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Pyrolytic Evidence for Unsubstituted Aromatics as Potential Oil-Oil/Source Correlation Indicators
Yongxin Chen1,2, Xilong Zhang1,2, Yingqin Wu1,2
1Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.
Unsubstituted aromatics, particularly phenanthrene, show stable carbon isotope compositions even at high thermal maturity. This makes them reliable indicators for oil-oil and source rock correlation in deep marine environments.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Organic Geochemistry
- Petroleum Geochemistry
Background:
- Traditional oil source correlation indicators are often unreliable in highly mature deep marine strata.
- A need exists for thermally stable indicators for effective petroleum exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of thermal maturation on the carbon isotopic composition of unsubstituted aromatics.
- To evaluate the suitability of unsubstituted aromatics as indicators for oil-oil and source rock correlation in challenging geological settings.
Main Methods:
- Anhydrous thermal simulation experiments were conducted on Chinese lacustrine and marine shales, expelled oils, and crude oil fractions (saturates, aromatics, resins, asphaltenes).
- Analysis of molecular distributions and carbon isotopic composition of generated unsubstituted aromatics.
Main Results:
- Unsubstituted aromatics exhibit consistent variation patterns across different sample types and thermal maturities.
- Phenanthrene formation is continuous up to high equivalent vitrinite reflectance (Ro), with minor isotopic variations.
- Carbon isotopic signatures of unsubstituted aromatics are preserved in source rocks and expelled oils, showing similarity between them and crude oil fractions.
Conclusions:
- Unsubstituted aromatics possess stable carbon isotopic compositions suitable for oil-oil and source rock correlation.
- These parameters are effective even in highly mature deep marine strata where conventional indicators fail.
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