Terpenoid biomarker distributions in low maturity crude oils

Twenty-seven heavy crude oils of diverse origin were geochemically assessed with respect to both bulk and mlecular composition for the purpose of identifying and quanttfying valid biomarker parameters for low maturity oils. The low thermal maturity level of many of these oils is evident from the bulk and alipathic chromatographic data, and oil sourced from both marine and terrigenous organic matter are represented. Selective metastable ion monitoring (SMIM) was employed to measure separately the distribution of C₂₇, C₂₈, and C₂₉ sterane isomers. The useful maturity indicators include the C₂₉ 5α(H) 20S/20R ratio, the relative quantity of the biological sterane configuration in each of the total normal C₂₇, C₂₈, and C₂₉ steranes, and the rearranged to normal sterane ratio. In addition, C₂₇ rearranged steran es appear to form at a faster rate than C₂₈ or C₂₉ rearranged steranes. However, the isomerization of the C₂₇ biological component appears to occur at a slower rate than the C₂₉ counterpart suggesting that the former may be used as a maturity parameter at higher levels of thermal maturation. In the triterpane distributions, the C₂₇ trisnorhopane isomers and the moretane to hopane ratios appear to be both source and maturity related and cannot be used as successful maturity parameters in oils unless they share a common source. The C₃₁₊ hopane 22S/22R equilibrium ratio appears to increase with increasing molecular weight (C₃₁–C₃₄).     

Hydrocarbon source potential and depositional environment of the Surma Group shales of Bengal basin,Bangladesh

Surma Group is the most important geological unit of Bengal basin, Bangladesh, because petroleum resources occur within this group. It is mainly composed of alternation of shale and sandstone and the shale fraction has long been considered as source rocks and the sandstone fraction as reservoir. These source and reservoir rocks have been studied by different authors by different approach but none of them adopted organic geochemistry and organic petrology as a means of study of source rock and their possible depositional environment. A total of thirty shale core samples have been collected from eight different gas fields to fulfill the short coming. The collected samples have been subjected to Source Rock Analysis (SRA) and/or Rock-Eval (RE) followed by pyrolysis gas chromatography (PyGC), gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS), elemental analysis (EA) and organic petrological study such as vitrinite reflectance measurement and maceral analysis. The analyzed organic matter extracted from the shales of Surma Group consists mainly of Type III along with some Type II kerogen. The studied shales are mostly organically lean (TOC ±1%) and the extracted organic matter is fair to moderate. Based on these results, the analyzed shales have been ranked as poor (mostly) to fair quality source rock. The organic matter of the analyzed shale samples is thermally immature to early mature for hydrocarbon generation considering their T_max and measured mean vitrinite reflectance values. The hopane 22S/(22S + 22R), moretane/hopane ratio and sterane parameters are also in good agreement with these thermal maturity assessments. The predominance of odd carbons over even carbons (most common) and/or even carbons over odd carbon numbered n-alkanes, moderate Pr/Ph ratio, low to high Tm/Ts ratio, comparative abundance of sterane C₂₉ (i.e., C₂₉ >C₂₇>C₂₈), Pr/nC₁₇ — Ph/nC₁₈ values, C/S ratio and dominance of vitrinite macerals group with the presence of liptinite macerals demonstrate that the organic matter has derived mainly from terrestrial inputs with an insignificant contribution from the marine sources. The condition of deposition alternates from oxic to anoxic.     

Typification of oils in the Timan-Pechora province according to the composition of hydrocarbon biomarkers (steranes and terpanes)

Distinctive compositional features of cyclic saturated hydrocarbon biomarkers have been established in oils from the main petroliferous lithostratigraphic complexes of various structural zones in the Timan-Pechora petroliferous province (TPPP). Four geochemical families (types) of oils in TPPP are recognized based on the variations in the geochemical parameters of steranes and terpanes including sterane ratios C₂₇/C₂₉ and C₂₈/C₂₉, K¹ mat and K² mat, diasterane/regular sterane, pregnane (C_21–22)/sterane (C_21–22 + C_27–29), as well as terpane Ts/Tm parameters, adiantane C₂₉/hopane C₃₀, neoadiantane/adiantane, tryciclic terpane/pentacyclic terpane, hopane/sum of C₂₉ steranes, etc. The distribution of various types of oil in the sedimentary sequence of TPPP makes it possible to infer source rocks for each of the four selected types.     

