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Maturity effects on steranes of source rocks in Lishu fault depression, Songliao Basin

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Abstract

Geochemical analysis results of 30 source rock samples from Lishu fault depression in Songliao Basin show that samples are compositionally similar and represent a uniform organic facies. Differential distribution of steranes among the samples is due to rank, with vitrinite reflectances (Ro) ranging from 0.65 to 1.61%. In the maturity stage (Ro = 0.65–1.20%), the absolute concentrations of steranes increase, which is affected by kerogen degradation, whereas the pyrolysis of high mature source (Ro = 1.20–1.61%) show a decrease in the abundance of steranes. Simultaneously, the parameters of steranes vary greatly with maturity. Decrease of prognane/regular sterane value with the increase of maturity suggests that pregnane is not a product of regular steranes pyrolysis. The ratios of C27/C29 regular sterane gradually increase, while the value of C29-20S/(20S + 20R) and αββ/(αββ + ααα) decrease at high maturity stage, which is associated with the difference in the thermostability of steranes involved. This reversed trend can be used to determine the high-maturity stage of source rocks. Whereas the values of rearranged steranes/regular steranes in source rocks show an apparent positive correlation with maturity, it, therefore, appears to be particularly useful for maturity assessment at elevated levels.

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Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41772124).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China

    Chuanjun Yi, Min Zhang & Li Teng

  2. Key Laboratory of Exploration Technology for Oil and Gas Resource, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China

    Chuanjun Yi, Min Zhang & Li Teng

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  1. Chuanjun Yi
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  2. Min Zhang
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  3. Li Teng
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Correspondence to Min Zhang.

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Yi, C., Zhang, M. & Teng, L. Maturity effects on steranes of source rocks in Lishu fault depression, Songliao Basin. Acta Geochim 39, 561–573 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-019-00386-2

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