The geochemical characteristics of Tazhong crude oils from the Tarim Basin, northwestern China

Recent exploration work in the Tazhong district has gradually transferred to the exploitation of high and over mature oils in deep and ultra-deep layers. This has proved problematic, however, as the distribution of crude oils in the Tazhong is complex. This means that the geochemical characterization of high and over mature oils, especially for light crude oils, have become increasingly important. The stability of concerted ring structure of aromatics makes them having stronger thermal stability and resistance to biodegradation. This means that there are abundant aromatic compounds in high and over mature oils. This study presents a series of geochemical analyses of the maturity parameters of 89 crude oils from the Tazhong area, including stable carbon and hydrogen isotope analyses of compounds from 43 light crude oils. These analyses are then compared with other data from the Tazhong Number I fault zone, as well as the Tazhong Number 10 and Tazhong Uplift structural zones. Results show that the geochemical parameters of oils from Tazhong Number I fault zone generally encompass a wider range than those from the Tazhong Number 10 structural zone, which indicates that the Tazhong Number I slope belt is more active than its counterpart structural belt and generates oils with more complex geochemical characteristics. The positive correlation between the toluene/methyl cyclohexane ratio and the dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene ratio, as well as with the naphthalene/phenanthrene ratio indicates that aromatization parameters can be used to evaluate the maturity of light crude oils, and there may be inherited relationships between toluene and methyl cyclohexane in crude oils.

[1]  Shuichang Zhang,et al.  Impacts of source input and secondary alteration on the extended tricyclic terpane ratio: A case study from Palaeozoic sourced oils and condensates in the Tarim Basin, NW China , 2017 .

[2]  Chunli Liu,et al.  Quantitative fluorescence techniques for investigating hydrocarbon charge history in carbonate reservoir , 2017 .

[3]  S. Tao,et al.  Light hydrocarbon geochemical characteristics and their application in Upper Paleozoic, Shenmu gas field, Ordos Basin , 2017 .

[4]  Honghan Chen,et al.  On the origin, mixing and alteration of crude oils in the Tarim Basin , 2016 .

[5]  R. Bounaceur,et al.  Thermal cracking of n-butylcyclohexane at high pressure (100 bar)—Part 2: Mechanistic modeling , 2016 .

[6]  Shuichang Zhang,et al.  Palaeozoic oil–source correlation in the Tarim Basin, NW China: A review , 2016 .

[7]  Wo Yujin,et al.  Hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics and exploration domains of ultradeep marine carbonates in China , 2016 .

[8]  R. Bounaceur,et al.  Thermal cracking of n-butylcyclohexane at high pressure (100 bar)—Part 1: Experimental study , 2016 .

[9]  Shipeng Huang,et al.  Using Light Hydrocarbons to Identify the Depositional Environment of Source Rocks in the Ordos Basin, Central China , 2015 .

[10]  Shuichang Zhang,et al.  Ultra-deep liquid hydrocarbon exploration potential in cratonic region of the Tarim Basin inferred from gas condensate genesis , 2015 .

[11]  Xiaomei Wang,et al.  Geochemistry of Paleozoic marine petroleum from the Tarim Basin, NW China: Part 5. Effect of maturation, TSR and mixing on the occurrence and distribution of alkyldibenzothiophenes , 2015 .

[12]  Quan Shi,et al.  Separation and Characterization of Sulfur Compounds in Ultra-deep Formation Crude Oils from Tarim Basin , 2015 .

[13]  Yongfeng Zhu,et al.  Geology and Hydrocarbon Accumulation of the Large Ultra-Deep Rewapu Oilfield in Tarim Basin, China , 2015 .

[14]  Li YouchuanLiu Shixiang Zhang Gongcheng,et al.  “ Co-Control of Source Rock and Heat ” in Orderly Distribution of “ Near-shore Oil and Far-shore Gas ” in China ’ s Offshore and Adjacent Area , 2014 .

[15]  Z. Ke,et al.  Discovery and Exploration of Cambrian Subsalt Dolomite Original Hydrocarbon Reservoir at Zhongshen-1 Well in Tarim Basin , 2014 .

[16]  Xiangchun Chang,et al.  CHARGING OF ORDOVICIAN RESERVOIRS IN THE HALAHATANG DEPRESSION (TARIM BASIN, NW CHINA) DETERMINED BY OIL GEOCHEMISTRY , 2013 .

