Controls of oil family distribution and composition in nonmarine petroleum systems: A case study from Inner Mongolia Erlian basin,Northern China

The Erlian basin is a continental rift basin located in Inner Mongolia, Northern China. It is a typical representative of Cretaceous Northeast Asian Rift System, which includes many small petroliferous basins in Mongolia Republic and Northern China. Although Lower Cretaceous source rocks are understood to be most important in the Erlian petroleum systems, the precise identification of these source rock intervals and their determination on oil families distribution and composition are poorly understood in this tectonically complicated, nonmarine basin. New bulk data have been gathered from source rock intervals, oil sands and crude oil samples in eight main oil-producing subbasins. Geochemical analyses indicate that Lower Cretaceous Aershan formation (K₁ba) and Tengger 1 formation (K₁bt₁) are two main source intervals in the Erlian basin and their source rock facies vary from profundal lacustrine to marginal lacustrine according to biomarker and trace elements calibration, the profundal lacustrine facies is characterised by brackish water and anoxic environment, which is similar to their correlative oils (Family 1 oils). The marginal lacustrine facies is characterised by freshwater and suboxic environment, which sourced the most common Family 2 oils. Meanwhile, different maturation processes exercise the second control on oil groups and their compositions, the profundal lacustrine source rocks characterised by their sulphur-rich kerogens lead to two oil groups (group 1 and group 2 oils), whose maturity range from low to normal; while, the marginal lacustrine source rock only lead to normal-maturity oils. At last, biodegradation affected the composition of a certain oils and formed group 4 heavy oils. In addition, short migration distance in small subbasins made the contamination or fractionation less notable in the Erlian basin.     

Geochemical characteristics of aromatic hydrocarbons in saline lacustrine crude oils and their significance as exemplified by the south area of western Qaidam Basin

Based on quantitative GC-MS analysis of 40 crude oil samples collected from the south area of western Qaidam Basin,one of the largest saline lacustrine basins in China,the geochemical characteristics of aromatic hydrocarbons in oils were studied systematically in this paper.Among those constitutes,naphthalene(43% 59%),phenanthrene(12% 21%) and taromatic-sterane series(6% 28%) were the main ones of aromatic hydrocarbons.The ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon maturity parameter vs.saturated hydrocarbon maturity parameter C 29 20S/(20S+20R) shows that some aromatic hydrocarbon maturity parameters are not suitable for low-mature oils,including MPI,MNR,DNR,etc.Meanwhile,maturity parameters for dibenzothiophene and taromatic-sterane series are more appropriate for low maturity saline lacustrine crude oils.Based on the ratio of 4,6-DMDBT/1,4-DMDBT,the R c values are within the range of 0.59% 0.72%.However,the abundance of dibenzothiophene(DBT) is low,and the dibenzofuran(DBF) content is even lower,suggesting that the crude oils were formed in a saline lacustrine anaerobic environment.The high abundance of C 26 triaromatic steroid also indicates that the source material is brackish water-saline water with strong reducibility.     

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.     

北美典型混合页岩油系统特征及其启示

北美Williston 盆地Bakken组属典型的混合页岩油系统.笔者系统剖析了Bakken组混合页岩油系统富有机质层段和贫有机质层段的地质与地球化学、物性与裂缝发育以及页岩油特征,揭示了页岩油"甜点"主要受高含轻质油的富有机质成熟页岩、异常压力、微裂缝以及贫有机质层的白云石化作用共同控制,同时由于贫有机质层具有相对高的孔隙度、渗透率以及低的吸附量,因此可认为其是混合型页岩油系统中的主要产层.这对目前我国东部陆相页岩油勘探效果不佳的因素分析具有重要启示.把页岩油勘探目标层仅仅聚焦于富有机质泥页岩层段是勘探效果欠佳的主观因素;而富有机质泥页岩层段天然微裂缝发育局限、滞留油主要赋存在有机质中、热演化程度偏低使滞留油较重以及湖相Ⅰ型烃源岩生成的油含蜡量高等因素,是导致可采的页岩油量十分有限的客观因素.为此,针对我国东部湖盆页岩油的勘探,建议:加强成熟富有机质层系中贫有机质碳酸盐岩或粉砂、细砂岩薄夹层的精细评价与勘探;加强成熟富有机质泥页岩层段裂缝型页岩油的评价与勘探.     

