Abstract
On the basis of the carbon isotopic compositions of methane (CH4) and its homologues and the differences in isotopic values for CH4 and ethane (C2H6) and the correlation and compositional characteristics of hydrocarbon gases, the author has proposed a genetic classification of natural gases in the oil-gas zone. They are classified as biogenetic and abiogenetic gases in terms of the types of hydrocarbon-generating precursors (or parent materials) and their thermal evolution stages. Biogenetic gases can also be further divided into two series: biochemical and thermochemical gases, with the latter formed at different evolution stages. Gases generated from type-I and -II1 organic matter are called oil-series gases, those from type-III, coal-series gases, and those from type-II2, mixture-type gases. Gases generated from two or more than two types of precursors are called mixture-source gases.
According to those mentioned above, natural gases from the major oil-gas pools in the Sichuan Basin have been discriminantly analyzed, and the results are concordant with the distribution and development of hydrocarbon-source rocks as well as with their characteristics, indicating a prospective application.
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Huang, J. Genetic classification of natural gases in the oil-gas zone and its application in the Sichuan basin. Chin. J. of Geochem. 12, 71–83 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02869047
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02869047