Insights into the Tectonic Fractures in the Yanchang Formation Interbedded Sandstone-Mudstone of the Ordos Basin Based on Core Data and Geomechanical Models

The distribution and intensity of tectonic fractures within geologic units are important to hydrocarbon exploration and development. Taken the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation interbedded sandstone-mudstone in the Ordos Basin as an example, this study used the finite element method（FEM） based on geomechanical models to study the development of tectonic fractures. The results show that the sandstones tend to generate tectonic fractures more easily than mudstones with the same layer thickness, and the highest degree of tectonic fractures will be developed when the sandstone-mudstone thickness ratio is about 5.0. A possible explanation is proposed for the tectonic fracture development based on two important factors of rock brittleness and mechanical layer thickness. Generally, larger rock brittleness and thinner layer thickness will generate more tectonic fractures. In interbedded sandstone-mudstone formations, the rock brittleness increases with the increasing mechanical layer thickness, hence, these two factors will achieve a balance for the development of tectonic fractures when the sandstone-mudstone thickness ratio reaches a specific value, and the development degree of tectonic fractures is the highest at this value.

Pore structure and heterogeneity of shale gas reservoirs and its effect on gas storage capacity in the Qiongzhusi Formation

Fine characterization of pore systems and heterogeneity of shale reservoirs are significant contents of shale gas reservoir physical property research. The research on micro-control factors of low productivity in the Qiongzhusi Formation(Fm.) is still controversial. The lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Fm. in the Qujing, Yunnan was taken as the object to investigate the influence of mineral compositions on the physical properties of the reservoir and the heterogeneity of shale, using the algorithm to improve the characterization ability of Atomic Force Microscopy(AFM). The results showed that:(1) The pores are mainly wedge-shaped pores and V-shaped pores. The pore diameter of the main pore segment ranges from 5 to 10 nm. Mesopores are mainly developed in the Qiongzhusi Fm. shale in Well QD1, with the average pore diameter of 6.08 nm.(2) Microscopic pore structure and shale surface properties show strong heterogeneity, which complicates the micro-migration of shale gas and increases the difficulty of identifying high-quality reservoirs.(3) The increase of clay mineral content intensifies the compaction and then destroys the pores. Conversely, brittle minerals can protect pores. The support and protection of brittle minerals to pores space depend on their content, mechanical properties and diagenesis.(4)Compression damage to pores, large microscopic roughness and surface fluctuations and strong pore structure heterogeneity are the reasons for the poor gas storage capacity of the Qiongzhusi Fm., which will lead to poor productivity in the Qiongzhusi Fm.

Production Characteristics and the Control Factors of Surface Wells for Relieved Methane Drainage in the Huainan Mining Area

Based on the production data of a large number of surface drainage wells in the Huainan mining area,the present study shows that four types of typical production characteristics for relieved methane wells are recognized,of which the stable type for production and gas concentration is the most dominate,as determined by a comprehensive study on the volume and concentration of drained gases, as well as the stress changes of rocks influenced by mining.Some influence factors for the productive differences of the drainage wells were also been discussed.The results indicate that protective coal-seam mining has a significant effect on overlying strata,which promotes the development of pores and fractures of coal reservoirs for methane desorption and migration;however,the production and the stability of drainage wells are affected by deformation and damage of the overlying strata.The second distribution of strata stress is caused by mining engineering,and if the stress load is larger than the carrying capacity of the extraction well,the gas production would be influenced by the drainage well that has been damaged by rock movement.Furthermore,the case damage occurs first in the weak, lithologic interface by its special mechanical properties.The stability of drainage wells and the production status are also influenced by the different drilling techniques,uneven distribution of gas concentration,and combination of gob gas and methane from the protected layer.

Interaction mechanism of the interface between a deep buried sand and a paleo-weathered rock mass using a high normal stress direct shear apparatus

In order to evaluate the feasibility of safe mining close to the contact zone under reduced security coal pillar conditions at a coal mine in eastern China, the interaction mechanism of the interface between deep buried sand and a paleo-weathered rock mass was investigated in the laboratory by direct shear testing. A DRS-1 high pressure soil shear testing machine and orthogonal design method were used in the direct shear tests. Variance and range methods were applied to analyze the sensitivity of each factor that has an influence on the mechanical characters of the interface. The test results show that the normal pressure is the main influencing factor for mechanical characteristics of the interface, while the lithological characters and roughness are minor factors; the shear stress against shear displacement curve for the interface shows an overall hyperbola relationship, no obvious peak stress and dilatancy was observed.When the normal pressure is 6 MPa, the shear strengths of interfaces with different roughness are basically the same, and when the normal pressure is more than 8 MPa, the larger the roughness of the interface, the larger will be the shear strength; the shear strength has a better linear relationship with the normal pressure, which can be described by a linear Mohr–Coulomb criterion.

