庙西凹陷严重生物降解原油序列中三环萜烷的异常分布成因初探

对渤海湾盆地一系列生物降解原油的色谱-质谱分析结果表明,庙西凹陷PL15-8D与PL9-4井四个严重生物降解原油三环萜烷系列分布较为异常,主要表现为以C₂₃为主峰的后峰型、C₂₀与C₂₃为主峰的微弱双峰型以及以C₂₀与C₂₄为主峰的双峰型分布模式。强烈的生物降解作用导致C₁₉~C₂₃三环萜烷优先于C₂₄₊三环萜烷被不同程度地侵蚀,是形成这一异常分布的根本原因。三环萜烷系列相对丰度与绝对浓度的变化规律表明,不同碳数三环萜烷的生物降解作用同时发生,但其降解速率有明显差别,即抗生物降解能力不同。三环萜烷系列化合物（除C₂₀三环萜烷以外）的抗生物降解能力具有随碳数增加而增强的趋势,而C₂₀三环萜烷抗降解能力似乎强于C₂₁~C₂₃三环萜烷。原油中未检测到脱甲基三环萜烷,表明三环萜烷的降解并非通过微生物的脱甲基化作用,推测其降解途径是微生物氧化三环萜烷C环支链末端的甲基,形成对应的羧酸化合物。四个原油样品甾烷、藿烷与三环萜烷被微生物严重侵蚀,不能用于油源对比研究,而三芳甾烷未受生物降解影响,可作为研究区严重生物降解原油油源对比的有效指标。     

Genesis study of high abundant 17a（H）-diahopanes in Lower Cretaceous lacustrine source rocks of the Lishu Fault Depression,Songliao Basin,Northeast China

Relatively abundant 17α（H）-diahopanes have been detected in the lower cretaceous lacustrine source rocks from the Lishu Fault Depression in the Songliao Basin Northeast China. Rich long chain tricyclic terpanes （carbon number up to C35） and gammacerane have been observed in those source rocks with relatively abundant 17α（H）-diahopanes, which is rarely seen in previous reports. In this paper, the formation of 17α（H）-diahopanes has been discussed from three aspects including maturity, oxidation-reduction nature of depositional environment and parent material composition by the GC/MS analyses. The results reveal that maturity and oxidation-reduction nature of depositional environment have little effect on the formation of 1 7α（H）-diahopanes in the investigated area. How- ever, the positive correlation between long-chain tricyclic terpanes and 17α（H）-diahopanes argues strongly for a common origin, and the origin is related to the algaes in saline water environment. The algaes in saline water envi- ronment may be a kind of origin of 1 7α（H）-diahopanes.     

现代沼泽沉积物中三、四环萜类的分布及演化特征

对甘南和滇池现代沼泽沉积物中三、四环萜类的研究表明:在现代沼泽沉积物中,具类海松烷骨架的化合物以海松烷型化合物数量最多,而松香烷型化全物数量较少;长链三环萜烷中存在C₂₁C₂₃和C₂₄化合物以C₂₃为顶点的倒“V”字型分布,正常四环萜烷呈以高碳数为主峰的“阶梯型”分布,有意义的的是样品中均含脱-A-羽扇烷和壳松烷四环萜烷。在早期成岩过程,海松烷型二萜类主要是形成烯烃和烷烃,而松香烷型二萜类主要是芳构化作用。     

Geochemical characteristics and genetic types of crude oils from Qinjiatun and Qikeshu oilfields in the Lishu Fault Depression,Songliao Basin,northeastern China