Molecular correlation of crude oils and oil components from reservoir rocks in the Tazhong and Tabei uplifts of the Tarim Basin, China

Molecular data from a large set of source rock, crude oil and oil-containing reservoir rock samples from the Tarim Basin demonstrate multiple sources for the marine oils in the studied areas of this basin. Based on gammacerane/C₃₁ hopane and C₂₈/(C₂₇ + C₂₈ + C₂₉) sterane ratios, three of the fifteen crude oils from the Tazhong Uplift correlate with Cambrian-Lower Ordovician source rocks, while the other crude oils from the Tazhong Uplift and all 39 crude oils from the Tahe oilfield in the Tabei Uplift correlate with Middle-Upper Ordovician source rocks. These two ratios further demonstrate that most of the free oils and nearly all of the adsorbed and inclusion oils in oil-containing reservoir rocks from the Tazhong Uplift correlate with Cambrian-Lower Ordovician source rocks, while the free and inclusion oils in oil-containing carbonates from the Tahe oilfield correlate mainly with Middle-Upper Ordovician source rocks. This result suggests that crude oils in the Tazhong Uplift are partly derived from the Cambrian-Lower Ordovician source rocks while those in the Ordovician carbonate reservoirs of Tahe oilfield are overwhelmingly derived from the Middle-Upper Ordovician source rocks.The scatter of C₂₃ tricyclic terpane/(C₂₃ tricyclic terpane + C₃₀ 17α,21β(H)-hopane) and C₂₁/(C₂₁ + ΣC₂₉) sterane ratios for the free and inclusion oils from oil-containing carbonates in the Tahe oilfield possibly reflects the subtle organofacies variations in the source rocks, implying that the Ordovician reservoirs in this oilfield are near the major source kitchen. In contrast, the close and positive relationship between these two ratios for oil components in the oil-containing reservoir rocks from the Tazhong Uplift implies that they are far from the major source kitchen.     

塔里木盆地原油噻吩类化合物的组成特征及地球化学意义

对塔里木盆地典型原油噻吩类化合物含量和组成特征研究,发现不同类型原油苯并萘噻吩和二苯并噻吩系列化合物占芳烃化合物的百分含量相差明显,海相油含量最高,湖相油次之,而煤成油最低。本文提出了４－甲基二苯并噻吩／二苯并噻吩、（２＋３）－甲基二苯并噻吩／二苯并噻吩比值是区分海相油和湖相油新的有机地球化学参数。二苯并噻吩系列化合物最大烷化度表明海相油呈现出高烷化度,而陆相油则表现为低烷化度,即从海相泥灰岩原油、海相碳酸盐岩原油到湖相油和煤成油依次减少。这是因为富硫与贫硫干酪根在生烃过程中的环化作用或支链化作用程度差异所造成的。     

Oil families and their source rocks in the Weixinan Sub-basin, Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea

