Diagenesis of the Paleogene Sandstones in the DN2 Gas Field,Kuqa Foreland Basin and its Link to Tectonics

We investigated diagenesis of the sandstones from the DN2 Gas Field of the Kuqa Foreland Basin(KFB),in order to infer the timing of fluid migration and discuss the linkage between fluids and tectonics.The textures and chemical composition of authigenic minerals,fluid evidence from fluid inclusions and formation water measurements were all used to fulfill this aim.Eodiagenesis occurred with the participation of meteoric water and connate water.Mesodiagenesis is related to high salinity fluids,which were attributed as originating from the overlying Neogene Jidike Formation evaporite(principal minerals including halite,anhydrite,glauberite,carnallite and thenardite).The onset of high salinity fluid migration is inferred to occur during the late Miocene(12.4-9.2 Ma)through the use of homogenization temperatures measured in the present study and K-Ar dating of authigenetic illites from previous work.This period is consistent with the crucial phase(13-10 Ma)that witnessed the rapid uplift of the southern Tianshan Mts and the stage when calcite and anhydrite veins formed in the studied strata.We thus argue that diagenesis related to high salinity fluids occurred as a response to the Tianshan Mts'rapid uplift and related tectonic processes.The flow of high salinity fluids was probably driven by a density gradient and channeled and focused by fractures formed contemporaneously.

Control of neotectonic movement on hydrocarbon accumulation in the Kuqa Foreland Basin,west China

Neotectonic movement refers to the tectonic movement that has happened since the Cenozoic, which is the latest movement. It has the most important influence on the basins in west China, especially on the hydrocarbon accumulation in the western foreland basins. We determined the time of neotectonic movement in the Kuqa Foreland Basin, which began from the Neogene, and analyzed the patterns of movement, which were continuous and fast subsidence in the vertical direction and intense lateral compression. The structure styles are that the faulting is weakened and the folding is strengthened gradually from north to south. We studied the control of neotectonic movement on the hydrocarbon accumulation process and model in the Kuqa Foreland Basin with basin simulation technique. The largest subsidence rate of the Kuqa Foreland Basin reached 1,200 m/Ma during the neotectonic movement, leading to rapid maturing of source rock within 5 Ma and a large quantity of hydrocarbon being generated and expelled. The thick neotectonic strata can form high quality reservoirs with the proved gas and oil reserves accounting for 5% and 27% of the total reserves, respectively. 86% of the structural traps were formed in the neotectonic movement period. The faults formed during the neotectonic movement serve as important migration pathways and they exist in the region where the hydrocarbon reservoirs are distributed. Abnormally high pressure caused by the intense lateral compression, thick neotectonic strata deposition and rapid hydrocarbon generation provide driving force for hydrocarbon migration. The accumulation elements match each other well over a short period, leading to many large gas fields formed later in the Kuqa Foreland Basin.

Sedimentary Characteristics and Reservoir Prediction of Paleogene in the East Part of Kuqa Foreland Basin

Most of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic large-scale hydrocarbon-bearing basins in western China were formed in a similar foreland setting. Hydrocarbon exploration of the Kuqa foreland basin requires research into the sedimentary characteristics and filling evolution of the depositional sequences and their response to the basin process. Based on an analysis of outcrops, well logs and high resolution seismic data, the sedimentary system types and distribution characteristics of the Paleogene in the east part of Kuqa foreland basin were systematically studied. The results show that： （ 1 ） Three types of sedimentary systems are developed in the area： an oxidative salty wide shallow lacustrine system, a fan delta system and an evaporitic bordersea system. （2） The configuration and evolution of the depositional systems of the Paleogene in the Kuqa foreland basin were predominantly determined by foreland tectonism. Vertically, the Paleogene sedimentary sequence can be divided into three parts： the lower, middle and upper depositional system tracts. The lower and upper tracts commonly consist of progradational or aggradational sequences, while the middle part is usually comprised of a set of aggradational to transgressive third-order sequences. Laterally, the sedimentary systems in the east part of the Kuqa foreland basin spread from east to west as a whole, and the sedimentary facies obviously vary from south to north. The sand bodies of the delta front facies are excellent gas reservoirs, characterized by rather thick, extensive and continuous distribution, high porosity and permeability, and just a few barrier beds.

