大港南部滩海区沙三段原油地球化学特征及油源分析

大港油田南部滩海区毗邻歧口和歧南两大生烃凹陷,具有双向供烃优势。沙三段是研究区最主要的产油层,但目前对该层段的油源对比结果尚存在争议。为明确油源,分别对原油的族组分、碳同位素、异戊二烯烃和甾萜类化合物等指标的地球化学特征进行分析对比,划分了原油类型。结果表明,南部滩海区沙三段原油可分为三类,第一类原油主要来自沙三段烃源岩,第二类原油主要来自沙一下段烃源岩,第三类原油地化特征介于两者之间,推测其为沙一下段与沙三段烃源岩的混合来源。三类原油在区域上也存在一定的分布规律。     

辽河坳陷兴隆台油田成藏特征与成藏模式

利用地球化学、地质资料对辽河坳陷兴隆台地区的成藏特征进行了系统研究,认为研究区具有多油源供烃、多类型输导、多期次充注的特点。油源对比研究表明,油气主要来源于清水洼陷,其次为陈家洼陷,其中清水洼陷沙三段为主要烃源岩。含氮化合物指示油气沿着断层、砂体、不整合面等多种输导体,从生烃洼陷向构造高部位进行运移。流体包裹体与烃源岩生烃史显示研究区发生了多期成藏,主要成藏期为东营末期。综上,建立了以下3种成藏模式:潜山油气藏的"单源供烃、断层—不整合输导、早期成藏模式",沙三段油气藏的"自生自储、断层—浊积砂输导、早期成藏模式"和浅层沙二段、沙一段、东营组油气藏的"多源供烃、断层—砂体输导、晚期成藏模式"。     

沾化凹陷富林洼陷中次洼纵向油气不均匀富集及控制因素

沾化凹陷富林洼陷中次洼靠近垦利断裂带的区域纵向上油气富集存在不均匀性,通过烃源岩生烃演化分析、油源对比、断层活动性分析等方法分析了研究区的油气成藏特征和影响因素,结果表明:富林洼陷中次洼靠近垦利断裂带的区域深层沙三段储层和浅层东营组、馆下段储层均发现油藏,而中部沙二段和沙一段的圈闭大多为空。造成这种油气不均匀富集的因素为深层沙三段油藏中的油气来源于中次洼沙三下亚段烃源岩,而浅层东营组和馆下段油藏中的油气来源于孤南洼陷沙三下亚段烃源岩;富林洼陷油气来源有限,且烃源岩排烃期与垦利断层活动期配置不佳,油气输导条件受到限制,只能短距离运移在沙三段储层聚集;孤南洼陷油气来源充足,且烃源岩在大量排烃时期、垦利断层处在活动期,且能够输导油气,因此油气能够远距离地运移到富林中次洼的浅层东营组和馆下段聚集。     

赤水陆相碎屑岩天然气的成藏机理

贵州赤水地区的中浅层陆相碎屑岩油气勘探长期未引起充分重视。通过对实际资料的分析、对比、研究,认为陆相碎屑岩存在侏罗系和上三叠统须家河组两套烃源岩,具有一定的生烃潜力,但气源主要来自于下伏海相地层;沟通气源层与储层的断裂系统的存在对该区的油气成藏相当重要。赤水地区中浅层陆相碎屑岩气藏成藏模式属于深生浅聚成藏组合类型,具有多期运移聚集、喜山期调整成藏的特点。     

