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Oil-Oil Correlation for Yenangyaung and Letpando Oilfields in the Salin sub-basin,
Myanmar
Sai Naing Lin Aung1*, Sheng He1, Tian Dong1, Ei Mon Han3, May Thu Thu Aung1,4
1
Department of Geology, University of Yangon, Ministry of Education, Yangon 11041, Myanmar
2
Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Ministry of
Education, Wuhan 430074, China
3
Department of Exploration and Development (Nay Pyi Taw) and Laboratory of Geochemistry (Yangon),
Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), Ministry of Electricity and Energy, Myanmar
4
Department of Geology, Panglong University, Ministry of Education, Pinlon 06114, Myanmar

Abstract
The present study aims to investigate the geochemical characteristics of crude oils from Yenangyaung
(YNG), and Letpando (LPDO) oilfields in the Salin sub-basin (SB), based on their biological results. Nine
representative crude oil samples were collected from different reservoir rocks throughout the Oligocene age. Gas
chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determined the saturated and aromatic
hydrocarbons. Selected crude oils are classified into two groups based on their facies changes and depositional
environments. Group I oils (Yenangyaung Oilfield) are characterized by relatively low Pr/Ph and C 29αβH/C30αβH
ratios, relatively high values of Ts/Tm and C30* Dia/(C30* Dia+C30-H) ratios, moderately low values of C29
ααα sterane the 20S/(S+R), high C29 αββ/(αββ+ααα) ratio and C32 αβ hopane 22S/(S+R) ratios, suggesting that
they were mainly originated from type-I/II organic matter including marine planktons and algal (fresh and/or
brackish) sources with minor bacterial inputs deposited under anoxic to the sub-oxic environment (lacustrine-
marine setting) and early mature level (peak oil window). Group II oils (Letpando Oilfield) have high values of
Pr/Ph and C29αβH/C30αβH ratios, low Ts/Tm ratio, very low C30* Dia/(C30* Dia+C30-H) ratio, moderately high
values of C29 ααα sterane the 20S/(S+R), sterane C29αββ/(αββ+ααα) and C32 αβ hopane 22S/(S+R)ratios,
indicating that they were significantly derived from type II-III organic matter consisting terrestrial land plants
with some bacteria and marine algal materials accumulated under oxidizing fluvial/deltaic environments
(estuarine/coastal), which might be occasionally occurred by marine water fluctuation and early to peak mature
stage. However, oil groups have reached a maturity stage to generate hydrocarbons with variations in organic
materials under oxic to anoxic depositional environments. Middle to late Eocene organic-rich deposits can be
potentially sourced rocks to generate hydrocarbons.
Keywords: Biomarkers, source inputs, depositional paleo-environments, potential source rocks, Salin sub-basin,
Myanmar.
1. Introduction Main oil reservoirs are middle and upper
Eocene (Tilin and Pondaung formations), lower and
Salin sub-basin, one of the sub-basins in the
upper Oligocene (Shwezettaw and Okhmintaung
Central Basin (CB), is located from latitude 19° 05′ N
formations) and middle Miocene sandstones
to 22° 0′ N, with a width from longitude 94° 55′ E to
(Kyaukkok formation) (Than Htut, 2017).
95° 50′ E (Figure 1). The stratigraphic nomenclature
Hydrocarbons have been discovered from all sub-
of the Central basin was established in the early 1990
basins in CB, Myanmar. Uppermost middle Eocene
(Stamp, 1927, Lepper., 1933). The area of Salin sub-
(Tabyin Fm.) was deposited near the edge of the shelf
basin is approximately 20000 km (200×100 Km),
as evidenced by paleontological study (Soe Moe Lwin
containing up to 15 km of tertiary shales, siltstones,
et al., 2017) and under shallow marine (Bender,
sandstones and coals. The basin fill of the CB reaches
1983). According to Myint and Soe (1977),
a thickness of at least 15000 meters (Pivnik et al.,
lowermost late Eocene Pondaung sediments were
1998; Than Htut, 2008). Salin basin is one of the
deposited in swampy brackish water and near shore
largest petroliferous onshore sub-basins of Myanmar.
