Reliability of 18α(H)-Oleanane biomarker as age indicator of source deposition

DOI: 10.5176/2251-3361_GEOS12.85

Authors: Syed Mohammad Ibad Mahmoodi, Swapan Kumar Bhattacharya

Abstract:

Reliability of biomarker correlation for oil-oil or oil-source is dependable only when the specific biomarker is not age equivalent of the reservoir. Tertiary oil in Tertiary reservoirs cannot be confirmed by Tertiary biomarkers because of the possibility of contamination. 18α(H)-Oleanane as an age indicator of source deposition is not convincing because the specific biomarker may also contaminate oil in the reservoir. Although oleanane is restricted within Late Cretaceous to Tertiary periods, the presence of this biomarker in oils of Late Cretaceous to Tertiary reservoirs cannot justify the age of the source of oil. Oleanane from oil of cretaceous-tertiary reservoir, supports the age of reservoir instead of the age of source deposition. A systematic research needs to be carried out to identify percentage solubility of oleanane in water and oil to conclude the reliability of oleanane for source age deposition.