Characteristics and evaluation of high-overmature source rocks in the Lower Paleozoic

Abstract

Early Paleozoic high-overmature strata are important source rock in Chinese petroliferous basins. Determination of thermal maturity and lower threshold for carbonate source beds, reconstruction of organic matter abundance and hydrocarbon potentials, origin and evolution of organic matter, and hydrocarbon formation are reviewed with respect to assessment of Chinese early Paleozoic high-overmature source rock. The formation of petroleum system of early Paleozoic source rock was experienced through multiple tectonic movement stages, with manifold petroleum generation, migration, accumulation and destruction. Hence, the geological assessment of early Paleozoic source rock must focus on effective hydrocarbon generation since Mesozoic and Cenozoic.