fluvial environments on the basis of paleontology and
Hydrocarbon seeps occur locally along both eastern
lithofacies. Likewise, lowermost late Eocene deposits
and western margins of the CB. This basin comprises
have been accumulated near coastal area related with
both transgressive marine and regressive fluvio-
warm or hot climatic condition (Tsubamoto et al.,
deltaic conditions with a general north-south slope
2005). In addition, Ei Mon Han et al., (2014)
during Eocene and early part of Oligocene time (Kyi
suggested that Pondaung carbonaceous shales were
Maung, 1970). Fluvio-deltaic sediments were
deposited under peat swamp associated with fluvial-
transported by the numerous Asia’s great rivers
deltaic setting occurred by sea level fluctuation and
systems including Irrawaddy River. Clastic rocks of
marine organic matter increased in uppermost late
Eocene sediments (Laungshe, Tabyin, Pondaung &
Eocene coal (Yaw coal). Uppermost late Eocene
Yaw Formations) and Oligocene deposits (Shwezetaw
(Yaw Fm.) sediments were accumulated under marine
& Padaung Formations) became the dominant source
(Bender, 1983).
rocks for Tertiary oils due to the presence of organic
rich mudstone, carbonaceous shale and oil shale Some researchers have been investigated the
(Than Htut, 2017, Sai naing Lin Aung et al., 2021). Oil Family and petroleum system of the Central
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Myanmar basin using biological markers (Curiale el
al., 1994; Cheng Ding-sheng et al., 2008; Hafizan et
al., 2017). Upper Eocene coals and coaly shales in
Central Myanmar Basin (CMB) were proposed as
potential source rocks to generate liquid/gas
hydrocarbons based on organic geochemical results
(Ei Mon Han et al., 2014). Cheng Ding-sheng et al
(2008) proposed that the oils of Chauk oilfield came
from Yaw formation (Uppermost late Eocene), while
those of Tetma oilfield derived from Tabyin formation
(Uppermost middle Eocene). Similarly, Hafizan et al.,
2017 confirmed that Chauk and Tetma oils come from
a same source rock (Late Eocene). We focus the
detailed biological characteristics of crude oils from
different reservoirs (Oligocene formations) in
different oilfields (Yenangyaung YNG, and Letpando
LPDO) throughout the Salin sub-basin. All analyzed
oils were studied to determine whether the mixtures of
oil components derived from different source rocks or
from a same source rock. This study will provide
valuable information to identify potential source rocks
as evidenced by organic matter input, maturity level
assessment and depositional paleo-environments of
selected oil samples.
2. Geological Setting
India-Asia collision is often suggested to
have caused major changes in Southeast Asia. The CB
is affected by the northward movement of the Indian
Plate relative to stable Eurasia and the southeastern
margin of the Tibetan Plateau since early Eocene
(Bender, 1983).
Salin sub-basin was bounded to the west by
Indo-Myanmar (Burman) Ranges (IMRs) (Figure 1),
the north by Chindwin Basin, the east by Shan Plateau
and the south by Pyay Embayment. By earliest
Oligocene times, the IMRs were uplifted, separating
from the east of the CB and west of Rakhine coastal
belt (Barber et al., 1935).
Tectonically, this basin is interpreted as a
complex forearc/backarc basin and it extends about
195 km in a north-south direction (Pivnik et al.,
1998). Most of the folding and thrusting of the basin
between about 17° N and 22° N occurred during the
deposition of Plio-Pleistocene Irrawaddy Formation
(Pivnik et al., 1998). The Central volcanic line (CVL)
divides the basin into fore-arc (west) and back-arc
(east) components (Bender, 1983). The western part
of the Salin basin is bounded by subduction related
with IMRs which is composed of flysch like
sandstones, mudstones, serpentinite, dunite,
pyroxenite, pillow lavas and meta-sedimentary rocks
of Cretaceous to Early Eocene age (Pivnik et al.,
.
