The crude oils typically from the CambrianLower Ordovician source rocks of Tarim Basin, NW"China, such as TD2 and TZ62S, are13C-enriched with the stable carbon isotopic ratios(VPDB) approaching-28 %.In this paper, the main research viewpoints on this issue are summarized, and combined with results from organic and inorganic carbon isotope stratum curves of the outcrop at the Ya'erdang Mountain in Tarim Basin. In addition, more alternative interpretations are discussed. On one hand, the inverse fractionation features of stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes of these crude oils may imply their protogenous nature. On the other hand, the anisotropy of source rocks and contribution from older stratum source rocks need verifying as well. For the sake of the final resolution of this issue, some further study topics are recommended.
Hu LiuZewen LiaoHaizu ZhangYankuan TianBin ChengXiaohong Chang
This study investigated the geochemical features of the lower Paleozoic strata of Yaerdang Mountain outcrop along with the core samples from well TD2∈ in the eastern Tarim Basin,NW China.The total organic carbon abundance,hydrocarbon-generating precursor biospecies,and stable isotope ratios of organics and carbonate(δ^(13)C_(ker),δ^(13)C_(carb) and δ^(18)O_(carb)) were comprehensively studied for their possible correlative constraints during sedimentary evolution.The results revealed that the δ^(13)C_(ker)(VPDB) of Cambrian kerogens along the outcrop section varied from-34.6‰ to-28.4‰,indicating an increasing tendency from the lower Cambrian to the upper Cambrian.This was on the whole accompanied by the variation in the δ^(13)C_(carb) and δ^(18)O_(carb) along the profile,which might be associated with the changes in the sea level and also in the compositional variation of benthic and planktonic biomass.The large variation in the stable carbon isotope ratios up to 6‰ along the outcrop section reflected the heterogeneity of the Cambrian source rocks from the eastern Tarim Basin.Hence,the ^(13)C-enriched crude oils from well TD2∈might have been derived from a localized stratum of Cambrian source rocks.The results from this study showed the possibility of multiple source kitchens in the Cambrian-lower Ordovician portion of Tarim Basin.
Hu LiuZewen LiaoHaizu ZhangYankuan TianBin ChengShan Yang
