High-precision geochronology of the Early Cretaceous Yingcheng Formation and its stratigraphic implications for Songliao Basin,China

The Songliao Basin in Northeast Asia is the largest and longest-lived rift basin and preserves a nearcontinuous continental succession of the most of the Cretaceous period,providing great material to investigate the adaption of the terrestrial systems to the Cretaceous greenhouse climate and tectonic events.However,the paucity of precise and accurate radioisotopic ages from the Early Cretaceous strata of the Songliao Basin has greatly held back the temporal and causal correlation of the continental records to the global Early Cretaceous records.Three tuff layers intercalated in the Yingcheng Formation have been intercepted by the SK-2 borehole,which offer excellent materials for radioisotopic dating and calibration of the chronostratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous sequence of Songliao Basin.Moreover,the Yingcheng Formation recorded the largest and the last of the two major volcanic events in Songliao Basin,which also represents a turning point in the basin evolution history of Songliao from syn-rift stage to post-rift stage.Here we report high-precision U–Pb zircon geochronology by the CA-ID-TIMS technique on three tuff samples from the Yingcheng Formation of the SK-2 borehole in the Songliao Basin to construct a greatly improved,absolute age framework for the Yingcheng Formation and provide crucial age constraints for the Songliao Lower Cretaceous Strata.The new CA-ID-TIMS geochronology constrained the Yingcheng Formation at 102.571+0.320/-2.346 Ma to ca.113 Ma,correlating to the Albian Stage.Combined with the previous published Songliao geochronology,the Quantou Formation is constrained to between 96.442+0.475/-0.086 Ma and 91.923+0.475/-0.086 Ma;the Denglouku Formation is constrained to between 102.571+0.320/-2.346 Ma and 96.442+0.475/-0.086 Ma;the age of the Shahezi Formation is estimated at ca.113 Ma to ca.118 Ma,which could extend to ca.125 Ma in some locations in Songliao Basin.The major unconformity between the Yingcheng Formation and the Denglouku Formation,which represents the transition of the basin from syn-rift to post-rift is thus confined to between 102.571+0.320/-2.346 Ma and 96.442+0.475/-0.086 Ma.This is roughly contemporaneous with the change in the direction of the paleo-Pacific plate motion from west-southwest to north or northwest in mid-Cretaceous,suggesting their possible connections.

The Identification and Modeling of the Volcanic Weathering Crust in the Yingcheng Formation of the Xujiaweizi Fault Depression, Songliao Basin

Through the analysis of core descriptions, well-logs, seismic data, geochemical data and structural settings of the volcanic rock of the Yingcheng Formation in the Xujiaweizi fault depression, Songliao Basin, and the geological section of the Yingcheng Formation in the southeast uplift area, this work determined the existence of volcanic weathering crust exists in the study area. The identification marks on the volcanic weathering crust can be recognized on the scale of core, logging, seismic, geochemistry, etc. In the study area, the structure of this crust is divided into clay layer, leached zone, fracture zone and host rocks, which are 5-118 m thick （averaging 27.5 m）. The lithology of the weathering crust includes basalt, andesite, rhyolite and volcanic breccia, and the lithofacies are igneous effusive and extrusive facies. The volcanic weathering crusts are clustered together in the Dashen zone and the middle of the Xuzhong zone, whereas in the Shengshen zone and other parts of the Xuzhong zone, they have a relatively scattered distribution. It is a major volcanic reservoir bed, which covers an area of 2104.16 km2. According to the geotectonic setting of the Songliao Basin, the formation process of the weathering crust is complete. Combining the macroscopic and microscopic features of the weathering crust of the Yingcheng Formation in Xujiaweizi with the logging and three-dimensional seismic sections, we established a developmental model of the paleo uplift and a developmental model of the slope belt that coexists with the sag on the Xujiaweizi volcanic weathering crust. In addition, the relationship between the volcanic weathering crust and the formation and distribution of the oil/gas reservoir is discussed.

