The relatiouship between posen colour and the degree of maturity of organic material is discussed with regard to petroleum formation and evolution as typified by Daqing oil field in Cretaceous system, central Songliao basin, Northeast China. Colour variation of pollen is considered as a function of sedimentary environment and metamorphism. Pollen colour is divided into seven grades and the degree of metamorphism is studied in terms of this colour index. Results show that the pollen colonr index of the strata at depth of 1000-3000m (stratigraphieally from the first section of Liangjiang formation to the upper Quantou formation) ranges from 2.5 to 5, corresponding to an ancient temperature of 60--140℃. This is the most.optimum strata for oil-generation. Strata beneath the lower Quantou formation under 3000 m with colour index in excess of 5 and ancient temperature of over 140℃ should be favorable for gas accumulation. For strata at shallower depth than 100O m, stratigraphically above the second section of Liengjiang formation, which is characterized by a colour index of 1--1.5 and a temperature of lower than 600℃, the maturity degree is lower than that necessary for oil-generation.