Geochemical Characteristics and Sedimentary Control of Pinghu Formation(Eocene)Coal-bearing Source Rocks in Xihu Depression,East China Sea Basin

Coal-bearing source rocks of the Pinghu Formation in the Xihu Depression comprise an important material basis of oil and gas resources in the East China Sea Basin.Based on drilling core observation results combined with the analysis and test results of macerals,trace/rare earth elements,and rock pyrolysis,the geochemical characteristics and sedimentary control of coal-bearing source rocks formation are discussed in a high-frequency sequence framework.The results indicate that the macerals composition of the coal-bearing source rocks of the Eocene Pinghu Formation in the Xihu Depression is dominated by vitrinite,with low-medium abundance of exinite and almost no inertinite.The coals and carbonaceous mudstones display higher amounts of total organic carbon(TOC)(14.90%-65.10%),S1+S2(39.24-136.52 mg/g),and IH(191-310 HC/g TOC)respectively,as compared to the mudstones.Organic matter is plotted in typeⅢkerogens and partially in typeⅡ;it is mainly in the low maturity stage.The trace elements results imply that the samples were deposited in a weakly reducing to weakly oxidizing environment and were occasionally affected by seawater.The coal-bearing source rocks were deposited in a relatively oxygen-containing environment.The coal-bearing source rocks development is jointly controlled by the coal accumulation environment,the water conditions affected by ocean currents in offshore basins in China,oxidation-reduction cycles of aqueous media and paleoclimate evolution in a high-frequency sequence framework.

Model test of the overburden deformation and failure law in close distance multi-seam mining

Based on characteristic of the associated mining of multi-coal seam and the engineering geological characteristics of overburden,the mining impact pattern of multi- seam mining and the dynamic fracture mechanism of overburden were characterized by applying the engineering geological mechanical model test.The related strata movement parameters and influence area of multi-seam mining were obtained,the strike boundary angle is 61°,the full extraction coefficient is 0.93,the greatest subsidence angle is 81°,the horizontal movement factor is 0.38,the deviation of inflection point/mining deep is 0.11. The development height of caving zone and water flowing fractured zone of multi-seam mining were calculated,is 32 m and 81.5 m separatly.The assess of influence degree of coal layer safety mining is that,there exists the possibility of water and sand inflow when mining,some messures for mine water prevention and control should be used,and the mining thickness should be local strictly limit.

Vertical variation of trace elements and its relation to the water-bearing capacity of Ordovician strata,in Datun coal field

We tested for fourteen trace elements in samples collected from the Ordovician strata in Datun coal field. The vertical concentration variation of these trace dements is reported. The relationship of the variation to the water-bearing capacity of the Ordovician strata is discussed. The minimum concentration of eleven （of 14 total） trace elements appears in the lower Majiagou formation. The maximum concentrations mainly appear in the Badou and Jiawang formations： eight maxima are located in Badou and four more are in Jiawang. The study of karst development and the water-bearing capacity of Ordovician strata shows that karst is well developed in the Majiagou formation and there is a consequent high water-bearing capacity in this formation： Badou and Jiawang formations are contrary to this situation. The results illustrate that the minimum concentrations of most trace elements within certain Ordovician formations can be taken as strong evidence for the existence of a well developed karst and a high water-bearing capacity.

Failure characteristics of surface vertical wells for relieved coal gas and their influencing factors in Huainan mining area

Based on data from through-hole and logging,we studied the failure characteristics of surface drainage wells for relieved coal gas in Huainan mining area and its influencing factors.The results show that the damaged positions of drainage wells are mainly located at the thick clay layer in the low alluvium and the lithological interface in the upper section of bedrock in west mining area.The failure depth of casing is 244-670 m and concentrates at about 270-460 m deep.These damaged positions are mainly located in the bending zone according to three zones of rock layers in the vertical section above the roof divided. Generally,the casing begins to deform or damage before the face line about 30-150 m.Special formation structure and rock mass properties are the direct causes of the casing failure,high mining height and fast advancing speed are fundamental reasons for rock mass damage.However,the borehole configuration and spacing to the casing failure are not very clear.

