oil-source correlation study. These methods included catalytic hydropyrolysis, to release covalently bound biomarkers from the over mature"kerogen of ∈_1n mudstone, sequential extraction, to obtain chloroform bitumen A and chloroform bitumen C from the T_1d marlite, and anhydrous pyrolysis, to release pyrolysates from the kerogen of T_1d marlite. Using the methods above, the biomarkers and n-alkanes releasedfrom the oil samples and source rocks were analysed by GC–MS and GC-C-IRMS. The oil-source correlation indicated that the T_1d oil seepage primarily originated from"the ∈_1n mudstone and was partially mixed with oil generated from the T_1d marlite. Furthermore, the seepage also demonstrated that the above methods were effective for the complicated oil-source correlation in the Southern Guizhou Depression.

Effective source rock selection and oil–source correlation in the Western Slope of the northern Songliao Basin,China

This study considers the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation,Yaojia Formation,and the first member of the Nenjiang Formation in the Western Slope of the northern Songliao Basin.Dark mudstone with high abundances of organic matter of Gulong and Qijia sags are considered to be significant source rocks in the study area.To evaluate their development characteristics,differences and effectiveness,geochemical parameters are analyzed.One-dimensional basin modeling and hydrocarbon evolution are also applied to discuss the effectiveness of source rocks.Through the biomarker characteristics,the source–source,oil–oil,and oil–source correlations are assessed and the sources of crude oils in different rock units are determined.Based on the results,Gulong and Qijia source rocks have different organic matter primarily detrived from mixed sources and plankton,respectively.Gulong source rock has higher thermal evolution degree than Qijia source rock.The biomarker parameters of the source rocks are compared with 31 crude oil samples.The studied crude oils can be divided into two groups.The oil–source correlations show that group I oils from Qing II–III,Yao I,and Yao II–III members were probably derived from Gulong source rock and that only group II oils from Nen I member were derived from Qijia source rock.

Study on oil–source correlation by analyzing organic geochemistry characteristics: a case study of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the south of Ordos Basin, China

In the south of the Ordos Basin, the oil source of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation is confused all the time, which affects further exploration. In this study, oil sources from the oil layers of Ch6, Ch8 and Ch9 are all analyzed and confirmed. Through their carbon isotope value and biomarkers, characteristics of crude oils from the Yanchang Formation are analyzed. Then, the oil–source relation is discussed, with the source rocks' features.Finally, the oil–source relation is calculated through cluster analysis. It is believed that the oils from the Yanchang Formation deposit in a similar redox environment, with weak oxidation–weak reduction, and have all entered maturity stage. Ch9 crude oil is more mature than crude oils from Ch6 and Ch8, and has more advanced plants and fewer algae. Gas chromatography(GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry(GC–MS) analysis show that crude oils from Ch6 and Ch8 may come from Ch7, and Ch9 crude oil may not. Cluster analysis displays that crude oils from Ch6 and Ch8 have closer squared Euclidean distance with Ch7 source rocks than Ch9 crude oil does,indicating crude oils from Ch6 and Ch8 stem from Ch7 source rocks. And Ch9 crude oil has rather close squared Euclidean distance with Ch9 source rocks, illustrating Ch9 crude oil may be from Ch9 source rocks. This research may provide the theoretical basis for the next exploration deploy in the south of Ordos Basin.

Oil Source and Entrapment Epoch of the Ordovician Oil Reservoir in the Kongxi Burial-Hill Zone, Huanghua Depression, North China

An oil flow obtained from the Middle Ordovician Fengfeng Formation carbonate reservoir in the well KG-3, Kongxi burial-hill zone in 1993 marked a breakthrough in petroleum exploration of the high-mature Lower Palaeozoic strata, North China. Both the Lower member of the Fengfeng Formation and the Second Member of the Upper Majiagou Formation in the Middle Ordovician are supposed to be the main source beds. Oil generation peaks range from 1.0% to 1.6% in Ro, showing a “lag effect” of oil generation in high-mature carbonate source rocks under multicyclic tectonic movement conditions. The Kongxi burial-hill zone adjoins a potential Ordovician source kitchen. The KG-3 Ordovician burial-hill reservoir has undergone two oil filling events, i.e., an early event in the Late Carboniferous-Permian and a more significant late event in the early Eogene.