Thirty-one crude oils and 15 source rocks were selected for molecular geochemical and isotopic analyses in order to establish the genetic relationships between discovered oils and petroleum source rocks in the Weixinan Sub-basin, Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea. Three groups of oils were recognized. Group I oils are only found in the upper section of the Liusagang Formation, with a moderate abundance of C₃₀ 4-methylsteranes, low oleanane contents and lighter δ¹³C values, showing a close relation to the shale occurring in the upper section of the Liusagang Formation. Group II is represented by the majority of the discoveries and is distributed in multi-sets of reservoirs having different ages. The oils are characterized by a high abundance of C₃₀ 4-methylsteranes, low to moderate abundance of oleanane and heavy δ¹³C values, and shows a good correlation with the lacustrine shale and oil shale in the middle section of the Liusagang Formation. Group III oils occurred in the lower section of the Liusagang Formation. The oils have a lower concentration of C₃₀ 4-methylsteranes, relatively high abundance of oleananes and their δ¹³C values are intermediate. Oils of this group correlated well with the shallow lake-delta mudstone of the lower section of Liusagang Formation. These oil-source genetic relationships suggest a strong source facies control on the geographic distribution of oil groups within the Weixinan Sub-basin. The geochemical data indicate shale in the middle section of the Liusagang Formation has an excellent oil generation potential and the lower and upper sections contain dark shale and mudstone with good to fair oil potential. Future exploration or assessment of petroleum potential of the sub-basin could be improved by considering the proposed genetic relationship between the oil types and source rocks, as well as their distribution.     

Origin of Crude Oil in the Lunnan Region,Tarim Basin

<正>The oil source of the Tarim Basin has been controversial over a long time.This study characterizes the crude oil and investigates the oil sources in the Lunnan region,Tarim Basin by adopting compound specific isotopes of n-alkanes and biomarkers approaches.Although the crude oil has a good correlation with the Middle-Upper Ordovician(O_(2+3)) source rocks and a poor correlation with the Cambrian-Lower Ordovician((?)-O_1) based on biomarkers,theδ~(13)C data of n-alkanes of the Lunnan oils show an intermediate value between(?)-O_1 and O_(2+3) genetic affinity oils,which suggests that the Lunnan oils are actually of an extensively mixed source.A quantification of oil mixing was performed and the results show that the contribution of the Cambrian-Lower Ordovician source rocks ranges from 11%to 70%(averaging 36%),slightly less than that of the Tazhong uplift.It is suggested that the inconsistency between the biomarkers andδ~(13)C in determining the oil sources in the Lunnan Region results from multiple petroleum charge episodes with different chemical components in one or more episode(s) and different sources.The widespread marine mixed-source oil in the basin indicates that significant petroleum potential in deep horizons is possible.To unravel hydrocarbons accumulation mechanisms for the Lunnan oils is crucial to further petroleum exploration and exploitation in the region.     

Comparative studies on compounds occluded inside asphaltenes hierarchically released by increasing amounts of H2O2/CH3COOH

Being the heaviest fraction of crude oils, asphaltenes are liable to aggregate, and other molecules in the oils can be steadily adsorbed onto, and even occluded inside the macromolecular structures of the asphaltenes. These occluded compounds inside the asphaltenes can survive over geological time in oil reservoirs owing to effective protection by the macromolecular structures of the asphaltenes. The asphaltenes of a crude oil (ZG31) from the central Tarim Basin, NW China, were hierarchically degraded by increasing the amount of H₂O₂/CH₃COOH to release the occluded compounds. Besides the common components, series of even numbered n-alk-1-enes and 3-ethylalkanes were detected among the occluded compounds. Comparison of the biomarker distributions and the compound-specific C isotopic results between the compounds from the maltenes and those from the occluded fraction, the ZG31 reservoir was suggested to have been charged multiple times, with different charges being derived from different strata of source rocks.     

