Abstract:
The crude oil sample from Minas oil well (OSM-1) was fractionated by column
chromatography into saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons as well as polar compounds.
The saturated hydrocarbons were characterized using gas chromatography (GC)
whereas aromatic hydrocarbons were determined by gas chromatography-mass
spectrometry (GC-MS). The biomarker compositions indicated that Minas crude oil was derived from a mixed organic matter source with the main contribution from higher
plants (terrestrial), with mid wax content. It was also showed that Minas crude oil was
deposited from lacustrine depositional environment under oxic conditions. The thermal maturity of Minas crude oil was determined by maturity parameters from aromatic hydrocarbons such as methylphenanthrene index (MPI) and vitrinite reflectance equivalent (VRE). The results indicated that the crude oil from Minas oil well (OSM-1) has values of MPI-1, MPI-2, MPI-3 and VRE of 0.82, 0.89, 1.02 and 0.89%
respectively. These showed that Minas crude oil has high level of maturity.