Development features of volcanic rocks of the Yingcheng Formation and their relationship with fault structure in the Xujiaweizi Fault Depression,Songliao Basin,China

The Xujiaweizi Fault Depression is located in the northern Songliao Basin,Northeast China.The exploration results show that the most favorable natural gas reservoirs are in the volcanic rocks of the Yingcheng Formation（K 1 yc）.Based on seismic interpretation,drill cores and the results of previous research,we analyzed the distribution of faults and the thickness of volcanic rocks in different periods of K 1 yc,and studied the relationship of volcanic activities and main faults.Volcanic rocks were formed in the Yingcheng period when the magma erupted along pre-existing fault zones.The volcanic activities strongly eroded the faults during the eruption process,which resulted in the structural traces in the seismic section being diffuse and unclear.The tectonic activities weakened in the study area in the depression stage.The analysis of seismic interpretation,thin section microscopy and drill cores revealed that a large number of fractures generated in the volcanic rocks were affected by later continued weak tectonic activities,which greatly improved the physical properties of volcanic reservoirs,and made the volcanic rocks of K 1 yc be favorable natural gas reservoirs.The above conclusions provide the basis to better understand the relationship of the volcanic rock distribution and faults,the mechanism of volcanic eruption and the formation of natural gas reservoirs in volcanic rocks.

Architecture of volcanic sequence and its structural control of Yingcheng Formation in Songliao Basin

Yingcheng Formation is a set of volcanic strata composed of lava rocks,volcanic clastic rocks and sedimentary rocks,filled in some fault depressions in Songliao Basin,early Cretaceous.The study about litho-facies succession of Yingcheng Formation in the outcropped area of the southeast margin and in Xujiaweizi fault depression and its distribution based on analysis of seismic data,shows that the sequence of volcanic strata is quite different from the clastic sedimentary sequence.To study the architecture of volcanic sequence and its structural control of Yingcheng Formation in Songliao Basin,in this work,dividing of the volcanic sequence and dating of the sequence boundaries were finished firstly,then displacement and displacement rate of faults were calculated.The results show that,sample ages of top of the first member,the seconde member,and the third member are 127 Ma,115 Ma,110.7 Ma,respectively and sample age of the bottom of the third member is 114.7 Ma.The maximum displacement and displacement rate of the fault 1 are 3 km and 300 m/Ma,respectively,and those of the fault 2 are 3 km and 1000 m/Ma.Studies suggest that,the cooling unit of lava rock or pyroclastic rock is a basic genetic stratigraphic unit in volcanic sequence stratigraphy.Cooling units can construct a parasequence reflecting a volcanic eruption stage.A sequence was superimposed by some parasequences,responding to a volcanic active cycle.There are three types of volcanic sequences in Yingcheng Formation: type of explosion,type of effusion and type of mixed explosion-effusion.The surface of the volcanic sequence,an unconformity surface widely spread and traced in seismic profiles,is a base for analysis of volcanic sequence.The development of volcanic sequence was controlled by faulting,and the curves of fault displacement(rate)can reflect this control.The preservation of volcanic sequence was controlled by the type of volcanic structure and the regional subsidence,also different from that of the sedimentary.The type of volcanic structure of Xujiaweizi was a volcanic depression during the forming of Yingcheng Formation,and the breakdowns of volcanoes and structural subsidence were key factors in the volcanic sequences preservation.

Controlling factors of high-quality volcanic reservoirs of Yingcheng Formation in the Songnan gas field

Predicting high-quality volcanic reservoirs is one of the key issues for oil and gas exploration in the Songnan gas field.Core,seismic,and measurement data were used to study the lithologies,facies,reservoir porosity,and reservoir types of the volcanic rocks in the Songnan gas field.The primary controlling factors and characteristics of the high-quality volcanic reservoirs of the Yingcheng Formation in the Songnan gas field were investigated,including the volcanic eruptive stage,edifice,edifice facies,cooling unit,lithology,facies,and diagenesis.Stages with more volatile content can form more high-quality reservoirs.The effusive rhyolite,explosive tuff,and tuff lava that formed in the crater,near-crater,and proximal facies and in the high-volatility cooling units of large acidic-lava volcanic edifices are the most favorable locations for the development of the high-quality reservoirs in the Songnan gas field.Diagenesis dissolution,which is controlled by tectonic action,can increase the size of secondary pores in reservoirs.Studying the controlling factors of the high-quality reservoirs can provide a theoretical basis for the prediction and analysis of high-quality volcanic reservoirs.