辽东湾地区锦州25—1油田油气成藏特点和运聚模拟研究

在对构造演化、成藏要素、油源对比、成藏期次分析的基础上,结合Trinity油气运移成藏模拟分析软件对锦州25—1油田的油气运聚模拟研究,分析了形成锦州25—1油田的成藏主控因素,建立了其成藏模式,指出了该地区有利勘探方向。模拟分析结果表明,锦州25—1构造是辽西凹陷沙三段烃源岩生成油气运聚的有利指向区,而优良成藏要素的优势时空配置则是形成锦州25—1油田的关键因素。其成藏模式为：辽西凹陷沙三段烃源岩在东下段时期进入了大量生排烃期,生成的油气为一期充注,充注时间发生在东营组末期,沿东下段时期强烈构造运动伴生的断裂系统、沙二段广泛发育的砂体、沙二段与沙三段之间大型不整合面以及古构造脊所构成的疏导体系运移至沙二段圈闭成藏,而沙三段砂体则可以近源优势成藏。辽西凹陷西斜坡、凹中隆以及古构造脊是今后较为有利的勘探区域。     

对中国近海油气富集的地质特征的几点认识

通过对比分析中国近海含油气盆地内烃源岩的生烃潜力、储集层、盖层、油气运移、圈闭发育与主要生烃、排烃期配套等油气地质条件认为，上述诸因素在油气成藏过程中的相互配套程度的差异是造成中国近海具有相似生烃潜力的含油气盆地其油气富集程度差别巨大的关键因素。     

东海西湖凹陷浙东中央背斜带烃源岩生排烃史研究

为了深化西湖凹陷浙东中央背斜带油气成藏过程的研究，优化勘探目标选择，在烃源岩特征分析的基础上，应用动态数值模拟技术，定量恢复了研究区主要烃源岩层系的生排烃历史，研究表明，浙东中央背斜带主要发育4套烃源岩系，其中始新统平湖组泥岩与煤层为主力烃源岩，具较高的有机质丰度=生烃强度与排烃效率，烃类排出具阶段性、多期次幕式排烃的特点汉平湖组为源岩的油气系统应是本区油气勘探的主要目标。     

东海丽水凹陷古新统非典型湖相烃源岩及油气特征

东海陆架盆地丽水凹陷主力烃源岩为古新统月桂峰组湖相泥岩,已发现油气以天然气为主,含少量凝析油,与以原油为主的中国东部典型断陷湖盆存在差异。对月桂峰组湖相泥岩进行了综合评价,发现其存在不能生烃的死碳,烃源岩的热演化成熟度与烃源岩形成石油的转化参数之间存在差异。月桂峰组有机质主要来源于陆源有机质,湖相水生生物来源的比例变化较大。烃源岩地球化学特征与典型湖相烃源岩存在差异。总结了湖盆类型对烃源岩的控制因素以及不同湖盆类型烃源岩形成油气的主要特征,并与月桂峰组湖相泥岩及已发现油气特征进行了对比,表明月桂峰组沉积期发育过补偿和平衡补偿湖盆。月桂峰组泥岩为非典型湖相烃源岩。     

渤海海域秦南凹陷东南缘断层活动对古近系油气富集的控制

秦南凹陷东南缘陡坡带沙一二段储层中发现了大量油气,但油气富集的控制因素不清,严重制约了该区的进一步勘探和评价。利用钻井、测井、三维地震和分析化验等资料,结合沉积背景,运用断层活动速率法定量分析了秦南凹陷东南缘断层的活动特征,探讨了断层活动性与古近系油气富集的关系。研究表明:研究区古近纪至现今,断层活动呈"弱—最强—弱—强—最弱—弱"的特点。沙三段、东三段和东二段沉积期,断层活动较强,为主要的烃源岩和盖层发育期,断层活动越强的位置,烃源岩厚度越大、成熟度越高;沙一二段、东一段至现今沉积期,断层活动弱,为主要的储层发育期,断层活动弱的位置以及调节带储层较发育。断层活动弱的位置,易形成岩性圈闭;断层活动强的位置,易形成断层-岩性圈闭。古近纪时断层纵向上的强弱演化为油气成藏提供了优质的烃源岩和储、盖层条件。东营组沉积末期,烃源岩成熟并开始运移,断层幕式活动活化了断层带,为油气在纵向和横向上的运移创造了有利的通道条件。明化镇组上段沉积期,油气进入储层并开始成藏,断层活动直接影响着油气的保存和再分配,由于盖层厚度较大且分布广,成藏后断层活动减弱,进而阻止了油气的再分配,使得油气主要在沙一二段储层中富集,形成现今亿吨级大油田。     

