Petroleum systems in the Damintun Depression, Liaohe Oilfield

There are two different types of oils—high-wax oil and normal oil—found in the Damintun Depression of Liaohe Oilfield after several years of exploration and development, but their distributions and origins had confused the explorers in the oilfield. The introduction of petroleum-system concept shifts the view of geoscientists from geology and geophysics to oil, gas and their related source rocks. After detailed study, two petroleum systems have been identified in the Damintun Depression: (1) the ES 4 2 -Ar buried hill petroleum system (called the high-wax oil petroleum system) and (2) the ES 4 1 +ES 3 4 -ES 4 and ES 3 petroleum system (called the normal oil petroleum system). Based on the detailed analysis of the basic components, and all the geological processes required to create these elements of the two petroleum systems, it is put forward that targets for future exploration should include the area near Dongshenpu-Xinglongpu and the area near the Anfutun Sag. This provides scientific basis and has theoretical and practical meaning for the exploration and development.