Chronological and Geochemical Characterisitics of Volcanic Rocks of the Yingcheng Formation in the Southern Songliao Basin: Constraints on the Early Cretaceous Evolution of the Songliao Basin

The discoveries of oil and gas reservoirs in the volcanic rocks of the Songliao Basin(SB) have attracted the attention of many researchers. However, the lack of studies on the genesis of the volcanic rocks has led to different opinions being presented for the genesis of the SB. In order to solve this problem, this study selected the volcanic rocks of the Yingcheng Formation in the Southern Songliao Basin(SSB) as the research object, and determined the genesis and tectonic setting of the volcanic rocks by using LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating and a geochemical analysis method(major elements, trace elements, and Hf isotopes). The volcanic rocks of the Yingcheng Formation are mainly composed of rhyolites with minor dacites and pyroclastic rocks. Our new zircon U-Pb dating results show that these volcanic rocks were erupted in the Early Cretaceous(113–118 Ma). The primary zircons from the rhyolites have εHf(t) values of +4.70 to +12.46 and twostage model age(TDM2) of 876–374 Ma. The geochemical data presented in this study allow these rhyolites to be divided into I-type rhyolites and A-type rhyolites, both of which were formed by the partial melting of the crust. They have SiO2 contents of 71.62 wt.%–75.76 wt.% and Al2 O3 contentsof 10.88 wt.% to 12.92 wt.%. The rhyolites have distinctively higher REE contents than those of ordinary granites, with obvious negative Eu anomalies. The light to heavy REE fractionation is not obvious, and the LaN/YbN(average value = 9.78) is less than 10. The A-type rhyolites depleted in Ba, Sr, P, and Ti, with relatively low Nb/Ta, indicating that the rocks belong A2 subtype granites formed in an extensional environment. The adakitic dacites are characterized by high Sr contents(624 to 1,082 ppm), low Y contents(10.6 to 12.6 ppm), high Sr/Y and Sr/Yb ratios, and low Mg# values(14.77 to 36.46), indicating that they belong to "C" type adakites. The adakitic dacite with high Sr and low Yb were likely generated by partial melting of the lower crust under high pressure conditions at least 40 km depth. The I-type rhyolites with low Sr and high Yb, and the A-type rhyolites with very low Sr and high Yb, were formed in the middle and upper crust under low pressure conditions, respectively. In addition, the formation depths of the former were approximately 30 km, whereas those of the latter were less than 30 km. The geochemical characteristics reveal that the volcanic rocks of Yingcheng Formation were formed in an extensional environment which was related to the retreat of subducted Paleo-Pacific Plate. At the late Early Cretaceous Period, the upwelling of the asthenosphere mantle and the lithosphere delamination caused by the retreat of the subducted Paleo-Pacific Plate, had resulted in lithosheric extension in the eastern part of China. Subsequently, a large area of volcanic rocks had formed. The SB has also been confirmed to be a product of the tectonic stress field in that region.

Diagenesis characteristics and their influence on porosity and permeability of sandstone from Yingcheng Formation in Jinshan field

In order to understand the diagenesis and its influence on porosity and permeability of sandstones from Yingcheng Formation in Jinshan field,applying thin sections,casting and scanning electron microscope,the authors studied petrography,diagenesis,porosity and permeability of Yingcheng Formation sandstone reservoir. The results show that the reservoir of Yingcheng Formation is mainly composed of lithic arkoses. Sandstones experienced compaction,pressolution,cementation,metasomatism and dissolution. The primary pores of the sandstones are undeveloped; most of pores are the secondary pores,which are mainly intragranular dissolution pores in feldspar and debris. The compaction and cementation reduced the primary pores in sandstones,the porosity and permeability decreased; while the dissolution formed the secondary pores,resulting in the porosity and permeability increase. Due to compaction and cementation,the porosity and permeability are reduced with increasing of depth. There exists an abnormal enlargement of porosity and permeability within a depth range 2310--2450 m. In combination with analysis of petrology,the dissolution of feldspar and debris is most developed in the depth range. Therefore,compaction,cementation and dissolution are the important factors which affect the porosity and permeability of sandstones.