The Qinjiatun and Qikeshu oilfields are new Mesozoic petroleum exploration targets in Lishu Fault Depression of Songliao Basin, northeastern China. Currently, researches on geochemistry of crude oils from Qinjiatun and Qikeshu oilfields have not been performed and the genesis of oils is still uncertain. Based on bulk analyses, the crude oils in the Qinjiatun and Qikeshu oilfields of Lishu Fault Depression from the Lower Cretaceous can be classified as three types. TypeⅠoils, from Quantou and Denglouku formations of Qikeshu oilfield, are characterized by high C24tetracyclic terpane/C26tricyclic terpanes ratios, low gammacerance/C30hopane ratios, tricyclic terpanes/hopanes ratios, C29Ts/C29norhopane ratios and 17α(H)-diahopane/17α(H)-hopane ratios, indicating a brackish lacustrine facies. TypeⅡoils, from Shahezi Formation of Qikeshu oilfield show low C24tetracyclic terpane/C26tricyclic terpanes, high gammacerance/C30hopane ratios, tricyclic terpanes/hopanes ratios, C29Ts/C29 norhopane and C30diahopane/C30hopane ratios, thus suggesting that they originated from source rocks deposited in a weak reducing brackish lacustrine environment, or clay-rich sediments. Type oilsⅢ, from some wells of Qikeshu oilfield have geochemical characteristics intermediate between those two types and may be mixture of typeⅠand Ⅱoils.     

Diversities in biomarker compositions of Carboniferous–Permian humic coals in the Ordos Basin,China

The molecular composition of Carboniferous–Permian coals in the maturity range from 0.66 to 1.63% vitrinite reflectance has been analysed using organic geochemistry to investigate the factors influencing the biomarker compositions of humic coals. The Carboniferous–Permian coal has a variable organofacies and is mainly humic-prone. There is a significant difference in the distribution of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in these coals, which can be divided into three types. The Group A coals have biomarker compositions typical of humic coal, characterised by high Pr/Ph ratios, a lower abundance of tricyclic terpanes with a decreasing distribution from C₁₉ tricyclic terpane to C₂₄ tricyclic terpane and a high number of terrigenous-related biomarkers, such as C₂₄ tetracyclic terpane and C₂₉ steranes. The biomarker composition of Group B coals, which were deposited in a suboxic environment, have a higher abundance of rearranged hopanes than observed in Group A coals. In contrast, in Group C coals, the Pr/Ph ratio is less than 1.0, and the sterane and terpane distributions are very different from those in groups A and B. Group C coals generally have abnormally abundant tricyclic terpanes with a normal distribution maximising at the C₂₃ peak; C₂₇ steranes predominates in the m/z 217 mass fragmentograms. The relationships between biomarker compositions, thermal maturity, Pr/Ph ratios and depositional environments, indicate that the biomarker compositions of Carboniferous–Permian coals in Ordos Basin are mainly related to their depositional environment. This leads to the conclusion that the biomarker compositions of groups A and B coals collected from Shanxi and Taiyuan formations in the northern Ordos Basin are mainly related to their marine–terrigenous transitional environment, whereas the biomarker compositions for the Group C coals from Carboniferous strata and Shanxi Formation in the eastern Ordos Basin are associated with marine incursions.     

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.     

Biomarkers in crude oil revealed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry: Depositional paleoenvironment proxies

Crude oil samples from two basins were analyzed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC–TOFMS) to better understand the compositional heterogeneity of branched-cyclic hydrocarbons. GC×GC–TOFMS and conventional GC–MS results were compared. GC×GC–TOFMS revealed a wide range of compounds, including tricyclic, tetracyclic and pentacyclic terpane series, rearranged hopanes, methyl hopanes, secohopanes, onoceranes and steranes. Assignment of methyl hopane and 8,14-secohopane series other than onocerane isomers was only possible due to the high peak capacity and sensitivity of GC×GC. The oils comprised a mixture of two end members: non-biodegraded oil with abundant tricyclic terpanes and hopanes, and severely biodegraded oil with abundant 8,14-secohopane and demethylated tricyclic terpanes. A predominance of two distinct series, 3β-methylhopane and onocerane, was detected only in the lacustrine samples (classification based on biomarker parameters). In contrast, the predominance of a 2α-methylhopane series and lack of onocerane were found only for the marine oil sample. The results suggest that the distribution of 3β- and 2α-methylhopane series and the presence or absence of onocerane isomers reflect genetic differences in the source organic matter and that these compounds are new classes of biomarkers that can used as depositional paleoenvironment proxies.     