Oil accumulation related to migration of source kitchens in the Lukeqin structural belt, Turpan-Hami Basin, China

The Lukeqin structural belt is the main heavy oil accumulation zone in the Turpan-Hami Basin. The recent discovery of light oil in the Triassic indicates that there may be multiple source kitchens contributing to the oil accumulation. According to oil geochemical analysis and oil-source correlation, the oil in deep and shallow reservoirs of the Lukeqin Oilfield presents different physical and saturated hydrocarbon mass spectrum characteristics. The Triassic heavy oil is from the northern Upper Permian lacustrine source rocks, and the light oil represented by the Yudong-9 Well is from the northwestern Lower Jurassic coal-measure source rocks. The timing of oil charging was determined by K/Ar isotope dating, reservoir fluid inclusion analysis and the evolution history of different source rocks. In summary, the accumulation process consists of two stages. From the end of Triassic to early Jurassic, the northern Permian source kitchen generated a considerable amount of oil, which was finally degraded to heavy oil, migrated to the south and then accumulated. The northwestern Jurassic coal-measure source kitchen began to generate oil at the end of Cretaceous, while the northern source kitchen could only generate a little hydrocarbon. The heavy oil and the light oil have different source rock locations, migration directions and accumulation times. The migration of hydrocarbon source kitchens affects the distribution of heavy oil and light oil reservoirs at the present time.

Molecular fossils and sources of Cambrian heavy oil of Well Tadong-2 in theTarim Basin,Xinjiang,China

Research on the molecular fossil characteristics of heavy oil from Well Tadong-2 is of great importance to constrain the source of marine crude oils in the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China. The authors synthetically applied the isotope mass spectrograph, chromatography and chromatography-mass spectrography to the studies of molecular fossil characteristics of heavy oil from Well Tadong-2 in the Tarim Basin, and the results obtained revealed that heavy oil from Well Tadong-2 is characterized by high gammacerane, high C28 sterane, low rearranged sterane and high C27-triaromatic steroid, these characteristics are similar to those of Cambrian-Lower Ordovician source rocks, demonstrating that Cambrian crude oils came from Cambrian-Lower Ordovician source rocks; condensed compounds (fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, bow, benzo fluoranthene, benzopyrene) of high abundance were detected in heavy oil from Well Tadong-2, and the carbon isotopic values of whole oil are evidently heavy, all the above characteristics revealed that hydrocarbons in the crude oils became densified in response to thermal alteration.

A Mathematical Calculation Model Using Biomarkers to Quantitatively Determine the Relative Source Proportion of Mixed Oils

It is difficult to identify the source（s） of mixed oils from multiple source rocks, and in particular the relative contribution of each source rock. Artificial mixing experiments using typical crude oils and ratios of different biomarkers show that the relative contribution changes are non-linear when two oils with different concentrations of biomarkers mix with each other. This may result in an incorrect conclusion if ratios of biomarkers and a simple binary linear equation are used to calculate the contribution proportion of each end-member to the mixed oil. The changes of biomarker ratios with the mixing proportion of end-member oils in the trinal mixing model are more complex than in the binary mixing model. When four or more oils mix, the contribution proportion of each end-member oil to the mixed oil cannot be calculated using biomarker ratios and a simple formula. Artificial mixing experiments on typical oils reveal that the absolute concentrations of biomarkers in the mixed oil cause a linear change with mixing proportion of each end-member. Mathematical inferences verify such linear changes. Some of the mathematical calculation methods using the absolute concentrations or ratios of biomarkers to quantitatively determine the proportion of each end-member in the mixed oils are deduced from the results of artificial experiments and by theoretical inference. Ratio of two biomarker compounds changes as a hyperbola with the mixing proportion in the binary mixing model, as a hyperboloid in the trinal mixing model, and as a hypersurface when mixing more than three end- members. The mixing proportion of each end-member can be quantitatively determined with these mathematical models, using the absolute concentrations and the ratios of biomarkers. The mathematical calculation model is more economical, convenient, accurate and reliable than conventional artificial mixing methods.

Oil Source of Reservoirs in the Hinterland of the Junggar Basin

Through oil-oil and oil-source correlation and combined with the comprehensive study of hydrocarbon generation and accumulation history, the oil sources of typical reservoirs of different geologic periods in the hinterland of the Junggar basin are revealed. It is concluded that the crude oils in the study area can be classified into four types： The oil in the area of well Zhuang-1 and well Sha-1 belongs to type-I, which was generated from Cretaceous to Paleogene （K-E） and its source rocks are distributed in the Fengcheng formation of the Permian in the western depression to the well Pen-1. The oil in the area of well Yong-6 （K1 tg） belongs to type-Ⅱ, which was generated from Cretaceous to Paleogene and its source rocks are distributed in the Wuerhe formation of the Permian in the Changji depression. The oil in the area of well Yong-6 （J2x） belongs to type-III, which was generated at the end of the Paleogene and its source rocks are distributed in the coal measures of the Jurassic in the Changji depression. The oil of well Zheng-1 and well Yong-1 belongs to type-IV, which was generated in the Paleogene, and its source rocks are distributed in the Wuerhe formation of the Lower Permian and coal measures of the Jurassic. It is indicated that the hydrocarbon accumulation history in the study area was controlled by the tectonic evolution history of the Che-Mo palaeohigh and the hydrocarbon generation history of well Pen-1 in the western depression and Changji depression.