Characteristics and Natural Gas Origin of Middle−Late Triassic Marine Source Rocks of the Western Sichuan Depression, SW China

A scientific exploration well(CK1) was drilled to expand the oil/gas production in the western Sichuan depression, SW, China. Seventy-three core samples and four natural gas samples from the Middle–Late Triassic strata were analyzed to determine the paleo-depositional setting and the abundance of organic matter(OM) and to evaluate the hydrocarbon-generation process and potential. This information was then used to identify the origin of the natural gas. The OM is characterized by medium n-alkanes(n C_(15)–n C_(19)), low pristane/phytane and terrigenous aquatic ratios(TAR), a carbon preference index(CPI) of ～1, regular steranes with C_(29) C_(27) C_(28), gammacerane/C_(30) hopane ratios of 0.15–0.32, and δD_(org) of-132‰ to-58‰, suggesting a marine algal/phytoplankton source with terrestrial input deposited in a reducing–transitional saline/marine sedimentary environment. Based on the TOC, HI index, and chloroform bitumen "A" the algalrich dolomites of the Leikoupo Formation are fair–good source rocks; the grey limestones of the Maantang Formation are fair source rocks; and the shales of the Xiaotangzi Formation are moderately good source rocks. In addition, maceral and carbon isotopes indicate that the kerogen of the Leikoupo and Maantang formations is type Ⅱ and that of the Xiaotangzi Formation is type Ⅱ–Ⅲ. The maturity parameters and the hopane and sterane isomerization suggest that the OM was advanced mature and produced wet–dry gases. One-dimensional modeling of the thermal-burial history suggests that hydrocarbon-generation occurred at 220–60 Ma. The gas components and C–H–He–Ar–Ne isotopes indicate that the oilassociated gases were generated in the Leikoupo and Maantang formations, and then, they mixed with gases from the Xiaotangzi Formation, which were probably contributed by the underlying Permian marine source rocks. Therefore, the deeply-buried Middle–Late Triassic marine source rocks in the western Sichuan depression and in similar basins have a great significant hydrocarbon potential.     

Molecular composition and organic petrographic characterization of Madbi source rocks from the Kharir Oilfield of the Masila Basin (Yemen): palaeoenvironmental and maturity interpretation

The upper part of Madbi Formation organic-rich shale is considered an important regional source rock in the Masila Basin, Yemen. Ten cutting samples from this Upper Jurassic organic-rich shale were collected from wells drilled in the Kharir Oilfield, Masila Basin in order to geochemically assess the type of organic matter, thermal maturity and depositional environment conditions. Results reveal that Upper Jurassic organic-rich shale samples contain high organic matter more than 2.0 wt.% TOC and have very good to excellent hydrocarbon potential. Marine algae organic matter is the main source input for the Upper Jurassic shale sequence studied. This has been identified from organic petrographic characteristics and from the n-alkane distributions, which dominated by n-C₁₄-n-C₂₀ alkanes. This is supported by the high value of the biomarker sterane/hopane ratio that approaches unity, as well as the relatively high C₂₇ sterane concentrations. A mainly suboxic depositional environment is inferred from pr/ph ratios (1.75–2.38). This is further supported by relatively high homohopane value, which is dominated by low carbon numbers and decrease towards the C₃₅ homohopane. The concentrations of C₃₅ homohopane are very low. The depositional environment conditions are confirmed by some petrographic characteristics (e.g. palynofacies). Detailed palynofacies analysis of Madbi shales shows that the Madbi shale formation is characterised by a mix of amorphous organic matter, dinoflagellates cysts and phytoclasts, representing a suboxic, open marine setting. The Upper Jurassic marine shale sequence in the Masila Basin is thermally mature for hydrocarbon generation as indicated by biomarker thermal maturity parameters. The 22 S/22 S + 22R C₃₂ homohopane has reached equilibrium, with values range from 0.58 to 0.62 which suggest that the Upper Jurassic shales are thermally mature and that the oil window has been reached. 20 S/(20 S + 20R) and ββ/(ββ + αα) C₂₉ sterane ratios suggest a similar interpretation, as do the moretane/hopane ratio. This is supported by vitrinite reflectance data ranging from 0.74% to 0.90%Ro and thermal alteration of pollen and spore. The thermal alteration index value is around 2.6–3.0, corresponding to a palaeotemperature range of 60–120°C. These are the optimum oil-generating strata. On the basis of this study, the Madbi source rock was deposited under suboxic conditions in an open marine environment and this source rock is still within the oil window maturity range.     

