Distribution of major hydrocarbon source rocks in the major oil-gas-bearing basins in China

The distribution characteristics of major hydrocarbon source rocks in the major oil-gas-bearing basins in China were discussed in this paper, and differences between the East and the West basins in tectonic setting, age, lithology, sedimentary environment, and hydrocarbon generation feature and potential were also studied. Considering the Lüliang Mountains-Dalou Mountains as the boundary, source rocks in the East basins are distributed mainly in three NNE-trend subsiding belts, and those in the West basins are distributed in the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains and Qilian Mountains. They are mainly NWW trending and can be divided into four basin groups.

Formation and destruction processes of upper Sinian oil-gas pools in the Dingshan-Lintanchang structural belt, southeast Sichuan Basin, China

The lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation hydrocarbon source rocks at the Dingshan- Lintanchang structure in the southeast Sichuan Basin were of medium-good quality with two excellent hydrocarbon-generating centers developed in the periphery areas, with a possibility of forming a medium to large-sized oil-gas field. Good reservoir rocks were the upper Sinian （Dengying Formation） dolomites. The mudstone in the lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation with a good sealing capacity was the cap rock. The widely occurring bitumen in the Dengying Formation indicates that a paleo oil pool was once formed in the study area. The first stage of paleo oil pool formation was maturation of the lower Cambrian source rocks during the late Ordovician. Hydrocarbon generation from the lower Cambrian source rocks stopped due to the Devonian-Carboniferous uplifting. The lower Cambrian source rocks then restarted generation of large quantities of hydrocarbons after deposition of the middle Permian sediments. This was the second stage of the paleo oil pool formation. The oil in the paleo oil pool began to crack during the late Triassic and a paleo gas pool was formed. This paleo gas pool was destroyed during the Yanshan-Himalayan folding, uplifting and denudation. Bitumen can be widely seen in the Dengying Formation in wells and outcrops in the Sichuan Basin and its periphery areas. This provides strong evidence that the Dengying Formation in the Sichuan Basin and its periphery areas was once an ultra-large structural-lithologic oil-gas field, which was damaged during the Yanshan-Himalayan period.

Evolution of Hydrodynamic Field, Oil-Gas Migration and Accumulation in Songliao Basin, China

The oil-gas migration and accumulation in the Songliao Basin were analyzed in the view of fluid dynamics by the authors. The key point of fluid dynamics is hydrodynamics. Oil-gas migration and accumulation are related closely with formation and evolution of hydrodynamic field. Based on abundant data, initial formation pressure and other parameters, such as water head were studied. They can be used to understand the present distribution of hydrodynamic field and its hydrochemical features. Generally, the hydrodynamic field in the basin is obviously asymmetrical. In its north and east part, there are the areas of centripetal flow caused by topographic relief when meteoric water permeate downwards. Its south part is an evaporation-concentration area. The central depression is an area of centrifugal flow driven by sediment compaction and its cross-formational flow area. Only at the basin margin and in the local uplifted and denudated area are the meteoric water permeating downwards areas. The centrifugal flow driven by sediment compaction is the main dynamic factor that induces oil-gas migration and accumulation and its formation period corresponding to the main stage of oil-gas migration and accumulation. Moreover, the evolution of hydrodynamic field has the cyclic property, which results in phased oil-gas migration by stages, and further dominates the terraced annular oil and gas distribution, concentric with their corresponding sags.

Geochronological Records of Oil-Gas Accumulations in the Permian Reservoirs of the Northeastern Ordos Basin

