Main controlling factor and mechanism of gas-in-place content of the Lower Cambrian shale from different sedimentary facies in the western Hubei area, South China

The Lower Cambrian shale gas in the western Hubei area,South China has a great resource prospect,but the gas-in-place(GIP)content in different sedimentary facies varies widely,and the relevant mechanism has been not well understood.In the present study,two sets of the Lower Cambrian shale samples from the Wells YD4 and YD5 in the western Hubei area,representing the deep-water shelf facies and shallowwater platform facies,respectively,were investigated on the differences of pore types,pore structure and methane adsorption capacity between them,and the main controlling factor and mechanism of their methane adsorption capacities and GIP contents were discussed.The results show that the organic matter(OM)pores in the YD4 shale samples are dominant,while the inorganic mineral(IM)pores in the YD5 shale samples are primary,with underdeveloped OM pores.The pore specific surface area(SSA)and pore volume(PV)of the YD4 shale samples are mainly from micropores and mesopores,respectively,while those of the YD5 shale samples are mainly from micropores and macropores,respectively.The methane adsorption capacity of the YD4 shale samples is significantly higher than that of the YD5 shale samples,with a maximum absolute adsorption capacity of 3.13 cm^(3)/g and 1.31 cm^(3)/g in average,respectively.Compared with the shallow-water platform shale,the deep-water shelf shale has a higher TOC content,a better kerogen type and more developed OM pores,which is the main mechanism for its higher adsorption capacity.The GIP content models based on two samples with a similar TOC content selected respectively from the Wells YD4 and YD5 further indicate that the GIP content of the deep-water shelf shale is mainly 34 m^(3)/t within a depth range of 1000—4000 m,with shale gas exploration and development potential,while the shallow-water platform shale has normally a GIP content of<1 m^(3)/t,with little shale gas potential.Considering the geological and geochemical conditions of shale gas formation and preservation,the deep-water shelf facies is the most favorable target for the Lower Cambrian shale gas exploration and development in the western Hubei area,South China.

New Vetulicoliids from the Lower Cambrian Guanshan Fauna, Kunming

The Guanshan Fauna, a soft-bodied fauna intermediate between the Chengjiang Fauna and the Kaili Fauna and also the Burgess Shale Fauna stratigraphically, consists of trilobites, trilobitoides, Tuzoia, Vetulicola, Paleoscolex, brachiopods and sponges. The discovery and research of this fauna is of great significance in understading the 'Cambrian Explosion' and the evolution of early life. The occurrence of vetulicoliids from the Guanshan Fauna not only adds new members to the taxonomic list, but also provides new information to the evolution of this animal group. This paper describe Vetulicola gantoucunensis Luo, Fu et Hu sp. nov. from the Lower Cambrian Wulongqing Formation in the Kunming area. Also presented are the amended description of Vetulicola and the comparisons with related genera within Vetulicoliids. The affinity, distribution, as well as evolution of vetulicoliids are discussed.

Fossil Association from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges Area,Hubei,South China

Apart from previously reported Small Shelly Fossils （SSFs）, a macroscopic fossil assemblage, comprising abundant algae, cone-shaped tubular fossil forms, and probable impressions of a megascopic metazoan, comes from the Lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area of western Hubei Province, south China. The visible fossils are preserved in thinlaminated siltstone or muddy siltstone intercalated between 8-15 ram-thick carbonate deposits, probably representing sedimentary settings of a constrained local depression in the shallow water carbonate platform during the Early Cambrian Meishucunian Stage. The macroscopic fossil association provides significant fossil evidence about the evolution of life from the late Precambrian to the ＇Cambrian explosion＇ interval.