Steranes and terpanes in kerogen pyrolysis for correlation of oils and source rocks

Comparison of biological marker alkanes in the kerogen pyrolyzate and bitumen from a sediment is a useful test for the indigenous nature of sediment extracts. For the pyrolysis conditions used, the bulk of the hydrocarbons is released from the kerogen matrix between 375° and 550°C; and its steriochemistry is almost the same as that observed in the extractable bitumen in a genuine source rock. Examples are given to demonstrate that, during pyrolysis, the sterane/terpane ratio decreases and secondary terpanes are generated at the expense of primary ones.The mechanism of artificial petroleum generation by pyrolysis differs from ‘natural’ diagenesis during geological time and is reflected in the composition of certain C₂₇-C₂₉ steranes, as demonstrated by simulation experiments and C₂₉-C₃₀ moretanes and hopanes. The $\text{5α}\text{5β}$-sterane ratios, jointly with $\text{17α(H)-hopane}\text{17β(H)-moretane}$ ratios, tricyclic terpane concentrations and $\text{17α(H)}\text{17β(H)}$-trisnorhopane ratios, allow the differentiation of kerogens from adjacent stratigraphies.     

Identification of an extended series of tricyclic terpanes in petroleum

A series of tricyclic terpanes from C₁₉ to C₄₅ has been identified in petroleum by gas chromatographic mass spectroscopic (GCMS) analysis. This discovery extends the previously known homologous series reported from C₁₉ to C₃₀. A method of preparation of a tricyclic terpane concentrate is described which facilitates tricyclic terpane analysis by the GCMS m/z 191 fragment. Metastable scanning GCMS is described as an additional method for characterization of the tricyclic terpanes.     

柴达木盆地北缘侏罗系不同沉积环境烃源岩生物标志物特征及其应用

柴达木盆地北缘地区侏罗系(中下侏罗统)的优质烃源岩主要发育于湖相与三角洲相环境。研究了不同时代、不同沉积环境中烃源岩的生物标志物组成特征,结果发现,有3类化合物的分布与组成差异显著,包括三环萜烷(C19、C20、C21)的分布型式、重排藿烷的丰度以及规则甾烷的相对组成。其中,不同时代的差异主要体现在规则甾烷组成上;而不同沉积环境的差异主要体现为三环萜烷(C19、C20、C21)的分布型式及重排藿烷的丰度。分析认为,这些差异与烃源岩的沉积环境及其生源组成有密切关系。据此,初步将这些参数应用于两方面研究,一是为划分地层沉积环境提供“生物标志物相标志”,二是研究油源对比,取得良好效果。因此,本文研究结果具有重要实用价值与参考意义。     

Extended saturated and monoaromatic tricyclic terpenoid carboxylic acids found in Tasmanian tasmanite

A series of tricyclic terpenoid carboxylic acids (C₂₀–C₄₀) was found in the acidic fraction of Tasmanian tasmanite bitumen, occurring as a mixture of stereoisomers with mainly the 13β(H), 14α(H)-and 13α(H),14α(H)-configurations. These dominant acidic tricyclic constituents have the same carbon skeleton as the ubiquitous tricyclic terpane biomarkers. A novel series of ring-C monoaromatic tricyclic terpenoid carboxylic acids was also characterized. The series ranges from C₁₉ to C₃₉ and is the acidic counterpart of the recently described series of monoaromatic tricyclic terpanes.     

松辽盆地双城—太平川地区原油地球化学特征及其成熟度差异

松辽盆地北部双城—太平川地区扶杨油层原油地球化学特征相近,正构烷烃分布完整,呈单峰型,主峰碳主要为C23,部分原油具有轻碳优势,奇偶优势不明显。三环萜烷含量较丰富,部分原油伽马蜡烷、孕甾烷和升孕甾烷含量较高,规则甾烷呈"V"型分布,碳同位素值偏轻,生源构成以低等水生生物和菌藻类为主,兼有高等植物生源输入,母源形成环境为微咸水还原—淡水氧化环境。本区原油的总体特征比较接近,具有相似的生源母质和有机相,但其成熟度存在着一定差异。根据生物标志物参数,原油分为三个组群,即低成熟油、低成熟—中等成熟油和中等成熟油,主要为低成熟—中等成熟原油。认为研究区具有形成低成熟油的有利烃源条件,应该加强对低成熟油的勘探开发。同时加强长春岭背斜带及其周缘构造高部位有利圈闭的勘探与评价。     

