Stable Carbon Isotopic Composition of Selected Alkylnaphthalenes and Alkylphenanthrenes from the Tarim Oilfields, NW China

The present study aimed firstly to use a set of crude oil samples and a dataset to provide new evidence for source input contribution in selected aromatic isomers for discrimination of oils from three oilfields from Tarim Basin and identify the key factor (s) controlling the isotope composition. Thu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: N’Guessan Francois De Sales Konan, Meijun Li, Shengbao Shi, Amoako Kojo, Abdulkareem Toyin, Nancy Pearl Osei Boakye, Tiantian Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-09-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/19/7145
Description
Summary:The present study aimed firstly to use a set of crude oil samples and a dataset to provide new evidence for source input contribution in selected aromatic isomers for discrimination of oils from three oilfields from Tarim Basin and identify the key factor (s) controlling the isotope composition. Thus, the present research showed that the δ<sup>13</sup>C values of alkylnaphthalenes and alkylphenanthrenes plotted against P/DBT and Ga/C<sub>30</sub>H ratios is a reliable and convenient tool for discrimination of organic matter variations in different oilfields. More importantly, molecular ratios and different diagram plots revealed that the selected oil samples would be derived from a mixing of indigenous organic matter from the terrestrial (in Kuqa area) and marine (in the cratonic area) depositional environments prior the apparition of the Yakela Faulted Uplift. Thus, Daolaoba, Yakela, and Tahe oils were made up of organic materials from both marine and terrestrial sources. Furthermore, marine organic matter input dominates oils from the Tahe and Yakela, with a minor input from terrestrial sources. The oils from Daolaoba were assigned to be from a mixing of marine and terrestrial material inputs. The controlling factors assessment revealed that biodegradation has an insignificant effect on the set of oils; however, the source input and the thermal maturity together control the isotopic compositions of individual aromatic isomers from these three oilfields.
ISSN:1996-1073