Geochemistry of Platinum Group and Rare Earth Elements of the Polymetallic Layer in the Lower Cambrian,Weng'an,Guizhou Province

The black shales of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in Weng＇an, on the Yangtze platform of south China, contain voluminous polymetallic sulfide deposits. A comprehensive geochemical investigation of trace, rare earth, and platinum group elements （PGE） has been undertaken in order to discuss its ore genesis and correlation with the tectono-depositional setting. The ore-bearing layers enrich molybdenum （Mo）, nickel （Ni）, vanadium （V）, lead （Pb）, strontium （Sr）, barium （Ba）, uranium （U）, arsenic （As）, and rare earth elements （REE） in abundance. High uranium/ thorium （U/Th） ratios （U/Th〉I） indicated that mineralization was mainly influenced by the hydrothermal process. The 8U value was above 1.9, showing a reducing sedimentary condition. The REE patterns showed high enrichment in light rare earth elements （LREE） （heavy rare earth elements （HREE） （LREE/HREE=5-17）, slightly negative europium （Eu） and cerium （Ce） anomalies （δEu=0.81- 0.93）, and positive Ce anomalies （δCe=0.76-1.12）. PGE abundance was characterized by the PGE-type distribution patterns, enriching platinum （Pt）, palladium （Pd）, ruthenium （Ru） and osmium （Os）. The Pt/Pd ratio was 0.8, which is close to the ratios of seawater and ultramafic rocks. All of these geochemical features suggest that the mineralization was triggered by hydrothermal activity in an extensional setting in the context of break-up of the Rodinian supercontinent.

From Basin Black Shales to Platform Carbonate Rocks:A Study on Sequence Stratigraphy for the Lower Cambrian of the Upper-Yangtze Region in South China

In the Upper-Yangtze region, especially in Guizhou Province and its adjacent areas, the Lower Cambrian is well developed and is marked by a succession from black shales of the basin facies to carbonate rocks of the platform facies. The drowning event of the platform occurring at the turn from Sinian to Cambrian resulted in a set of black shales, i.e. the Niutitang Formation, which makes up the bottom part of the Lower Cambrian. With the shoaling of the sedimentary environment, a set of carbonate rocks, i.e. the Qingxudong Formation, was formed in the top part of the Lower Cambrian. Thus, the Lower Cambrian in the study area makes up one second-order sequence that can be further subdivided into five third-order sequences, and forms a regularly cyclic succession of transgression-regression. There is a regularly vertical stacking pattern for the third-order sequences in the second-order sequence. From bottom to top, the succession of the ＂CS （condensed section） ＋HST （high-stand system tract）＂ of the third-order sequences is changed into the succession of the ＂TST （transgressive system tract）＋CS＋HST＂. Correspondingly, the drowning-type sequence boundary is changed into the exposure-type one. Therefore, both the second-order and the third-order sequences have similar sedimentary-facies architectures. A concomitant with these temporal changes, the Lower Cambrian with a thickness of 1000 m that contains five third-order sequences is changed into a condensed succession that cannot identify third-order sequences toward the southeast with the deepening of the sedimentary environment. According to the elementary features of the third-order sequences, i.e. the regularity o sedimentary-facies successions in space and the synchronism of sedimentary-environment changes in time, the detailed division of the third-order sequences at main logged sections in different paleogeographical background becomes the basis to establish the sequence-stratigraphic framework that can demonstrate two types of facies-changing surface and two types of diachronism in the stratigraphic records. This sequence-stratigraphic framework shows a growing process of the carbonate platform from the base of the condensed succession formed by black shales of basin facies. Resulting from the rapid transgression at the turn from Sinian to Cambrian the ecological space became open, which formed the antecedent condition of paleogeographical setting for ＂the Cambrian Biological Explosion＂. Ultimately, the genetic relationship between the depositional events and the biological-diversity events is very complex and there remain lots of problems that need further research in the future.

Trace Fossils from Lower Cambrian Wusongger Formation in Xiaoerbulake Outcrop,Kalpin Area,Xinjiang

Based on the analysis of trace fossils collected from the typical outcrop of the Lower Cambrian Wusongger Formation in the Kalpin area, ten ichnospecies of six ichnogenus were identified in the upper member of the Wusongger Formation, with most of them being found for the first time. The trace fossils are described seriatim. The ichnospecies are mainly represented by such common trace fossils as Ophiomorpha nodosa, Helminthopsis hieroglyphica, Helminthopsis ichnosp., Planolites beverleyensis, Planolites vulgaris, Planolites montanus, Palaeophycus striatus, Palaeophycus curvatus, Cochlichnus anguineus and Rituichnus elongatum. The trace fossils are of high diversity and low abundance, and can be diagnosed as the Cruziana ichnofacies. They can be interpreted as having formed in a shallow water environment.