Sequence Stratigraphy of the Desert System: A Case Study of the Lower Cretaceous in the Kuqa Basin in Xinjiang, Northwestern China

The Lower Cretaceous strata in the Kuqa Basin in Xinjiang are marked by a set of arid red beds. Several types of sedimentary fades can be identified in this set of arid red beds: mudstones of the plaza and intracontinental sebkha, aeolian sandstones, sandy conglomerates of the intermittent river, conglomerates of the pluvial fan, etc. These types of sedimentary facies constitute a typical desert system. Therefore, the Cretaceous strata in the Kuqa Basin provide a favorable condition for studies of sequence stratigraphic divisions of the desert system. With the rise and fall of the base level of the sedimentary basin, cyclicity is clearly revealed in stratigraphic records, which helps the identification of the third-order sequences. Based on the cyclicity in stratigraphic records, 5 third-order sequences can be found in the strata of the Early Cretaceous in the Kuqa Basin. These sequences comprise a second-order tectonic sequence. The primary feature of these third-order sequences is of an upward-fining sedimentary succession formed by a succession of 'coarse sediments of the alluvial system-fine sediments of the lake system'. The result of this study shows that aeolian sandstones are the best reservoirs of natural gas in the Cretaceous strata in the Kuqa Basin, and that the Kela-2 gas field is the first large gas field dominated by aeolian sandstone reservoirs in China.

Comparison of Kuqa foreland basin with Persian Gulf Basin in salt tectonics

Compared Kuqa foreland basin with Persian Gulf Basin in development of salt layers, salt tectonics, and the relation between salt tectonics and hydrocarbon, it is concluded that the salt diapirs are relative to hydrocarbon. Searching salt diapirs and related traps in Kuqa foreland basin is important. The forming mechanism of salt tectonic in Kuqa foreland basin is different from that of Hormuz Series, but similar to that of Lower Fars Series/Gachsaran Formation. Inspired by the role of salt tectonics of Lower Fars Series/Gachsaran Formation in hydrocarbon accumulation, the authors considered that the exploration below salt layer should be enforced, and the traps below salt layer in the southern part of the Kuqa foreland basin would be found where salt layer is thicker. On the contrary, the traps should be found both above and below the salt layer in front of the northern mountain where salt layer is thin. The Triassic and Jurassic source rocks are rich in this area with great exploration prospective.

Geochemical Characteristics and Origin of Crude Oil and Natural Gas in the Southern Slope Zone,Kuqa Foreland Basin,NW China

Continuous exploration has triggered a heated debate on hydrocarbon resource potential in the southern slope zone of the Kuqa foreland basin,and sources of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic oil and gas have become a key problem to be solved in this region.Composition and organic geochemical parameters of crude oil and natural gas from the southern slope zone of the Kuqa foreland basin were illustrated in order to reveal their origin by using a combination of gas chromatograph(GC),gas chromatogram-mass spectrum(GC-MS)and carbon isotope analyses.The characteristics of crude oil,such as low density,viscosity,solidification point and sulfur content,and high wax content,indicate that source of the crude oil is continental.The biomarker compositions of crude oil are characterized by low to medium molecular weight compounds(n-C_(12) to n-C_(20)),high Pr/Ph ratios(>1.0),low phytane/n-C18 ratios(0.06-0.54),and predominant regular sterane C_(29).All biomarker parameters clearly indicate that the crude oil was derived mainly from algae and aquatic plankton and deposited under weak reduction-oxidation environment,and has the characteristics of mixed kerogens.The Cretaceous crude oil was mainly derived from the Triassic lacustrine source rocks,which also contributed to the Paleogene crude oil together with Jurassic coal source rocks.Natural gas is characterized by moderate methane content,high heavy hydrocarbon and nitrogen content,and no hydrogen sulfide.The methane and ethane in Paleogene natural gas are relatively rich in ^(13)C withδ^(13)C_(1) andδ^(13)C_(2) values ranging from-37.3‰to-31.2‰(mean=-34.25‰)and from-25‰to-21.3‰(mean=-23.09‰),respectively,indicating the coal-derived gas from the Middle and Lower Jurassic strata.Hydrocarbon products in the southern slope zone of the Kuqa foreland basin are primarily generated from source rocks in the mature stage.The low-amplitude structural and lithologic traps with the updip pinch-out sand bodies or plugging secondary fault at relatively high tectonic positions are the most favorable areas for discovery and breakthrough in the study area.Results of this study will provide useful information for controlling factors of reservoirs and oil and gas exploration deployment in the southern slope zone of the Kuqa foreland basin.