Characteristics of biomarkers in source rocks of the Ganquan Formation in the Dahulishan region, Ejina Banner

Based on gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry techniques, the authors examined biomarker characteristics of the Ganquan Formation source rocks in the area of Dahulishan, Ejina, and analyzed the information and petroleum geological significance that were indicated by the source of organic matter, sedimentary environment and maturity and so on. Gas chromatography peak of saturated hydrocarbons from the Ganquan Formation source rocks showed "the former peak" of the single peak distribution, the main peak of carbon being C18 , indicating the main sources of organic matter with marine organic matter. Pr/Ph ranges from 0.3 to 0.6, indicating a strongly reducing sedimentary environment. Biomarker assemblages of the Ganquan Formation source rocks are abundant in tricyclic terpane with long side chains, with a high level of gammacerane, showing dominant distribution of C27 sterane. High contents of gammacerane in organic matter show organic facies of source rocks in the saltwater sedimentary environment. That average hopane/sterane ratio is 0.59, showing that algae have made more contributions to organic matter than bacteria. And the high level of C27 steranes shows that algae are the main source of hydrocarbon precursors. The Ganquan Formation’s methylphenanthrene index, which is an effective molecular parameter index to measure thermal evolution of organic matter, ranges from 0.35 to 0.50, and the conversion of vitrinite reflectance Rc from it is within the range of 2.00-2.09, indicating that the Ganquan Formation source rocks are in the over-mature stage of thermal evolution.     

Geochemical characteristics of Lower Permian coal-measure source rocks in Northeast Ordos Basin

General characteristics and biomarker distributions of Lower Permian coal-measure source rocks in northeastern Ordos Bsain have been analyzed in this paper. The results show that the source rocks are type III kerogen, thermally mature, with high content of total organic carbon. The extracts of the source rock samples with different lithologies from Well Su 27 feature high Pr/Ph ratios, high C19TT and C24Te, high rearranged hopanes, a predominance of C29 sterane in regular steranes, and the absence of C30 4-methylsteranes. These data suggest that the source rocks were deposited in suboxic to oxic conditions with dominantly terrigenous higher plant input. In contrast, the source rocks from wells Shuang 1 and Yu 20, are characterized by low Pr/Ph ratios, low C19TT and C24Te, high C23TT, similar content of C27 sterane and C29 sterane, and the presence of C30 4-methylsteranes, showing that the source rocks were deposited in reducing environment with algae and/or microorganisms and terrigenous higher plant input.     