Controls on the organic carbon content of the lower Cambrian black shale in the southeastern margin of Upper Yangtze

Control of various factors, including mineral components, primary productivity and redox level, on the total organic carbon(TOC) in the lower Cambrian black shale from southeastern margin of Upper Yangtze(Taozichong, Longbizui and Yanbei areas) is discussed in detail in this article. Mineral components in the study strata are dominated by quartz and clay minerals. Quartz in the Niutitang Formation is mainly of biogenic origin, and the content is in positive correlation with TOC, while the content of clay minerals is negatively correlated with TOC. Primary productivity, represented by the content of Mobio(biogenic molybdenum), Babio(biogenic barium) and phosphorus, is positively correlated with TOC. The main alkanes in studied samples are nCC, and odd–even priority values are closed to 1(0.73–1.13), which suggest the organic matter source was marine plankton. Element content ratios of U/Th and Ni/Co and compound ratio Pr/Ph indicate dysoxic–anoxic bottom water, with weak positive relative with TOC. In total, three main points can be drawn to explain the relationship between data and the factors affecting organic accumulation:(1) quartz-rich and clay-mineral-poor deep shelf–slope–basin environment was favorable for living organisms;(2) high productivity provided the material foundation for organic generation;(3) the redox conditions impact slightly on the content of organic matter under high productivity and dysoxic–anoxic condition.

Study of Noble Metal Elements in Lower Cambrian Black Rock Series of Guizhou-Hunan Provinces, China

Systematic analyses of noble metal elements in the Lower Cambrian black rock series of South China are reported. Correlations of w (Os)/ w (Ir), w (Au)/ w (Ir), w (Ag)/ w (Au), w (Pt+Pd)/ w (Os+Ru+Rh+Ir), relations of noble metal and platinum group element (PGE) distribution patterns reveal that the noble metals are not directly from extraterrestrial materials. Studying the data of 9 aspects, the authors conclude that the noble metals were mainly from ultramafic mafic igneous rocks and their enrichment in black rocks is mainly controlled by hydrothermal fluid.

Microfossils from the Chert in the Lower Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation at Miaohe, Zigui, Hubei Province

This paper reports for the first time on the microfossils discovered in the black cherts of the basal part of the Lower Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation at Miaohe village, Zigui County, Hubei Province, all of which were observed in thin sections. Nine genera, 9 species and 3 indeterminate species (including a new species) are described. According to these microfossils, the conclusion is made that the microfossil zone may be equivalent to the small shelly fossil assemblage zones 2—3 of the Meishucun stage. They have provided another important line of evidence for the correlation of the Sinian-Cambrian boundary strata with those of the adjacent areas.

The nature, type, and origin of diagenetic uids and their control on the evolving porosity of the Lower Cambrian Xiaoerbulak Formation dolostone, northwestern Tarim Basin, China

The study on Lower Cambrian dolostones in Tarim Basin can improve our understanding of ancient and deeply buried carbonate reservoirs.In this research,diagenetic fluid characteristics and their control on porosity evolution have been revealed by studying the petrography and in situ geochemistry of different dolomites.Three types of diagenetic fluids were identified:(1) Replacive dolomites were deviated from shallow burial dolomitizing fluids,which might probably be concentrated ancient seawater at early stage.(2) Fine-to-medium crystalline,planar-e diamond pore-filling dolomites(Fd1) were likely slowly and sufficiently crystallized from deep-circulating crustal hydrothermal fluids during Devonian.(3) Coarse crystalline,non-planar-a saddle pore-filling dolomites(Fd2) might rapidly and insufficiently crystallize from magmatic hydrothermal fluids during Permian.Early dolomitizing fluids did not increase the porosity,but transformed the primary pores to dissolution pores through dolomitization.Deep-circulating crustal hydrothermal fluids significantly increased porosity in the early stages by dissolving and then slightly decreased the porosity in the late stage due to Fd1 precipitation.Magmatic hydrothermal fluids only precipitated the Fd2 dolomites and slightly decreased the porosity.In summary,Devonian deep-circulating crustal hydrothermal fluids dominated the porosity evolution of the Lower Cambrian dolostone reservoir in the Tarim Basin.

