The Jurassic coals of the Junggar and Turpan|Hami basins, Xinjiang, China, are characterized by abundant vitrinite. Microscopic analysis of Junggar coal samples indicates that they contain desmocollinite and hydrogen|rich vitrinite with a low reflectivity. The hydrocarbon|generating potential of various macerals follows the decreasing order of exinite>vitrinite>inertinite. However, desmocollinite is a principal maceral for hydrocarbon generation in this area because the content of vitrinite is higher than that of exinite. Data from simulating experiments and infrared spectra show that the hydrocarbon|generating process occurred primarily at the lower|mature stage in the Middle|Lower Jurassic coal measures. Generally, crude oil from the Qigu oilfield has a close similarity in hopanoid distribution to the vitrinite and exinite from the Jurassic strata with C 23 |C 32 pentacyclic triterpanes and γ |lupane being present. The distribution of steranes is also similar. C 29 |sitostane is dominant and C 27 ergostane is subordinate. Only a trace amount of cholestane is present. All this suggests that the crude oil from the Qigu oilfield was derived from Jurassic coal measures. The Jurassic coals of the Junggar and Turpan | Hami basins, Xinjiang, China, are characterized by abundant vitrinite. Microscopic analysis of Junggar coal samples indicates that they contain desmocollinite and hydrogen | rich vitrinite with a low reflectivity. The hydrocarbon | generating potential of various macerals follows the decreasing order of exinite> vitrinite> inertinite. However, desmocollinite is a principal maceral for hydrocarbon generation in this area because the content of vitrinite is higher than that of exinite. Data from simulating experiments and infrared spectra show that the hydrocarbon | generating process primarily primarily at the lower | mature stage in the Middle | Lower Jurassic coal measures. Generally, crude oil from the Qigu oilfield has a close similarity in hopanoid distribution to the vitrinite and exinite from the Jurassic strata with C 23 | C 32 pentacyclic triterpanes and γ | lupane being present. The distribution of steranes is also sim C 29 | sitostane is dominant and C 27 ergostane is subordinate. Only a trace amount of cholestane is present. All this suggests that the crude oil from the Qigu oilfield was derived from Jurassic coal measures.