羌塘盆地胜利河油页岩有机地球化学特征及意义

通过对藏北羌塘盆地胜利河地区2008年新发现的油页岩剖面进行系统采样和GC—MS分析,结果显示该地区油页岩具有较高C29ααα20S/ααα(20S+20R)（0.38~0.44）、C29αββ/(ααα+αββ)（0.37~0.47）和C3122S/(22S+22R)（0.52~0.59）比值,表明其有机质已进入生油阶段。分析的油页岩样品具有较高的C27甾烷含量（32.82%~43.6%）和较高4 甲基甾烷/规则甾烷（0.04~0.22）、甾/藿（0.80~1.04）比值,显示浮游植物为主的生物母源对油页岩的贡献。此外,油页岩具有较高的γ 蜡烷指数（0.34~0.50）、C35升藿烷指数（0.076~0.102）和较低的Pr/Ph比值（0.32~0.49）,表明胜利河地区油页岩沉积期水体处于相对闭塞还原和盐度较高的沉积环境。     

Petroleum geochemistry of the Potwar Basin, Pakistan: 1. Oil-oil correlation using biomarkers, δC and δD

Geochemical characterisation of 18 crude oils from the Potwar Basin (Upper Indus), Pakistan is carried out in this study. Their relative thermal maturities, environment of deposition, source of organic matter (OM) and the extent of biodegradation based on the hydrocarbon (HC) distributions are investigated. A detailed oil-oil correlation of the area is established. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses and bulk stable carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions of saturated and aromatic HC fractions reveals three compositional groups of oils. Most of the oils from the basin are typically generated from shallow marine source rocks. However, group A contains terrigenous OM deposited under highly oxic/fluvio-deltaic conditions reflected by high pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph), C₃₀ diahopane/C₂₉Ts, diahopane/hopane and diasterane/sterane ratios and low dibenzothiophene (DBT)/phenanthrene (P) ratios. The abundance of C₁₉-tricyclic and C₂₄-tetracyclic terpanes are consistent with a predominant terrigenous OM source for group A. Saturated HC biomarker parameters from the rest of the oils show a predominant marine origin, however groups B and C are clearly separated by bulk δ¹³C and δD and the distributions of the saturated HC fractions supporting variations in source and environment of deposition of their respective source rocks. Moreover, various saturated HC biomarker ratios such as steranes/hopanes, diasteranes/steranes, C₂₃-tricyclic/C₃₀ hopane, C₂₈-tricyclic/C₃₀ hopane, total tricyclic terpanes/hopanes and C₃₁(R + S)/C₃₀ hopane show that two different groups are present. These biomarker ratios show that group B oils are generated from clastic-rich source rocks deposited under more suboxic depositional environments compared to group C oils. Group C oils show a relatively higher input of algal mixed with terrigenous OM, supported by the abundance of extended tricyclic terpanes (up to C₄₁₊) and steranes.Biomarker thermal maturity parameters mostly reached to their equilibrium values indicating that the source rocks for Potwar Basin oils must have reached the early to peak oil generation window, while aromatic HC parameters suggest up to late oil window thermal maturity. The extent of biodegradation of the Potwar Basin oils is determined using various saturated HC parameters and variations in bulk properties such as API gravity. Groups A and C oils are not biodegraded and show mature HC profiles, while some of the oils from group B show minor levels of biodegradation consistent with high Pr/n-C₁₇, Ph/n-C₁₈ and low API gravities.     

Pregnanes as molecular indicators for depositional environments of sediments and petroleum source rocks

