Organic Geochemistry and Oil-Source Correlation of Oil Seepages and Potential Source Rocks in Qiangtang Basin, China

Abstract

Different viewpoints on the oil-source correlation of the Angdarco paleo-reservoir in the Qiangtang Basin, northern Tibet, China, have seriously affected oil and gas exploration in this area. In this work, based on the results of biomarker analysis on six oil seepage samples and 11 potential source rock samples, the oil source of the oil seepages in the Angdarco area was examined by correlating the composition characteristics of n -alkanes, multiple factors of biomarkers, correlograms of biomarker parameters, and δ 13 C values of individual n -alkanes between oil seepages and potential source rocks. In addition, the sedimentary environment and thermal maturity characteristics of the potential source rocks were also discussed. The biomarkers indicated that the potential source rocks of the Lower Jurassic Quse Formation (J 1 q) presented characteristics of littoral sediments, deposited under suboxic conditions, while the potential source rocks of the Middle Jurassic Buqu Formation (J 2 b) were deposited in a marine sedimentary environment and presented characteristics of a low mature to mature stage. The potential source rocks of the Middle Jurassic Xiali Formation (J 2 x) were deposited in a low-salinity environment and presented characteristics of low-mature source rocks. Finally, the oil seepages of the Buqu Formation were deposited in a suboxic littoral environment and presented characteristics of a low mature to mature stage. It is concluded that the oil seepages in the Angdarco paleo-reservoir were mainly sourced from the Lower-Jurassic Quse oil shales. This work provides a scientific basis for the exploration of paleo-reservoirs in the southern Qiangtang Basin.