Thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis coupled with chromatography as a thermal simulation experimental method and its application to gaseous hydrocarbons from different source rocks

In this paper a thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis method coupled with chromatography （TG-DTA-GC） has been adopted to simulate the generation of gaseous hydrocarbons from different hydrocarbon source rocks such as coals, mudstones, and carbonate rocks with different maturities. The temperature programming for thermal simulation experiment is 20℃/min from ambient temperature to 700℃. As viewed from the quantities and composition of generated gaseous hydrocarbons at different temperatures, it is shown that low-mature coal has experienced the strongest exothermic reaction and the highest loss of weight in which the first exothermic peak is relatively low. Low-mature coal samples have stronger capability of generating gaseous hydrocarbons than high-mature samples. The amounts and composition of gaseous hydrocarbons generated are closely related not only to the abundance of organic carbon in source rocks, but also to the type of kerogen in the source rocks, and their thermal maturity. In the present highly mature and over-mature rock samples organic carbon, probably, has already been exhausted, so the production of gaseous hydrocarbons in large amounts is impossible. The contents of heavy components in gaseous hydrocarbons from the source rocks containing type- Ⅰ and - Ⅱ kerogens are generally high ; those of light components such as methane and ethane in gaseous hydrocarbons from the source rocks with Ⅲ-type kerogens are high as well. In the course of thermal simulation of carbonate rock samples, large amounts of gaseous hydrocarbons were produced in a high temperature range.     

Differential Hydrocarbon Enrichment and its Main Controlling Factors in Depressions of the Bohai Bay Basin

Significant differential hydrocarbon enrichment occurs in depressions in a petroliferous basin. There are multiple depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin, and each depression as a relatively independent unit of hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation, contains significantly different hydrocarbon generation conditions and enrichment degree. On the basis of previous documents and a large number of statistical data, this work comparatively analyzed the differential hydrocarbon enrichment and its major controlling factors in depressions of the Bohai Bay Basin. The results show that depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin have various hydrocarbon enrichment degrees, and can be categorized into four types, namely enormously oil-rich, oil-rich, oily and oil-poor depressions. In general, the enormously oil-rich and oil-rich depressions are distributed in the eastern part of the basin along the Tan–Lu and Lan–Liao faults, whereas depressions in the western part of the basin are poor in hydrocarbons. Moreover, the vertical distribution of hydrocarbons is also highly heterogeneous, with Pre-Paleogene strata rich in hydrocarbons in the northern and western depressions, Paleogene strata rich in hydrocarbons in the entire basin, and Neogene strata rich in hydrocarbons in the off-shore areas of the Bohai Bay Basin. From early depressions in onshore areas to the late depressions in offshore areas of the Bohai Bay Basin, the source rocks and source-reservoir-cap rock assemblages gradually become younger and shallower, and the hydrocarbon resource abundance gradually increases. Hydrocarbon supplying condition is the key factor constraining the hydrocarbon enrichment for different depressions, while the main source-reservoir-cap rock assemblage, sufficient hydrocarbons and the transportation capacity of faults control the vertical distribution of hydrocarbons. The main factors controlling hydrocarbon enrichment are different for different layers. The hydrocarbon supplying condition of source rocks is the key controlling factor, whereas the source-reservoir configuration, the main source-reservoir-cap rock assemblages, and the fault transportation are the main factors of hydrocarbon enrichment in the Paleogene, Paleogene and Neogene, respectively.     

Effect of water washing on hydrocarbon compositions of petroleum sandstone reservoir rocks in Tarim Basin, NW China

Gross compositions and distribution of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in Carboniferous sandstone reservoire rocks in oil and water zones for Tzhong-10 well of the Zhongyang Uplift in the Tarim Basin were studied in dteail by means of Rock-Eval Pyrolysis,thin-chromatograph-flame ionization detection(TLC-FID),gas chromatography,gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.The results suggest that the gross composition of reservoir hydrocarbons between the oil zone and the water zone show significant differences,Water wahing has a dramatic effect on saturated hydrocarbon blomarkers,especially drimane series compounds,Drimane series compounds in the water zone have been depleted completely.However,the contents of tricyclic iterpanes and pentacyclic triterpanes tend to decrease slightly,but the water-zone reservoir hydrocarbons contian a large amount of gammacerane.This suggests that gammacerane be more resistant to water washing than diterpanes and homohopanes.The contents of pregnane,homopregrane,diasteranes relastively decrease as a result of water washing.Water washing has a noticeable effect on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds,especially aromatic sulfur compounds,and the contents of dibenzothiophene series compounds and benzonaplyiothipophene decrease significantly as a result of water washing.However,the conterts of bicyclic and tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbons decrase slightly and those of tetracyclic and pentacyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,especially benzofluoranthene and benzopyrenes,increase markedly owing to adecrease in light aromatie hydrocarbons as a result of water washing.     

