Source Rocks for the Giant Puguang Gas Field,Sichuan Basin:Implication for Petroleum Exploration in Marine Sequences in South China

Detailed geochemistry studies were conducted to investigate the origin of solid bitumens and hydrocarbon gases in the giant Puguang gas field. Two types of solid bitumens were recognized： low sulfur content, low reflectance （LSLR） solid bitumens in sandstone reservoirs in the Xujiahe Formation and high sulfur content, high reflectance （HSHR） solid bitumens in the carbonate reservoirs in the Lower Triassic Feixianguan and Upper Permian Changxing formations. Solid bitumens in the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation correlate well with extracts from the Upper Triassic to Jurassic nonmarine source rocks in isotopic composition of the saturated and aromatic fractions and biomarker distribution. Solid bitumens in the Feixianguan and Changxing formations are distinctly different from extracts from the Cambrian and Silurian rocks but display reasonable correlation with extracts from the Upper Permian source rocks both in isotopic composition of the saturated and aromatic fractions and in biomarker distribution, suggesting that the Permian especially the Upper Permian Longtan Formation was the main source of solid bitumens in the carbonate reservoirs in the Feixianguan and Changxing formations in the Puguang gas field. Chemical and isotopic composition of natural gases indicates that the majority of hydrocarbon gases originated from sapropelic organic matter and was the products of thermal cracking of accumulated oils. This study indicates that source rock dominated by sapropelic organic matter existed in the Upper Permian and had made major contribution to the giant Puguang gas field, which has important implication for petroleum exploration in marine sequences in South China.

Accumulation Mechanisms and Evolution History of the Giant Puguang Gas Field,Sichuan Basin,China

Solid bitumens were found throughout the carbonate reservoirs in the Puguang gas field, the largest gas field so far found in marine carbonates in China, confirming that the Puguang gas field evolved from a paleo-oil reservoir. The fluid conduit system at the time of intensive oil accumulation in the field was reconstructed, and petroleum migration pathways were modeled using a 3-D model and traced by geochemical parameters. The forward modeling and inversion tracing coincided with each other and both indicated that oils accumulated in the Puguang-Dongyuezhai structure originated from a generative kitchen to the northwest of the Puguang gas field. The deposition of organic-rich Upper Permian source rocks dominated by sapropelic organic matter in the Northeast Sichuan Basin, the development of fluid conduit system that was vertically near-source rock and laterally near-generative kitchen, and the focusing of oils originated from a large area of the generative kitchen, were the three requirements for the formation of the giant paleo-oil reservoir from which the giant Puguang gas field evolved. The Puguang gas field had experienced a three-stage evolution. The post-accumulation processes, especially the organic-inorganic interaction in the hydrocarbon-water-rock system, had not only profoundly altered the composition and characteristics of the petroleum fluids, but also obviously changed the physicochemical conditions in the reservoir and resulted in complicated precipitation and solution of carbonate minerals.

Diagenesis and Restructuring Mechanism of Oil and Gas Reservoir in the Marine Carbonate Formation,Northeastern Sichuan:A Case Study of the Puguang Gas Reservoir

Based on the technology of balanced cross-section and physical simulation experiments associated with natural gas geochemical characteristic analyses, core and thin section observations, it has been proven that the Puguang gas reservoir has experienced two periods of diagenesis and restructuring since the Late Indo-Chinese epoch. One is the fluid transfer controlled by the tectonic movement and the other is geochemical reconstruction controlled by thermochemical sulfate reduction （TSR）. The middle Yanshan epoch was the main period that the Puguang gas reservoir experienced the geochemical reaction of TSR. TSR can recreate the fluid in the gas reservoir, which makes the gas drying index higher and carbon isotope heavier because C2＋ （ethane and heavy hydrocarbon） and 12C （carbon 12 isotope） is first consumed relative to CH4 and 13C （carbon 13 isotope）. However, the reciprocity between fluid regarding TSR （hydrocarbon, sulfureted hydrogen （H2S）, and water） and reservoir rock results in reservoir rock erosion and anhydrite alteration, which increases porosity in reservoir, thereby improving the petrophysical properties. Superimposed by later tectonic movement, the fluid in Puguang reservoir has twice experienced adjustment, one in the late Yanshan epoch to the early Himalayan epoch and the other time in late Himalayan epoch, after which Puguang gas reservoir is finally developed.