南黄海盆地阜宁组烃源岩地层热压生烃特征

通过生烃模拟获取生烃动力学参数是近年来油气资源评价工作中极为重要的一个环节,利用地层热压生排烃模拟装置对南黄海盆地南二凹陷阜四段烃源岩进行了生烃模拟实验,并拟合了生烃动力学参数。实验及研究结果表明,阜四段烃源岩的生烃演化可分为3个阶段:第1阶段产烃量随温度上升快速增大,以产油为主;第2阶段产烃量随温度上升缓慢增加,为油、气同产;第3阶段产烃量随温度上升快速增大,主要是以生气为主。实验拟合出阜四段烃源岩的生油活化能为228 kJ/mol,生气活化能为280 kJ/mol。与常压-完全开放体系试验、金管-高压釜实验装置的实验结果对比,本次实验南黄海盆地阜四段烃源岩在地层热压条件下出现生油窗滞后现象,烃源岩样品在高成熟演化阶段依然具有较高的液态烃产率。阜四段生油活化能值较高,其内在原因是有机质受到烃源岩孔隙中高压水的"保护"作用以及受生烃空间的影响,延缓了烃源岩的热演化进程。综合前人实验结果分析,有限空间热压生烃模拟实验环境更接近于烃源岩在地层条件下的生烃条件,实验结果对南黄海盆地的油气资源潜力评价及油气勘探方向具有指导意义。     

琼东南深水区海陆过渡相富生烃凹陷评价及优选

琼东南盆地古近系崖城组被证实为海陆过渡相烃源岩,但是深水盆地内6个凹陷的特征及演化存在显著差异,如何确定最富生烃的凹陷直接关系到深水钻探的成效。本文在深水凹陷区域构造形成机制、沉积环境演变特征以及海陆过渡相烃源岩有机质特征分析的基础上,充分利用现有钻井和地震资料,首先依据地震相模式分析方法预测了烃源岩层段沉积相分布,并根据沉积相与有机相的对应关系,预测了有机相分布;同时采用地震速度岩性定量分析技术确定出各凹陷烃源岩厚度分布,并利用地震反演速度及区域内泥岩孔隙度和烃源岩Ro的关系,定量预测了源岩热成熟度分布;然后依据烃源岩有机相、厚度和热成熟度等参数计算了崖城组各层段生气量和生气强度;最后以这两个参数为主,结合资源量和油气发现概况,建立了深水区富生烃凹陷评价标准,以此对6个凹陷进行综合评价优选。研究认为陵水、乐东、宝岛和长昌四个凹陷是Ⅰ类(最富生烃)凹陷,而松南和北礁凹陷为Ⅱ类(较富生烃)凹陷。该评价结果对南海北部深水区下一步勘探部署和目标钻探有重要的指导意义。     

构造生烃

生烃是岩石中所含的有机质产生流体有机化合物的化学反应。岩石有机质化学反应存在两种系统：封闭系统和开放系统，随着埋深加大，烃源岩越来越致密，岩石的化学反应逐渐由开放系统转变为封闭系统。目前的生烃理论仅仅是开放系统下烃源岩成熟与生烃理论，烃源岩成熟与生烃是不匹配的。封闭系统下烃源岩成熟与生烃是不匹配的，烃源岩成熟但不生烃，而是形成另外一种成熟的固体有机质。大多数情况是烃源岩为半封闭系统，烃源岩处于欠生烃状态。构造运动形成的断层和裂隙将烃源岩与疏导层沟通，烃源岩迅速由封闭、半封闭系统转变为开放系统。这种生烃系统的转变形成短时间内过量生烃，笔者将这种生烃作用命名为构造生烃，意味着构造运动期即为主生烃期，伴随着多次构造运动可以形成多个幕式生烃高峰。构造生烃理论开拓两个极其重要的勘探领域：第一，新构造勘探。以往认为已经过了生、排烃期的构造得以解放，如渤海湾郯庐断裂带第四纪圈闭不是过了主生烃期，而是正处于构造生烃的过生烃高峰期。以PL19-3为代表的油气运聚强度只有构造生烃能够解释；第二，超深勘探，特别是天然气勘探。深层勘探的下限将大大延伸，生烃门限，特别是生气门限将大大加深，仅生烃而言万米都不是天然气勘探的极限。     