Airborne Shortwave Infrared Spectral Remote Sensing as a Direct Prospecting Method for Oil and Gas Resources

The spectral characters of hydrocarbons in some oil-bearing strata and soil layers ouer oil and gas reservoirs in the Junggar Basin and northern Tarim Basin in Xinjng are compared with those of chemically pure hydrocarbons.The hydrocarbons are characterized by the bi-absorption at 2310nm and 2350nm.Hydrocarbon and radioactive anomalies in oil and gas terrains are found much more widespread than carbonate alterations.Based on the spectra of heavy hydrocarbons related to oil between 2270nm and 2460nm and refined data treatme nt, remote sensing may hold encouraging promise as a directly prospecting technique for oil and gas resources.     

Organic Gases in Fluid Inclusions of Ore Minerals and Their Constraints on Ore Genesis: A Case Study of the Changkeng Au-Ag Deposit, Guangdong, China

The newly discovered Changkeng Au-Ag deposit is a new type of sediment-hosted precious metal deposit. Most of the previous researchers believed that the deposit was formed by meteoric water convection. By using a high vacuum quadrupole gas mass spectrometric system, nine light hydrocarbons have been recognized in the fluid inclusions in ore minerals collected from the Changkeng deposit. The hydrocarbons are composed mainly of saturated alkanes C1-4 and unsaturated alkenes C2-4 and aromatic hydrocarbons, in which the alkanes are predominant, while the contents of alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons are very low. The Σalka/Σalke ratio of most samples is higher than 100, suggesting that those hydrocarbons are mainly generated by pyrolysis of kerogens in sedimentary rocks caused by water-rock interactions at medium-low temperatures, and the metallogenic processes might have not been affected by magmatic activity. A thermodynamic calculation shows that the light hydrocarbons have reached chemical equilibrium     

Experimental Study on Hydrocarbon Formation Due to Reactions Between Carbonates and Water or Water—Bearing Minerals in Deep Earth

In order to investigate the mechanism of formation of abiogenetic hydrocarbons at the depth of the Earth,experimental research on reactions between carbonates and water or waterbearing minerals was carried out at the pressure of about 1GPa and the temperature range of 800-1500℃.The reactions took place in an open and nonequilibrium state.Chromatographic analyses of the gas products indicate that in the experiments there were generated CH4-dominated hydrocarbons,along with some CO2 and CO.Accordingly,we think there is no essential distinction between free-state water and hydroxy in the minerals in the process of hydrocarbon formation.This study indicates that reactions between carbonates and water or water-bearing minerals should be an important factor leading to the formation of abiogenetic hydrocarbons at the Earth‘s depth.     

Re-Examination of the Oil and Gas Origins in the Kekeya Gas Condensate Field, Northwest China–A Case Study of Hydrocarbon-Source Correlation Using Sophisticated Geochemical Methods