Formation condition of deep gas reservoirs in tight sandstones in Kuqa Foreland Basin

Due to the high expense of deep oil and gas exploration,prediction of gas-bearing properties before drilling is crucial for deep gas reservoir of tight sandstone.Deep tight sandstone gas fields in Kuqa Foreland Basin are characterized by high abundance,high gas saturation,high pressure,high and stable yield,which belong to high-efficiency tight gas reservoir.Based on theoretical analysis of controlling factors and mechanisms of gas-bearing properties for tight sandstone gas reservoir,and taking tight sandstone gas fields with high effectiveness such as Dibei,Keshen and Dibei gas fields in Kuqa Foreland Basin as examples,formation condition and mechanism of high-efficiency tight sandstone gas reservoir in Kuqa area are studied through a comparative analysis of typical tight sandstone gas reservoir in Sichuan Basin and Ordos Basin.The results show that the formation condition of deep gas reservoir of tight sandstone in Kuqa foreland basin includes four factors:i.e.,overpressure gas charging,fracture development,“early-oil and late-gas”accumulation process and favorable preservation condition.The overpressure gas charging and fracture development are the most important factors for formation of high-efficiency tight gas reservoirs in Kuqa Foreland Basin.High-quality source rocks,high sourcereservoir pressure difference,and overpressure filling induced thereby are preconditions for formation of tight sandstone with high gas saturation.The fracture development controls gas migration,accumulation,and high yield of tight sandstone gas reservoir.The reservoir wettability changed by the early oil charging is beneficial to late natural gas charging,and the preservation condition of high-quality gypsum cap rocks is the key factor for gas reservoirs to maintain overpressure and high gas saturation.Matching of above four favorable factors leads to the tight sandstone gas reservoir with high abundance,high gas saturation and high gas production in Kuqa Foreland Basin,which is very different from other basins.Under the condition of little difference in physical property of tight sandstone reservoir,excessive source-reservoir pressure difference,facture development,preservation condition and current formation overpressure are the most significant factors to be considered in exploration and evaluation of deep tight sandstone gas.

Sedimentary Response of Different Fan Types to the Paleogene-Neogene Basin Transformation in the Kuqa Depression,Tarim Basin,Xinjiang Province

A group of alluvial fans formed in the early Paleogene represent marginal sedimentary facies at the foot of the South Tianshan Mountain, Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, Xinjiang province. Two types of fans occurred in the middle-late Paleogene Kumugeliemu and Suweiyi formations： one alluvial, and the other fan delta deposited in a lacustrine setting. Within the early Neogene Jidike Formation, coastal subaqueous fans developed, probably in a deeper water lacustrine setting. The three types of fans are stacked vertically in outcrop with the sequence in ascending order： bottom alluvial, middle fan-delta, and top suhaqueous. The subaqueous is a typical coarse-fan deposit occurring in the glutinite member of the Jidike Formation in some wells. Laterally, from the foreland to the lacustrine settings, the distribution pattern of sedimentary facies represents the same three fan types sequentially. The spatial distribution of these fans was controlled by the Paleogene-Neogene Basin transformation, and evolution with different types of fans developed in the Kuqa Depression in response. In the Paleogene, the Kuqa Depression was a rift basin where an alluvial fan was deposited in the foreland setting, which, by early Neogene, became a foreland basin when the lake level changed. With any rise in lake level, fan-deltas migrated from lacustrine to foreland settings, whereas when the lake level fell, fan migration was reversed. In the early Neogene, with increasing slope and rising lake level, fans progressed and covered the previous fan-delta and lacustrine mudstone. Eventually, subaqueous fans developed, forming the present spatial configuration of these three fan types.

