Advancement in application of diamondoids on organic geochemistry

Diamondoids occur in all kinds of fossil fuels. Due to peculiar cage molecular structures, diamondoids have been widely used in the maturity assessment of high mature to over-mature oils as well as source rocks since the 1990s. New advancements in maturity, oil-cracking, oil mixing, oil biodegradation, organic facies, TSR, gas washing, migration, and oil spill identification using diamondoids during the 21st century will be further discussed in this paper; the origin and possible forming mechanisms of diamondoids are also explained. Owing to the vagueness of the origin of diamondoid, the results of the maturity and oil cracking among researchers brought about great differences. It is suggested that the research of the evolution of diamondoid in different type oils and source rocks are beneficial when applied in organic geochemistry, especially for the depth limits for the deep reservoirs.