This work discussed the origins, alteration and accumulation processes of the oil and gas in the Kekeya gas condensate field based on molecular compositions, stable carbon isotopes, light hydrocarbons, diamondoid hydrocarbons and biomarker fingerprints. A comparison study is also made between the geochemical characteristics of the Kekeya hydrocarbons and typical marine and terrigenous hydrocarbons of the Tarim Basin. Natural gas from the Kekeya gas condensate field is derived from Middle–Lower Jurassic coal measures while the condensates are derived from Carboniferous–Permian marine source rocks with a higher maturity. In the study area, both natural gas and condensates have experienced severe water washing. A large amount of methane was dissolved into the water, resulting in a decrease in the dryness coefficient. Water washing also makes the carbon isotopic compositions of the natural gas more negative and partially reverse. Considering that the gas maturities are higher than once expected, gas generation intensity in the study area should be much stronger and the gas related to the Jurassic coal measures could promise a greater prospecting potential. As a result of evaporative fractionation, the Kekeya condensates are enriched in saturates and lack aromatics. Evaporative fractionation disguises the original terrigenous characteristics of the light hydrocarbons associated with the natural gas, making it appear marinesourced. Thus, alteration processes should be fully taken into consideration when gas–source correlations are carried out based on light hydrocarbons. With the condensates discovered in the study area all being "migration phase", the pre-salt Cretaceous and Jurassic reservoirs may promise great exploration potential for the "residual phase" hydrocarbons. This research not only is of significance for oil and gas exploration in the southwest Tarim Basin, but also sheds light on the oil/gas-source correlations in general.     

Velocity and Structural Modeling of Mesozoic Chiltan Limestone and Goru Formation for Hydrocarbon Evaluation in the Bitrisim Area, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

The present study focuses on building a workflow for structural interpretation and velocity modeling and implementing to Jurassic-Cretaceous succession (Chiltan Limestone and Massive sand of the Lower Goru Formation). 2D-Migrated seismic sections of the area are used as data set and in order to confirm the presence of hydrocarbons in the study area, P and S-wave seismic velocities are estimated from single-component seismic data. Some specific issues in the use of seismic data for modeling and hydrocarbon evaluation need to deal with including distinguishing the reservoir and cap rocks, and the effects of faults, folds and presence of hydrocarbons on these rocks. This study has carried out the structural interpretation and modeling of the seismic data for the identification of traps. The results demonstrate existence of appropriate structural traps in the form of horst and grabens in the area. 2D and 3D velocity modeling of the horizons indicates the presence of high velocity zones in the eastern half of the study while relatively low velocity zones are encountered in the western half of the area. Two wells were drilled in the study area (i.e. Fateh-01 and Ichhri-01) and both are dry. Immature hydrocarbons migration is considered as a failure reason for Fateh-01 and Ichhri-01 well.     

Relationship between Geological Structures and Hydrocarbon Enrichment of Different Depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin

The Bohai Bay Basin contains many depressions with varying degrees of hydrocarbon enrichment associated with the geological structures of different depressions. This study discussed the relationship between the geological structures and hydrocarbon enrichment of the depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin. Based on the Paleogene strata distribution and the length to width ratio of different depressions, their geological structures are divided into three types in plan-view: open(length/width 2), narrow(length/width 4) and transitional types(length/width 2–4). In cross section, the geological structures can be divided into dustpan I, dustpan II and double-faulted types. Based on tectonic evolution and sedimentary characteristics, the depressions are classified into early-formed, inherited and late-formed categories. Generally, narrow depressions are mainly located in the northeast and southwest of the Bohai Bay Basin, while open depressions are dominantly distributed in the central area of the basin; late-formed depressions are mainly around the Bohai sea area, and early-formed depressions are mostly located in the periphery of the basin. Geological structures of the depressions control the formation of the source, reservoir and cap rocks as well as hydrocarbon accumulation setting, and further influence the pay zones and oil-bearing sequence. In detail, dustpan II and doublefaulted depressions mainly have A-type sags, which often possess better hydrocarbon generation conditions than dustpan I ones; hydrocarbons in open dustpan II depressions tend to accumulate in the central uplift areas or buried hill, while those in narrow dustpan I depressions always accumulate in gentle slope belts. The oil-bearing sequence for different evolutional depressions corresponds well with the sedimentary strata of the main development stages of depressions. In early-formed depressions, hydrocarbons are mainly enriched in deeply buried reservoirs, while in late-formed depressions hydrocarbons are abundant in the relatively shallow traps. In summary, most inherited and late-formed dustpan II depressions are enriched in hydrocarbons due to their extensive source rocks and good source–reservoir–seal assemblages, whereas dustpan I and early-formed depressions are relatively poor in hydrocarbons.     