Geochemical Evidence for Coal and Carbonaceous Mudstone as the Possible Major Oil Source Rock in the Jurassic Turpan Basin, Northwest China

Petroleum geologists have debated whether the hydrocarbons from Jurassic coal measures are derived from the coals, carbonaceous mudstones or coal-measure mudstones in the Turpan Basin. Based on the geochemistry analysis of the 20 crude oils and 40 source rocks from the Turpan Basin, some data have been obtained as follows： carbon preference index and methylphenanthrene index of the Jurassic oils are 1.16-1.45 and 0.28-0.80, and the ααα C29 sterane 20S/（20S＋20R） and C29 sterane ββ/（ββ＋αα） are 0.44-0.51 and 0.4-0.54 respectively, which show the normal maturity of oils; the vitrinite reflectance of the source rocks from the Xishanyao to Badaowan Formations range from 0.47% to 0.97%, which indicate immature to mature thermal evolutionary stage and sufficient conditions for generating mass mature oil. The effect of hydrocarbon expulsion should be considered when studying the source of coal-derived oil by using Biomarkers. Biomarkers in the Jurassic oils from the basin are similar to those in the coals and carbonaceous mudstones, with a strong predominant content of pristane, relatively high ratio of C15 /C16 sesquiterpenoids （1）, a relatively high content of low carbon number tricyclic terpanes and C 24 tetracyclic terpane, little gammacerane and C 29 Ts detected, an absolute predominant content of C29 sterane and a relatively high content of diasterane. However, the opposite characteristics are shown in mudstones, with an approximately equal content of pristane and phytane, relatively low ratio of C15 /C16 sesquiterpenoids （1）, a relatively high content of high carbon number tricyclic terpanes and a low content of C 24 tetracyclic terpane, peaks of gammacerane and C29 Ts detected obviously and an increasing C27 sterane content. All of these characteristics identify the coals and carbonaceous mudstones as the possible major oil source rocks in this area, and they were formed in the stronger oxidizing environment with shallower water than mudstones.

Oil source and migration process in oblique transfer zone of Fushan Sag,northern South China Sea

The oblique transfer zone in the Fushan Sag, a syndepositional dome sandwiched between the Bailian and Huangtong sub-sags, has been the most important exploration target. The major oil observation occurs in the E_2l_1^(L+M) and the E_2l_3~U. 46 oil and rock samples reveal that the oil in the transfer zone is mostly contributed by the Bailian sub-sag, though the source rock conditions, hydrocarbon generation and expulsion histories of the Bailian and Huangtong sub-sags are similar. The E_2l_3~U oil, characterized by high maturity, Pr/Ph ratio and oleanane/C_(30)-hopane ratio, shows a close genetic affinity with the E_2l_3~b source rocks, while the E_2l_1^(L+M) oil, characterized by lower maturity, Pr/Ph ratio and oleanane/C_(30)-hopane ratio, is suggested to be derived from the E_2l_(1+2)~b source rocks. The homogenization temperatures of aqueous fluid inclusions, taking the burial history of the reservoirs into account, reflect that the oil charge mainly occurred from mid-Miocene to Pliocene in the oblique transfer zone. The oil transporting passages include connected sand bodies, unconformities and faults in the Fushan Sag. Of these, the faults are the most complicated and significant. The faults differ sharply in the west area, the east area and the oblique transfer zone, resulting in different influence on the oil migration and accumulation. During the main hydrocarbon charge stage, the faults in the west area are characterized by bad vertical sealing and spatially dense distribution. As a result, the oil generated by the Huangtong source rocks is mostly lost along the faults during the vertical migration in the west area. This can be the mechanism proposed to explain the little contribution of the Huangtong source rocks to the oil in the oblique transfer zone. Eventually, an oil migration and accumulation model is built in the oblique transfer zone, which may provide theoretical and practical guides for the oil exploration.