179
1998). Four main structural trends occur in
geographically distinct parts of the Salin sub-basin
and contain a variety of structures related to thrust,
oblique reverse, strike-slip, and normal faulting. This
basin is separated to the east by younger thrusted
Ngashandaung-Gwegyo-Tuyintaung anticline and
older thrust-related Suwin-Kyaukkwet-Sabe-
Yenangyat-Chauk-Yenangyaung anicline to the west
(Pivnik et al., 1998). Their alignments are being
generally parallel to the regional NNW strike of the
basin. Chauk anticline is one of the major oil traps in
Myanmar. Ngashandaung-Gwegyo-Tuyintaung thrust
fault is running across the central part of the area, its
trend is north-south and it is situated near east of the
study area (Pivnik et al., 1998). Most of the oilfields
are located along the Ayeyarwaddy River in the
Central Myanmar Basin.
3. Materials and Methodology
Four oil samples from Okhmintaung
formation (Late Oligocene) and five samples from
Shwezettaw formation (Early Oligocene) in the Salin
sub-basin, are selected for geochemical analyses. The
geochemical analyses were performed by using gas
chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography –
mass spectrometry (GCMS). The crude oil samples
were provided by Myanma Oil and gas Enterprise
(MOGE), Myanmar and analytical results were
carried out at China Geosciences University (Wuhan),
China.
All of rock samples were ground to fine
powders which were extracted using Soxhelt
extraction system. Each powdered sample (ca. 50-150
g) was weighted, and extracted for 48 hours. The
solution was then condensed in a rotary evaporation
instrument and dried under N2 flow. Crude oils have
been fractionated into saturate, aromatic, resins
(polar) and asphaltenes using open-column liquid
chromatography. Hydrocarbon fractions were eluted
by n-hexane, dichloromethane: hexane (2:1) and
Chloroform: Ethanol Absolute (98:2) respectively.
Quantitative data are obtained by the gravimetric
determination of each fraction after evaporation of
solvent or solvent mixture. Rotary evaporation under
mild vacuum is common practice for the
concentration of collected fraction.
The saturated hydrocarbons were analyzed
by gas chromatography (GC) using an Agilent
Technology 7890 A with a 30 m x 0.32 mm i.d x
0.25μm column (SPB-5 from Supelco). Helium gas
was used as carrier gas. The oven temperature was
stepped from 60°C to 300°C at a rate of 6°C/min
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Figure 1: Location and geological map of the Salin Sub-basin (Sourced from Sai Naing Lin Aung et al., 2021)
Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometer
(GC-MS) analysis was used to identify the saturated
and aromatic hydrocarbons. All crude oil samples
were performed on an Agilent 7890 A series gas
chromatographer connected to a 5973 N mass
spectrometer equipped with HP-5 column (30m ×
0.32 mm i.d × 0.25 µm film thickness). The GC oven
temperature was programmed from 60° C to 290° C at
a rate of 4° C/min and then held the temperature for
30 min. Helium was used as the carrier gas at a
constant flow for 15 min and 1 mL/min of sample.
The relative concentrations of particular compounds
were calculated from peak areas. Identification of
biomarkers was carried out by comparing their
retention times and mass spectra with published
papers and library data.
4. Results and discussions
Several biological compounds are most
useful markers to distinguish source of organic matter,
depositional environments and thermal evolution in
sedimentary facies of crude oils. The distributions of
biomarkers are shown in Figure 2, 3, 4 and 5. All
results are given in Table 1 and 2.

Figure 2: Gas chromatograms of saturated hydrocarbons for representative six crude oil samples from Oligocene
reservoirs in the Yenangyaung, and Letpando oilfields
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Figure 3: Mass chromatograms of hopanes (m/z-191) in saturated hydrocarbons for representative four crude oil
samples from Oligocene reservoirs in the Yenangyaung, and Letpando oilfields

Figure 4: Mass chromatograms of steranes (m/z-217) in saturated hydrocarbons for representative four crude oil
samples from Oligocene reservoirs in the Yenangyaung, and Letpando oilfields
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Figure 5: Mass chromatograms of aromatic hydrocarbons (m/z 178, 184, 192, and 198) for representative six
crude oil samples from Oligocene reservoirs in the Yenangyaung, and Letpando oilfields (Abbreviation:
Phenanthrene (P), methylphenanthrenes (MP), dibenzothiophene (DBT), and methyl dibenzothiophene (MDBT))

4.1 Source of organic materials Bray and Evans (1961) suggested the carbon
preference index (CPI) with the predominance of
Biological compounds indicate certain biotic
odd/even n-alkanes, calculated as
sources and their source information after buried in
0.5*((C25+C27+C29+C31+C33)/(C24+C26+
sediments (Meyers, 2003). Useful organic facies
C28+C30+C32)+(C25+C27+C29+C31+C33)/(C26+C28+C30+
parameters including CPI, Pr/Ph, Pr/n-C17, Py/n-C18,
C32+C34)). This ratio close to 1 displays characteristics
Ts/(Ts+Tm), oleanane/C30 hopane, Paq, norhopane to
of algal and bacterial organic matter (Cranwell et al.,
hopane (C29 αβH/C30 αβH) and C35/C34 22S
1987). All analyzed oils have CPI values around 1
homohopane, total terpanes/total steranes (TT/TS),
(Table 1) may have been sourced from algal and
dibenzothio-phene/phenenthrene (DBT/Phe), and
bacterial inputs.