Steroids with unconventional side chains have increasingly been applied as diagnostic markers for geological source and age assessments. However, one of the most distinctive characteristics, the abnormal abundance of pregnane and homopregnane in ancient sediments and petroleum, remains unresolved. Higher pregnane and homopregnane, as well as C₂₃–C₂₆ 20-n-alkylpregnanes, relative to the regular steranes were observed in samples collected from different petroleum basins in China. These included Precambrian marine carbonate-derived petroleum (NW Sichuan Basin), Lower Paleozoic marine marl derived crude oils (Tarim Basin), and Eocene hypersaline lacustrine carbonate source rocks and associated petroleum (Bohai Bay Basin). However, all of the samples have many common biomarker characteristics, such as pristane/phytane ratios < 1, low amounts of diasteranes and high C₂₉/C₃₀ hopane (∼0.6–1), C₃₅/C₃₄ hopane (mostly ⩾ 1) and dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene (DBT/PHEN, mostly 0.5–1) ratios revealing a contribution from anoxic carbonate/marl source rocks deposited in restricted, clastic-starved settings. We suggest that 5α,l4β,l7β-pregnane and homopregnane, as well as their higher C₂₃–C₂₆ homologues, are geological products derived from steroids bound to the kerogen by a sulfurized side chain. Carbon or carbonate minerals are considered to be natural catalysts for this cracking reaction via preferential cleavage of the bond between C-20 and C-22. Similar distributions occur in the short chain analogues of 4-methylsterane, triaromatic steroid and methyltriaromatic steroid hydrocarbons, providing circumstantial evidence for this proposal. The ratio of pregnane and homopregnane to the total regular steranes and the ratio of C₂₇ diasteranes to cholestanes can be sensitive indicators of sedimentary environments and facies. In general, high diasteranes and low pregnanes (with homologues) indicate an oxic water column or significant input of terrigenous organic matter in clay rich source rocks and some organic lean carbonate rocks. Low diasteranes with high pregnanes implies restricted, sulfur rich conditions, typical of anoxic carbonate source rocks. Furthermore, the two ratios may be useful to assess the variation of mineralogy and openness of source rock depositional settings.     

鄂尔多斯北部直罗组中烃类包裹体地球化学特征及来源分析

对鄂尔多斯盆地东胜地区中侏罗统直罗组砂岩中烃类包裹体进行镜下观察、描述，利用压碎抽提法对烃类包裹体进行色谱—质谱分析，并与白垩系油苗、三叠系油砂及源岩抽提物进行对比，目的是探讨其来源。包裹体油生物标志物成熟度参数，C29ααα甾烷20S/(S+R)、C32αβ藿烷22S/(S+R)比值基本达到平衡值，利用甲基菲指数计算的镜质体反射率参数介于0.64%～0.82％之间，显示包裹体中石油烃已接近成熟—成熟热演化阶段；物质来源及沉积环境参数，ααα20R甾烷百分含量C27>C28相似文献   

Geochemical characteristics of the lower part of Shayi Member in Lixian Slope,Raoyang Sag,Bohai Bay Basin,Northern China: Implications for organic matters origin,thermal maturity and depositional environment

The lower part of Shayi Member (Es1x Sub-Member) composed mainly of dark mudstones and shales is the dominant source rocks for the Lixian Slope. Based on organic petrology, organic and inorganic geochemistry analyses of several mudstone and shale samples selected from Es1x Sub-Member, this research provides an overview on type, origin and thermal maturity of organic matters, as well as depositional environment of Es1x Sub-Member. Kerogen microscopy observation shows that the macerals are dominated by sapropelinite with a significant mixture of vitrinite and inertinite, indicating that aquatic algal-bacterial organic matter inputs are dominate with a significant contribution of terrigenous organic matter inputs. This statement is supported by n-alkane patterns distribution characteristics, high (n-C₂₁ + n-C₂₂)/(n-C₂₈ + n-C₂₉) values (average = 1.77), the plot of high Ph/n-C₁₈ values (average = 4.15) versus low Pr/n-C₁₇ values (average = 1.13), and high proportion of C₂₇ sterane and C₂₉ sterane (average = 37.7 and 42.0%, respectively). In addition, the rather low Pr/Ph values (average = 0.38), high gammacerane index values (average = 0.30), high V/Ni and V/(V + Ni) values (average = 11.84 and 0.89, respectively), high Sr/Ba and Sr/Cu values (average = 8.54 and 108, respectively), indicative of a saline water condition and a anoxic depositional environment. The low C29 sterane ααα 20S/(20S + 20R), C₂₉ sterane αββ/(αββ + ααα), C₃₁ homohopane 22S/(22S + 22R), C₃₂ homohopane 22S/(22S + 22R), Ts/(Ts + Tm) values and relatively high moretane/hopane values show that the level of thermal maturity of organic matters in Es1x Sub-Member are low.     