Pyrite-hydrocarbon Interaction under Hydrothermal Conditions: an Alternative Origin of H2S and Organic Sulfur Compounds in Sedimentary Environments

Sulfate rocks and organic sulfur from sedimentary organic matter are conventionally assumed as the original sulfur sources for hydrogen sulfide(H_2S) in oil and gas reservoirs. However,a few recent experiments preliminarily indicate that the association of pyrite and hydrocarbons may also have implications for H_2S generation,in which water effects and natural controls on the evolution of pyrite sulfur into OSCs and H_2S have not been evaluated. In this study,laboratory experiments were conducted from 200 to 450° C to investigate chemical interactions between pyrite and hydrocarbons under hydrothermal conditions. Based on the experimental results,preliminary mechanism and geochemical implications were tentatively discussed. Results of the experiments showed that decomposition of pyrite produced H_2S and thiophenes at as low as 330°C in the presence of water and n-pentane. High concentrations of H_2S were generated above 450°C under closed pyrolysis conditions no matter whether there is water in the designed experiments. However,much more organic sulfur compounds(OSCs) were formed in the hydrous pyrolysis than in anhydrous pyrolysis. Generally,most of sulfur liberated from pyrite at elevated temperatures was converted to H_2S. Water was beneficial to breakdown of pyrite and to decomposition of alkanes into olefins but not essential to formation of large amounts of H_2S,given the main hydrogen source derived from hydrocarbons. In addition,cracking of pyrite in the presence of 1-octene under hydrous conditions was found to proceed at 200°C,producing thiols and alkyl sulfides. Unsaturated hydrocarbons would be more reactive intermediates involved in the breakdown of pyrite than alkanes. The geochemistry of OSCs is actually controlled by various geochemical factors such as thermal maturity and the carbon chain length of the alkanes. This study indicates that the scale of H_2S gas generated in deep buried carbonate reservoirs via interactions between pyrite and natural gas should be much smaller than that of thermochemical sulfate reduction(TSR) due to the scarcity of pyrite in carbonate reservoirs and the limited amount of long-chained hydrocarbons in natural gas. Nevertheless,in some cases,OSCs and/or low contents of H_2S found in deep buried reservoirs may be associated with the deposited pyrite-bearing rock and organic matters(hydrocarbons),which still needs further investigation.     

Fluid Inclusions in the Xichang Basin and Their Applications in Oil—Gas Exploration

Fluid inclusions are commonly observed in various stages during the diage-netic evolution and the generation,migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons in Lower Permian carbonate rocks in the Xichang Basin, providing direct physico-chemical evidence for the process.Altogether seven stages can be recognized,ie.,the penecontemporane-ous, early and mid-late diagenetic stages, the epidiagenetic stage and the early, middle and late reburying stages.Karst and dissolution pores and structural fissures developed during the epidiagenetic and reburying stages constitute the major reservoirs for hydro-carbon accumulation.Oil generation and migration began in the early reburying stage in Late Permian time and developed to its climax in the middle reburying stage in the Triassic period, followed by extensive generation and migration of natural gases during the late stage of reburying in the Jurassic and later periods.The generation,migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons are closely related to Hercynian basalt eruption and Indosinian and Yenshanian tecto-magmatism.     

Light Hydrocarbons in Fluid Inclusions and Their Constraints on Ore Genesis: A Case Study of the Songxi Ag (Sb) Deposit, Eastern Guangdong, China

The Songxi deposit is a newly discovered large Ag (Sb) deposit. By using a suite of high-vacuum quadrupole gas mass spectrometer systems, the authors have recognized many kinds of light hydrocarbons in fluid inclusions of minerals. These hydrocarbons are mainly composed of C1-C4 saturated alkanes, while the contents of C2-C4 unsaturated alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons are quite low, suggesting that the metallogenic processes have not been affected by magmatic activities. Chemical equilibrium studies show that these hydrocarbons may be a mixture of organic gases generated by microorganism activity and those by thermal cracking of type-n kerogens (kukersite) in sedimentary host rocks, and the former may constitute more than two-thirds, implying that microorganism might have played an important role in the metallogenesis. The equilibrium temperature of the latter is about 300℃, which is much higher than the geothermal temperature at the estimated depth of metallogenesis. Thus, the light hydrocarbons gen     