Geochronology of oil-gas accumulation （OGA） is a challenging subject of petroleum geology in multi-cycle superimposed basins.By K-Ar dating of authigenic illite （AI） and fluid inclusion （FI） analysis combined with apatite fission track （AFT） thermal modeling,a case study of constraining the OGA times of the Permian reservoirs in northeast Ordos basin （NOB） has been conducted in this paper.AI dating of the Permian oil-gas-bearing sandstone core-samples shows a wide time domain of 178-108 Ma.The distribution of the AI ages presents 2-stage primary OGA processes in the Permian reservoirs,which developed in the time domains of 175-155 Ma and 145-115 Ma with 2-peak ages of 165 Ma and 130 Ma,respectively.The FI temperature peaks of the samples and their projected ages on the AFT thermal path not only present two groups with a low and a high peak temperatures in ranges of 90-78℃ and 125-118℃,respectively corresponding to 2-stage primary OGA processes of 162-153 Ma and 140-128 Ma in the Permian reservoirs,but also appear a medium temperature group with the peak of 98℃ in agreement with a secondary OGA process of c.～30 Ma in the Upper Permian reservoirs.The integrated analysis of the AI and FI ages and the tectono-thermal evolution reveals that the Permian reservoirs in the NOB experienced at least 2-stage primary OGA processes of 165-153 Ma and 140-128 Ma in agreement with the subsidence thermal process of the Mid-Early Jurassic and the tectono-thermal event of the Early Cretaceous.Then,the Upper Permian reservoirs further experienced at least 1-stage secondary OGA process of c.～30 Ma in coincidence with a critical tectonic conversion between the slow and the rapid uplift processes from the Late Cretaceous to Neogene.

Origin, hydrocarbon accumulation and oil-gas enrichment of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs: A case study of Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in South Tahe area of Halahatang oilfield, Tarim Basin

Based on comprehensive analysis of tectonic and fault evolution, core, well logging, seismic, drilling, and production data, the reservoir space characteristic, distribution, origin of fault-karst carbonate reservoir in Yueman block of South Tahe area, Halahatang oilfield, Tarim Basin, were studied systematically. And the regular pattern of hydrocarbon accumulation and enrichment was analyzed systematically based on development practice of the reservoirs. The results show that fault-karst carbonate reservoirs are distributed in the form of "body by body" discontinuously, heterogeneously and irregularly, which are controlled by the development of faults. Three formation models of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs, namely, the models controlled by the main deep-large fault, the secondary fault and the secondary internal fault, are built. The hydrocarbon accumulation and enrichment of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs is controlled by the spatiotemporal matching relation between hydrocarbon generation period and fault activity, and the size and segmentation of fault. The study results can effectively guide the well deployment and help the efficient development of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs of South Tahe area, Halahatang oilfield.

Exploration Potential of Atectonic Oil-gas Pools in the Northern Shelf Basin of the South China Sea

Large-scale oil exploration has been done and large quantities of oil-gas fields have been found in the northern shelf basin of the South China Sea for more than 20 years. The tectonic oil-gas pools are the main type. With the exploration to be deepened, looking for atectonic oil-gas pools is listed in China's exploration strategy. There are advantages for the forming of atectonic oil-gas pools in the northern shelf basin of the South China Sea. Because the level of water has been frequently changing within all historical periods, lithozones are changed alternately in both vertical and lateral directions and formed lithologic deposition especially at low water level stages, such as the low-lying fans of basin-floor fans and slope fans. Due to frequent tectonic movement within all historical periods, many structural surfaces and structural unconformities were formed. At the same time, they also formed many kinds of structural unconformity oil-gas pools. According to our exploration and research, the promising areas of atectonic reservoirs within marine basins include: (1) the basin-floor fan of the deep water district, such as the central depression of the Southeast Qiong basin and Baiyun sag in the Zhujiangkou basin; (2) the frontal area of the large ancient delta, such as the Lingao structural belt in the Yingge Sea basin and Huizhou sag in the Zhujiangkou basin; (3) the unconformity pinchout belt or denudation belt in the slope area and the uplift area, for instance, the Yingdong slope belt in the Yingge Sea basin and Yacheng 13-1 structural belt in the southeast Qiong basin. All this proves that the prospects for atectonic oil-gas pools in the northern shelf basin of the South China Sea are very broad.

