Origin of Crude Oil in the Lunnan Region, Tarim Basin

Abstract

Abstract:The oil source of the Tarim Basin has been controversial over a long time. This study characterizes the crude oil and investigates the oil sources in the Lunnan region, Tarim Basin by adopting compound specific isotopes of n‐alkanes and biomarkers approaches. Although the crude oil has a good correlation with the Middle‐Upper Ordovician (O2+3) source rocks and a poor correlation with the Cambrian‐Lower Ordovician (∈‐O1) based on biomarkers, the ş13C data of n‐alkanes of the Lunnan oils show an intermediate value between ∈‐O1 and O2+3 genetic affinity oils, which suggests that the Lunnan oils are actually of an extensively mixed source. A quantification of oil mixing was performed and the results show that the contribution of the Cambrian‐Lower Ordovician source rocks ranges from 11% to 70% (averaging 36%), slightly less than that of the Tazhong uplift. It is suggested that the inconsistency between the biomarkers and δ13C in determining the oil sources in the Lunnan Region results from multiple petroleum charge episodes with different chemical components in one or more episode(s) and different sources. The widespread marine mixed‐source oil in the basin indicates that significant petroleum potential in deep horizons is possible. To unravel hydrocarbons accumulation mechanisms for the Lunnan oils is crucial to further petroleum exploration and exploitation in the region.