塔中4油田石炭系储层不同赋存态烃类分子和碳同位素对比研究

塔中421井和塔中402井石炭系油层2个原油样和8个油砂样连续抽提组分甾烷、萜烷分布特征和正构烷烃单体碳同位素组成具有明显的差异,具有不同的来源。塔中421井上石炭统3个油砂样自由态组分、束缚态组分和油气包裹体具有伽马蜡烷和C28甾烷相对含量高、正构烷烃单体碳同位素组成重的特征,划分为Ⅰ类原油,对比认为主要来源于寒武系-下奥陶统烃源岩。塔中421井和塔中402井上石炭统的2个油样具有伽马蜡烷和C28甾烷相对含量低、并且正构烷烃单体碳同位素组成轻的特征,划分为Ⅱ类原油,其来源尚不明确。塔中402井石炭系上、中和下统的5个油砂样各类组分具有介于Ⅰ、Ⅱ类原油之间的特征,为Ⅰ和Ⅱ类原油的混合物。5个油砂样从自由态组分、束缚态组分至油气包裹体Ⅰ类原油含量依次增高,Ⅱ类原油含量依次降低。2口井8个油砂样从自由态组分、束缚态组分至油气包裹体C23三环萜烷／（C23三环萜烷＋C30藿烷）和C21／（C21＋∑C29）甾烷比值都依次降低,反映了油气充注过程中,原油成熟度不断升高。塔中4井区储层油砂不同吸附态烃类分子与碳同位素的研究结果反映塔中4油田具有多种油气来源,经历长期油气充注过程,寒武系-下奥陶统烃源岩在地史上对该区具有成烃贡献。     

羌塘盆地昂达尔错地区油苗生物标志化合物特征及其指示意义

本文以油苗抽提物的饱和烃色谱-质谱分析为基础,剖析了羌塘盆地昂达尔错地区油苗的生物标志化合物特征,探讨了其沉积环境和成熟度指示意义。昂达尔错油苗含有丰富的正构烷烃、类异戊二烯烃、萜类化合物和甾类化合物。正构烷烃轻烃组分含量较高,无明显的奇偶优势。Pr/Ph比小于1,显示一定的植烷优势。萜类化合物中五环三萜烷相对含量最高,四环萜烷含量最少,并有一定的伽马蜡烷和升藿烷分布。规则甾烷相对含量为C27C29C28,呈不对称"V"字形分布,异构化成熟度参数值较高,且4-甲基甾烷化合物普遍存在。昂达尔错油苗母源岩沉积于具有较高盐度的还原环境,以藻类、菌类等海相有机质输入为主,油苗有机质处于成熟阶段。     

中元古界沉积物中典型分子标志化合物及其地质意义

分子标志化合物在前寒武纪古海洋生命演化和古环境的研究中发挥着越来越重要的作用。在华北克拉通宣隆坳陷中元古界下马岭组黑色页岩中检测到一系列典型分子标志化合物,其特征表现为明显的“UCM”鼓包,高丰度的甲基支链烷烃、C₂₄四环萜烷、C₁₉-C₂₀13β（H）,14α（H）-三环萜烷、13α（正烷基）-三环萜烷系列以及四类重排藿烷化合物,甾烷系列化合物的缺失,其组成特征及其地质意义明显不同于显生宙沉积物。甾烷系列化合物缺失可能是异养微生物转化和降解的结果,不能否定真核藻类在14亿年前古海洋的局部繁盛,但生物群落仍以原核生物为主。     

Organic Geochemistry of the Cenomanian–Turonian Bahloul Formation Petroleum Source Rock,Central and Northern Tunisia

