Genesis of Oils in Eastern Kamchatka: Evidence from Hydrocarbon Biomarkers

Abstract

Gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry data on oils from wells and seeps in the Eastern Kamchatka Basin indicate that, according to their composition and the distributions of biomarker molecules, these oils can be classified into three groups, which differ in the composition of the parent organic matter, litho–facies sedimentation conditions, and catagenetic transformations. Oils from the wells were determined to be produced by organic matter of the sapropel type of marine facies in the main oil window (MC₂). Condensate from the natural seep was generated at higher catagenesis grades (MC_2–3) by organic matter of the sapropel–humus type of littoral facies. Uzon oil shows are demonstrated to be formed in a continental environment by organic matter of the humus–sapropel type and were not genetically related to oil from the Paleogene–Neogene source rocks of the Bogachevka Formation.