Source and commingling features of light oils from the Chepaizi uplift in the Junggar Basin, Northwest China

Geochemical composition characteristics of light oils from the Tertiary in the west of the Chepaizi uplift in the Junggar basin, northwest China, are distinct from those of biodegraded oils derived from the Permian in the study area and crude oils from some adjacent oil fields such as the Chepaizi and Xiaoguai oilfields. Oil source corre-lation shows that light oils in the study area have similar n-alkane and isoprenoid distribution patterns and carbon isotope compositions with the coal-derived oils from the Jurassic, and display obvious discrepancy on biomarker composition characteristics with the Cretaceous source rock extracts, inferring that they are probably the mixed oils from the Jurassic coal measures and Cretaceous source rocks. In this study, combined with the geochemical data of coal-derived oils from the Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks or crude oils from the Cretaceous, the source and commingling features of the Tertiary crude oils of Well Pai 2 and Well Pai 8 were investigated. The proportion of the two sources in the mixed crude oils was estimated, and the hydrocarbon accumulation pattern of reservoirs in the study area was established.

Geochemical studies of the Silurian oil reservoir in the Well Shun-9 prospect area, Tarim Basin, NW China

Commercial oil flow has been obtained from the sandstone reservoir of the Lower Silurian Kelpintag Formation in the Well Shun-9 prospect area.In the present studies,10 Silurian oil and oil sand samples from six wells in the area were analyzed for their molecular and carbon isotopic compositions,oil alteration（biodegradation）,oil source rock correlation and oil reservoir filling direction.All the Silurian oils and oil sands are characterized by low Pr/Ph and C21/C23 tricyclic terpane（〈1.0） ratios,＂V＂-pattern C27-C29 steranes distribution,low C28-sterane and triaromatic dinosterane abundances and light δ13C values,which can be correlated well with the carbonate source rock of the O3 l Lianglitage Formation.Different oil biodegradation levels have also been confirmed for the different oils/oil sands intervals.With the S1k2 seal,oils and oil sands from the S1k1 interval of the Kelpintag Formation have only suffered light biodegradation as confirmed by the presence of ＂UCM＂ and absence of 25-norhopanes,whereas the S1k3-1 oil sands were heavily biodegraded（proved by the presence of 25-norhopanes） due to the lack of the S1k2 seal,which suggests a significant role of the S1k2 seal in the protection of the Silurian oil reservoir.Based on the Ts/（Ts＋Tm） and 4-/1-MDBT ratios as reservoir filling tracers,a general oil filling direction from NW to SE has been also estimated for the Silurian oil reservoir in the Well Shun-9 prospect area.

Geochemistry and geological significance of the Upper Paleozoic and Mesozoic source rocks in the Lower Yangtze region

The Lower Yangtze region is one of the important marine sedimentation areas of oil and gas distribution in southern China,for its favorable source rocks,reservoirs and covers.However,the intense tectonic movements and complex hydrocarbon generation process made it highly impossible to form large-sized oil and gas reservoirs.So it was divided to different hydrocarbon-bearing preservation units in oil-gas exploration.Recent study shows that the Permian and Lower Triassic source rocks in the Lower Yangtze region are complicated in lithology.The hydrocarbon generation potential of limestone there is low while argillaceous source rocks are overall of high abundance with excellent organic types,now in the process of hydrocarbon generation,so differences in high maturity influence the evaluation of organic matter abundance and type.Biomarker characteristics indicate a reductive environment.n-alkanes are marked by a single peak,with no odd-even predominance.The composition and distribution of the carbon numbers of n-alkanes,and the high abundance of long-chain tricyclic terpanes are indicative of marine sedi-mentation.The high contents of pregnane,homopregnane,rearranged hopane suggest that the source rocks are of high maturity.There is a good linear correlation between methylphenanthrene index and vitrinite reflectance.The correlation of oil-source rocks indicated that the oil of Well HT-3 may come from the Permian Longtan Formation in the Huangqiao area,the oil of Wells Rong-2 and Juping-1 came from the Lower Triassic Qinglong Formation in the Jurong area.The exploration here is promising in those different source rocks which all have great potential in hy-drocarbon generating,and oil and gas were produced in the late stage of hydrocarbon generation.

Using the biomarker bonded on the asphaltenes for biodegraded oil-source correlation

Ruthenium-ion-catalyzed oxidation (RICO) has been used to investigate asphaltenes from three oils with the same origin in the Juquan Basin and three oils with the same origin but with different degree of biodegradation in the Turpan Basin, Northwest China. The preliminary resultsshowed that the biomarkers bonded on the asphaltenes with the same origin is similar and is correlated with the freebiomarker in saturates. The bonded biomarkers have norelationship with the biodegradation. An application on the severely biodegraded oils is reported here. The biomarkerand benzenecarboxylic methyl esters reflecting the structure of the asphaltenes after RICO should provide a new way for oil-source correlation and it should be specially useful forseverely biodegraded oil-source correlation.