Sulfide-driven arsenic mobilization from arsenopyrite and black shale pyrite

We examined the hypothesis that sulfide drives arsenic mobilization from pyritic black shale by a sulfide-arsenide exchange and oxidation reaction in which sulfide replaces arsenic in arsenopyrite forming pyrite, and arsenide (As−1) is concurrently oxidized to soluble arsenite (As+3). This hypothesis was tested in a series of sulfide-arsenide exchange experiments with arsenopyrite (FeAsS), homogenized black shale from the Newark Basin (Lockatong formation), and pyrite isolated from Newark Basin black shale incubated under oxic (21% O₂), hypoxic (2% O₂, 98% N₂), and anoxic (5% H₂, 95% N₂) conditions. The oxidation state of arsenic in Newark Basin black shale pyrite was determined using X-ray absorption-near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES). Incubation results show that sulfide (1 mM initial concentration) increases arsenic mobilization to the dissolved phase from all three solids under oxic and hypoxic, but not anoxic conditions. Indeed under oxic and hypoxic conditions, the presence of sulfide resulted in the mobilization in 48 h of 13-16 times more arsenic from arsenopyrite and 6-11 times more arsenic from isolated black shale pyrite than in sulfide-free controls. XANES results show that arsenic in Newark Basin black shale pyrite has the same oxidation state as that in FeAsS (−1) and thus extend the sulfide-arsenide exchange mechanism of arsenic mobilization to sedimentary rock, black shale pyrite. Biologically active incubations of whole black shale and its resident microorganisms under sulfate reducing conditions resulted in sevenfold higher mobilization of soluble arsenic than sterile controls. Taken together, our results indicate that sulfide-driven arsenic mobilization would be most important under conditions of redox disequilibrium, such as when sulfate-reducing bacteria release sulfide into oxic groundwater, and that microbial sulfide production is expected to enhance arsenic mobilization in sedimentary rock aquifers with major pyrite-bearing, black shale formations.     

Study on the geochemical correlation of crude oils of Palaeocene and Jurassic ages from the Potowar Indus Basin in northern Pakistan

This study deals with a detailed geochemical characterization of three crude oils from the Upper Indus Basin, Punjab, Pakistan. The samples were obtained from three productive oil fields of the Datta Formation (Jurassic), Lochhart (Palaeocene) and the Dhak Pass zone (Palaeocene). The GC parameters for and the bulk properties of Datta Formation oils are essentially coincident with those of the oils from the Dhak Pass Formation in the Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan and the oils likely originate from a marine source rock. In contrast, the Lockhart Formation oils show different behaviors and seem to be originated from dirty carbonate rocks although all three crude oils are mature, being of non-biodegraded and somewhat mixed organic matter origin. Low Pr/Ph values and high C₃₅ homohopane index for the Lockhart Formation oils suggest a source of anoxic environment with low Eh while oils from the Datta Formation and Dhak Pass Formation showed different trends, i.e., lower values of C₃₅ homohopane index indicating different depositional environment than oil from the Lockhart Formation. All three crude oils from the Upper Indus Basin are mature for the hopane ratios, i.e., Ts/Ts+Tm, C₃₂22S/(S+R) and C₃₀ αβ/(αβ+βα) and sterane ratios, i.e., C₂₉22S/(S+R) and C₂₉ββ/(ββ+αα) but oils from the Lockhart Formation seem to be less mature than those from the Palaeocene and Datta Formation according to plots like API° vs. homohopane Index, Pr/Ph vs. sterane. The relative composition of 5α(H), 14β(H), 17β(H)-24-ethylecholestanes and the C₂₉20S/20S+20R index, indicate that all three crude oils are equally mature, which makes it unlikely with respect to the above said plots. This difference is may be due to the migratory chromatography which alters the concentrations of sterane and hoapnes and hence gives different results. These oils do not exhibit UCM and have complete n-alkane profiles indicating non-biodegradation.     

Oil geochemistry derived from the Qinjiatun–Qikeshu oilfields: insight from light hydrocarbons

A suite of 27 oils from the Qinjiatun–Qikeshu oilfields in the Lishu Fault Depression of the Songliao Basin was analyzed using whole oil gas chromatography. In combination with the relative distribution of C₂₇, C₂₈, and C₂₉ regular steranes, detailed geochemical analyses of light hydrocarbons in oil samples revealed crude oils characterized by the dual input of lower aquatic organisms and higher terrestrial plants. Several light hydrocarbon indicators suggest that the liquid hydrocarbons have maturities equivalent to vitrinite reflectances of around 0.78%–0.93%. This is consistent with the maturity determination of steranes C₂₉ 20S/(20S + 20R) and C₂₉ ααβ/(ααα + αββ). Crude oils derived from the two distinct oilfields likely both have source rocks deposited in a lacustrine environment based on light hydrocarbon parameters and on higher molecular weight hydrocarbon parameters. The results show that light hydrocarbon data in crude oils can provide important information for understanding the geochemical characteristics of the Qinjiatun–Qikeshu oils during geologic evolution.     