Petrological and Organic Geochemical Characteristics of Oil Sands from the Middle Jurassic Yan'an Formation in the Southern Ordos Basin,China

An integrated petrological and geochemical analysis of surface and drilled oil sands was conducted to assess the organic matter origin/type, thermal maturity and paleoenvironment. Petrographic analysis of the oil sand used to establish the relationships between porosity and permeability with bulk density, RQI, NPI and FZI. The strong correlation between reservoir quality index (RQI) and permeability (R² = 0.98) reveal that porosity has a good correlation to RQI. The biomarker signatures of the analyzed oil reveal predominance of subaquatic‐derived source input with mainly land plant materials. This was indicated based on the average concentration of αααC27:C28:C29 sterane 20R of about 38%, 22% and 40% respectively. This interpretation is also supported by high values of tricyclic terpane/αβC30 hopane and regular sterane/αβC30 hopane. An anoxic condition of deposition within a lacustrine paleoenvironment that attributed to the enhancement of the preservation of the organic matters in the area were indicated based on the low Pr/Ph ratios (average 0.74), low values of αβC31‐22R‐hopane/αβC30 hopane ratios and high C26/C25 tricyclic terpane ratios as well as the presence of gammacerane and a low water salinity. Biomarker maturity parameters show that the extracted oil sand has entered the early oil window stage.     

Molecular geochemical characteristics of source rock in faulted lacustrine basin: A case study of the Lishu Fault Depression in southern Songliao Basin, China

Terrestrial faulted lacustrine basin is considered as a favorable place for the development of source rocks,especially the fault basins in eastern China.Based on molecular composition study of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in the extracts of source rocks of the Yingcheng and Shahezi formations in the Lishu Fault Depression,it is revealed that the extracts of source rocks are provided with low ratio of Pr/Ph,low content of C24 tetracyclic terpanes,high content of tricyclic terpanes and gammacerane,relatively high content of C27 steranes in the sag belt and its periphery;relatively high ratio of Pr/Ph,relatively high content of tetracyclic terpanes and gammacerane,low content of C27 steranes and obvious advantages of C29 steranes in its gentle slope belt;with high ratio of Pr/Ph,high content of C19,C20 tricyclic and C24 tetracyclic terpanes,very low content of gammacerane and C27 steranes,and high content of C29 steranes in the edge of fault depression.According to the organic matter input and sedimentary environment,three types of source rocks have been established,which,respectively,are the mode of mixing organic matter input in deep and semi-deep lake,the advantage of terrigenous input in shallow lake and terrigenous input in shore-shallow lacustrine.The first mode is supposed to generate oil and gas,while the second one tends to generate oil.The distribution characteristics of oil and gas in the Lishu Fault Depression are very likely to be controlled by hydrocarbon generating characteristic of different source rock types.     

Geochemical characteristics of Tertiary saline lacustrine oils in the Western Qaidam Basin,northwest China

Based on the systematic analyses of light hydrocarbon, saturate, aromatic fractions and C isotopes of over 40 oil samples along with related Tertiary source rocks collected from the western Qaidam basin, the geochemical characteristics of the Tertiary saline lacustrine oils in this region was investigated. The oils are characterized by bimodal n-alkane distributions with odd-to-even (C₁₁–C₁₇) and even-to-odd (C₁₈–C₂₈) predominance, low Pr/Ph (mostly lower than 0.6), high concentration of gammacerane, C₃₅ hopane and methylated MTTCs, reflecting the high salinity and anoxic setting typical of a saline lacustrine depositional environment. Mango’s K₁ values in the saline oils are highly variable (0.99–1.63), and could be associated with the facies-dependent parameters such as Pr/Ph and gammacerane indexes. Compared with other Tertiary oils, the studied Tertiary saline oils are marked by enhanced C₂₈ sterane abundance (30% or more of C₂₇–C₂₉ homologues), possibly derived from halophilic algae. It is noted that the geochemical parameters of the oils in various oilfields exhibit regular spatial changes, which are consistent with the depositional phase variations of the source rocks. The oils have uncommon heavy C isotopic ratios (−24‰ to −26‰) and a flat shape of the individual n-alkane isotope profile, and show isotopic characteristics similar to marine organic matter. The appearance of oleanane and high 24/(24 + 27)-norcholestane ratios (0.57–0.87) in the saline oils and source rocks confirm a Tertiary organic source.     