abundance of regular steranes (C27, C28 and C29), were
applied to exhibit the variations in sedimentary
organic source inputs.
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Table 1: Biomarker results for crude oils from Yenangyaung, and Letpando oilfields in Salin Sub-basin

Table 2: Biological parameters and selected biomarker ratios for crude oils from the Yenangyaung, and Letpando oilfields in Salin Sub-basin
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Pr/Ph less than 3 exhibits low wax oils from
marine source, while high wax oils have Pr/Ph
ranging from 5 to 10 under non-marine source (Peters
et al., 2007). According to Haven et al., 1987, low
Pr/Ph ratios may indicate a significant input of
planktons/algae and bacteria. The values of Pr/Ph
ratios with less than 2 (Table 1) in group I oils suggest
as a possible input of marine source (plankton/algae),
while group II oils having from 3.9 to 6.11 indicate a
mixed input of terrestrial non-marine and marine
sources.
Moldowan et al., (1994) mentioned that the
oleanane index [oleanane/ (oleanane + C30 hopane) >
0.2] was a useful indicator of tertiary source rocks
rather than Cretaceous sources. Moreover, Murray et
al., (1994, 1997) speculated that the content of 18α (H)
oleanane in an oil or source rock would not be
completely related to the contribution of terrestrial
organic matter and this compound was abundant in
marine oils during early diagenesis. However,
oleanane indices of analyzed oil groups are greater
than 0.2 (Table 1). It could be identified as an input of
angiosperms (flowering plants) from tertiary sources.
These ratios are significantly abundant in the oils of
group II (Table 1) reflecting an abundant distribution
of terrestrial land plants. Similarly, the aquatic
macrophytes parameter (Paq), calculated as
(C23+C25)/(C23+C25+C29+ C31), described the
relative inputs of sub-merged/floating macrophytes
and emergent plants, which are related to fresh water
deposits (Ficken et al., 2000). These values are
relatively higher in the oils of group I and moderately
high in group II oils (Table 1). It can be considered as
a significant distribution of sub-merged and/or
floating aquatic plants in all analyzed oils.
According to Peters et al (2005), the values
of Ts/(Ts+Tm) ratio are less than 1 with abundance of
Tm higher than Ts, reflecting an input of marine
source. In this case, Ts/(Ts+Tm) ratios are obviously
increasing in the oils of group I, indicating that they
would be influenced by algal marine source, while
this parameter decreasing in group II (<0.25)
suggested a mixed input of terrestrial and algal
sediments (Table 1).
Moreover, the norhopane to hopane (C29αβ-
H/C30αβ-H) and C35/C34 22S homohopane ratios
have also been used to distinguish the carbonate and
clastic source rocks of oils (Peters et al., 2005). The
contents of homohopanes C31-C35 are considered to
be originated from bacteriopolyhopanol of prokaryotic
microorganisms (Ourisson et al., 1979 & 1984,
Rohmer., 1987). Similarly, the distribution of C35
extended hopane may be associated with marine
organic materials (Moldowan et al., 1985). Low
values (<1) of C29 αβ-H/C30 αβ-H ratio (Table 1) in all
analyzed oils indicate source rocks rich in more
clastic materials. Relatively high values of extended
hopanes ratio C35/C34 22S and homohopane index
(C35/C31-C35) in oil groups (Table 1), indicating an
extensive activity of bacteria and marine sources in
mature oils.