Evaluation of the petroleum composition and quality with increasing thermal maturity as simulated by hydrous pyrolysis: A case study using a Brazilian source rock with Type I kerogen

Hydrous pyrolysis (HP) experiments were used to investigate the petroleum composition and quality of petroleum generated from a Brazilian lacustrine source rock containing Type I kerogen with increasing thermal maturity. The tested sample was of Aptian age from the Araripe Basin (NE-Brazil). The temperatures (280–360 °C) and times (12–132 h) employed in the experiments simulated petroleum generation and expulsion (i.e., oil window) prior to secondary gas generation from the cracking of oil. Results show that similar to other oil prone source rocks, kerogen initially decomposes in part to a polar rich bitumen, which decomposes in part to hydrocarbon rich oil. These two overall reactions overlap with one another and have been recognized in oil shale retorting and natural petroleum generation. During bitumen decomposition to oil, some of the bitumen is converted to pyrobitumen, which results in an increase in the apparent kerogen (i.e., insoluble carbon) content with increasing maturation.The petroleum composition and its quality (i.e., API gravity, gas/oil ratio, C₁₅₊ fractions, alkane distribution, and sulfur content) are affected by thermal maturation within the oil window. API gravity, C₁₅₊ fractions and gas/oil ratios generated by HP are similar to those of natural petroleum considered to be sourced from similar Brazilian lacustrine source rocks with Type I kerogen of Lower Cretaceous age. API gravity of the HP expelled oils shows a complex relationship with increasing thermal maturation that is most influenced by the expulsion of asphaltenes. C₁₅₊ fractions (i.e., saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes) show that expelled oils and bitumen are compositionally separate organic phases with no overlap in composition. Gas/oil ratios (GOR) initially decrease from 508–131 m³/m³ during bitumen generation and remain essentially constant (81–84 m³/m³) to the end of oil generation. This constancy in GOR is different from the continuous increase through the oil window observed in anhydrous pyrolysis experiments. Alkane distributions of the HP expelled oils are similar to those of natural crude oils considered to be sourced from similar Brazilian lacustrine source rocks with Type I kerogen of Lower Cretaceous age. Isoprenoid and n-alkane ratios (i.e., pristane/n-C₁₇ and phytane/n-C₁₈) decrease with increasing thermal maturity as observed in natural crude oils. Pristane/phytane ratios remain constant with increasing thermal maturity through the oil window, with ratios being slightly higher in the expelled oils relative to those in the bitumen. Generated hydrocarbon gases are similar to natural gases associated with crude oils considered to be sourced from similar Brazilian lacustrine source rocks with Type I kerogen of Lower Cretaceous, with the exception of elevated ethane contents. The general overall agreement in composition of natural and hydrous pyrolysis petroleum of lacustrine source rocks observed in this study supports the utility of HP to better characterize petroleum systems and the effects of maturation and expulsion on petroleum composition and quality.     

Organic geochemical characteristics of crude oils from the Masila Basin, eastern Yemen

The Masila Basin is an important hydrocarbon province in Yemen, but the origin of hydrocarbons and their generation history are not fully understood. In this regard, 10 crude oils from different petroleum reservoir sections in the Masila Basin were characterized by a variety of biomarker and non-biomarker parameters using GC, GC-MS and stable carbon isotope techniques. Oils from the Masila Basin display pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios ranging from 1.7 to 2.0, low sulfur content, high C₃₅ homohopane index, relatively high C₂₇ sterane concentrations and relatively high tricyclic terpanes suggesting a marine clay source rock that was deposited in mildly anoxic to suboxic conditions with dominantly algal organic matter. C₂₉ 20S/(20S + 20R) steranes and ββ/(ββ + αα) sterane ratios indicate that the Masila oils have reached peak oil window maturity. Another related feature of these oils is the absence of 18α (H)-oleanane, which suggests a source age older than Cretaceous. The carbon isotope compositions are similar to those of the potential source rocks, which range from −25.4‰ to −28.3‰, indicating a marine environment. The new data presented in this paper suggest that the Masila oils constitute one oil family and that the oil originated from the Upper Jurassic Madbi source rock in the basin.     