Occurrence and conceptual sedimentary model of Cambrian gypsum-bearing evaporites in the Sichuan Basin, SW China

During the Cambrian, gypsum-bearing evaporites formed in the Sichuan Basin, SW China. These rocks are important for oil and gas sealing, but details of their distribution and origin are not well established. This study examines the regional distribution and origin of the gypsum-bearing evaporites using a comprehensive analysis of drilling data from 34 wells, 5 measured cross-sections in the basin and surrounding area, and 96 maps of area-survey data. Results show that in the stratigraphic succession, the gypsum-bearing evaporites occur mainly in the Lower Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation, the Middle Cambrian Douposi Formation, and the Middle-Upper Cambrian Xixiangchi Group. Geographically, the rocks are found mainly in the southeastern part of the basin, and the distribution of deposits shows an overall SW-NE trend. The sedimentary environments for evaporite formation were evaporative lagoon and inter-platform basin in a platform setting. Gypsum was generated by the underwater concentration of sea water in a strongly evaporative environment. Both an evaporative restricted platform and a mixeddeposition restricted platform model appear to be applicable to the development of gypsum in the Sichuan Basin. The gypsum-bearing evaporites with the best sealing capacity are located mostly in the southeastern part of the basin. These constraints can be applied directly to regional exploration, and have implications for the regional paleogeography and paleoclimate.

Origin and Distribution of Hydrogen Sulfide in Oil-Bearing Basins,China

The concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas （H2S） varies greatly in the oil-bearing basins of China, from zero to 90%. At present, oil and gas reservoirs with high H2S concentration have been discovered in three basins, viz. the Bohai Bay Basin, Sichuan Basin and the Tarim Basin, whereas natural gas with low H2S concentration has been found in the Ordos Basin, the Songliao Basin and the Junggar Basin. Studies suggest that in China H2S origin types are very complex. In the carbonate reservoir of the Sichuan Basin, the Ordos Basin and the Tarim Basin, as well as the carbonatedominated reservoir in the Luojia area of the Jiyang depression in the Bohai Bay Basin, Wumaying areas of the Huanghua depression, and Zhaolanzhuang areas of the Jizhong depression, the H2S is of Thermochemical Sulfate Reduction （TSR） origin. The H2S is of Bacterial Sulphate Reduction （BSR） origin deduced from the waterflooding operation in the Changheng Oilfield （placanticline oil fields） in the Songliao Basin. H2S originates from thermal decomposition of sulfur-bearing crude oil in the heavy oil area in the Junggar Basin and in the Liaohe heavy oil steam pilot area in the western depression of the Bohai Bay Basin. The origin types are most complex, including TSR and thermal decomposition of sulfcompounds among other combinations of causes. Various methods have been tried to identify the origin mechanism and to predict the distribution of H2S. The origin identification methods for H2S mainly comprise sulfur and carbon isotopes, reservoir petrology, particular biomarkers, and petroleum geology integrated technologies; using a combination of these applications can allow the accurate identification of the origins of H2S. The prediction technologies for primary and secondary origin of H2S have been set up separately.

Distribution and gas-bearing properties of Permian igneous rocks in Sichuan Basin, SW China