The ratio of diasteranes/steranes for C27
sterane is controlled by stages of thermal evolution
and sedimentary source rocks (Moldowan et al., 1994;
Peters et al., 2005). Rearranged steranes (diasteranes)
are commonly abundant in siliciclastic source rocks.
The diasteranes/steranes ratio is moderately low in
group I oils, whereas those are relatively high in
group II oils (Table 2). The oils of group I reflect
reducing clay-rich source rocks, while group II oils
may indicate oxidizing siliceous/argillaceous source
rocks (Figure 6). Likewise, abundant tricyclic
terpanes (TT) are mainly sourced from bacterial
inputs and possible origin of algae (Ourisson et al.,
1982; Volkman et al., 1989; Aquino et al., 1989) and
their quantities are decreasing or absent in non-marine
oils of Indonesia (Robison., 1987). The ratios of
tricyclic terpanes (C28+C29 TT)/C30 17α - hopane
(Table 1) ranging from 0.08 to 0.11 in all analyzed
oils suggested that they were originated from both
inputs of bacteria and algae.
In other words, Mackenzie et al., (1984)
identified the total terpanes/total steranes (TT/TS)
ratio as a sedimentary facies parameter. TT represents
the sum of 17α (H), 21β (H) C29 and C30 hopanes
(m/z-191) and TS represents the sum of the 14α (H),
17α (H)-20R (C27+C28+C29) (m/z-217). The values of
TT/TS ratio are relatively low to high values (<10) in
group I and II and high values (>10) in group III oils
(Table 1), illustrating that the organic facies of group I
oils originated from algal-dominated marine and/or
lacustrine sources with a little input of bacterial
organic materials, whereas group II oils significantly
derived from bacterial organisms with a minor input
of algal source (Figure 7).
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Figure 6: Cross plot between C29αβ-H/C30αβ-H ratio and diasteranes/steranes for C27, illustrating changes in
sedimentary clastic source rocks deposited under oxic to anoxic conditions

Figure 7: Cross plots of (a) steranes C27 R/C29 R vs. C27 Dia/(Dia+Reg) steranes (b) steranes C27 R/C29 R
ratios vs. total terpanes/total steranes, illustrating oil groups with the source rocks distributions
Furthermore, the predominance of C29 organic facies of analyzed oils based on the results of
steranes originated from land plants and also blue- steranes C27 R/C29 R ratios, C27 Dia/(Dia+Reg)
green algae and marine diatoms, the C28 dominance steranes, and total terpanes/total steranes.
for lacustrine algae or phytoplankton source, and
Radke et al (1982 a, b) proposed that
marine algal materials usually reflect a predominance
aromatic sulphur compounds such as
of C27 (Seifert and Moldowan, 1978; Hung and
dibenzothiophene (DBT) and methyl-
Meinschein., 1979; Volkman, 1986; Peters et al.,
dibenzothiophene (4-MDBT) are predominant in
2005). The higher proportion of regular steranes C27
terrestrial organic matter (Type-III kerogen) and can
relative to C29 (C27R/C29R) has been used as a
also reveal siliceous/argillaceous sourced oils.
biological marker of marine organic sources (Huang
Moreover, the distributions of methyl phenanthrenes
and Meinschein, 1979). The values of this ratio are
(2-MP, 3-MP, 1-MP, 9-MP) isomers has been applied
significantly abundant in group I oils (Table 2),
to exhibit types of kerogens (type- I, II, and III). Type
suggesting as a possible contribution of marine
I/II kerogen (Lacustrine/marine materials) is usually
organic sources, whereas group II oils derived from
characterized by significant contents of 2-MP and 3-
terrestrial land plant materials. On the other hand, a
MP isomers with high maturity and the distribution of
predominance of regular steranes C29 over C27 (C29
9-MP is abundant in type II (marine materials)
R/C27 R) in group II oils (>1) may display a
organic matter (Radke et al., 1986). Heppenheimer et
contribution of marine organic materials (Peters et al.,
al. (1992) proposed that the content of 1-MP isomer is
2005). It can be provided by the results of short-chain
predominant in type III kerogen and resinous coals.
n-alkanes (<n-C20/(n-CTotal n-alkanes) (Table 1).
