Application of C₄-C₈ light hydrocarbons in geochemical studies: A case of condensates in Dawanqi oil field, Tarim Basin

The GC analysis of whole oil samples demonstrates that a suite of 81 crude oils from different production wells and reservoir horizons derived from the Dawanqi oil field contain a high abundance of light hydrocarbon, and partial oils were biodegraded to different degrees. C₄-C₈ light hydrocarbons were chosen for geochemical studies including oil maturity and secondary alteration. The maturity parameters of light hydrocarbons indicate that the calculated reflectance of oils was about 0.9%, suggesting condensates in the mature stage. For biodegraded oils, with biodegradation increasing, Mango's light hydrocarbon parameters K₁ values reduce and K₂ values increase remarkably. Furthermore, MCH index also increases. Methylcyclopentanes are depleted faster than ethylcyclopentanes, implying that there is a trend of lower susceptibility to biodegradation with greater alkyl substitution. Combined with maturity and organic matter input, it is speculated that oils in the Dawanqi oil field are secondary condensates. The comparison of light hydrocarbon parameters indicates that condensates in the Dawanqi oil field are consistent with crude oils from the Dabei oil field and the southern area of Dawanqi oil field. Based on the geological background of the Dawanqi oil field in Tarim Basin and the condensate accumulation pattern, it indicates that crude oils from the Dabei oil field and the southern area moved to the Dawanqi oil field through deep faults and underwent evaporative fractionation.