Fine Stratigraphic Division of Volcanic Reservoir by Uniting of Well Data and Seismic Data—Taking Volcanic Reservoir of Member One of Yingcheng Formation in Xudong Area of Songliao Basin for an Example

Taking member one of Yingcheng Formation of Cretaceous in Xudong area, Xushen Gas Field of Songliao Basin for an example and aimed at the diachronous problem generally existed in vol- canic reservoir division, firstly advanced the method of two steps and two unites in the researches of volcanic reservoir finely division that guided by the method that sources controlled and founded the stratigraphic trellis. In this process, volcanic edifices and bodies were identified and traced. The results indicated that aimed strata in study areas could be carved up to six layers of YCII1, YCII2, YCII-II, YCIIlI, YCIII2 and YCIIII from the top to the bottom. Analyzing causes and firmly united of well data and seismic data could achieve fine stratigraphic division of volcanic reservoir. Surfaces of layers and volcanic bodies were basically unanimous in side direction. Stratum inclination gradually reduced with the distances increased from craters. The results of volcanic reservoir division had preferable con- sistency with lithologies and volcanic lithofacies and dynamic development data. The researches offered a useful method to stratigraphic division of volcanic reservoir and it had very important significance to effective development of volcanic reservoir in practice.

Petroleum exploration breakthrough and geological significance in Cretaceous Yingcheng and Denglouku formations of Shuangcheng area, northern Songliao Basin, NE China

Based on drilling geological,geochemical,geophysical and production test data,the characteristics of source rocks,reservoir rocks and caprocks,as well as the process of hydrocarbon generation,trap evolution and oil accumulation of the oil-bearing assemblage composed of the Cretaceous Yingcheng Formation(K1yc)and Denglouku Formation(K1d)in the Shuangcheng area,northern Songliao Basin,NE China,were analyzed by using the research methods for petroleum systems.The source rocks mainly exist in K1yc,with the organic matters mainly originated from lower aquatic organisms and algae,and reaching the grade of high-quality source rock in terms of organic abundance.The crude oil,which is characterized by low density,high freezing point and high wax content,is believed to have generated by the K1yc source rocks.The reservoir rocks include K1d sandstones and K1yc glutenites.The mudstone in the fourth member of K1d serves as the direct caprock of the oil reservoir.The oil was generated during the period between Yaojia Formation and Nenjiang Formation,and then accumulated during the periods of Nenjiang Formation and Paleogene–Neogene.The traps evolved in three stages:the late Yingcheng Formation,the late Quantou Formation and the late Nenjiang Formation,forming structural and structural-lithologic reservoirs.It is concluded that good source-reservoir-caprock assemblage,late hydrocarbon charging,short migration distance and stable tectonic setting are favorable factors for the formation of oil reservoirs.

Distributive characteristics of reservoirs and exploration potential associated with intrusive rocks of Yingcheng Formation in Yingtai rift depression, NE China

Petroleum geologists have paid great attentions to the volcanic reservoirs of Songliao Basin in NE Chi- na. There are plenty of subvolcanic rocks in the Songliao Basin accompanying the Early Cretaceous Yingeheng Formation. The logging data show the good reservoir potential of these intrusive rocks but the distribution char- acteristics and formation mechanisms of these reservoirs are not clearly understood. Based on the previous stud- ies by using coring, cuts and logging data of Yingtai rift depression, the reservoirs＇ characteristics of intrusive rocks are presented. There are two types of intrusive rocks namely the syenodiorite-porphyrite and diabase which occur as laccolith and/or sill, both having the characteristics of low gamma and high density with little primary porosity and permeability. The prevalent reservoir porosity is the secondary porosity, such as spongy/cavernous pore, tectonic fracture. The laboratory data of porosity of diabase can reach 6.7%, but the permeability is less than 0.6 x 10-3μm2, median pressure is high, indicating that the pore throat of this kind reservoir is small. The maximum logging porosity is about 12%. The change of porosity does not correlate to the buried depth. It is the major significant differences in the distributive characteristics compared to the normal sedimentary rock reservoirs. Most of intrusive rocks underwent alteration diagenesis whilst some were subjected to precipitation diagenesis. The spongy and cavernous pore can be formed during the alteration processes of plagioclase to illite and pyroxene to chlorite. The secondary porosity is greatly correlated with the alteration intensity of matrix, pla- gioclase and pyroxene. There are pyroxenes and more plagioclases in diabase, which cause the higher alteration intensity than the syenodiorite-porphyrites in the same acid fluid. So the porosity of diabase is higher than that of syenodiorite-porphyrites. The top or/and bottom part of intrusive rocks develop the higher porosity. Because those parts are easy to contact formation fluid, and the shrink fractures give the more surface for reaction be- tween fluid and rock. The porosity of intrusive rocks is same to the volcanic rocks in Yingtai rift depression and Xujiaweizi rift depression which bear the prolific gas. It suggests good reservoir potential. Intrusive rocks are hosted by the dark mudstone which indicates semi-deep and deep lake facies belt.

