The recently developed isotope type-curve technique for oil/oil and oil/source rock correlation is based on the determination of the carbon isotope ratios of different crude oil fractions. This method can be used for the identification of bacterial oxidation of crude oils and might be useful in controlling the rate of degradation after environmental catastrophes such as oil spills. Laboratory experiments show the change in compositional and isotopic data of a crude oil and of gases which are dissolved in the oil under attack. The results are in agreement with geochemical data of naturally degraded crude oils.

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