Porosity Formation and Evolution of the Deeply Buried Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation, Puguang Gas Field, NE Sichuan Basin, China

The deeply buried shoal dolomite reservoirs of the Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation, giant Puguang Gas Field, NE Sichuan Basin, are exceptionally porous. The influences of diageneses on pore evolution are studied. Through petrologic investigation, diagenetic phases are divided into four stages, i.e., near-surface, pre-oil window, oil window, and gas window. The Adobe Photoshop system is used to quantify the rock texture components, porosity constitutions and the influences of diageneses on reservoir porosity. Porosity evolution curves are quantitatively recovered. The Feixianguan reservoir porosities are mainly created by early meteoric dissolution, dolomitization, and organic acids dissolution. Dissolution during deep burial is insignificant. Pores are formed in near-surface and pre-oil window stages and effectively preserved till present. This result may be of great significance to the further exploration of deeply buried carbonate reservoirs not only in NE Sichuan Basin, but also around the world.

The formation mechanism of high-quality dolomite reservoir in the deep of Puguang Gas Field

The discovery of Puguang Gas Field provides the exploration of China deep marine carbonate rock with important references.In Puguang Gas Field,the dolomite reservoirs discovered in the deep are the best in the present of China,which present big thickness and wide-range distribution,and develop abundant secondary porosity.The researches show that Puguang Gas Field bears the characteristics of early gas-filling time,deep burial,high matured organic matter and long-term interaction of hydrocarbon(oil and gas)-water-rock(carbonate reservoir).The developments of secondary pores in this area are affected by multiple diagenesis and their formation mechanisms are complicated.Through the research on depositional environment,sedimentary facies and reservoir porosity characters of Changxing and Feixianguan Formations,it is thought that high-quality dolomite reservoirs of Puguang Gas Field form on the favorable sedimentary facies belts,which are the integrate result affected by several factors including superficial corrosion,burial corrosion,overpressure and tectonic movement,among which burial corrosion of TSR to reservoir and overpressure formed by thermal evolution of organic matter have great effect on the formation of secondary porosity of Changxing and Feixianguan Formations.

Characteristics and genesis of the Feixianguan Formation oolitic shoal reservoir, Puguang gas field, Sichuan Basin, China

The Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation at the well-known Puguang gasfield in the northeastern Sichuan Basin of southwest China produces a representa- tive oolitic reservoir, which has been the biggest marinesourced gasfield so far in China （discovered in 2003 with proven gas reserves greater than 350× 10^8 m3）. This study combines core, thin section, and scanning electron microscopy observations, and geochemical analysis （C, O, and Sr isotopes） in order to investigate the basic characteristics and formation mechanisms of the reservoir. Observations indicate that platform margin oolitic dolomites are the most important reservoir rocks. Porosity is dominated by intergranular and intragranular solution, and moldic pore. The dolomites are characterized by medium porosity and permeability, averaging at approximately 9% and 29.7 mD, respectively. ^87Sr/^86Sr （0.707536-0.707934） and δ^13CpDB （1.8 ‰--3.5 ‰） isotopic values indicate that the dolomitization fluid is predominantly concentrated seawater by evaporation, and the main mechanism for the oolitic dolomite formation is seepage reflux at an early stage of eodiagenesis. Both sedimentation and diagenesis （e.g., dolomitization and dissolution） have led to the formation of high-quality rocks to different degrees. Dolomite formation may have little contribution, karst may have had both positive and negative influences, and burial dissolution-TSR （thermochemical sulfate reduction） may not impact widely. The preservation of primary intergranular pores and dissolution by meteoric or mixed waters at the early stage of eogenesis are the main influences. This study may assist oil and gas explorationactivities in the Puguang area and in other areas withdolomitic reservoirs.