墨西哥湾南部晚侏罗纪主力烃源岩的形成条件

通过对墨西哥湾不同时代可采储量的分布特征和油源对比资料的分析认为,晚侏罗纪烃源岩是墨西哥湾南部最主要的烃源岩。资料显示,晚侏罗纪优质烃源岩形成的主控因素是稳定的构造和沉积条件以及超咸的还原环境,其中,"世界顶级"的晚侏罗纪提塘阶烃源岩主要形成于超咸的碳酸盐岩和/或蒸发岩沉积环境,属半深海还原环境,有机质以藻类为主,推测烃源岩中的有机质可能与极端干旱气候条件下的藻类勃发有关。     

Evaluation method and application of the relative contribution of marine hydrocarbon source rocks in the Tarim basin: A case study from the Tazhong area

In total, 2.37 million tons of marine crude oil originating from mixed source rocks has been discovered in the Tarim basin. Geological and geochemical analyses have confirmed that these mixed hydrocarbons are mainly from two sets of source rocks, including the Cambrian – Lower Ordovician and Middle-Upper Ordovician hydrocarbon source rocks. In this study, we determined the set of source rocks primarily responsible for the mixed hydrocarbons and the next location to be explored. Differences in n-alkane carbon isotopes in end-member oils from Cambrian–Lower Ordovician and Middle-Upper Ordovician source rocks were examined. A material balance model and simulation methods were used to evaluate the relative amounts contributed by each source. The results from known reserves in the Tazhong area show that the mixing ratio or contribution is up to 65% from Cambrian–Lower Ordovician source rocks and is generally higher than that from Middle-Upper Ordovician source rocks. The discovery of deep hydrocarbons has caused the total oil contribution from the Cambrian–Lower Ordovician to increase. The mixing ratio of Cambrian–Lower Ordovician oil varies depending on the well, formation, and block. It increases from west to east horizontally and from top to bottom vertically. Hydrocarbons from Cambrian–Lower Ordovician source rocks migrate upward along faults, and the mixing ratio decreases as the distance from the oil source fault increases. Favorable areas for Cambrian–Lower Ordovician hydrocarbon exploration are deep layers and areas near the fault zone that are connected to deep layers. The material balance model for carbon isotopes and evaluation methods for relative contributions considered differences in relative concentration and carbon isotope structure of n-alkanes. Herein, new methods for the identification and evaluation of hydrocarbons in the petroleum system of this superimposed basin are presented.     

A basin modeling and organic geochemistry study in the Vallecitos syncline,San Joaquin Basin,California