Geochemistry and possible origin of petroleum in Palaeozoic reservoirs from Halahatang Depression

The Halahatang Depression in the Tabei Uplift of the Tarim basin is an active exploration area because it has substantial reservoir potential and contains or is near to many commercial oil fields. Geochemical analysis indicates that Halahatang oils were derived from marine carbonate source rocks deposited under anoxic reducing conditions. The maturities for Halahatang oils are corresponding to the peak of the oil window and slightly higher than the neighboring Tahe oils. The Halahatang oils feature low Pr/Ph, C₂₁/C₂₃ tricyclic terpane and, C₂₈/C₂₉ sterane ratios, high C₂₉/C₃₀ hopane and C₃₅/C₃₄ hopane ratios, a “V” shape in the distribution of C₂₇–C₂₈–C₂₉ steranes and light carbon isotope ratios, similar to the Tahe oils and correlate well with the Middle-Upper Ordovician source rock. However, some source-related biomarker parameters imply a more reducing source organofacies with more zooplanktonic contribution than that for the Tahe oils.     

Molecular Geochemical Evidence for the Origin of Natural Gas from Dissolved Hydrocarbon in Ordovician Formation Waters in Central Ordos Basin

1IntroductionTheOrdosBasinisthesecondlargestoilandgas bearingbasininChina .ItislocatedinthePaleo zoicplatformandbelongstoacratonbasin ,whichisincongruencewiththePaleozoicdepressionattheedgesoftheplatformandtheMesozoic Cenozoicdepressionwithintheplatform .SincethediscoveryofnaturalgasesinWellShancan 1andWellYu 3in 1989,theassessmentandexplorationofOrdovicianweatheringcrustnaturalgasesintheOrdosBasinhaveattractedextensiveatten tion (YangJunjieetal.,1996 ;DaiJinxingetal.,1997) .Thecentral…     

黔南坳陷下寒武统烃源岩地球化学特征及成因

为明确黔南坳陷下寒武统烃源岩地球化学特征及成因,采用岩石热解、GC、GC-MS等方法对3个典型剖面样品进行了系统分析。结果表明:黔南坳陷下寒武统黑色岩系为一套区域性海相优质烃源岩,厚约50~150 m;烃源岩TOC值为0.13%～15.40%,平均3.31%(n=169);烃源岩干酪根δ13C值为-35.79‰～-29.88‰,平均-32.85‰(n=35),显微组分主要为腐泥组;烃源岩干酪根海相镜质体反射率值为1.95%～3.96%,其等效镜质体反射率值为2.02%～3.47%;烃源岩饱和烃正构烷烃分布多为单峰形,主峰碳多为C22,C30藿烷和C27规则甾烷含量高,规则甾烷多为C27>C29>C28,Pr/Ph值为0.27～0.62,具较高的伽马蜡烷和硫芴含量,OEP值为0.82~1.11,C31升藿烷22S/(22S+22R)值为0.56~0.63,平均0.59;烃源岩总体具有富集轻稀土元素,Ba、Mo、V、U等元素含量高,具较强Ce负异常、Eu正异常和较高U/Th值等特征。总之,黔南坳陷下寒武统海相烃源岩分布广,厚度较大,有机质丰度高,类型好,热演化程度高,是高古生产力和缺氧环境共同作用的产物,可为黔南坳陷油气生成提供雄厚的成烃物质。     