A Large-scale Tertiary Salt Nappe Complex in the Leading Edge of the Kuqa Foreland Fold-Thrust Belt, the Tarim Basin, Northwest China

The tectono-stratigraphic sequences of the Kuqa foreland fold-thrust belt in the northern Tarim basin, northwest China, can be divided into the Mesozoic sub-salt sequence, the Paleocene-Eocene salt sequence and the Oligocene-Quaternary supra-salt sequence. The salt sequence is composed mainly of light grey halite, gypsum, marl and brown elastics. A variety of salt-related structures have developed in the Kuqa foreland fold belt, in which the most fascinating structures are salt nappe complex. Based on field observation, seismic interpretation and drilling data, a large-scale salt nappe complex has been identified. It trends approximately east-west for over 200 km and occurs along the west Qiulitag Mountains. Its thrusting displacement is over 30 km. The salt nappe complex appears as an arcuate zone projecting southwestwards along the leading edge of the Kuqa foreland fold belt. The major thrust fault is developed along the Paleocene-Eocene salt beds. The allochthonous nappes comprise large north-dipping faulting monoclines which are made up of Paleocene-Pliocene sediments. Geological analysis and cross-section restoration revealed that the salt nappes were mainly formed at the late Himalayan stage (c.a. 1.64 Ma BP) and have been active until the present day. Because of inhomogeneous thrusting, a great difference may exist in thrust displacement, thrust occurrence, superimposition of allochthonous and autochthonous sequences and the development of the salt-related structures, which indicates the segmentation along the salt nappes. Regional compression, gravitational gliding and spreading controlled the formation and evolution of the salt nappe complex in the Kuqa foreland fold belt.

Origin,migration and mixing of oilfield brines: Stable iso-topic evidence from Kuqa Foreland Basin

87Sr/86Sr, 8 D and δ180 together with chemistry of oilfield brines, were measured from Cambrian to Neogene strata in the Kuqa Foreland Basin, northwest China. The brines have 87Sr/86Sr ratios ranging from 0.70944 to 0.71716, 8D values from -33‰ to -67‰ and δ18O from -9.0‰ to 3.9‰. The most radiogenic 87Sr brines have relatively heavy δ18O in the Cambro- Ordo-vician carbonates, and are suggested to originate from crystalline basement. 8 D and δ18O sys-tematics show that all the brines slope to Global Meteoric Water Line, and intersect at 8 D = -60‰ and δ18O = -8.8‰, close to that of present-day local meteoric water, suggesting that meteoric water has mixed with evaporated ancient meteoric water. More saline samples have the lowest δD and δ180 contents and molar Na/CI ratios of more than 0.9, resulting from salt dissolution.

Three-dimensional discrete element numerical simulation of Paleogene salt structures in the western Kuqa foreland thrust belt

Taking the Paleogene salt strata in the west of Kuqa foreland thrust belt as study object, the deformation features of salt structure in the compression direction and perpendicular to the compression direction were examined to find out the control factors and formation mechanisms of the salt structures. By using the three-dimensional discrete element numerical simulation method, the formation mechanisms of typical salt structures of western Kuqa foreland thrust belt in Keshen and Dabei work areas were comprehensively analyzed. The simulation results show that the salt deformation in Keshen and Dabei work areas is of forward spread type, with deformation concentrated in the piedmont zone;the salt deformation is affected by the early uplift near the compression end, pre-existing basement faults, synsedimentary process and the initial salt depocenter;in the direction perpendicular to the compression direction, salt rocks near the compression end have strong lateral mobility with the velocity component moving towards the middle part, and the closer to the middle, the larger the velocity will be, so that salt rocks will aggregate towards the middle and deform intensely, forming complex folds and separation of salt structures from salt source, and local outcrop with thrust faults. Compared with 2 D simulation, 3 D simulation can analyze salt structures in the principal stress direction and direction perpendicular to the principal stress, give us a full view of the formation mechanisms of salt structures, and guide the exploration of oil and gas reservoirs related to salt structures.