The Vallecitos syncline is a westerly structural extension of the San Joaquin Basin. The Vallecitos oil field, comprised of eight separate areas that produce from Cretaceous and Paleogene reservoirs, accounted for 5.4 MMB of oil and 5.6 BCF associated of gas through 2010. However, exploration for oil and gas in the Vallecitos area is challenging due to structural complexity and limited data. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether source rocks are actively generating petroleum in the Vallecitos syncline and to improve our understanding of burial history and timing of hydrocarbon generation. We conducted biomarker analysis on twenty-two oil samples from the Vallecitos syncline. Source-related biomarkers show two genetic groups of oil, which originated from two different source rocks. These results differ from earlier published interpretations in which the Kreyenhagen Formation is the only source rock in the Vallecitos syncline, and suggest that the Cretaceous Moreno Formation in the syncline also is an active source rock.Stratigraphic evidence and modeling suggest that late Cenozoic episodes of erosion due to folding and uplift removed significant overburden on the flanks of the syncline. To better understand the petroleum systems and clarify the total active source rocks in the area, 2D burial histories were generated through the Vallecitos syncline. A published cross-section through the deepest part of the syncline was selected to conduct thermal history, basin evolution, and migration analyses. The 2D model results indicate that the lower Kreyenhagen Formation has various maturities within the formation at different locations in the present-day syncline. The basal part of the Kreyenhagen Formation is in the dry gas window and maturity decreases away from the central part to the flanks. It remains immature along shallow portions of the present-day flanks. In contrast, the basal part of the Moreno Formation achieved extremely high maturity (past the gas generation zone) but is in the oil generation zone on the flanks of the syncline at shallow depth. All of our geochemical and 2D model results suggest that there are two active source rocks in the Vallecitos syncline. Accordingly, we propose that there are two active petroleum systems in the Vallecitos syncline.     

The source of highly overmature solid bitumens in the Permian coral reef paleo-reservoirs of the Nanpanjiang Depression

Solid bitumens occur extensively in Permian coral reefs of the Nanpanjiang Depression. Both potential source rocks and solid bitumens in the study area are highly overmature and have similar bulk carbon isotope values. It is difficult to perform an oil–source rock correlation study in this area based on only regular molecular geochemical methods and bulk carbon isotope values. Thus the covalently bound biomarkers released from solid bitumens and source rock kerogens by catalytic hydropyrolysis (HyPy), together with the geological settings, were taken into account in this oil–source rock correlation study. The distribution characteristics of covalently bound biomarkers suggest that the major source rock of the Longlin paleo-reservoir (in the midwest of the depression) solid bitumen should be the Middle Devonian mudstone, whereas the source rock of the Ziyun paleo-reservoir (in the north of the depression) solid bitumen should be the Lower Permian source rock. However, solid bitumens in the Ceheng and Wangmo paleo-reservoirs (in the middle of the depression) may be mainly sourced from the Middle Devonian source rock, but partly from the Permian source rock. Our bitumen–source rock correlation results are also supported by the petroleum geological settings of the study area, which indicate that the filling of those paleo-reservoirs was controlled by the matching of hydrocarbon generation and trap formation. Basically, the timing of hydrocarbon generation of the Middle Devonian source rocks matches well with the formation of Permian coral reef traps in the middle and midwest portions of the depression, but it is earlier than the formation of the Permian coral reef trap in the north of the depression. We show that our oil–source rock correlation study based on covalently bound biomarkers can provide reliable information for petroleum system analysis when highly overmature strata in South China are involved.     

Oil-oil and oil-source rock correlations in the Alpine Foreland Basin of Austria: Insights from biomarker and stable carbon isotope studies