Early generation of 20S-5α(H),14α(H),17α(H)- and 5α(H),14β(H),17β(H)-steranes in low salinity lacustrine shales

A quantitative sterane biomarker study was conducted on a series of paralic freshwater lacustrine shale samples ranging in maturity from immature to near oil window maturity taken from Section 3 of the Shahejie Formation (Es3) in the Liaohe Basin, N.E. China. Concentrations of 5α(H),14α(H),17α(H)-20S and 5α(H),14β(H),17β(H)-steranes remain nearly constant throughout the sample suite. However, the decrease in the absolute concentrations of the 20R-5α(H),14α(H),17α(H)-C₂₉ steranes with increasing maturity results in an increase in the conventionally defined maturity parameters, 20S/(20S + 20R)-ααα and αββ/(ααα + αββ) sterane ratios. In addition, the data suggest that relatively early generation of 5α(H),14α(H),17α(H)-20S and 5α(H),14β(H),17β(H)-steranes has occurred in lacustrine sediments with a vitrinate reflectance 0.3% (R_o). The data provide strong support for the major importance of relative thermal stability of epimers, but do not exclude the possibility of isomerization as a viable mechanism for production.     

Vanadyl porphyrins in exploration: maturity indicators for source rocks and oils

The Porphyrin Maturity Parameter (PMP), which is derived from the vanadyl porphyrin distribution, is an excellent parameter for: (1) identifying the zone of hydrocarbon generation from marine source rock extracts; and (2) determining from oils the thermal maturity of their source rocks at expulsion.The PMP is measured using a methodology which is inexpensive, reliable and faster than earlier methods, allowing it to be used as a routine exploration tool. The PMP may be a more reliable maturity indicator for marine organic matter than some conventional methods such as vitrinite reflectance. Unlike most conventional maturity parameters guided by processes other than kerogen conversion, the reactions causing PMP evolution directly monitor the generation of bitumen and the concurrent thermal degradation of kerogen.Measurements on hydrous pyrolyzates from the Monterey Formation (offshore California), source rock bitumens from the Devonian-Mississippian Bakken Shale (Williston Basin), and Miocene Monterey equivalent source strata (San Joaquin Basin, California) illustrate the method. In all cases reviewed so far, PMP begins increasing at the onset of hydrocarbon generation and increases systematically and predictably as kerogen decomposition proceeds.In oils generated from high-S marine kerogens, PMP reflects the maturity of the source rock at the time of oil expulsion, provided that the oil does not undergo subsequent reservoior maturation or mixing with in-situ bitumen.     

Petroleum geochemistry of the Potwar Basin,Pakistan: II – Oil classification based on heterocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

