Biomarker Geochemistry and Hydrocarbon Generation Potential of the Evaporites in Dongying Lacustrine Basin

To investigate hydrocarbon potential of the evaporites, some deep wells such as Haoke-1 well and Fengshen-2 well were intensively cored, tested by TOC, Rock-Eval, and chromatography and mass spectrometry and evaluated using geochemistry of biomarker and hydrocarbon generation. High content of gammacerane and low Pr/Ph was exhibited in the evaporite system compared to the non-evaporite system. Different response of biomarkers parameters for the different sedimentary systems was exhibited, such as C19/(C19+C23) terpanes, C29/(C27+C28+C29) steranes, C24/C23 and C22/C21 tricyclic terpane. The evaporites and mud stones have the capacity to generate and expel hydrocarbons. The tested samples were mostly typeⅠand typeⅡ1 of organic matter, and their original generating capacity can reach 40 mg/g rock and 20 mg/g rock respectively. The efficiency of hydrocarbon expulsion reached 60%, but the distribution of organic matter and its generative potential was highly variable. In general, the mudstones show greater generative potential than the evaporites. High maturity severely reduced the capacity of their rocks to generate and expel petroleum.