Based on the analysis of outcrop, seismic, logging and drilling data, combined with exploration practice, the characteristics,distribution, reservoir performance and gas-bearing properties of Permian igneous rocks in Sichuan Basin are studied. The study shows that central volcanic eruptive facies are developed in Sichuan Basin, and their lithological assemblages and distribution characteristics show obvious differences. The igneous rocks are mainly distributed in three regions: the southwestern part of the basin has dominantly largescale overflow facies basalts; the central and western part of the basin, Jianyang-Santai area, develop intrusive rocks, volcanic lavas(basalts)and pyroclastic rocks; and the eastern part of Sichuan, Dazhou-Liangping area, only develop diabase and basalts. Five aspects of understandings are achieved:(1) The Upper Permian igneous rocks can be divided into intrusive rocks and extrusive rocks, with the extrusive rocks as the main body. The chemical compositions of the extrusive rocks are characterized by both alkaline basalt and tholeiitic basalt, and belong to the subalkaline type of transitional basalt magma eruption.(2) There are obvious rhythmic structures vertically among overflow facies basalt, and the single rhythmic layer consists of, from bottom up, pyroclastic rocks(undeveloped), gray and dark gray porphyritic basalts(unstable), dark gray and purple microcrystalline-cryptocrystalline basalts, dark greyish green porous and amygdaloid basalts; the central volcanic eruption shows the rhythm and the vertical sequence of volcanic clastic rocks(agglomerates and breccias), volcanic lava, tuffaceous lava from bottom to top.(3) The pore types of basalt and pyroclastic rocks are diverse, mainly dissolution pore and de-vitrification micropore, but their physical properties are different. Basalt is characterized by ultra-low pore permeability, small reservoir thickness, and reservoirs are distributed in the upper and middle parts of the cycle, with poor lateral comparability. Volcanic clastic rocks are medium to high porous reservoirs(Well YT1: porosity: 8.66%?16.48%, average 13.76%) with large thickness and good reservoir quality.(4) Natural gas in basalts in southwestern basin mainly comes from Middle Permian, and natural gas in volcanic clastic rocks in central and western basin comes from Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation.(5) Analysis of igneous reservoir-forming conditions in different areas shows that there are relatively insufficient gas sources and great differences in preservation conditions in southwestern basin.Reservoirs are poorly developed and gas-bearing is complex. The Jianyang-Santai area in the central and western part of Sichuan Basin has abundant hydrocarbon sources, developed reservoir, favorable preservation conditions and favorable gas geological conditions, and it is a favorable area for gas exploration.

Sedimentary facies and depositional model of shallow water delta dominated by fluvial for Chang 8 oil-bearing group of Yanchang Formation in southwestern Ordos Basin,China

A systematic analysis of southwestern Ordos Basin's sedimentary characteristics,internal architectural element association styles and depositional model was illustrated through core statistics,well logging data and outcrop observations in Chang 8 oil-bearing group.This analysis indicates that shallow water delta sediments dominated by a fluvial system is the primary sedimentary system of the Chang 8 oil-bearing group of the Yanchang Formation in southwestern Ordos Basin.Four microfacies with fine grain sizes are identified: distributary channels,sheet sandstone,mouth bar and interdistributary fines.According to the sandbody's spatial distribution and internal architecture,two types of sandbody architectural element associations are identified: amalgamated distributary channels and thin-layer lobate sandstone.In this sedimentary system,net-like distributary channels at the delta with a narrow ribbon shape compose the skeleton of the sandbody that extends further into the delta front and shades into contiguous lobate distribution sheet sandstone in the distal delta front.The mouth bar is largely absent in this system.By analyzing the palaeogeomorphology,the palaeostructure background,sedimentary characteristics,sedimentary facies types and spatial distribution of sedimentary facies during the Chang 8 period,a distinctive depositional model of the Chang 8 shallow water fluvial-dominated delta was established,which primarily consists of straight multi-phase amalgamated distributary channels in the delta plain,net-like distributary channels frequently diverting and converging in the proximal delta front,sheet sandstones with dispersing contiguous lobate shapes in the distal delta front,and prodelta or shallow lake mudstones.

Palaeotemperatures and Diagenetic Phases of the Upper Triassic Oil-bearing Sandstones in the Eastern Part of the Ordos Basin

The maximum palaeotemperature of oil-bearing sandstones in the UpperTriassic in the eastern Ordos basin has been determined by using many methods including thevitrinite reflectance, fluid inclusion, apatite fission track, illite crystallinity, chlorite polytypeand diagenetic change of authigenic minerals. The thermal gradient in the Late Mesozoic wasabout 2.9-3.0℃/100m. The Upper Triassic was in a mature stage of organic matter andhydrocarbon began to be generated and migrated during this period. The palaeotemperatures ofoil-bearing sandstones were in the range of 88-110℃; those for the generation and migrationof oil ranged from 112 to 122℃. The thickness of the denuded strata overlying the UpperTriassic was 2465-2750m. The present burial depth of oil-bearing sandstones is generally from400 to 1200m. At a depth of ca. 1900m, the temperature may reach 140℃. Below this depth,organic matter was supermature and mainly generated gas.

