Geochemicalcharacteristics and applications of 18a (H)-neohopanes and 17a (H)-diahopanes

Distributions and geochemical significances of 18α(H)-neohopanes and of 17α(H)-diahopanes in oils from west Xialiaohe depression of the Bohai Bay Basin have been studied. Relative abundance of 18α(H)-neohopanes and of 17α(H)-diahopanes can be effectively used as maturity parameters, in a range of medium-high mature stage, based on consideration on sedimentary-organic facies of source rocks. With a dual geochemical significance of maturity and sedimentary-organic facies, neohopane and diahopane parameters can be well used in oil-source correlation and in petroleum population division. Formation, primary concentration and preservation of precursors of rearranged hopanes are closely related to depositional conditions such as Eh-pH and clays content. A series of probable diahopanes (series D) was detected in the oils, which exhibits a similar distribution pattern and geochemical behavior as that of 17α(H)-diahopanes (series B).