Oil–source correlation for the paleo-reservoir in the Majiang area and remnant reservoir in the Kaili area, South China

There are different viewpoints on the oil-source correlation of the Majiang paleo-reservoir and the neighbouring Kaili remnant reservoir in the Southern Guizhou Depression of China. Three potential source rocks in this depression could be inferred: the Lower-Cambrian marine mudstone, Lower-Silurian shale and Lower-Permian mudstone. Most of the potential source rocks are of high maturity. The solid bitumens and oil seepages in the Southern Guizhou Depression suffered severe secondary alterations, such as thermal degradation and biodegradation. The solid bitumens of the Majiang paleo-reservoir are also of high maturity. The oil seepages and soft bitumen of the Kaili remnant reservoir were severely biodegraded. All these secondary alterations may obscure oil-source correlations by routine biomarkers. Thus, it is very important to select appropriate biomarker parameters for the oil-source correlation. In this work, biomarkers resistant to thermal degradation and biodegradation and the data of organic carbon isotopic compositions were used for the correlation. The δ13C values of n-alkanes in asphaltene pyrolysates were also used to make oil–oil and oil–source correlations between severely biodegraded oils. The results indicate that the Lower-Cambrian marine mudstones are the main source for the Ordovician–Silurian (O–S) solid bitumens of the Majiang area and the Ordovician–Silurian oil seepages and soft bitumens of the Kaili area. Remnant reservoir in the eastern Kaili area might have been charged at least twice by the oil generated from the Lower-Cambrian marine source rocks.

Research highlights
► The parameters of high thermal resistance are used for oil-source correlation.
► The parameters of high biodegradation resistance are used for oil-source correlation.
► Asphaltene pyrolysates are used to correlate severely biodegraded oils.
► The oil generation history of the source rocks have been considered reasonably.