Thermal Characteristics of the Embankment with Crushed Rock Side Slope to Mitigate Thaw Settlement Hazards of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Abstract: Permafrost (perennially frozen ground) appears widely in the Golmud-Lhasa section of the Qinghai-Tibet railway and is characterized by high ground temperature (≥ ?1°C) and massive ground ice. Under the scenarios of global warming and human activity, the permafrost under the railway will gradually thaw and the massive ground ice will slowly melt, resulting in some thaw settlement hazards, which mainly include longitudinal and lateral cracks, and slope failure. The crushed rock layer has a thermal semiconductor effect under the periodic fluctuation of natural air. It can be used to lower the temperature of the underlying permafrost along the Qinghai-Tibet railway, and mitigate the thaw settlement hazards of the subgrade. In the present paper, the daily and annual changes in the thermal characteristics of the embankment with crushed rock side slope (ECRSS) were quantitatively simulated using the numerical method to study the cooling effect of the crushed rock layer and its mitigative ability. The results showed that the ECRSS absorbed some heat in the daytime in summer, but part of it was released at night, which accounted for approximately 20% of that absorbed. Within a year, it removed more heat from the railway subgrade in winter than that absorbed in summer. It can store approximately 20% of the “cold” energy in subgrade. Therefore, ECRSS is a better measure to mitigate thaw settlement hazards to the railway.     

Origin of the Silurian Crude Oils and Reservoir Formation Characteristics in the Tazhong Uplift

<正>The Silurian stratum in the Tazhong uplift is an important horizon for exploration because it preserves some features of the hydrocarbons produced from multi-stage tectonic evolution.For this reason,the study of the origin of the Silurian oils and their formation characteristics constitutes a major part in revealing the mechanisms for the composite hydrocarbon accumulation zone in the Tazhong area.Geochemical investigations indicate that the physical properties of the Silurian oils in Tazhong vary with belts and blocks,i.e.,heavy oils are distributed in the TZ47-15 well-block in the North Slope while normal and light oils in the No.Ⅰfault belt and the TZ16 well-block,which means that the oil properties are controlled by structural patterns.Most biomarkers in the Silurian oils are similar to that of the Mid-Upper Ordovician source rocks,suggesting a good genetic relationship. However,the compound specific isotope of n-alkanes in the oils and the chemical components of the hydrocarbons in fluid inclusions indicate that these oils are mixed oils derived from both the Mid-Upper Ordovician and the Cambrian-Lower Ordovician source rocks.Most Silurian oils have a record of secondary alterations like earlier biodegradation,including the occurrence of "UCM" humps in the total ion current(TIC) chromatogram of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons and 25-norhopane in saturated hydrocarbons of the crude oils,and regular changes in the abundances of light and heavy components from the structural low to the structural high.The fact that the Silurian oils are enriched in chain alkanes,e.g.,n-alkanes and 25-norhopane,suggests that they were mixed oils of the earlier degraded oils with the later normal oils.It is suggested that the Silurian oils experienced at least three episodes of petroleum charging according to the composition and distribution as well as the maturity of reservoir crude oils and the oils in fluid inclusions.The migration and accumulation models of these oils in the TZ47-15 well-blocks,the No.Ⅰfault belt and the TZ16 well-block are different from but related to each other.The investigation of the origin of the mixed oils and the hydrocarbon migration and accumulation mechanisms in different charging periods is of great significance to petroleum exploration in this area.     

Quantitative Assessment of Hydrocarbon Expulsion of Petroleum Systems in the Niuzhuang Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, East China

Based on a detailed survey of the distribution and organic geochemical characteristics of potential source rocks in the South Slope of the Niuzhuang Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, eastern China, a new approach to assess the amount of hydrocarbons generated and expelled has been developed. The approach is applicable to evaluate hydrocarbons with different genetic mechanisms. The results show that the models for hydrocarbon generation and expulsion vary with potential source rocks, depending on thermal maturity, types of organic matter and paleoenvironment. Hydrocarbons are mostly generated and expelled from source rocks within the normal oil window. It was calculated that the special interval (algal-rich shales of the ES4 member formed in brackish environments) in     

Geochemical Assessment and Lateral Reservoir Continuity of Asmari Reservoir Oils in the Cheshmeh-Khush Oilfield, SW Iran