Relationship between joint development in rock and coal seams in the southeastern margin of the Ordos basin

To predict joint development characteristics of coal seams, joint characteristics of rock seams from 88field stations were observed and comparisons were made between joint characteristics of coal and rock seams at 10 coal outcrops. Additionally, detailed joint measurements of underground coal seams were taken at two coal mines. This study investigated the effects of seam thickness, lithology, and structure on joint development and established the relationship between joint development of coal and rock seams, which allowed predictions of predominant joint densities for the No.5 coal seam in the southeastern margin of the Ordos basin. The results show that outcrop and underground coal seams exhibit the same joint systems as rock seams. The joints are mainly upright. Predominant joints strike 55° on average, followed by joints striking 320°. The joint density of the coal seam is 18.7–22.5 times that of the sandstone seam at the same thickness. The predominant joint density of the No.5 coal seam, controlled by the structure, is 4–20 joints per meter. Joint densities exhibit high values at intersecting areas of faults and folds and decrease values in structurally stable areas. The permeability increases exponentially with increasing density of the predominant joints.

Municipal solid waste degradation and landfill gas resources characteristics in self-recirculating sequencing batch bioreactor landfill

Based on the degradation characteristics of municipal solid waste(MSW)in China,the traditional anaerobic sequencing batch bioreactor landfill(ASBRL)was optimized,and an improved anaerobic sequencing batch bioreactor landfill(IASBRL)was put forward on the basis of leachate self-recirculation.By monitoring MSW composition,leachate characteristics variation and landfill gas(LFG)generation,the effect of IASBRL was comparatively studied by simulation landfill.Based on the adjusting,scouring and carrying effects of leachate self-recirculation,IASBRL can rapidly decrease Eh value to about-500mV and form a suitable biochemical environment for methanogens,which provides a precondition for stable cooperation between non-methanogens and methanogens.IASBRL can avoid the accumulation of organic acids,make VFA(volatile fatty acid)concentration and CODCr decrease along with the small range fluctuations,and form a stable decomposition-consumption synergy during MSW degradation,therefore,the hydrolysis rate of easy hydrolyze material reaches 71.2% in IASBRL.From the viewpoint of LFG resources in IASBRL,the cumulative LFG production increases to 2327.0L,CH4 mass fraction stabilizes at about 50%,and these provide a favorable precondition for LFG development.

The enrichment characteristics and geological controlling factors of coalbed methane occurrence in Laochang area, Yunnan Province

The enriched characters of methane content in the main coal seam of Yunnan＇s Laochang coal mine was analyzed through combined with the geologic conditions of the research area： structure type, hydrogeology condition, coal reservoir＇s macerals, ash, water content, and so on. The geology factors of controlling gas in Laochang coal mine were illustrated; and the different geology models of controlling gas of geologic condition coupling were posed. Research shows that, in the region, the methane contents of the main coal seams decrease gradually from middle to all around it; the northeast and southeast is higher than the west. In the local area, the methane content of anticline axis is higher, and the gas content is reduced to both wings and plunging crown. On macroscopic view, the distribution of methane content in coal-beds was controlled by structural type. On microscopic view, the methane content in coal-beds is mainly involved in coal reservoir＇s macerals, ash content, and water content. The enriched characters of CBM in the research area are mainly the result of structure-hydrogeology-petrophysics coupling controls of CBM. On the basis of above analysis, according to the distribution character of methane content in coalbeds, the research area was divided into low gas area, middle gas area, and high gas area.

Dyke Emplacement in the Narmada Rift Zone and Implications for the Evolution of Deccan Traps

Dykes are primarily extensional fractures that form perpendicular to the minimum principal compressive stress,which have been extensively studied in the world during the past decades for various reasons including the

Numerical simulation of dewatering thick unconsolidated aquifers for safety of underground coal mining

With an increase of mining the upper limits under unconsolidated aquifers, dewatering of the bottom aquifer of the Quaternary system has become a major method to avoid water and sand inrushes.In the 8th District of the Taiping Coal Mine in south-western Shandong province, the bottom aquifer of the Quaternary system is moderate to excellent in water-yielding capacity.The base rock above the coal seam is very thin in the concealed coal field of the Carboniferous and Permian systems.Therefore, a comprehensive dewatering plan from both the ground surface and the panel was proposed to lower the groundwater level in order to ensure mining safety.According to the hydrogeologic conditions of the 8th District, we established a numerical model so that we could simulate the groundwater flow in the dewatering process.We obtained the simulation parameters from previous data using backward modeling, such as the average coefficient of permeability of 12 m/d and the elastic storage coefficient of 0.002.From the same model, we predicted the movement of groundwater and water level variables and obtained the visible effect of the dewatering project.Despite the overburden failure during mining, no water and/or sand inrush occurred because the groundwater level in the bottom aquifer was lowered to a safe water level.