Copper Mineralization in the Lower Cambrian Cover of Jbel N’Zourk (Central Anti Atlas, Morocco): Tectonic-Mineralizations Relationships

The Moroccan Anti-Atlas is a vast geological region composed of a Precambrian basement covered by a late-Neoproterozoic to Paleozoic sedimentary sequences. More than 200 copper occurrences are listed in these sequences. The copper mineralization of the Jbel N’Zourk (Central Anti-Atlas) is observed into the lower Limestones of the lower Cambrian (Adoudou formation), just above the volcanic formations of the Jbel Boho between Bou Azzer El Graara and Zenaga inliers. The region is by an E-W shortening resulting in an overlapping structure with vergence associated with folds. Generally, the mineralization is hosted along the principal fault of Jbel N’Zourk and sometimes in the anticlines hinges. The petrographic study showed that the mineralization can be observed in several aspects, either in the fractures and veins, in small karsts or rarely disseminated in calcite and dolomite minerals. These observations host new arguments who contribute to a later reconcentration of the copper mineralization of Jbel N’Zourk, trapped on faulted and folded structures attributed to Variscan deformation.

Stratigraphic Implications of Skeletal Microfossils from the Cambrian of Korea:A Preliminary Report

Diverse small shelly fossils and other associated fossils were recently recovered from the Cambrian Hanaeri section, southwestern Mungyeong, Korea. The fauna includes conoidal problematica, poriferans （sponge spicules）, coeloscleritophorans （chancelioriids）, brachiopods, monoplacophorans, trilobite （？） fragments, echinoderms, and conodonts. A preliminary assessment of faunal associations, stratigraphic implications, and the correlation of these skeletal fossils is given, based on occurrences of Actinotheca cf. mira （He）, Microcornus sp., Torellela laevigata （Linnarsson）, Torellela sp., Archiasterella quadratina Lee, Chancelloria sp., LinguleUa sp., Prototreta sp., Phakelodus tenuis （Miiller）, Phakelodus elongates （An）, Hertzina sp., and Furnishina sp.

四川盆地南部下寒武统筇竹寺组页岩孔隙结构特征与页岩气赋存模式

近年来,四川盆地南部地区(以下简称川南地区)下寒武统筇竹寺组页岩气勘探开发取得了实质性的突破,但是,关于筇竹寺组页岩气储层孔隙结构特征及其对页岩气赋存模式影响的研究还较为薄弱。为此,以川南地区W207井筇竹寺组页岩为例,以总有机碳含量(TOC)不小于1.0%为界,将筇竹寺组页岩划分出4个高有机碳页岩层段(H1—H4层),并基于大视域扫描电镜、流体注入法孔隙定量表征、三维分子结构建模与分子模拟等方法,研究了不同富有机质层段页岩孔隙特征,并着重分析了H3层页岩孔隙发育特征与页岩气赋存模式。研究结果表明:(1)筇竹寺组页岩纵向上孔隙发育差异较大,其中H3层页岩孔隙系统最为有利,发育粒缘缝—有机质纳米连通孔隙—有机质基质分子内孔隙3级孔隙网络,其矿物粒缘缝与有机质纳米孔隙提供了较大的游离气储集空间,页岩有机质分子结构中普遍发育微孔,提供了较大的吸附空间;(2)微孔对总吸附量的贡献随压力增高而降低,但在30.0 MPa时仍贡献了56%以上的总吸附气量;(3)高温高压下(30.0 MPa、70℃),页岩中游离气甲烷含量占总含气量的57%,当压力由30.0 MPa降低至16.5 MPa,游离气贡献总开采气量超过80%;(4)粒缘缝、有机质纳米连通孔隙和有机质基质分子内孔隙良好的配置关系为页岩气富集及开发提供了良好的连通体系,远离风化壳的超压层段有利于页岩孔隙发育。结论认为,川南地区筇竹寺组H3层页岩孔隙系统发育,具备页岩气高产地质条件,是筇竹寺组下一步重点关注层段,在此基础上寻找远离风化壳、孔隙发育的超压页岩储层是筇竹寺组选区选层的关键。

