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Original Paper | Open Access

Distribution and geochemical significance of alkylbenzenes for crude oil with different depositional environments and thermal maturities

Bing-Kun Menga(), Dao-Fu Songb(), Yuan Chenb, Sheng-Bao Shib
School of Petroleum Engineering and Environmental Engineering, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, College of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China

Edited by Jie Hao and Teng Zhu

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Abstract

A total of 45 alkylbenzenes were detected and identified in crude oils with different depositional environments and thermal maturities from the Tarim Basin, Beibuwan Basin, and Songliao Basin using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS). By analyzing the distribution characteristics of C0–C5 alkylbenzenes, it is found that the content of some alkylbenzenes varies greatly in crude oils. Based on the distribution characteristics of 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene (TeMB) and 1,2,3,4-TeMB, the ratio of 1,2,4,5-TeMB to 1,2,3,4-TeMB is proposed to indicate the organic matter origin and depositional environment of ancient sediments. Oil samples originated mainly from lower hydrobiont, algae, bacteria and source rocks deposited under reducing/anoxic conditions have low 1,2,4,5-/1,2,3,4-TeMB values (less than 0.6), while oil samples originated mainly from terrestrial higher plants and source rocks deposited under oxic/sub-oxic conditions have higher 1,2,4,5-/1,2,3,4-TeMB values (greater than 1.0). The significant difference of 1,2,4,5-/1,2,3,4-TeMB values is controlled by 1,2,4,5-TeMB content. 1,2,4,5-TeMB content in oils derived from source rocks deposited in oxidized sedimentary environment (greater than 1.0 mg/g whole oil) is higher than that in oils from source rocks deposited in reduced sedimentary environment (less than 1.0 mg/g whole oil). 1,2,4,5-/1,2,3,4-TeMB ratio might not or slightly be affected by evaporative fractionation, biodegradation and thermal maturity. 1,2,4,5-/1,2,3,4-TeMB ratio and 1,2,4,5-TeMB content can be used as supplementary parameter for the identification of sedimentary environment and organic matter input. It should be noted that compared to the identification of organic matter sources, the 1,2,4,5-/1,2,3,4-TeMB parameter is more effective in identifying sedimentary environments.

Keywords

1,2,4,5-TetramethylbenzeneGC × GC-TOFMSOrganic matter originDepositional environment

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Petroleum Science
Volume 21 Issue 2,
April 2024
Pages 777-790
DOI: 10.1016/j.petsci.2023.10.030
Cite this article:
Meng B-K, Song D-F, Chen Y, et al. Distribution and geochemical significance of alkylbenzenes for crude oil with different depositional environments and thermal maturities. Petroleum Science, 2024, 21(2): 777-790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2023.10.030
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