Pore Structure Heterogeneity of the Xiamaling Formation Shale Gas Reservoir in the Yanshan Area of China: Evaluation of Geological Controlling Factors

Micro-heterogeneity is an integral parameter of the pore structure of shale gas reservoir and it forms an essential basis for setting and adjusting development parameters.In this study,scanning electron microscopy,high-pressure mercury intrusion and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption experiments were used to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the pore structure of black shale from the third member of the Xiamaling Formation in the Yanshan area.The pore heterogeneity was studied using fractal theory,and the controlling factors of pore development and heterogeneity were evaluated in combination with geochemical parameters,mineral composition,and geological evolution history.The results show that the pore structure of the reservoir was intricate and complicated.Moreover,various types of micro-nano scale pores such as dissolution pores,intergranular pores,interlayer pores,and micro-cracks are well developed in member 3 of the Xiamaling Formation.The average porosity was found to be 6.30%,and the mean value of the average pore size was 4.78 nm.Micropores and transition pores provided most of the storage space.Pore development was significantly affected by the region and was mainly related to the total organic carbon content,vitrinite reflectance and mineral composition.The fractal dimension,which characterizes the heterogeneity,is 2.66 on average,indicating that the pore structure is highly heterogeneous.Fractal dimension is positively correlated with maturity and clay mineral content,while it is negatively correlated with brittle mineral content and average pore size.These results indicate that pore heterogeneity is closely related to thermal history and material composition.Combined with the geological background of this area,it was found that the pore heterogeneity was mainly controlled by the Jurassic magmatism.The more intense the magma intrusion,the stronger the pore heterogeneity.The pore structure and its heterogeneity characteristics present today are a general reflection of the superimposed geological processes of sedimentary-diagenetic-late transformation.The influence of magmatic intrusion on the reservoir is the main geological factor that should be considered for detailed evaluation of the Xiamaling Formation shale gas reservoir in the Yanshan area.

Comprehensive analysis of CBM recovery in high rank coal reservoir of Jincheng area

Coalbed methane (CBM) predicting recovery in high rank coal reservoir varies greatly in Jincheng area and it seriously influences efficient and economic exploitation of CBM resource. In order to predict more accurate CBM recovery, we conducted history matching and productivity prediction of vertical well by using COMET 3 reservoir modeling software, innovatively adopted the gas desorption experiment of bulk coal at fixed test pressure, analyzed the recovery extent method of Daning multiple-hole horizontal well and Panzhuang well group, and calculated recovery by sorption isotherm method of 14 vertical CBM wells at the abandonment pressures 1.0, 0.7, 0.5 and 0.3 MPa, respectively. The results show that the reservoir simulation methods (numerical simulation method and the recovery extent method) is more reliable than the theoretical analysis of coal sample (sorption isotherm method and desorption experiment method). Also, desorption experiment method at fixed pressure is superior to sorption isotherm method. Through the comprehensive analysis and linear correction, CBM recovery ratios in high rank coal reservoir of Jincheng area were found to be 38.64%, 49.30%, 59.30%, and 69.20% at the abandonment pressures 1.0, 0.7, 0.5 and 0.3 MPa, respectively. The research results are of significant importance in the CBM exploration and development in Jincheng area.

Productivity of coalbed methane wells in southern of Qinshui Basin

Based on regional CBM geological characteristics and drainage data of three typical Coalbed Methane(CBM) wells in the southern Qinshui Basin,history matching,productivity prediction and factor analysis of gas production control are conducted by using COMET3 reservoir modeling software.The results show that in the next 20 years,the cumulative and average daily gas production of the QN01 well are expected to be 800×104 m3 and 1141.1 m3/d,for the QN02 well 878×104 m3 and 1202.7 m3/d and 97.5×104 m3 and 133.55 m3/d for the QN03 well.Gas content and reservoir pressure are the key factors controlling gas production in the area;coal thickness,permeability and porosity are less important;the Langmuir volume,Langmuir pressure and adsorption time have relatively small effect.In the process of CBM recovery,the material source and driving force are the key features affecting gas productivity,while the permeation process is relatively important and the desorption process has some impact on gas recovery.