Total organic carbon (TOC) determination, Rock‐Eval pyrolysis, extractable organic matter content (EOM) fractionation, gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses, were carried out on 79 samples from eleven outcrop cross sections of the Bahloul Formation in central and northern Tunisia. The TOC content varied between 0.23 to 35.6%, the highest average values (18.73%, 8.46% and 4.02%) being at the east of the study area (at Ain Zakkar, Oued Bahloul and Dyr Ouled Yahia localities, respectively). The Rock‐Eval maximum pyrolysis temperature (Tmax) values in the 424–453°C range delineated a general east‐west trend increase in the organic matter (OM) maturity. The disparity in hydrogen index (HI) values, in the range 114–824 mg hydrocarbons (HC) g^?1 TOC, is relevant for the discrepancy in the level of OM preservation and maturity among localities and samples. The n‐alkane distributions, maximizing in the C17 to C20 range, are typical for a marine planktonic origin, whereas pristine/phytane (Pr/Ph) average values in the 1–2 range indicate an oxic to suboxic depositional environment. Pr/n‐C17 and Ph/n‐C18 ratios in the 0.38–6.2 and 0.68–3.25 range, respectively, are consistent with other maturity indicators and the contribution of specific bacteria to phytol as a precursor of isoprenoids. The thermal maturity varies between late diagenesis to main‐stage of petroleum generation based on the optic and the cis‐trans isomerisation of the C29 sterane [20S/(20S+20R) and 14β(H),17β(H)/(14β(H),17β(H)+14α(H),17α(H)), respectively] and the terpane [18α(H)22,29,30‐Trisnorneohopane/(18α(H)22,29,30‐Trisnorneohopane+17α(H)22,29,30‐Trisnorhopane): Ts/(Ts+Tm)] ratios. The Bahloul OM is represented by an open marine to estuarine algal facies with a specific bacterial contribution as revealed by the relative abundance of the ααα‐20R C27 (33–44%), C28 (22–28%) and C29 (34–41%) steranes and by the total terpanes/total steranes ratio (1.2–5.33). These results attested that the Bahloul OM richness was controlled both by an oxygen minimum zone induced by high productivity and restricted circulation in narrow half graben structures and around diapirs of the Triassic salt.     

酒西坳陷部分原油生物标记物特征异常分析

酒西坳陷大部分原油的生物标记物分布特征较单一,主要表现为三环萜烷、降新藿烷、C30重排藿烷和重排甾烷不发育,伽玛蜡烷相对比较发育,C29甾烷异构化参数较低,一般在0.45~0.5之间,尚未达异构化终点,反映其源岩成熟度并不高。此类原油主要源于青西凹陷下沟组沉积于较强还原环境的藻纹层泥质白云岩。此外,酒西坳陷还发现了部分在生物标记物特征上有别于该区“主体原油”的原油,其表现为三环萜烷、C29Ts、C30重排藿烷和重排甾烷、伽玛蜡烷相对比较发育,而且部分原油(如窿8井、窿4井和窿10井原油)成熟度较高,甾烷C2920S/(20S+20R)值高达0.56~0.58(已达异构化终点),属酒西坳陷成熟度最高的原油,特别是这些原油中绝大部分的C29ββ/(ββ+αα)值也高于“主体原油”,表明其经受了较长距离的运移。根据生物标记物所反映的沉积环境和生源前身物分析以及将其与酒东坳陷主要源于赤金堡组的原油的比较结果,认为在酒西坳陷中,这部分相对于“主体原油”而言的生标特征异常原油可能源于青西凹陷深部的赤金堡组,这一认识对酒泉盆地的深层油气勘探具有实际指导意义。     

Hydrocarbon maturation modeling of Paleocene to Lower Miocene source rocks in the Niger Delta Basin: implications for hydrocarbon generation