The Alpine Foreland Basin is a minor oil and moderate gas province in central Europe. In the Austrian part of the Alpine Foreland Basin, oil and minor thermal gas are thought to be predominantly sourced from Lower Oligocene horizons (Schöneck and Eggerding formations). The source rocks are immature where the oil fields are located and enter the oil window at ca. 4 km depth beneath the Alpine nappes indicating long-distance lateral migration. Most important reservoirs are Upper Cretaceous and Eocene basal sandstones.Stable carbon isotope and biomarker ratios of oils from different reservoirs indicate compositional trends in W-E direction which reflect differences in source, depositional environment (facies), and maturity of potential source rocks. Thermal maturity parameters from oils of different fields are only in the western part consistent with northward displacement of immature oils by subsequently generated oils. In the eastern part of the basin different migration pathways must be assumed. The trend in S/(S + R) isomerisation of ααα-C₂₉ steranes versus the αββ (20R)/ααα (20R) C₂₉ steranes ratio from oil samples can be explained by differences in thermal maturation without involving long-distance migration. The results argue for hydrocarbon migration through highly permeable carrier beds or open faults rather than relatively short migration distances from the source. The lateral distance of oil fields to the position of mature source rocks beneath the Alpine nappes in the south suggests minimum migration distances between less than 20 km and more than 50 km.Biomarker compositions of the oils suggest Oligocene shaly to marly successions (i.e. Schoeneck, Dynow, and Eggerding formations) as potential source rocks, taking into account their immature character. Best matches are obtained between the oils and units a/b (marly shale) and c (black shale) of the “normal” Schöneck Formation, as well as with the so-called “Oberhofen Facies”. Results from open system pyrolysis-gas chromatography of potential source rocks indicate slightly higher sulphur content of the resulting pyrolysate from unit b. The enhanced dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene ratios of oils from the western part of the basin would be consistent with a higher contribution of unit b to hydrocarbon expulsion in this area. Differences in the relative contribution of sedimentary units to oil generation are inherited from thickness variations of respective units in the overthrusted sediments. The observed trend towards lighter δ¹³C values of hydrocarbon fractions from oil fields in a W-E direction are consistent with lower δ¹³C values of organic matter in unit c.     

Hydrocarbon systems of Northeastern Venezuela: plate through molecular scale-analysis of the genesis and evolution of the Eastern Venezuela Basin

The prolific, oil-bearing basins of eastern Venezuela developed through an unusual confluence of Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific plate tectonic events. Mesozoic rifting and passive margin development created ideal conditions for the deposition of world-class hydrocarbon source rocks. In the Cenozoic, transpressive, west-to-east movement of the Caribbean plate along the northern margin of Venezuela led to the maturation of those source rocks in several extended pulses, directly attributable to regional tectonic events. The combination of these elements with well-developed structural and stratigraphic fairways resulted in remarkably efficient migration of large volumes of oil and gas, which accumulated along the flanks of thick sedimentary depocenters.At least four proven and potential hydrocarbon source rocks contribute to oil and gas accumulations. Cretaceous oil-prone, marine source rocks, and Miocene oil- and gas-prone, paralic source rocks are well documented. We used reservoired oils, seeps, organic-rich rocks, and fluid inclusions to identify probable Jurassic hypersaline-lacustrine, and Albian carbonate source rocks. Hydrocarbon maturation began during the Early Miocene in the present-day Serrania del Interior, as the Caribbean plate moved eastward relative to South America. Large volumes of hydrocarbons expelled during this period were lost due to lack of effective traps and seals. By the Middle Miocene, however, when source rocks from the more recent foredeeps began to mature, reservoir, migration pathways, and topseal were in place. Rapid, tectonically driven burial created the opportunity for unusually efficient migration and trapping of these later-expelled hydrocarbons. The generally eastward migration of broad depocenters across Venezuela was supplemented by local, tectonically induced subsidence. These subsidence patterns and later migration resulted in the mixing of hydrocarbons from different source rocks, and in a complex map pattern of variable oil quality that was further modified by biodegradation, late gas migration, water washing, and subsequent burial.The integration of plate tectonic reconstructions with the history of source rock deposition and maturation provides significant insights into the genesis, evolution, alteration, and demise of Eastern Venezuela hydrocarbon systems. We used this analysis to identify additional play potential associated with probable Jurassic and Albian hydrocarbon source rocks, often overlooked in discussions of Venezuela. The results suggest that oils associated with likely Jurassic source rocks originated in restricted, rift-controlled depressions lying at high angles to the eventual margins of the South Atlantic, and that Albian oils are likely related to carbonate deposition along these margins, post-continental break up. In terms of tectonic history, the inferred Mesozoic rift system is the eastern continuation of the Espino Graben, whose remnant structures underlie both the Serrania del Interior and the Gulf of Paria, where thick evaporite sections have been penetrated. The pattern of basin structure and associated Mesozoic deposition as depicted in the model has important implications for the Mesozoic paleogeography of northern South America and Africa, Cuba and the Yucatan and associated new play potential.     