Dual Control of Depositional Facies on Uranium Mineralization in Coal-bearing Series： Examples from the Tuanyushan Area of the Northern Qaidam Basin, NW China

The uranium deposits in the Tuanyushan area of northern Qaidam Basin commonly occur in coal-bearing series. To decipher the U-enrichment mechanism and controlling factors in this area, a database of 72 drill cores, including 56 well-logs and 3 sampling wells, was examined for sedimentology and geochemistry in relation to uranium concentrations. The results show that coal-bearing series can influence uranium mineralization from two aspects, i.e., spatial distribution and dynamic control. Five types of uranium-bearing rocks are recognized, mainly occurring in the braided river and braided delta sedimentary facies, among which sandstones near the coals are the most important. The lithological associations of sandstone-type uranium deposits can be classified into three subtypes, termed as U-coal type, coal-U-coal type, and coal-U type, respectively. The coal and fine siliciclastic rocks in the coal- bearing series confined the U-rich fluid flow and uranium accumulation in the sandstone near them. Thus, the coal-bearing series can provide good accommodations for uranium mineralization. Coals and organic matters in the coal-bearing series may have served as reducing agents and absorbing barriers. Methane is deemed to be the main acidolysis hydrocarbon in the U-bearing beds, which shows a positive correlation with U-content in the sandstones in the coal-bearing series. Additionally, the 613C in the carbonate cements of the U-bearing sandstones indicates that the organic matters, associated with the coal around the sandstones, were involved in the carbonation, one important component of alteration in the Tuanyushan area. Recognition of the dual control of coal-bearing series on the uranium mineralization is significant for the development of coal circular economy, environmental protection during coal utilization and the security of national rare metal resources.

THE RELATIONS BETWEEN DEEP DYNAMIC PROCESS AND THE FORMATION OF OIL-GAS POOLS IN THE SONGLIAO BASIN,CHINA

THE RELATIONS BETWEEN DEEPDYNAMIC PROCESS AND THEFORMATION OF OIL-GAS POOLS INTHE SONGLIAO BASIN, CHINALi Zhi’an(Changsha Institute of Geotectonics, Academia Sinica, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China)Songliao basin, crust structure, deep dynamics, the formation of oil-gas poolsThis essay deals in detail with the inhomogeneity of the crust structure and the variation of the Moho, the process of deep dynamics and also relations of deep dynamic process to the formation of oil-gas pools in Songliao Basin.

Character of Sedimentation in the Potassium-Bearing Basin of the Gremyachinskoye Field(The Volga Monocline)

1 Introduction The Gremyachinskoye potassium salt field lies within the Safronovskaya area and is confined to the preoverthrust zone–the 20-25 kilometer band conventionally recognized in the southern termination of the Volga

Use of the Max Ent model to predict changes in sloth bear(Melursus ursinus)habitats in the Gandaki River Basin,Nepal

The Gandaki River Basin(GRB),located in the central Himalaya,provides habitats for a large number of important flora and fauna species.The habitats of key protected species have changed over time as a result of climate changes and human activities related to land use change,including the development of roads.This study assessed the present and future distributions of sloth bear(Melursus ursinus)habitats using the maximum entropy(Max Ent)model.Bioclimatic data,a digital elevation model and roads were used as environmental layers to assess current and future distributions of habitat.Results show that the overall habitat within the study area is likely to undergo important changes in the future.Bio 8(the mean temperature of the wettest quarter)and slope were found to be important variables affecting the distribution of the species.The habitats very highly suitable for sloth bears currently cover an area of 148 km^(2) within the GRB.These habitats are predicted to increase by 122 km^(2) more by 2050.Overall,a net change by 680.38 km^(2) was found in the GRB.Conservation measures are necessary for this key protected species and its habitat within the GRB and elsewhere in Nepal.