Paleogeothermal Reconstruction and Thermal Evolution Modeling of Source Rocks in the Puguang Gas Field, Northeastern Sichuan Basin

The thermal history and organic matter maturity evolution of the source rocks of boreholes in the Puguang gas field were reconstructed. An integrated approach based on vitrinite reflectance and apatite fission track data was used in the reconstruction. Accordingly, the geothermal conditions of gas accumulation were discussed in terms of the geological features of reservoirs in the northeastern Sichuan Basin. The strata reached their maximum burial depth in the Late Cretaceous era and were then uplifted and denuded continuously to the present day. The geothermal gradient and heat flow in the Late Cretaceous era were approximately 30.0 °C/km and 66 mW/m2, respectively, which were both higher than those at present. The tectonothermal evolution from the Late Cretaceous era to the present is characterized by denudation and cooling processes with an erosion thickness of2.7 km. In addition to the Triassic era, the Jurassic era represents an important hydrocarbon generation period for both Silurian and Permian source rocks, and the organic matter maturity of these source rocks entered into a dry gas period after oil generation. The thermal conditions are advantageous to the accumulation of conventional and unconventional gas because the hydrocarbon generation process of the source rocks occurs after the formation of an effective reservoir cap. In particular, the high geothermal gradient and increasing temperature before the denudation in the Late Cretaceous era facilitated the generation of hydrocarbons, and the subsequent cooling process favored its storage.

Characteristics and origin of a new type of polyhalite potassium ore in the Lower Triassic Jialingjiang Formation, Puguang area, northeastern Sichuan Basin, SW China

A new type of polyhalite potassium ore(NTPPO) was found in the Lower Triassic Jialingjiang Formation, NE Sichuan Basin, SW China. It is water soluble, therefore can be exploited using the water-solution method, and is of great potential of economic value and research significance. Based on cores, thin sections, energy spectrum and SEM analyses, its microfeatures, macrofeatures and origin are discussed, and a genetic model is established to provide a scientific basis for future evaluation, prediction and exploration of potassium ore in the Sichuan Basin. It is proposed that the NTPPO was caused by storm activities:(1) the storm broke the original sedimentary polyhalite–gypsum beds, whose fragments were transported into the salt basin with high content of K+ and Mg2+;(2) in the basin, the polyhalite continued to be formed from gypsum by metasomatism with K-and Mg-rich brine;(3) during diagenesis, under high temperature and high pressure, K–Mg-rich brine from halite continued to replace anhydrite(or gypsum) to form polyhalite.

Reserve and Pressure Change of Paleo-oil Reservoir in Puguang Area, Sichuan Basin

The Puguang （普光） gas field is the largest gas field found in marine carbonates in China. The Feixianguan （飞仙关） and Changxing （长兴） reservoirs are two such reservoirs that had been buried to a depth of about 7 000 m and experienced maximum temperature of up to 220 ℃ before uplift to the present-day depth of 5 000-5 500 m, with present-day thermal maturity between 2.0% and 3.0% equivalent vitrinite reflectance （Ro）. Bitumen staining is ubiquitous throughout the Feixianguan and Changxing formations, with the greatest concentrations in zones with the highest porosity and permeability, suggesting that the solid bitumen is the result of in-situ cracking of oil. According to the distribution of bitumen in the core, the paleo-oil boundary can be approximately determined. The paleo-oil resource is calculated to be about （0.61-0.92） × 10^9 t （average 0.76 × 10^9 t）, and the cracked gas volume is about （380.80-595.80） × 10^9 m^3 （average 488.30 × 10^9 m^3）; at least 58.74% of cracked gas is preserved in Puguang gas field. The study area experienced not only the cracking of oil but also thermochemical sulfate reduction, resulting in large quantities of nonhydrocarbon gas, with about 15.2% H2S and 8.3% CO2, together with the structural reconfiguration. During the whole process, the great change of volume and pressure compels the PVTsim modeling software to simulate various factors, such as the cracking of oil, the thermochemical sulfate reduction （TSR） and the tectonic uplift in both isolated and open geological conditions, respectively. The results show that although any one of these factors may induce greater pressure changes in an isolated system than in a closed system, the oil cracking and C3＋ involving TSR lead to overpressure during the early stage of gas reservoir. Therefore, the tectonic uplift and the methane-dominated TSR, as well as the semi-open system contribute to the reducing pressure resulting in the current normal formation pressure.

