Distribution and geological significance of 17α(H)-diahopanes from different hydrocarbon source rocks of Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin

Based on GC-MS testing data of many saturated hydrocarbon samples, 17α(H)-C30 diahopanes (C30*) are extensively distributed in the lacustrine hydrocarbon source rocks of the Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin, but show remarkable differences in relative abundance among various source rocks. Generally, Chang 7 high-quality source rock (oil shale) developed in deep lake anoxic environment shows lower C30* content, whereas Chang 6-9 dark mudstone developed in shallow to semi-deep lake, sub-oxidizing environment shows relatively high to high C30* value. Particularly, Chang 7 and Chang 9 black mudstones in Zhidan region in the northeast of the lake basin show extremely high C30* value. A comparative analysis was made based on lithology, organic types and various geochemical parameters indicative of redox environment, and the results indicate that environmental factors such as redox settings and lithology are key factors that control the C30* relative abundance, while organic types and maturity may be minor factors. High to extremely high C30* values are indicative of sub-oxidizing environment of fresh-brackish water and shallow to semi-deep lake. Therefore, research on C30* relative content and distribution in lacustrine hydrocarbon source rocks in the Yanchang Formation, especially on the difference in C30* between Chang 7 high-quality source rocks (oil shale) and Chang 6-91 source rocks (dark mudstone), will provide an important approach for classification of Mesozoic lacustrine crudes and detailed oil-source correlation in the basin.

Benthic macro red alga:A new possible bio-precursor of Jurassic mudstone source rocks in the northern Qaidam Basin,northwestern China

Whether benthic macroalga can be an important type of bio-precursor of source rocks is a contentious issue in source-rock studies,and has not been well understood.This paper represents a case study of Jurassic mudstone source rocks from the northern Qaidam Basin,northwestern China,in which the benthic macro red algae were recognized for the first time based on combined organic petrological and biomarker works.We found not only cystocarps in the algae,representative of rhodophyta,but also diahopanes,which are diagnostic biomarkers of such algae.Thus,as many reservoired oils in the northern Qaidam Basin contain abundant diahopanes,it may indicate that the red algae have contributed to hydrocarbon accumulation.This was confirmed by integrated geological and geochemical analyses.Hence,this study provides new evidence for macroalga-generated hydrocarbons.

Distributional Patterns of Hopenoid Hydrocarbons in Mudstone and Crude Oil, Banqiao Sag

As triterpenoid biomarkers mainly derived from prokaryote （e.g. bacteria andcyanobacteria）, hopenoid hydrocarbons are ubiquitous in fossil fuels and sediments.Ensminger et al. （1974） reported a normal distributional pattern of C27-C35 (withoutC28) hopanes with an absolute predominance of C30 hopane. In 1980, Seifert