In a previous study, oils in the Potwar Basin (Upper Indus) of Pakistan were correlated based on the dissimilarity of source and depositional environment of organic matter (OM) using biomarkers and bulk stable isotopes. This study is aimed at supporting the classification of Potwar Basin oils into three groups (A, B and C) using the distribution of alkylnaphthalenes, alkylphenanthrenes, alkyldibenzothiophenes, alkyldibenzofurans, alkylfluorenes, alkylbiphenyls, triaromatic steroids, methyl triaromatic steroids, retene, methyl retenes and cadalene. The higher relative abundance of specific methyl isomers of naphthalene and phenanthrene and the presence of diagnostic aromatic biomarkers clearly indicate the terrigenous and oxic depositional environment of OM for group A oil. Group B and C oils are of marine origin and the aforementioned heterocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HCs) differentiate them clearly into two different groups. The relative percentages of heterocyclic aromatic HCs reveal that the distribution of these compounds is controlled by the depositional environment of the OM. Sulfur-containing heterocyclic aromatic HCs are higher in crude oils generated from source rocks deposited in suboxic depositional environments, while oxygen-containing heterocyclic aromatic HCs in combination with alkylfluorenes are higher in marine oxic and deltaic oils. Biomarker and aromatic HC parameters do not indicate significant differences in the thermal maturity of Potwar Basin oils. Triaromatic and methyl triaromatic steroids support the division of Potwar Basin oils into the three groups and their relative abundances are related to source OM rather than thermal maturity. Significantly higher amounts of C₂₀ and C₂₁ triaromtic steroids and the presence or absence of long chain triaromatic steroids (C₂₅, C₂₆, C₂₇, and C₂₈) indicates that these compounds are probably formed from different biological precursors in each group. Different isomers of methyl substituted triaromatic steroids are present only for short chain compounds (C₂₀–C₂₂) and the origin of these compounds may be short chain methyl steranes from unknown biological precursors.     

Organic geochemistry of the oils from the southern geological Province of Cuba

The aliphatic hydrocarbon composition (acyclic isoprenoids, hopanoids and steroids) of oils from the most productive fields in the southern geological Province of Cuba have been studied. This province is defined by its position with respect to the Cretaceous overthrust belt generated during the formation of oceanic crust along the axis of the proto-Caribbean Basin. The relative abundances of 18α(H)-22,29,30-trisnorneohopane, gammacerane and diasteranes suggest that Pina oils are related to the carbonate oils from the Placetas Unit in the northern province (low T_s/(T_s+T_m) and C_27,29 rr/(rr+sd) ratios). The Cristales and Jatibonico oils exhibit some differentiating features such as higher T_s/(T_s+T_m) and absence of gammacerane. The oils from this province do not exhibit significant differences in either hopane, C₃₂ 22S/(S+R) and C₃₀ αβ/(αβ+βα), or sterane, C₂₉ αα 20S/(S+R), maturity ratios. However, the relative content of 5α(H),14β(H),17β(H)-cholestanes (C₂₉ ββ/(ββ+αα) ratio) indicates that Pina oils are more mature than Cristales and Jatibonico oils. Several of these oils (Cristales, Jatibonico and Pina 26) are heavily biodegraded, lacking n-alkanes, norpristane, pristane and phytane (the two former oils do not contain acyclic isoprenoid hydrocarbons). Other biodegradation products, the 25-norhopanes, are found in all the oils. Their occurrence is probably due to mixing of severely biodegraded oil residues with undegraded crude oils during accumulation in the reservoir.     

东濮凹陷北部盐湖相原油特征与成因

东濮凹陷盐湖相油气成因与成藏机理研究薄弱。采用色谱/质谱(GC/MS)等常规技术,结合傅立叶变换离子回旋共振质谱、单体烃碳同位素技术,对东濮凹陷北部文明寨、卫城地区油气特征及其成因进行了解剖。结果表明,该区原油具有植烷对姥鲛烷优势显著、伽马蜡烷富集、升藿烷“翘尾”、甾烷异构化程度较低等咸水、盐湖相原油的典型特征。原油还具有正构烷烃单体烃碳同位素呈低碳重、高碳轻、近两段式分布的特征,与柴达木盐湖相原油有所差异。原油中检测到丰富的S1、S2、O1S1、N1、O1、O2、O3等芳构化程度较低的NSO化合物,其与该区低熟油的形成关系密切。油-油、油-岩详细对比表明,东濮凹陷北部原油主要来自埋深超过3 000 m的沙三—沙四段烃源岩、存在不同成熟度原油混合聚集现象。研究结果对该区进一步油气勘探具有重要指示意义。     

Molecular fossils and sources of Cambrian heavy oil of Well Tadong-2 in the Tarim 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.