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Source rock potential and organic geochemistry of carboniferous source rocks in Santanghu Basin, NW China

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Abstract

Carboniferous source rocks identified by drilling in Santanghu (三塘湖) Basin were evaluated for their source potential, employing organic geochemistry and RockEval pyrolysis. The organic matter origin and depositional environment of these samples were also determined through biomarker analysis. Most of the Carboniferous source rocks in Santanghu Basin are characterised by high values of total organic carbon (TOC) content and high extractable organic matter content and hydrocarbon yields, indicating that they are organic-rich source rocks with high oil generative potential. The organic matter is predominantly Type I and Type II kerogen with a minor contribution of Type III kerogen, as demonstrated by its pyrolysis parameters and carbon isotope values. According to Ro (%) and T max values, most of the studied samples are at early- to middle-thermal mature stage; only a few of the samples are at a highly mature stage (past peak oil generation). The biomarker analysis reveals a dominance of algal/bacterial organic matter input, with a minor contribution of land plant material. Pr/Ph ratio supports a suboxic depositional condition, consistent with a neritic or marine-continental alternating environment proposed by predecessor.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China

    Daofu Song  (宋到福)

  2. School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Dengfa He  (何登发)

  3. Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC, Beijing, 100083, China

    Shurong Wang  (王书荣)

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  1. Daofu Song  (宋到福)
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  2. Dengfa He  (何登发)
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Correspondence to Daofu Song  (宋到福).

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This study was financially supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.

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Song, D., He, D. & Wang, S. Source rock potential and organic geochemistry of carboniferous source rocks in Santanghu Basin, NW China. J. Earth Sci. 24, 355–370 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-013-0339-9

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