Influence of Salt Beds on the Segmentation of Structure and Hydrocarbon Accumulation in Qiulitag Structural Belt,Tarim Basin,China

Seismic information and balanced profile technology were used to reveal the influence of the salt bed in segmentation of structure and hydrocarbon accumulation in Qiulitag structural belt in Tarim basin. From west to east, the shortening of strata above the salt beds gradually decreases, while, the shortening below the salt beds gradually increases, which shows that the segmentation of structure integrated the seismic profile. There is great difference of the deformation of strata below and above the salt beds between the west segment and the east segment. The analysis of the distribution of oil/gas fields and the hydrocarbon properties indicates the similar segmentation to the structure segmentation. The salt beds in relatively shallow layers change the stress condition from basement of Kuqa foreland basin, which leads to the segmentation of Qiulitag structural belt. Because the salt beds in the west segment came into being earlier than those in the east segment, the west segment captures hydrocarbon from two sets of source rock, while the east segment can only capture hydrocarbons from one set of source rock. So, the salt beds play an important role in the segmentation of structure and hydrocarbon accumulation.

Oil and gas source and accumulation of Zhongqiu 1 trap in Qiulitage structural belt, Tarim Basin, NW China

Well Zhongqiu 1 obtained highly productive oil-gas stream in the footwall of Zhongqiu structure, marking the strategic breakthrough of Qiulitag structural belt in the Tarim Basin. However, the oil and gas sources in Zhongqiu structural belt and the reservoir formation process in Zhongqiu 1 trap remain unclear, so study on these issues may provide important basis for the next step of oil and gas exploration and deployment in Qiulitage structural belt. In this study, a systematic correlation of oil and gas source in Well Zhongqiu 1 has been carried out. The oil in Well Zhongqiu 1 is derived from Triassic lacustrine mudstone, while the gas is a typical coal-derived gas and mainly from Jurassic coal measures. The oil charging in Well Zhongqiu 1 mainly took place during the sedimentary period from Jidike Formation to Kangcun Formation in Neogene, and the oil was mainly contributed by Triassic source rock;large-scale natural gas charging occurred in the sedimentary period of Kuqa Formation in Neogene, and the coal-derived gas generated in the late Jurassic caused large-scale gas invasion to the early Triassic crude oil reservoirs. The Zhongqiu 1 trap was formed earlier than or at the same period as the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion period of Triassic-Jurassic source rocks. Active faults provided paths for hydrocarbon migration. The source rocks-faults-traps matched well in time and space. Traps in the footwall of the Zhongqiu structural fault have similar reservoir-forming conditions with the Zhongqiu 1 trap, so they are favorable targets in the next step of exploration.

新疆库车盆地康村地区砂岩型铜矿物源分析:LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年代学证据

新疆库车盆地的新生代地层中分布着众多砂岩型铜矿床和矿点,其与源-汇系统关系不清,而物源区是沉积盆地源-汇系统的重要组成部分。本文在野外调查的基础上开展康村地区碎屑岩中碎屑锆石的年代学研究,初步探讨库车盆地源-汇系统中成矿物质来源。结果表明:2件样品LA-ICP-MS测年数据分别为(427.4±6.6)Ma、(387.3±3.3)Ma和(424.6±2.3)Ma、(279.9±6.8)Ma,表明康村地区中新统吉迪克组(N1j)含铜砂砾岩的物源主要来自于库车盆地北西南天山造山带古生代晚志留世至早二叠世地质演化所形成的地层和岩浆岩产物。

库车前陆盆地天然气成藏过程及聚集特征

天然气的组分和碳同位素主要受母质类型和成熟度双重因素的控制,这是我们研究天然气的基础。但是越来越多的证据显示成藏过程对天然气组分和碳同位素也具有明显的控制作用。尽管库车前陆盆地不同构造单元的天然气来源一致,即主要来源于侏罗系烃源岩、其次为三叠系烃源岩,但是库车前陆盆地冲断构造带、斜坡区和前缘隆起区在天然气组分、干湿程度和碳同位素组成上具有明显的差异。库车前陆盆地经历了早期油气的聚集、破坏和晚期天然气聚集、调整的过程,研究认为成藏过程对库车前陆盆地不同构造单元的天然气组分和碳同位素特征具有明显的控制作用。