The melhyldibenzothiophene ratio 4-MDBT/1-MDBT
However, source evidences reflect a possible
(MDR) has been introduced as an applicable
contribution of marine algal source in all analyzed
parameter for thermal evaluation and type II/III
oils. Figures 7a and b describe the variations in
kerogens (Radke et al., 1985). In addition,
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methyldibenzothiophene ratio (MDR) is significantly
high in waxy oils related to fresh water sources and
low in hypersaline water source (Huang and Pearson,
1999). However, MDR ratio would be an effective
parameter to classify kerogen types, especially types
II and III organic matter, and also fresh water
depositional environment. In a recent study, high
values of MDR ratio in group II and III oils might
have been linked to the controlling of fresh water
terrestrial materials, whereas relatively low in group I
oils indicate a possible saline water source (Table 2).
The ratios of 4-MDBT/2+3 MP and 9-MP/1-MP
Figure 8: Cross plot of 9-MP/1-MP vs. 4-MDBT/2+3 MP, showing types of organic matter for oil groups
4.2 Depositional Environment
Low Pr/Ph value (< 2) indicates aquatic
depositional environments including marine, fresh and
brackish water related to reducing conditions,
intermediate values (2-4) represent fluvio-marine and
coastal swamp environments, whereas high values
(>10) show peat swamp under oxidizing environment
(Lijmbach,1975). Group I oils having Pr/Ph values
between 1.5 and 1.8 (Table 1) may exhibit a probable
relationship between lacustrine-marine and/or fluvio-
marine settings under anoxic/suboxic condition. This
ratio varying from 3.5 to 6.11 in the oils of group III
can be linked to fluvio-marine/ deltaic-marine
environments in sub-oxic/oxic condition. Similarly,
gammacerane (non-hopanoid C30 triterpane) is
commonly used as a biomarker for stratified water
column with hyper-salinity in the depositional
environments of oil and source rocks (Moldowan et
al., 1985; Sinninghe Damste et al., 1995) and reducing
isomers were used to classify types of organic matter
in oil groups (Figure 8). Group I oils illustrate an
input of lacustrine-marine source (type I/II), while
group II oils show fluvial/deltaic – marine sources
(type II-III). Similarly, Huang and Pearson (1999)
proposed that the content of 2+3- MDBT isomer is
significantly increased in lacustrine-sourced oils
during low mature level. In this case, high values of
2+3- MDBT/1-MDBT ratios (Table 2), low values of
DBT/Phe and Pr/Ph ratios in group I oils seem to be
an input of lacustrine organic matter.
water column stratification (Sinninghe Damste, et al.,
1995). Furthermore, it is generally presence in marine
crude oils from carbonate-evaporite source rocks,
lacustrine, near shore or deltaic depositional
environments (Moldowan et al., 1985, Moldowan et
al., 1991). Relatively low values of Pr/Ph ratio with
increasing in gammacerane index (Gamma/C30-
hopane) in the oils of group I indicate anaerobic
(photic zone) condition, while very low values of
gammacerane index with high Pr/Ph ratio in group II
oils may reflect oxic fresh water environment (Table
1). Huang and Meinshein (1979) explained that a
predominance of C27 sterane exhibits an input of
marine planktons. The cross plot of C27/ (C27+C29)
ratios of 5ɑ(H),14ɑ(H),17ɑ (H)-20R steranes versus
Pr/Ph ratios displays the variations in depositional
environments with their source inputs (Figure 9;
Table 2).
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Figure 9: Plot of C27/ (C27+C29) 20R sterane vs. Pr/Ph ratios, illustrating the variations in depositional
environments with their sources of organic matter for all analyzed oils (modified after Waseda and Nishita , 1998)

Moreover, the ratio of 17α (H)-diahopane/18α (H)-30-
norneohopane [C30*Dia/C29Ts] has been used as an
applicable biomarker for depositional environments
(Moldowan et al., 1991; Peters and Moldowan, 1993;
Peters et al., 2005). Low values of C30* Dia/C29Ts
ratios in group I oils suggest an anoxic depositional
environment, while those are high in group II oils,
illustrating a relatively sub-oxic to oxic condition
(Table 1). Likewise, homohopane index (C35/C31-
C35 22S and 22R) was applied to identify
depositional environments (Hunt, 1995). Figures (10a
and 10b) suggest changes in depositional
environments of sedimentary lithofacies.