安徽石台早寒武世黑色岩系稀土元素地球化学特征及其地质意义

安徽石台地区发育早寒武世黑色岩系，岩石地层单元为下寒武统荷塘组和黄柏岭组。稀土元素地球化学研究表明，黑色岩系稀土总量不富集，轻稀土较重稀土富集；δEu=0．81～2．32，平均1．1；δCe=0．52～0．97，平均0．77。剖面自下而上δCe值和δEu值规律变化，δCe值由大渐小再增大，但总体逐渐增大，δEu值总体变化则与之相反。稀土元素地球化学特征反映该区早寒武世曾发生过一次明显的海侵-海退过程，黑色岩系为正常海水与热水混合沉积的产物，形成于缺氧还原状态过渡到半还原-弱氧化状态的过程中，沉积环境为干燥气候条件下相对较深的浅海斜坡环境。

黔东南州下寒武统黑色页岩稀土元素地球化学特征

采用等离子质谱仪（ICP-MS）对三穗和黄平下寒武统斜坡相黑色页岩稀土元素含量进行分析。结果表明：稀土总量为68.28×10-6~252.00×10-6,平均含量为133.16×10-6;ΣLREE/ΣHREE的比值是2.38~5.70,轻稀土元素较重稀土元素富集。δEu=0.49~0.75,推测沉积温度低于250℃;δCe=0.34~0.85,反映岩石是在相对缺氧的海水环境条件下沉积。岩石（La/Sm）N的比值是1.77~3.31,代表有地下深部物质加入。黑色页岩稀土的球粒陨石配分曲线为向右倾斜,而其北美页岩组合样标准化曲线明显呈近于水平或左倾。结合La/Ce和La/Yb-REE判别图解,推断黔东南州黑色页岩形成于一种干燥缺氧较深浅海环境,并在形成过程中有热液参与。

塔东地区寒武系-下奥陶统成岩作用特征及对优质储层形成的影响

通过对塔东地区寒武系-下奥陶统7口井岩心观察及薄片分析鉴定,发现寒武系-下奥陶统成岩演化过程复杂,各种成岩作用发育。对储层形成有建设性作用的有白云石化、溶蚀、破裂作用;具破坏性的成岩作用有黄铁矿化、硅化、压实和充填作用等。以白云石岩石学特征为基础,结合构造背景,认为研究区广泛发育的白云岩为构造热液白云石化成因,断裂系统为热液白云石化提供了热源流体。随着成岩作用演化的加深,岩层演化的总趋势是越来越致密,最终使孔隙度偏低,储层性能较差;但经过热液白云石化成岩演化过程比未经过此过程的岩石具有较高的孔隙度,更有利于储层的发育。

塔里木盆地满西寒武系—下奥陶统油气系统的确定及其在勘探上的应用

在塔里木盆地满西寒武系—下奥陶统油气系统中已发现了哈得4石炭系油田、乡3井奥陶系和石炭系油气藏以及东河塘石炭系、侏罗系油田;烃源岩为寒武系—下奥陶统,成藏关键时刻在喜山期;油气沿断裂向上运移至石炭系底不整合面后,主要沿石炭系东河砂岩输导层运移,遇断层可进一步向上覆地层运移;油气系统中储层正常压力分布区有利于油气聚集;油气藏除构造型外,还有地层、岩性、构造—地层复合型。该油气系统的确定拓展了寻找以寒武系—下奥陶统为主力烃源岩的黑油油藏的新领域。