Quantitative modelling of hydrocarbon expulsion and quality grading of tight oil lacustrine source rocks: Case study of Qingshankou 1 member,central depression,Southern Songliao Basin,China

The quality of source rocks plays an important role in the distribution of tight and conventional oil and gas resources. Despite voluminous studies on source rock hydrocarbon generation, expulsion and overpressure, a quality grading system based on hydrocarbon expulsion capacity is yet to be explored. Such a grading system is expected to be instrumental for tight oil and gas exploration and sweet spot prediction. This study tackles the problem by examining Late Cretaceous, lacustrine source rocks of the Qingshankou 1 Member in the southern Songliao Basin, China. By evaluating generated and residual hydrocarbon amounts of the source rock, the extent of hydrocarbon expulsion is modelled through a mass balance method. The overpressure is estimated using Petromod software. Through correlation between the hydrocarbon expulsion and source rock evaluation parameters [total organic carbon (TOC), kerogen type, vitrinite reflectance (R_o) and overpressure], three classes of high-quality, effective and ineffective source rocks are established. High-quality class contains TOC >2%, type-I kerogen, R_o >1.0%, overpressure >7Mpa, sharp increase of hydrocarbon expulsion along with increasing TOC and overpressure, and high expulsion value at R_o >1%. Source rocks with TOC and R_o <0.8%, type-II₂ & III kerogen, overpressure <3Mpa, and low hydrocarbon expulsion volume are considered ineffective. Rocks with parameters between the two are considered effective. The high-quality class shows a strong empirical control on the distribution of tight oil in the Songliao Basin. This is followed by the effective source rock class. The ineffective class has no measurable contribution to the tight oil reserves. Because the hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency of source rocks is controlled by many factors, the lower limits of the evaluation parameters in different basins may vary. However, the classification method of tight source rocks proposed in this paper should be widely applicable.     

Characteristics and origin of carbon isotopes of n-alkanes in crude oils from the western Pearl River Mouth Basin,South China sea

The quantitative characterization of carbon isotopes of n-alkanes is commonly carried out in organic geochemical studies. Possible controls on carbon isotopes include source organic matter, maturity, fractionation during oil expulsion and migration, and the mixing of different oils. In this study of the origin of crude oils in the western Pearl River Mouth Basin, the influences of all of these factors have been considered in reaching a conclusion. Carbon isotopes of n-alkanes in the crude oils, and the extracts of the two effective source rocks (the Wenchang and Enping formations) in the basin, exhibit clear differences. The Wenchang source rocks have heavy δ¹³C values that remain almost constant or become slightly heavier with increasing carbon number. The Enping source rocks have light δ¹³C values that become lighter with increasing carbon number. Two groups of oils in this area were identified based on the carbon isotopes of the n-alkanes; groupIoils are similar to extracts of the Wenchang source rocks. However, the groupIIoils are different from both the Wenchang and Enping source rocks and the carbon isotopic profiles of their n-alkanes exhibit a “V” feature with increasing carbon number. The results of artificial thermal maturation experiments indicate that, from the early stage to the peak stage of oil generation (with EasyRo between 0.64% and 1.02%), the δ¹³C values of n-alkanes in the pyrolysis oils become heavier by about 3‰ with increasing thermal maturity, but the shape of the carbon isotopic profiles are not significantly changed. Calculated δ¹³C values of n-alkanes in “mixed” artificial pyrolysis oils indicate that the mixture of oils generated from the same source rocks with different maturities could not change the carbon isotopic profile of the n-alkanes, however, a mixing of the Wenchang and Enping oils could give the “V” feature in the profiles, similar to the groupIIoils in this area. The groupIIoils appear to be mixed Wenchang and Enping oils, the latter being the dominant component in the mixture. We conclude that the source organic matter and the degree of mixing are the main factors controlling the carbon isotopic characteristics of n-alkanes in crude oils in the western Pearl River Mouth Basin.