Evolution of a hydrodynamic field and its effect on hydrocarbon accumulation in the Biyang depression, Henan province

The hydro-geologic stages in the Biyang Depression, Henan Province, were defined and factors controlling the evolution of the hydrodynamic field in this area were analyzed. The evolution of the paleo-hydrodynamic field was studied by using the method of sedimentary-water-head and the changing patterns of the present hydrodynamic field as determined from measured pressure data. The results show that the evolution of the hydrodynamic field is one of inheritance and that it controls hydrocarbon accumulation. The deposition center in the southeast of the depression is always a high-value zone for water-head and a dynamic- source zone of the hydrodynamic field. The slope zone in the northwest of the depression is always a low-value zone for water-head and is the main discharge area for groundwater; this is the hydrocarbon accumulation zone. Hydrocarbon accumulation is controlled by the hydrodynamic field. The reservoir shows a ring-shaped horizontal pattern. Accumulation occurs in a pressure equilibrium zone at the frontal surface between sedimentary water and infiltrating water. The hydrocarbon accumulations occur in two vertically different discharge units, Eh31 and Eh32, under the action of overpressure.

Oil and gas resource potential of the lower members of E_(h3) in the lower Tertiary of the Biyang Depression, China

The lower Tertiary Eh3 is divided into two sections： the upper members of Eh3 and the lower members of Eh3 in the Biyang Depression. The first section is generally regarded as a key target of oil and gas exploration, but the resource potential of the lower members of Eh3 has been neglected. We have obtained new knowledge about Eh3 from comprehensive geological research. The lower members of Eh3 are high-quality and main source rocks, which have good oil and gas resource potential. This is a new direction for oil and gas exploration. The geochemistry characteristics of source rocks of the lower members of Eh3 in the lower Tertiary of the Biyang Depression were analyzed in detail. A basin modeling method was applied to hydrocarbon generation of the lower and upper members of Eh3 source rocks, the oil and gas resource potential was comparatively analyzed, and then favorable tectonic zones were pointed out. In the lower members of Eh3, a set of semi-deep lake to deep lake high-quality source rocks occurs rich in algae organisms, mainly of type II1, with a high abundance of organic matter. Most of the source rocks are just in the peak stage of hydrocarbon generation, which is a favorable foundation for forming abundant oil and gas resources in the Biyang Depression. The comparative analysis of the hydrocarbon- generation quantities between lower and upper members of the Eh3 source rocks shows that the lower members of Eh3 have good oil and gas resource potential, and the hydrocarbon-generation quantity accounts for 51% of the total in Eh3. Specifically, the oil-generating quantity accounts for 50% of the total and the gas-generating quantity accounts for two thirds of the total. Therefore, source rocks in the lower members of Eh3 of the Biyang Depression have good oil and gas resource potential, which is a key factor for future deep oil and gas exploration.

Influence of shale reservoir properties on shale oil mobility and its mechanism

Given the tremendous potential for continental shale oil in China,many oilfields in the central and eastern parts of the country are involved in the exploration and development of shale oil resources.Besides engineering factors,shale oil mobility is the key to determining its commercial viability.This study explores the Hetaoyuan Formation in the Biyang Depression as an example to determine the influence of reservoir properties on the movable oil volume and its mechanisms.Multiple techniques were used,including displacement nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),low-temperature nitrogen adsorption(LTNA),X-ray diffraction(XRD)bulk mineral analysis,and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and the results suggest that large average pore diameter,high throat to pore ratio,single pore morphology,and small specific surface area can weaken the boundary layer effect and reduce the amount of adsorbed oil.Our observations reveal that compared to the dissolution pores and intergranular pores in brittle minerals,the intercrystalline pores in terrigenous clastic clay minerals are more affected by compaction.Furthermore,authigenic clay minerals notably block the intergranular pores in the interbedded sandstones.Clay minerals are identified as the main contributor to the specific surface area,with high clay mineral content enhancing the pore heterogeneity of the reservoir.Thus,positive shale oil mobility occurs in shale with a weak boundary layer effect,which is attributed to the high brittle mineral content,large average pore diameter,small specific surface area,single pore morphology,and reservoir homogeneity.