Structure Styles of Mesozoic-Cenozoic U-bearing Rock Series in Northern China

In Northern China, sandstone-type uranium （U） deposits are mostly developed in Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins. These U deposits are usually hosted in unvarying horizons within the basins and exhibit typical U-forming sedimentary associations, which is referred to as U-bearing rock series. This study describes the structural features of U-bearing rock series within the main Mesozoic-Cenozoic U-producing continental basins in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia in the western segment of the Central Asian Metallogenic Belt （CAMB）, and Northern China in the eastern segment of the CAMB. We analyze the basic structural conditions and sedimentary environments of U-bearing rock series in Northern China and classify their structural styles in typical basins into river valley, basin margin, and intrabasin uplift margin types. The intrabasin uplift margin structural style proposed in this study can be used to indicate directions for the exploration of sandstone-type U deposits hosted in the center of a basin. At the same time, the study of structural style provides a new idea for exploring sandstone-type U deposits in Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins and it is of great significance to prospecting of sandstone-type uranium deposits.

Tectonic-thermal history and hydrocarbon potential of the Pearl River Mouth Basin,northern South China Sea:Insights from borehole apatite fission-track thermochronology

The Pearl River Mouth Basin(PRMB)is one of the most petroliferous basins on the northern margin of the South China Sea.Knowledge of the thermal history of the PRMB is significant for understanding its tectonic evolution and for unraveling its poorly studied source-rock maturation history.Our investigations in this study are based on apatite fission-track(AFT)thermochronology analysis of 12 cutting samples from 4 boreholes.Both AFT ages and length data suggested that the PRMB has experienced quite complicated thermal evolution.Thermal history modeling results unraveled four successive events of heating separated by three stages of cooling since the early Middle Eocene.The cooling events occurred approximately in the Late Eocene,early Oligocene,and the Late Miocene,possibly attributed to the Zhuqiong II Event,Nanhai Event,and Dongsha Event,respectively.The erosion amount during the first cooling stage is roughly estimated to be about 455-712 m,with an erosion rate of 0.08-0.12 mm/a.The second erosion-driven cooling is stronger than the first one,with an erosion amount of about 747-814 m and an erosion rate between about 0.13-0.21 mm/a.The erosion amount calculated related to the third cooling event varies from 800 m to 3419 m,which is speculative due to the possible influence of the magmatic activity.

Identification methods of coal-bearing source rocks for Yacheng Formation in the western deepwater area of South China Sea

Owing to the fact that the coal-beds are with the characteristics of multi-beds, thin single-bed, rapid lateral changes and deep burial, coal-bearing source rocks are difficult to be identified and predicted, especially in the lower exploration deepwater area. In this paper, a new integrative process utilizing geology and geophysics is proposed for better predicting the distribution of coal-bearing source rocks. Coal-beds were identified by the logging responses of“three higher, three lower, and one expand”and carbargilite were recognized by the characteristics of“four higher and one lower”. Based on the above logical decision, coal-beds and carbargilite can be distinguished automatically by cluster analysis of logging curves in verticality. Within the constraints of well-seismic calibration, the coal-beds group also can be detected in horizontality by the integrated representation of“negative phase, higher Q, lower impedance and lower frequency”within the seismic data. However, the distribution of coal-bearing source rocks utilizing geophysical methodology may do not conform to the geological rules of coal accumulation. And then the main geological controlling factors of coal accumulation are comprehensively analyzed as follows：（1） Paleotopography and tectonic subsidence determine the planar range of terrestrial-marine transitional facies markedly;（2） The relative sea level changes affect the accommodation space and shoreline migration, and limit the vertical range of coal-beds. More specifically, the relationship between the accommodation creation rate and the peat accumulation rate is a fundamental control on coal accumulation. The thickest and most widespread coals form where those two factors reached a state of balance;（3） The supply of autochthonous clasts and the distance between deposition places and paleovegetation accumulated area are the critical factor to form abundant coal, which means that if deposition area is close to paleouplift, there would be sufficient organic matters to form abundant source rocks. The results show that the integrated methods can significantly improve prediction accuracy of coal-bearing source rocks, which is suitable for early exploration of western deepwater area of South China Sea.