Simulation of methane adsorption in diverse organic pores in shale reservoirs with multi-period geological evolution

In shale reservoirs,the organic pores with various structures formed during the thermal evolution of organic matter are the main storage site for adsorbed methane.However,in the process of thermal evolution,the adsorption characteristics of methane in multi type and multi-scale organic matter pores have not been sufficiently studied.In this study,the molecular simulation method was used to study the adsorption characteristics of methane based on the geological conditions of Longmaxi Formation shale reservoir in Sichuan Basin,China.The results show that the characteristics of pore structure will affect the methane adsorption characteristics.The adsorption capacity of slit-pores for methane is much higher than that of cylindrical pores.The groove space inside the pore will change the density distribution of methane molecules in the pore,greatly improve the adsorption capacity of the pore,and increase the pressure sensitivity of the adsorption process.Although the variation of methane adsorption characteristics of different shapes is not consistent with pore size,all pores have the strongest methane adsorption capacity when the pore size is about 2 nm.In addition,the changes of temperature and pressure during the thermal evolution are also important factors to control the methane adsorption characteristics.The pore adsorption capacity first increases and then decreases with the increase of pressure,and increases with the increase of temperature.In the early stage of thermal evolution,pore adsorption capacity is strong and pressure sensitivity is weak;while in the late stage,it is on the contrary.

An OGC standard-oriented architecture for distributed coal mine map services

GIS- or CAD-based technology has been widely used for cartographic maps in coal mines, but structural gaps between such maps make it difficult to provide an integrated map service, for any specific purpose, at higher levels. There is no uniform platform that can be used to manage all involved maps. The main reason for this is that datasets are submitted by individual coal mines using their individual, diverse software. No consistent model is used within the software for data abstraction and symbolization. This paper first reviews all the essential specifications concerning OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) interoperability. Then an OGC standard-oriented architecture is proposed to provide distributed coal mine map services. Within this new architecture the management of spatial data archives, and the integration of coal mine maps, are achieved through the interfaces of geospatial services. Finally an open source geospatial approach is suggested to implement the proposed scheme. A case study of the Huaibei Coal Group is used to demonstrate the proposal.

Application of micro-seismic facies to coal bed methane exploration

A neural network is applied to high-quality 3-D seismic data during micro-seismic facies analysis to perform the waveform analysis and training on single reflection events. Modeled seismic channels are established and the real seismic channels are classified. Thus, a distribution of micro-seismic facies having a high precision over a fiat surface was acquired. This method applied to existing geological data allows the distribution of areas rich in coal bed methane to be clearly defined. A distribution map of the micro-seismic facies in the research area is shown. The data accord well with measured methane con- tents, indicating that the analysis using micro-seismic facies is reliable and effective. This method could be applied to coal bed methane exploration and is of great importance to future exploration work and to an increase in the drilling success rate.

Numerical analysis of the destruction of water-resisting strata in a coal seam floor in mining above aquifers

With the increase in mining depth many mining areas in China have entered a period necessitating mining above aquifers. Production safety in coal mines in northern China is under serious threat from Ordovician karst water on coal seam floors, in order to analyze the destruction of water-resisting strata in floors of coal seams being mined and to achieve safe mining above deep aquifers, we established a numerical model of water-resisting strata, considering the structural characteristics and mechanical properties of a floor layered with hard and soft rock. We simulated the distribution characteristics of deformation, failure and seepage using the analytical module of fluid-structure interaction of FLAt：. We also obtained the corresponding stress distribution, deformation and flow vectors. Our results indi- cate that： （1） the advance of the working face causes water-resisting strata in goaf floors to form a deep double-clamped beam, subject to homogeneous loading at the bottom; （2） the two sides of the rock beam are subject 1~0 shear failure; （3） both sides of the rock seam at the bottom of the water-resisting strata are subject to tension and the greater the working face advance, the more serious the failure; C4） the original balance of the stress and seepage fields are broken and redistributed due to mining activities, especially the interaction of the abutment pressure in both sides of the goal; the lateral pressure on the goal floor and the water pressure on the floor of the aquifer promote floor heave and shear failure on both sides of the floor, forming a water-inrush passage. Our study results can provide references for the mechanism of water-inrush on mine floors.