Paleo-oil-Water Contact and Present-Day Gas-Water Contact:Implication for Evolution History of Puguang Gas Field, Sichuan Basin, China

The Puguang （普光） gas field is the largest gas field found in marine carbonate in China. The Puguang gas field experienced complicated evolution history from paleo-oil pool to gas pool. The purpose of this article is to reveal the evolution history of Puguang gas field through systematic study on the relationship between paleo-oil-water contact （POWC） and present-day gas-water contact （PGWC）. POWC was recognized by observing the change of relative content of residual solid bitumen in the cores, and PGWC was observed using log and drilling stem test data. Two types of relationship between POWC and PGWC were observed in the Puguang gas field： POWC is above PGWC, and POWC is below PGWC. The former is normal as oil cracking may cause gas-water contact to move downward. The latter can be interpreted by lateral gas re-migration and re-accumulation caused by changes in structural configuration. The relationship between POWC and PGWC suggests that during oil charge, the southwestern and northwestern parts of the Puguang gas field were structurally lower than the northeastern and southeastern parts. Thrusting from Xuefengshan （雪峰山） since Yanshanian movement and from Dabashan （大巴山） since Himalayan movement resulted in the relative uplift of the southwestern and northwestern parts of the Puguang structure, which significantly changed the structural configuration. Based on the paleo-structure discussed in this article, the most probable migration directions of paleo-oil were from the northwest to the southeast and from the southwest to the northeast. Consequently, the evolution history of the Puguang gas field can be divided into three stages, namely,oil charging （200-170 Ma）, cracking oil to gas （155-120 Ma）, and gas pool adjustment （12-0 Ma）.

The controlling factors of oil and gas charging and accumulation of Puguang gas field in the Sichuan Basin

Combined with oil and gas transport and accumulation, structure-lithology evolution history, and with geochemistry and synthesizing geology methods, this paper studies the oil and gas discharge history of Puguang large scale gas field and the main controlling factors of oil accumulation. The natural gas in Puguang gas field is mainly coal-derived gas and oil-racked gas. The main hydrocarbon is Upper Permian coal mudstone and Lower Silurian mud shale with organic material. Puguang gas field has gone through discharge and adjustment 3 times, and it has favorable palaeostructure location, high quality dredge and effectively conserving conditions.

High density methane inclusions in Puguang Gasfield:Discovery and a T-P genetic study

Based on measurement of homogenization temperature of inclusions and Raman spectral analysis, high density methane inclusions were discovered in the Triassic reservoirs of Puguang Gasfield. The methane inclusions show a homogenization temperature Th = -117.5― -118.1℃, a corresponding density of 0.3455―0.3477 g/cm3, and a Raman scatter peak v1 shift varying between 2911―2910 cm-1, which signifies a very high density of methane inclusions. The salt water inclusions paragenetic with methane inclusions show a homogenization temperature Th=170―180℃. Based on the composition of methane inclusions as determined by Raman spectra, PVTsim software was used to simulate the trapping pressure for high density methane inclusions in geologic history, and the trapping pressure was found to be as high as 153―160 MPa. Even though Puguang Gasfield is currently a gas pool of normal pressure, and the fluid pressure for the gas pool ranges between 56―65 MPa. However, data from this study indicates that remarkable overpressure may be generated at the stage of mass production of gas cracked from oils in Cretaceous, as high density methane inclusions constitute key evidence for overpressure in gas pool in geologic history. Meanwhile, discovery of small amounts of H2S, CO2 or heavy hydrocarbon in part of the high density methane inclusions indicates that the geochemical environment for trapping of inclusions may be related to formation of H2S. Therefore, the observation results can help to explore the thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) conditions for oil cracking and H2S formation.