琼东南盆地深水东区渐新统烃源岩发育模式

琼东南盆地深水东区勘探程度低,钻井样品受油基泥浆污染严重,目前关于该区浅海相和海陆过渡相烃源岩的有机地球化学研究较为局限。通过对深水东区渐新统受油基泥浆污染的泥岩岩屑进行有效地洗油实验及有机地球化学分析测试,结合东部浅水区渐新统烃源岩样品的有机岩石学、有机地球化学分析测试等地质资料,系统剖析了深水东区渐新统不同沉积相烃源岩的地球化学特征、发育控制因素和发育模式。研究结果认为,琼东南盆地深水东区渐新统烃源岩的发育模式可分为海陆过渡相三角洲前缘模式和浅海相模式。海陆过渡相三角洲前缘烃源岩为中等—高有机质丰度,有机质类型为Ⅲ型,具有Pr/Ph普遍大于3、(nC21+nC22/nC28+nC29)普遍小于1.2、高OL/C30H、高T/C30H、低C23TT/C30H、低C27ST/C29ST和相对较低的Ga/C30H、C35/C3422S的特征,烃源岩的TOC和硫含量相关性极好,沉积水体为氧化性淡水—半咸水环境。三角洲前缘烃源岩的TOC和母源输入参数相关关系较好,而与Ga/C30H、C35/C3422S参数相关关系较差,说明三角洲前缘烃源岩的有机质丰度主要受陆源有机质输入的控制。浅海相烃源岩有机质丰度中等,有机质类型为Ⅱ2~Ⅲ型,具有Pr/Ph普遍小于3、(nC21+nC22/nC28+nC29)普遍大于1.5、低OL/C30H、低T/C30H、高C23TT/C30H、高C27ST/C29ST和相对较高的Ga/C30H、C35/C3422S的特征,且烃源岩的TOC和硫含量相关性较差,沉积水体为弱氧化性半咸水—咸水沉积环境。浅海相烃源岩的TOC和母源输入参数、Ga/C30H、C35/C3422S等相关关系均较好,说明浅海相烃源岩有机质丰度受水生有机质输入和弱氧化性半咸水—咸水沉积环境控制。滨海相烃源岩的有机质丰度为差—中等,有机质类型以Ⅲ型为主,且TOC受母质来源或沉积水体的氧化还原性影响较小,其烃源岩发育模式是一种破坏性模式。     

Organic matter geochemistry and petrography of Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian) organic-rich shales from the Belle Fourche and Second White Specks formations,west-central Alberta,Canada

Organic-rich mudstones with up to 10 wt% TOC from the upper portion of the Belle Fourche Formation and the lower part of the Second White Specks Formation in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin were evaluated as source rocks. Both geochemistry and organic petrography indicate an open marine paleoenvironment with deposition of Type II kerogen based on the predominance of marine alginite and amorphous organic matter (OM), limited amounts of terrigenous vitrinite and inertinite macerals, the presence of marine fossils, and the low ratio of TOC to total sulfur (∼1.26). The prevalence of short-chain n-alkanes (n-C₁₃ to n-C₁₉), a predominance of C₂₈ αββ(H)-20S steranes, and small concentrations of oleanane confirm the dominantly algal and planktonic origin of OM. Alternating oxic to anoxic paleoenvironmental sedimentary conditions are proposed based on common bioturbation, abundant inoceramid prisms, and good organic richness. Biomarker distributions are consistent with intermittent anoxia, without unequivocal evidence for water column stratification or hypersalinity. The thermal maturity measured in seven sediment cores by different methods consistently indicates a westward increase in maturity according to vitrinite reflectance, T_max, and hopane and sterane biomarkers. Two cores are thermally immature (∼0.42 %Ro), one is early mature (∼0.65 %Ro), and four cores are within the oil window (∼0.78 to 0.89 %Ro). All thermally mature cores retain good to very good hydrocarbon potential (248 mg HC/g rock) and are dominantly oil-prone and minor gas-prone based on their maceral compositions. The upper Belle Fourche and lower Second White Specks Formations represent potential targets for unconventional light shale oil production.