[17]  Zhou Xinyua.  Effects of strike-slip faults on the differential enrichment of hydrocarbons in the northern slope of Tazhong area , 2013 .

[18]  Li Jin.  The Characteristics of Light Hydrocarbon in Oil-associated Gas and Its Application in Platform Area of Tarim Basin , 2013 .

[19]  Xiaomei Wang,et al.  Adjustment and alteration of hydrocarbon reservoirs during the Late Himalayan Period, Tarim Basin, NW China , 2012 .

[20]  N. Qiu,et al.  Thermal evolution and maturation of lower Paleozoic source rocks in the Tarim Basin, northwest China , 2012 .

[21]  Zhaocui Wen.  Study on the multi-stage charging and accumulation model of Chinese marine petroleum:Example from eastern Lungu area in the Tarim Basin , 2012 .

[22]  Wu Guang.  The fault system characteristics and its controlling roles on marine carbonate hydrocarbon in the Central uplift,Tarim basin , 2012 .

[23]  Puyang Zhang,et al.  Bearing capacity of the bucket spudcan foundation for offshore jack-up drilling platforms , 2011 .

[24]  W. Xiaomei,et al.  History of hydrocarbon accumulations spanning important tectonic phases in marine sedimentary basins of China: Taking the Tarim Basin as an example , 2011 .

[25]  Yang Hai.  Conditions and mechanism of hydrocarbon accumulation in large reef-bank karst oil/gas fields of Tazhong area,Tarim basin , 2011 .

[26]  N. Qiu,et al.  Constraints of (U-Th)/He ages on early Paleozoic tectonothermal evolution of the Tarim Basin, China , 2010 .

[27]  Sinopec Exploration.  Control of faults at different evolution stages on hydrocarbon accumulation in Tazhong area,the Tarim Basin , 2009 .

[28]  Shi Ji’an.  Aromatic Compositions of Different Occurrence States in Deep Carbonate Rocks from Tarim Basin , 2008 .

[29]  Chen Li.  CHARACTERISTIC,GENESIS AND GEOLOGIC MEANING OF STRIKE-SLIP FAULT SYSTEM IN TAZHONG AREA , 2008 .

[30]  Shuichang Zhang,et al.  Geochemistry of Palaeozoic marine petroleum from the Tarim Basin, NW China: Part 1. Oil family classification , 2005 .

[31]  C. Jianping.  Oil-source correlations for high and over matured marine source rocks in South China , 2005 .

[32]  Jin Zhijun.  Particularity of petroleum exploration on marine carbonate strata in China sedimentary basins , 2005 .

[33]  Zhou Xin-yuan,et al.  Evidences of chief source rock in Tarim Basin , 2005 .

[34]  Yongge Sun,et al.  Source facies of the Paleozoic petroleum systems in the Tabei uplift, Tarim Basin, NW China: implications from aryl isoprenoids in crude oils , 2003 .

[35]  L. Jian.  ALKYLATED DIBENZOTHIOPHENE INDEX——A NEW METHOD TO ASSESS THERMAL MATURITY OF SOURCE ROCKS , 2001 .

[36]  A. Hanson,et al.  Molecular Organic Geochemistry of the Tarim Basin, Northwest China , 2000 .

[37]  S. Graham,et al.  Paleozoic oil-source rock correlations in the Tarim basin, NW China , 2000 .

[38]  D. Welte,et al.  Influence of maturity on distributions of benzo- and dibenzothiophenes in Tithonian source rocks and crude oils, Sonda de Campeche, Mexico , 1998 .

[39]  A. Chakhmakhchev,et al.  Distribution of alkylated dibenzothiophenes in petroleum as a tool for maturity assessments , 1997 .

[40]  R. A. Noble,et al.  Maturation effects on absolute biomarker concentration in a suite of coals and associated vitrinite concentrates , 1995 .

[41]  L. C. Price.  Thermal stability of hydrocarbons in nature: Limits, evidence, characteristics, and possible controls , 1993 .

[42]  D. Welte,et al.  Geochemical study on a well in the Western Canada Basin: relation of the aromatic distribution pattern to maturity of organic matter , 1982 .