川东北宣汉地区海相“新型杂卤石钾盐矿”的发现、突破与前景

全球探明钾盐资源主体为古代海相可溶性固体钾盐矿床(氯化钾、光卤石),仅少量来自现代盐湖卤水钾矿。与国外不同的是,目前我国探明钾盐资源主体为现代陆相盐湖钾矿,古代海相可溶性固体钾盐找矿40余年,未获突破。四川盆地是我国主要大型海相成钾盆地之一,前人在中—下三叠统发现大量与硬石膏和白云石共伴生或互层的杂卤石,但绝大部分埋深超过2000 m,目前尚难以开发利用。2017年以来,笔者通过对四川盆地东北部宣汉盐盆普光地区卤水探井(恒成2、3井)岩芯复查,发现杂卤石主要与石盐共伴生,大量破碎的杂卤石碎屑颗粒分布于石盐基质中,KCl含量达边界工业品位以上,不同于钾石盐和光卤石,亦不同于前人发现的与硬石膏和白云石共伴生或互层的杂卤石(石膏型杂卤石),将之命名为“新型杂卤石钾盐矿”。小试和中试结果表明,该“新型杂卤石钾盐矿”可以采用对接井注水溶采,是能够得到规模化开发利用的“活矿”,是一种全新的硫酸盐+氯化物复合型海相可溶性固体钾盐矿床新类型。通过成钾条件、成矿规律综合研究,笔者提出了新型杂卤石钾盐矿“双控复合成矿”理论新认识、建立了“三高、两低、一大”综合测井识别新模型,创新理论技术指导设计部署“钾锂兼探”基准井——川宣地1井,探获厚29.46 m、氯化钾(KCl)平均含量12.03%(最高20.5%)的“新型杂卤石钾盐矿”厚层高品位工业矿层。与此同时,采用岩芯样品实测数据和测井解释数据拟合的方法,建立矿石K含量和密度参数的测井定量预测模型,结合“气钾兼探”,利用33口钻井数据,依据古代固体盐类勘查规范(2020),运用“几何法”,初步估算“新型杂卤石钾盐矿”氯化钾(KCl)资源规模:推断资源量2.45亿t(超大型)、潜在资源4.65亿t,合计7.1亿t,奠定了川东北达州市宣汉地区形成中国首个亿吨级海相钾盐基地的资源基础,取得了我国海相可溶性固体钾盐找矿的重大突破。

普光地区侏罗系大安寨段湖相混积岩储层特征及成因

四川盆地侏罗系自流井组大安寨段是重要的陆相致密气勘探层系之一。基于野外露头与岩心宏观观察、薄片鉴定、X衍射及储层物性质等分析测试数据,证实普光地区大安寨段混积岩储层规模发育。研究结果表明:1)大安寨段混积岩储层岩性可划分为黏土质混积岩、砂质混积岩和灰质混积岩等3种主要类型;2)储集空间类型以晶间(溶)孔、无机孔、壳缘缝及微裂缝为主;3)混积岩储层主要发育在浅湖—半深湖相区,受湖平面波动、地形坡度与风暴、重力流的共同控制,是相混合与间断混合沉积的产物。

普光地区千佛崖组致密砂岩-页岩气藏开发技术对策

普光地区侏罗系千佛崖组致密砂岩-页岩气藏为纵向叠合气藏,储层非均质性强,纵横向上储层特征和储集性能差异大,气藏开发潜力不明确,尚未形成开发井型、井网、井距等配套开发技术对策;且砂岩气藏与页岩气藏压力系统、气体运动方式不同,利用常规水平井压裂方式合层开采必定导致层间干扰和多余能耗,亟需采用最优开发方式。为此,文中参考鄂尔多斯盆地致密砂岩气藏水平井井位优选标准和四川盆地页岩气开发井型,根据储层展布特征,结合水平井与直井产能对比分析,优选水平井作为致密砂岩-页岩气藏的开发井型;采用类比法、经济评价法、单井产能法等,确定水平井水平段长度和合理井距;根据气藏特征,并借鉴同类气藏开发经验评价单井生产指标;在此基础上开展井位部署,评价气藏开发潜力。结果表明,采用2套井网分别开发千佛崖组致密砂岩气藏和页岩气藏,可建成年产能6.5×108 m3,这为普光地区千佛崖组致密砂岩-页岩气藏合理开发提供了有力支撑。

