Molecular characteristics of extreme biodegradation influence were illustrated. Pregnanes, tricyclic terpanes are degraded before non-hopane pentacyclic terpanes. 25-norhopanes and demethylated tri- and tetracyclic terpanes are biodegradable. C29 25-norhopane and C23 17-nortetracyclic terpane are most resistant components. Post extreme biodegradation influence can be differentiated at 4 levels.