A total of 6 oil samples were systematically selected from six Asmari Reservoir wells in the Cheshmeh-Khush Oilfield for geochemical evaluation of the hydrocarbon system, based on reservoir geochemistry and oil fingerprints. An investigation of the distribution patterns of normal alkanes and tricyclic and tetracyclic terpanes along with characteristic biomarkers of the depositional environment and sedimentary facies, indicated that the source rock of the studied hydrocarbons was deposited in a reducing aquatic environment with a low input of terrigenous material and predominantly carbonate lithology derived from organic algal matter. The studied oil samples exhibited moderate maturity, as was further confirmed by the parameters extracted from the light hydrocarbons. Statistical clustering based on different biomarker parameters indicated the presence of two oil families. Additionally, the application of branched and cyclic compounds in the light hydrocarbons (C5–C11) to evaluate lateral continuity of the Asmari reservoir further supported the presence of the two oil families. Other evidence proved the presence of a NE–SW trending fault separating wells X5 and X6 from the other wells in the field. In other wells across the field, good lateral reservoir continuity was observed, despite the presence of faults on the northern and southern plunges of the structure.     

Bioavailability of crops to environmental hormone Pb in soils and its remediation

Lead （Pb）, as an environmental hormone, acts as an estrogen in animal and human bodies, and its environmental pollution can result in many procreant anomalies, such as maladjustment of incretion, weakening of procreation function and descending of genital immunity. Experiments on pot-growth of paddies and corns in this study indicated that these crops did not show any macro-toxic symptoms in the observed contents of Pb added （0-4000 mg/kg） in soils. However, lead in soils can be easily absorbed by crops and accumulated in the different parts of plants. Statistical analysis showed that Pb contents in the crops are strongly positively correlated to the Pb contents in soils. In the crops, the Pb contents of roots are highest, tens to thousands of times those of straws and seeds. It is suggested that the root is a barrier of Pb absorbed by straws and seeds. Based on this fact, Pb pollution in soils can be gradually reduced by planting crops and subsequently removing the roots from the soil. This biotechnology may be used in environmental remediation, which embraces the quality of sustainable agricultural economy and a healthy environment.     

Relationship between the geochemistry of organic matter and the generation of palygorskite in Jiangsu-Anhui border and Gansu Province, China

Soluble organic matter had been separated from several palygorskite and bentonite samples in the Ji-angsu-Anhui border area(across Jiangsu Province and Anhui Province) and Linze County in Gansu Province of China and was analyzed with the techniques and methods of organic geochemistry.The composition and distribution of hydrocarbons were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC).Organic stable carbon isotopic ratios(δ13C) in typical samples were determined.The abundance of soluble organic matter in all clay samples analyzed was low.In Ji-angsu-Anhui samples,the preservation states of organic matter are different;hydrocarbons in organic matter have some features of aquatic plankton but are short of the input of terrigenous higher plants;organic δ13C in a palygor-skite of Yongxiaoshan in Xuyi County,Jiangsu Province,is-6.72‰.These features may be typical of a sedimentary environment of closed or semi-closed and relatively isolated different waters near coast or seashore.On the contrary,in samples from Gansu,the preservation states of organic matter are good;the GC graphs of hydrocarbons show that the precursors of the organic matter are from a mixed source of aquatic organisms and land-sourced higher plants;organic δ13C of a palygorskite from Yangtai of Gansu is-15.62‰.It indicated that the sedimentary environment may be an inland salty lake.Preliminary results suggest that palygorskite minerals in the Jiangsu-Anhui area may be evolved from rapidly accumulated fine material or volcanic ash,but clays in Gansu Province may be transformed from terrigenous inorganic clastic components carried to the lake through river and then deposited.The generation process of the samples studied in the paper seems to be related to salty water.     

The Role of Organic Matter During Metal Enrichment in Permian Kupferschiefer of the Rudna Mine,Southwest Poland

The bulk composition of organic matter and saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons extracted from 16 samples collected from two Kuperschiefer profiles in the Rudna mine,Southwest Poland has been analyzed to study the role of organic matter during base metal enrichment in the Kupferschiefer shale.The results indicated that the extract yields and saturated hydrocarbon yields decreased with increasing base metal contents.GC and GC/MS analyses indicated that n -alkanes and alkylated aromatic compounds were depleted and may have served as hydrogen donators for thermochemical sulfate reduction.The enrichment of base metal is closely connected with the destruction of hydrocarbons.