Isotopic composition charac- teristics and identification of immature and low-mature oils

Isotopic composition characteristics and the significance of immature and low-mature oils are first systematically discussed. The carbon isotopes of the whole oil can be divided into two groups, one has δ13C main peak values ranging from -30‰ to -29 and the other from -27‰ to -25‰, they are related to lacustrine and salt-lake facies or swamp facies, respectively. The carbon isotopic fractionation among different group components is relatively small, usually less than 2‰ and the biggest difference in fractionation often occurs between saturated and aromatic fractions. Their δD values vary between -180‰ and -130‰. The main peak of their δD values concentrates between -170‰ and -150‰, suggesting a domination of lacustrine facies. However, the secondary peak ranges from -160‰ to -150‰, showing a frequent salinization of paleo-water bodies. The average δ13C values of the methane vary between -50‰ and -52‰, about 10‰ lighter than those of mature oils. There is a relatively good correlationship