InSAR技术在普光气田地质灾害调查中的应用

普光气田高含硫化氢的集输管道经常需穿越一些地形地质条件复杂区域,这些地区通常又是地质灾害的高发区,不同类型的地质灾害威胁着管道的安全运行。通过雷达卫星数据对普光气田集输站场和集输管道周边滑坡进行了地表形变探测,共探测出32处地质灾害点;结合光学遥感影像目视解释和现场勘查^([1]),对普光气田103集气站南侧、胡家阀室、毛坝1井—1#阀室管线西侧共3处典型滑坡形变特征进行了详细分析。结果显示,该区域地质灾害变形速率受降雨的影响较大。调查结果能够对普光气田地质灾害防控工作提供重要的决策依据。

普光地区下三叠统富锂钾卤水成因与分布规律

通过对普光地区钻孔卤水和油田水水化学分析测试,开展离子比例研究,明确嘉陵江组和飞仙关组各亚段卤水的成因机制和分布规律。研究结果表明:嘉陵江组卤水K^(+)质量浓度在4060.00~20160.00 mg/L,Li^(+)质量浓度在26.00~271.00 mg/L,整体为海水浓缩特征。嘉四段—嘉五段卤水K^(+)质量浓度在4110.00~20160.00 mg/L,Li^(+)质量浓度在76.15~271.00 mg/L,Li^(+),K^(+)富集受海水蒸发浓缩、“绿豆岩”风化作用和淋滤作用主控;嘉二段卤水K^(+)质量浓度在4060.00~4140.00 mg/L,Li^(+)质量浓度在26.00~27.80 mg/L,受海水蒸发浓缩及膏盐溶解主控。飞仙关组卤水K^(+)质量浓度在6.13~650.00 mg/L,Li^(+)质量浓度在0.02~50.60 mg/L,整体为地下溶滤特征。飞三段—飞四段卤水K^(+)质量浓度在588.00~650.00 mg/L,Li^(+)质量浓度在40.40~50.60 mg/L,Li^(+),K^(+)富集受膏岩等围岩溶滤和嘉陵江组卤水运移主控;飞一段—飞二段卤水K^(+)质量浓度在6.13~478.00 mg/L,Li^(+)质量浓度在0.02~17.90 mg/L,由地层水对碳酸盐岩溶解主控。富锂钾卤水平面上主要分布在大湾-土主构造及其构造作用中等的翼部。

基于普光地区嘉二段储层模型正演的地震响应特征研究

川东北地区嘉陵江组储层主要分布在嘉二段,厚度较薄,孔隙度及渗透率普遍较低,储层与围岩地球物理特征关系复杂,直接预测储层存在较大的难度。根据嘉二段储层地质特征,结合不同类储层测井与地震响应特征,建立了其正演模型。研究结果表明,嘉二段储层测井特征以较低密度、较高速、较高阻抗、较低伽马和较高孔隙度为主,储层速度与阻抗大于石膏与灰岩而小于白云岩,储层密度小于石膏与白云岩而大于灰岩。嘉二段储层正演模型主要包括单套储层模型、多套储层模型与楔状储层模型。单套储层模型中,储层厚度超过22 m时,其储层顶部反射出现增强;多套储层模型中,厚度小于9 m的储层在正演剖面上无明显反射特征;楔状储层模型中,厚度超过13 m的储层在正演剖面上随着储层厚度的增加顶部反射逐渐增强。

普光主体南部区块海相地层安全优快钻井技术实践

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