This study evaluates the hydrocarbon generation potentials and time of generation for Paleocene to Lower Miocene source rock horizons from A-1, B-1, B-2, and C-1 wells in the Niger Delta Basin using 1D Petromod modeling software. Wells A-1, B-1 and B-2, and C-1 are located within the Central Swamp, the Coastal Swamp, and the Shallow Offshore depobelts, respectively. The thermal history was derived from the rifting–subsidence heat flow model. Maturity modeling were carried out by using Easy%Ro kinetic model and a heat flow history predicting present-day heat flow which were calibrated with measured temperature data. Results of the study suggest that these potential source rocks have attained maturity status to generate hydrocarbons, with vast differences existing in the timing of the onset of oil generation. Basin modeling suggests that Paleocene source rocks entered the oil generative window from the Oligocene to Miocene times with thermal maturity window that varies from gas generation to early-mature phase. The Eocene source rocks have also attained maturity from Miocene to Pliocene times, and their thermal maturity ranges from gas generation to early maturity stage. The Oligocene source rocks also began to generate oil during the Miocene and are currently within the early-mature to mid-mature stage. The thermal maturity window for the Lower Miocene source rocks ranges from immature to early-mature stage. The present modeling results reveals that higher levels of thermal maturity are attained in areas with high geothermal gradients and heat flow values while the cooler areas exhibits lower levels of maturation. The onset of the oil window lies at 2859 m at A-1 (Central Swamp), 3240 m at B-2 (Coastal Swamp), 4732 m at B-1 (Coastal Swamp), and 4344 m at C-1 (Shallow Offshore). The depth to the onset of oil window is found deeper in the Shallow Offshore and western parts of the study area than in the eastern and northwestern parts. The result of this study suggest that the Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, and Lower Miocene source rocks are the principal source rocks for oil and gas generation in the Niger Delta Basin.     

渤海湾盆地南堡凹陷原油成因类型及其分布规律

南堡凹陷近年油气勘探取得了重大突破,为揭示该区滩海与陆地油气成因及分布规律,对67个原油和油砂样品进行了详细的地球化学研究。南堡凹陷原油具有低硫、中高蜡含量特征,陆相成因特点显著。共分为4种类型原油:(1)陆地沙三段深部层系原油,具有高4-甲基甾烷丰度、低奥利烷丰度与低甲基菲指数值和轻微偏高成熟度特征;(2)陆地Es1—Ed原油与Ng和Nm原油,其特征与第一类原油相反;上第三系原油普遍遭遇生物降解;(3)滩海东营组原油,以较高伽马蜡烷/C30藿烷和高甾烷/藿烷值区别于陆地原油;(4)滩海奥陶系潜山原油,具有低丰度甾萜类生物标志物、相对高丰度孕甾烷、三环萜烷与重排甾烷系列等特征,显示较高成熟度。上述4种成因类型原油指示南堡凹陷陆地、滩海均存在多层导有利烃源岩;同层位中滩海Es1-Ed存在较陆地更为优越的有利烃源岩,南堡滩海地区具有广泛的油气勘探前景。     

Geochemical Evidence for Coal and Carbonaceous Mudstone as the Possible Major Oil Source Rock in the Jurassic Turpan Basin,Northwest China

Petroleum geologists have debated whether the hydrocarbons from Jurassic coal measures are derived from the coals, carbonaceous mudstones or coal-measure mudstones in the Turpan Basin. Based on the geochemistry analysis of the 20 crude oils and 40 source rocks from the Turpan Basin, some data have been obtained as follows: carbon preference index and methylphenanthrene index of the Jurassic oils are 1.16–1.45 and 0.28–0.80, and the ααα C29 sterane 20S/(20S+20R) and C29 sterane ββ/(ββ+αα) are 0.44–0.51 and 0.4–0.54 respectively, which show the normal maturity of oils; the vitrinite reflectance of the source rocks from the Xishanyao to Badaowan Formations range from 0.47% to 0.97%, which indicate immature to mature thermal evolutionary stage and sufficient conditions for generating mass mature oil. The effect of hydrocarbon expulsion should be considered when studying the source of coal-derived oil by using Biomarkers. Biomarkers in the Jurassic oils from the basin are similar to those in the coals and carbonaceous mudstones, with a strong predominant content of pristane, relatively high ratio of C15/C16 sesquiterpenoids (>1), a relatively high content of low carbon number tricyclic terpanes and C24 tetracyclic terpane, little gammacerane and C29 Ts detected, an absolute predominant content of C29 sterane and a relatively high content of diasterane. However, the opposite characteristics are shown in mudstones, with an approximately equal content of pristane and phytane, relatively low ratio of C15/C16 sesquiterpenoids (<1), a relatively high content of high carbon number tricyclic terpanes and a low content of C24 tetracyclic terpane, peaks of gammacerane and C29 Ts detected obviously and an increasing C27 sterane content. All of these characteristics identify the coals and carbonaceous mudstones as the possible major oil source rocks in this area, and they were formed in the stronger oxidizing environment with shallower water than mudstones.