中国南方下寒武统石煤的特征、沉积环境和成因

在早寒武世，中国南方存在着四种类型的含石煤地层一南岭型、扬子型、江南型和华南型，其中的石煤在量和质的方面均各不用问，据研究，这主要与当时的沉积背景（一个浅水台地、一个深水盆地和三个深水大陆斜坡）差异有关。作者通过对石煤的分布、厚度、物质组分、岩石类型、物理化学性质和伴生元素的讨论，认为其形成机理为：海平面上升，由上升洋流携带富养海水在沉积速率缓慢和少泥的条件下，促使菌藻类大量发育，并由此引起海底缺氧环境；菌藻类死亡后沉积在海底，经过复杂的成岩变质作用就形成了石煤。

页岩气成藏体系研究——以四川盆地及其周缘下寒武统为例

页岩气是非常规天然气藏的一种,属于"单源一位"成藏体系,在成藏特征上不同于常规油气,集烃源体、输导体和圈闭体等所有关键的成藏体系各要素于同一套页岩层.在成藏体系的划分上,页岩气藏不同于常规成藏体系的划分.综合考虑页岩层系发育时代、沉积特征、演化历史、所处现今大地构造位置、构造特征、页岩残留状况、分布特点、埋深和含气量等因素,提出了页岩气成藏体系划分的一般性原则.将四川盆地及其周缘下寒武统页岩气成藏体系划分为川南—川东南、黔北—黔中、渝东、湘鄂西、龙门山、米仓山—大巴山和川中7个成藏体系,并按战略展开区、战略突破区、战略准备区和战略远景区4个层次对成藏体系进行了评价,明确了勘探层次.

Rare Earth Elements Compositions and Genesis of Xinhua Large-Scale Phosphorite Deposit in Western Guizhou, China

Zhijin County in Western Guizhou is one of the most important production areas of phosphorites in China. In order to investigate genesis of the phosphorites, their REE compositions were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma emission mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. For comparison, phosphorites from the Lower Cambrian black rock series in Southern China, such as Zunyi in Guizhou and Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, were also analyzed. The analytical data show that: (1) Xinhua phosphorites possess a quite high and greatly varied total rare earth elements (ΣREE), which varying between 164.23×10-6 and 1395.01×10-6 with average of 642.54×10-6, remarkable differentiation between light (LREE) and heavy rare earth elements (HREE), and the ΣLREE/ΣHREE ratios varying between 5.04 and 6.52. The ΣREE and ΣLREE/ΣHREE ratios of the Zunyi and Zhangjiajie phosphorites are 156.69×10-6～637.41×10-6 with average of 431 75×10-6 and 3.17～6.95 with average of 4.37 respectively; (2) All the phosphorites from Xinhua, Zunyi and Zhangjiajie show remarkable negative Ce anomalies. Besides, the Xinhua phosphorites possess lower δCe, which varying between 0.26 and 0.53 with average of 0.35, while δCe of the Zunyi and Zhangjiajie phosphorites are 0.30～0.66 with average of 0.47, suggesting that all of the phosphorites are typical marine sediments deposited mainly in ancient peri-continental seas, and the depositional position of the Xinhua phosphorite might be deeper; (3) Most phosphorites from Xinhua, Zunyi and Zhangjiajie possess unremarkable positive Eu anomaly, and only a few of samples show obvious ones. The δEu varies between 0.98 and 2.4, suggesting that hot (>200 ℃) and strong reductive hydrothermal fluids might have been involved in genesis of the phosphorites; (4) The Xinhua phosphorite is relatively depleted in HREE, and LaN/NdN and δY of most samples are >1 and >1.5 respectively. Besides, there exists no correlation between δY and δCe, suggesting that the phosphorite was subjected to quite strong weathering and leaching processes, and catagenesis do not greatly modify its REE compositions.