Lijmbach (1975) mentioned that the value of Pr/n-
C17 less than 0.5 reflects open marine source rocks,
while this value greater than 1 shows source rocks
derived from peat-swamps. The Pr/n-C17 values are
less than 1 in group I oils and greater than 1 in group
II oils (Table 1). The relationship between the Pr/n-
C17 versus Ph/n-C18 ratios illustrates that the
organofacies of group I oils deposited under marine
environment related to reducing condition, whereas
those of group II oils derived from transitional
environment, which was occasionally overwhelmed
by marine water under sub-oxic to oxic condition
(Figure 11). According to Peters et al (2007), the Pr/n-
C17 and Ph/n-C18 ratios should be used with caution
for petroleum correlation due the activity of aerobic
bacteria can occur in the n-alkanes. However, all
analyzed oils were not affected by biodegradation. It
can be provided by moderate to high values of API
gravities (27°- 45° API).

Figure 10: (a) Homohopane index vs. C30* Dia/C29Ts, (b) Pr/Ph vs. C30*Dia/C29Ts, illustrating changes in
depositional conditions of source materials for all analyzed oils (modified after Peter et al., 1999)
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Figure 11: Pr/n-C17 vs. Ph/n-C18, showing oil groups fall in transitional to marine depositional environments
with changes in organic matter and thermal evolution (modified after Peter et al., 1999)

Furthermore, increasing values of Tm/Ts Similarly, the ternary diagram of C27-C28-

ratios (Trisnorhopane/Trisnorneohopane) could be
considered as an oxic condition (Moldowan et al.,
1986) with low maturity level. Moderately low values
in group I and II oils indicate a reducing condition and
significantly high values in group III oils, showing
oxidizing condition (Table 1). However, perhaps it
would be controlled by thermal evolution and will be
discussed for maturity evaluation later.
According to Hughes et al., 1985, all
analyzed oils are identified for their depositional
environments with relevant source rocks based on the
ratios of dibenzothiophene/ phenanthrene (DBT/Phe)
and Pr/Ph. Figure 12 exhibits the organic materials of
group I oils accumulated in oxygen poor lacustrine-
marine environments, while those of group II and III
oils deposited under sub-oxic to oxic fluvial/deltaic
environment which might be occasionally influenced
by marine water.
C29 ααα regular steranes can distinguish groups of
crude oils from different depositional environments
and relevant source rocks. Group I and II oil samples
fall in plankton/algal-dominated environment and
group III oils show plankton/bacteria and terrestrial
land plants-dominated environment (estuarine/
coastal), influenced by fresh and brackish water mix
(Figure 13).
The C25/C26 tricyclic ratio has been applied
to differentiate marine and non-marine environments
(Hanson et al., 2000). These ratios are mostly greater
than 1 in all analyzed oils (Table 2), suggested that
they have been associated with marine environment or
their depositional area might be occasionally
overwhelmed by marine water. On the other hand, one
from group II oils and two from group III oils (Table
2) show this ratio less than 1, indicating that group II
and III oils would be related to non-marine
environments.

Figure 12: Cross-plot of DBT/Phe vs. Pr/Ph, indicating oil groups based on depositional environments with their
organic facies (modified after Hughes et al., 1995)
 Proceeding of the 5th International Conference on Substantial Scientific Collaboration of Ocean and Earth Science
between Myanmar and China
Figure 13: Ternary diagram of regular steranes (C27, C28, C29), showing the relationship between paleo-facies and
depositional environments of oil groups (modified after Huang and Meinshein, 1985; Hakimi et al., 2014).
