Origin and genetic family of Huhehu oil in the Hailar Basin, northeast China

Abstract

The Huhehu Sag is one of the most important oil and gas depressions in the Hailar Basin. However, the origin of Huhehu oil is still controversial. Previous studies on source rocks have mainly focused on the Nantun Formation (K1n); a few studies have investigated the Damoguaihe Formation (K1d). Based on the Rock–Eval pyrolysis parameters, 172 drill cutting samples from the Huhehu Sag were analyzed to evaluate their geochemical characteristics. Based on the Rock–Eval data, the mudstones from the first member of the Damoguaihe Formation (K1d1) and the second member of the Nantun Formation (K1n2) have moderate to high hydrocarbon generation potential, while mudstones from the first member of the Nantun Formation (K1n1) have poor to good hydrocarbon generation potential. Additionally, both the K1n1 and K1n2 coal members have poor to fair hydrocarbon generation potential, but the K1n2 coal member has a better generative potential. Fifteen Huhehu oils were collected for molecular geochemical analyses to classify the oils into genetic families and to identify the source rock for each oil using chemometric methods. The Huhehu oils were classified into three groups with different maturity levels using hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Group A oils (high maturity) are characterized by relatively moderate ratios of Pr/Ph, Pr/n-C17, and Ph/n-C18, as well as an abundance of C29 steranes, mainly derived from the K1n2 and K1n1 mudstone members. In comparison, group B oils (moderate maturity) have relatively low Pr/Ph ratios, moderate Pr/n-C17 and Ph/n-C18 ratios, and low concentrations of C29 steranes. Group C oils (low maturity) show relatively high ratios of Pr/Ph, Pr/n-C17, and Ph/n-C18, as well as high concentrations of C29 steranes. Furthermore, group B oils derived from the K1d1 mudstone member and group C oils derived from the K1n2 coal member were also identified by principal component analysis score plots. Correlation studies suggest a major contribution from the K1n mudstone Formation and the K1d1 mudstone member to the oils of the Huhehu Sag. So, the Nantun Formation and relatively shallow strata of the Damoguaihe Formation (e.g., the K1d1 member) represent important targets for future oil-reservoir exploration in the Huhehu Sag.