库车再生前陆盆地的构造演化

库车再生前陆盆地位于塔里木盆地的北缘 ,其沉积和构造特征具有典型的前陆盆地性质。库车再生前陆盆地开始形成于吉迪克组沉积早期 (距今 2 5Ma) ,叠置于晚二叠世 -三叠纪前陆盆地之上 ,是始新世末印度 -西藏碰撞的远距离构造效应所致。其中的前陆逆冲带是由浅部和深部两个层次的构造组成的 ,其构造特征具有不一致性和不协调性。库车再生前陆逆冲带内的台阶状逆断层及其相关褶皱都是伴随着中新世以来的造山运动形成的 ,由山前向盆地以背驮式渐次连续扩展 ,自渐新世晚期一直持续到现在。印度 -西藏碰撞作用引起的陆内俯冲及壳内拆离

库车再生前陆盆地的构造与油气

库车再生前陆盆地位于塔里木盆地的北缘 ,其沉积和构造特征具有典型的前陆盆地性质。盆地中三叠系、侏罗系烃源岩发育 ,具有多套储盖组合 ,是塔里木盆地重点勘探地区之一。研究表明 :(1)断层活动与生烃、排烃时期是否匹配是确定断层封闭性的关键 ,断层活动期 ,断面具有较强的输导能力 ,断层停止活动 ,断层对流体有较强的遮挡作用 ;(2 )断层相关褶皱是最有利的构造圈闭 ;(3)突破断层对油气藏主要起破坏或改造作用 ;(4)导油构造缺乏是深部勘探失利的关键。在构造与油气关系研究的基础上 ,确定库车再生前陆盆地中的北部背斜油气聚集带和拜城阳霞向斜北油气聚集带是目前最有利的勘探目标。

塔里木盆地北缘库车前陆盆地地温梯度分布特征

结合塔里木库车前陆盆地的 10 9口井的地温数据 ,给出了库车盆地的地温场分布特征 .库车盆地各构造单元的平均地温梯度值为 18～ 2 8℃ km ,与我国其他大、中型沉积盆地相比 ,仍然偏低 .库车前陆盆地整体上是属于低温冷盆 ,山前带部位 ,依奇克里克、克拉苏和大宛齐等构造分区是低温冷盆中的高地温梯度带 ;从山前带由北向南 ,地温梯度逐渐降低 .在盆地的南部 ,地温梯度又存在明显差异 .总体上 ,地温梯度随深度的增加而降低 ,趋于一致 ,但在不同地质构造条件下其变化的速率不同 .在此基础上 ,进一步探讨地温梯度与盆地形成和构造演化的关系以及油气勘探意义 .

塔里木盆地北部构造与油气分布规律

塔里木盆地北部的构造演化和构造格局直接受控于南天山碰撞造山带的形成与演化过程。在此构造演化过程中形成了中生代的库车前陆盆地和新生代的北塔里木前陆盆地。塔里木盆地北部的构造演化和构造格局又控制了该地区的油气分布规律 :秋里塔格带以北的前陆褶皱冲断带 ,即库车坳陷的主体部分是天然气富集区 ;塔北隆起的南部至中央隆起的北部是黑油富集区 ;

塔里木库车盆地中生代原型分析

地层沉积、地震剖面与露头资料并结合平衡剖面的研究,表明库车三叠纪盆地属于前陆盆地,侏罗纪与早白垩世盆地属于造山期后超大型盆地中克拉通边缘凹陷型盆地,它们具有不同的北部边界和沉降特征。三叠纪盆地的北部边界位于现今盆地北部边界以北6～21km的位置,而沉降中心则位于现今南天山山前及山下的中西段;侏罗纪盆地的北部边界位于三叠纪盆地之北,沉降中心则位于现今南天山山前及山下;早白垩世盆地的北部边界位于侏罗纪盆地之南,东段则已到达了现今边界以南的位置,而沉降中心已接近拜城北部。基于上述,建议在分析油气成藏时首先应进行三叠纪与侏罗纪烃源岩的分布研究。