4.3 Thermal Maturity of Crude Oils
The analyzed oil groups in the Salin basin
were systematically evaluated for their thermal
maturity, providing by useful biological maturity
parameters such as CPI, C29 ααα sterane 20S/(S+R),
C29 sterane αββ/(αββ+ααα), C32 αβ hopane
22S/(S+R), moretane/ C30 ,
hopane
C29Ts/(C29Ts+C30H), C30 17α(H)-diahopane/ (C30
17α(H)-diahopane+C30 17α(H)-hopane), Ts/Ts+Tm,
DBT/4-MDBT.
The Carbon preferences Index (CPI) is also
important in petroleum source-rock evaluation.
Generally, this ratio is decreasing in values with
increasing thermal maturity (Bray and Evans., 1961).
These values are close to 1 in the oils of three groups,
suggesting that they reached a stage of maturation
(Table 1). The regular C29 ααα sterane 20S/(S+R),
C29 αββ/(αββ+ααα) and C32 αβ hopane 22S/(S+R)
ratios are particularly effective parameters to describe
189
thermal maturities of crude oils and sedimentary
source rocks (Mackenzie et al., 1980; Seifert and
Moldowan, 1978,1986; Hakimi et al., 2014). The
analyzed oil groups possess moderately high values of
C29 ααα sterane 20S/(S+R), C29 αββ/(αββ+ααα), and
C32 αβ hopane 22S/(S+R) ranging from 0.41 to 0.57,
0.52 to 0.68 and 0.56 to 0.61, respectively (Table 1).
The cross-plots based on the ratios of C29 ααα (20S/
20S+20R) versus C29 αββ/ (αββ+ααα) (Figure 14a)
and C32 αβ 22S/ (S+R) versus sterane C29
αββ/(αββ+ααα) (Figure 14b) indicate they entered
peak mature level and reached in the peak -oil
generating window. Moreover, the ratio of 17β, 21ɑ-
C30 moretane and 17ɑ, 21β (H)- C30 hopane (C30
moretane/C30 hopane) is more than 0.8 in immature
source rocks and less than 0.15 in mature rocks
(Mackenzie et al., 1980; Peters et al., 2005). Figure
14c describes a stage of thermal evolution in
sedimentary source rocks of analyzed oils.
 Proceeding of the 5th International Conference on Substantial Scientific Collaboration of Ocean and Earth Science
190
between Myanmar and China
Figure 14: Cross plots of (a) regular steranes C29 ααα (20S/20S+20R) vs. C29 αββ/ (αββ+ααα), (b) steranes C29
αββ/(αββ+ααα) vs. homohopane C32 22S/(22S+22R) (modified after Peters et al., 2005 and Hakimi et al., 2014 ),
and (c) regular steranes C29 ααα (20S/20S+20R) vs. moretane/C30 hopane (modified after Mackenzie et al.,
1980), showing thermal maturity of sedimentary organic facies for all analyzed oils.
5. Conclusion
On the basis of biological results, all analyzed oils can
be separated into three groups. Group I oils
(Yenangyaung Oilfield) are mainly originated from
marine planktons and algal (fresh and/or brackish)
sources with a minor bacterial input deposited under
anoxic to sub-oxic lacustrine- marine setting, type I/II
organic matter (OM), and early to peak mature level
(peak oil window). Group II oils (Letpando Oilfield)
are derived from terrestrial land plants with some
bacteria and marine algal materials accumulated under
sub-oxic to oxic fluvial/deltaic environments
(estuarine/coastal), which might be frequently
overwhelmed by sea level fluctuation, type II-III OM
and early to peak mature stage. All analyzed oils are
mainly derived from clay-rich source rocks and have
been reached the peak oil generation window. During
diagenesis, sources of group I oils might be affected
by a strong influence of both lacustrine and marine
organic matter because some maturity parameters
based on aromatic sulphur compounds could not
clearly establish their maturity level, while group II
oils might be significantly affected by terrestrial
organic matter. Oil components derived from mixtures
(lacustrine, marine, and terrestrial land plants) of
different source rocks in Salin sub-basin. However,
middle to late Eocene deposits can be potential source
rocks to generate hydrocarbons. Consequently,
Yenangyaung oils (group I) have been originated from
middle Eocene (Tilin and Tabyin formations) to late
Eocene (Pondaung and Yaw formations) source rocks,
whereas Letpando oils (group II) derived from late
Eocene (Pondaung and Yaw formations) source rocks.
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