Early Cretaceous Palynological Assemblages of the Shuangliao Fault Depression, Songliao Basin and their Geological Implications

The pollen and spores found in the Early Cretaceous strata of two cores from the Shuangliao Fault Depression were studied systematically, and two palynological assemblages have been recognized. Assemblage I from the Yingcheng Formation is named Paleoconiferus-Pinuspollenites; the assemblage is characterized by an extremely high content of Paleoconifer pollen. Assemblage II from Member 1 of the Denglouku Formation is named Cicatricosisporites-Cyathidites-Pinuspollenites; the assemblage is characterized by the abundant presence of Laevigati spores, but less Paleoconifer pollen. According to the palynological data and zircon U-Pb dating, the geological age of the Yingcheng Formation is thought to be Aptian-Albian, and that of the Denglouku Formation is thought to be Early Albian. On the basis of the composition of each assemblage, we can infer that during the depositional period of the Yingcheng Formation, the paleovegetation was mainly conifer forest, the paleoclimate was consistent with the temperate climate of today, and the paleoenvironment was humid feature. During the depositional period of Member 1 of the Denglouku Formation, the paleovegetation was mainly conifer forest and shrubs, the paleoclimate was consistent with the subtropical climate of today, and the paleoenvironment was humid. The results significantly improve our understanding of the stratigraphy in the Shuangliao Fault Depression, provide biostratigraphic evidence for the division and correlation of Early Cretaceous strata in the Shuangliao Fault Depression, and provide new data for analyzing paleovegetation and paleoclimate in the Songliao Basin.

Applications of dip angle and coherence attributes to recognition of volcanic edifice in Songliao Basin

On the basis of the shape and inner structure of volcanic edifice,the dip angle and coherence were selected to recognize the buried volcanic edifices in Songliao Basin.Five volcanic edifices were recognized in both two methods in the first volcanic cycle of Yingcheng Formation and the prediction perfectly corresponds to the drilling results in well XS8 area.The results are satisfying when the prediction method were employed in the exploration and development of Qingshen gas field.

Subaquatic volcanic eruptions in continental facies and their influence on high quality source rocks shown by the volcanic rocks of a faulted depression in Northeast China

This paper reports the analysis on cores and rock slices, data on seismic and logging activities, characteristics of core samples, and the paleogeographic background of the Yingcheng Formation of the Xujiaweizi faulted depression in the Songliao Basin. The results show that some of the volcanic rocks were formed during subaquatic eruptions. These subaqueous volcanic rocks are further characterized by the interbedded black mudstone and tuffite, the presence of double-layer perlite enclosing aphyric or sparsely phyric rhyolite, the presence of a bentonite layer, and the coefficient of oxidation （Fe203/FeO）. The types of rocks are volcanic breccia, lava breccias, perlite, rhyolite, tuff and sedimentary tuff. The subaquatic eruptions are distributed mainly in Wangjiatun, Shengping, Xuxi, Xuzhong, and Xudong. The XS-I area is the most typical. The organic abundance of over- burden mud rocks within the volcanic rocks of the Yingcheng Formation indicates that these rocks represent high-quality source rocks. The analysis also shows that continental subaquatic volcanic eruptions provide a rich supply of minerals and en- ergies for the lake basin and increase the organic matter content in the water. Moreover, the water differentiation provides a good reducing environment for the conservation of organic matter, and is beneficial for the formation of high-quality source rocks. Finally, we propose a hypothesis to describe the mode of subaquatic eruptions and the formation of high-quality source rocks.