Identification and evaluation of fault-fracture reservoirs in buried hills of the Lower Paleozoic, Chengdao area, China

The Bohai Bay Basin is a Meso-Cenozoic rifted basin where the Paleozoic buried hills with great hydrocarbon potentials are well developed. The reservoir space types are complex and diverse due to tectonic activities, making fracture distribution highly heterogeneous. Reservoir identification and mapping is challenging due to their large burial depth and poor resolution of seismic data. An integration of well-logging, seismic data interpretation and core observation is applied to identify three structural unit types in the study area, that is, fault breccia zone, fault cataclastic zone, and fault massive rock zone. A comprehensive well-logging identification template and a comprehensive discriminant function M for the reservoir are established based on the well-logging response characteristics. A M value greater than 0.12 indicates a fault breccia zone, that between 0.04 and 0.12 marks a fault cataclastic zone, and that in the range from 0.02 to 0.04 represents a fault massive rock zone. A seismic prediction method with multi-parameter fusion is proposed in the study. The large-scale fractures are mapped by coherence-clutter parameters, while small fractures are predicted via waveform indication inversion. The spatial distribution of “fault-fracture reservoirs” is precisely mapped by frequency fusion technology. It is found that the fault breccia zones usually occur close to the fault planes, while the fault cataclastic zones are slightly away from the fault planes. The hydrocarbon abundance of the breccia zones is greater than that of the fault cataclastic and fault massive rock zones.

Main controlling factors and enrichment area evaluation of shale gas of the Lower Paleozoic marine strata in south China

The Lower Paleozoic shale in south China has a very high maturity and experienced strong tectonic defor- mation. This character is quite different from the North America shale and has inhibited the shale gas evaluation and exploration in this area. The present paper reports a com- prehensive investigation of maturity, reservoir properties, fluid pressure, gas content, preservation conditions, and other relevant aspects of the Lower Paleozoic shale from the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas. It is found that within the main maturity range （2.5 % 〈 EqRo 〈 3.5 %） of the shale, its porosity develops well, having a positive cor- relation with the TOC content, and its gas content is con- trolled mainly by the preservation conditions related to the tectonic deformation, but shale with a super high maturity （EqRo 〉 3.5 %） is considered a high risk for shale gas exploration. Taking the southern area of the Sichuan Basin and the southeastern area of Chongqing as examples of uplifted/folded and faulted/folded areas, respectively, geo- logical models of shale gas content and loss were proposed. For the uplifted/folded area with a simple tectonic defor- mation, the shale system （with a depth 〉 2000 m） has lar- gely retained overpressure during uplifting without a great loss of gas, and an industrial shale gas potential is generally possible. However, for the faulted/folded area with a strong tectonic deformation, the sealing condition of the shale system was usually destroyed to a certain degree with a great loss of free gas, which decreased the pressure coefficient and resulted in a low production capacity. It is predicted that the deeply buried shale （〉3000 m） has a greater gas potential and will become the focus for further exploration and development in most of the south China region （outside the Sichuan Basin）.

The relationship between dolomite textures and their formation temperature: a case study from the Permian-Triassic of the Sichuan Basin and the Lower Paleozoic of the Tarim Basin

Study of dolomite texture can contribute to understanding the process of dolomitization.This research reports textures and homogenization temperatures of dolomites from the Permian-Triassic strata in the Sichuan Basin and the Lower Paleozoic strata in the Tarim Basin,which provided insights into relationships between dolomite textures and their formation temperatures.Our results are summarized as follows：1） dolomites with well-preserved texture indicate low dolomitization temperature.However,in certain diagenetic environments,the hydrothermal dolomitization may completely or partially preserve the original texture of dolomites.2） The formation temperatures of non-planar dolomites are always higher than those of planar dolomites.3） The formation temperatures of dolomite cements are generally higher than those of replacive dolomites.4） Although the formation temperatures of saddle dolomite cements have a wide range,they show higher values than those of the planar subhedral to euhedral dolomite cements.Thus,saddle dolomites could generally be an indicator of high precipitation temperature.5） The fluid Mg/Ca ratio is another element controlling dolomite morphology.Micritic dolomites,which precipitate from hypersaline fluids with a high Mg/Ca ratio in a subaerial environment could also have features of non-planar anhedral crystal shape because of rapid nucleation and crystallization during dolomitization.

Anchimetamorphism of the Neoproterozoic and the Lower Paleozoic along the Profile of Yuanguping in Western Hunan Province, China

The Neoproterozoic and Lower Paleozoic along the profile of Yuanguping in western Hunan Province, China underwent anchimetamorphism. The illite crystallinity (IC) of the <2 μm fractions ranges from 0.23-0.34°△2θfor the Neoproterozoic to 0.23-0.35°△A2θ for the Lower Paleozoic (calibrated with the Kisch IC set, Kisch, 1991). This indicates that the metamorphic grade of the Neoproterozoic and Lower Paleozoic is the anchizone. The peak metamorphic temperature is estimated to be 290-210℃. This result does not agree with the greenschist or subgreenschist facies of the Banxi Group, nor with the lower-greenschist facies or sedimentary cover of the Sinian to Lower Paleozoic, as most previous researchers thought. The illite (K-mica) b0 values range from 0.9074 to 0.8963 (nm) for the Neoproterozoic and the Lower Paleozoic. Based on cumulative frequency curves of the illite (K-mica) b0, the peak metamorphic pressure of the Banxi Group was derived to be of a type that is slightly higher than that of the N. New Hampshire low-intermediate pressure type. Most illites occur as the 2M1 polytype and some in the Neoproterozoic as a mixture of the 2M1+1M types. The distributions of coherent scanning domains (CSDs) of illites along the profile, measured with the XRD method, display a lognormal model and spread out with decreasing Kubler Index of IC. It indicates that illites underwent an Ostwald ripening. The post-anchimetamorphic structural movement not only results in a series of faults but also induces the lattice strain in minerals along the faults and hence impacts the illite crystallinity and causes diagenetic samples to occur within the anchizone. Compared with the cases in eastern and central Hunan Province, the Neoproterozoic and Lower Paleozoic rocks in the west underwent a lower-temperature anchimetamorphism with a pressure lower than that in the east and higher than that in the center of Hunan Province.

Control of hydrocarbon accumulation by Lower Paleozoic cap rocks in the Tazhong Low Rise, Central Uplift, Tarim Basin, West China

Despite the absence of regional cap rocks in the Lower Paleozoic for the entire Tazhong Low Rise,several sets of effective local cap rocks are well preserved on the Northern Slope.Of these the best is the Ordovician mudstone of the Sangtamu Formation; the second is the Silurian Red Mudstone Member of the Tatairtag Formation and the marl of the Ordovician Lianglitag Formation; and the third is the gray mudstone of the Silurian Kepingtag Formation.The dense limestone of the Ordovician Yingshan Formation and the gypsum of the Middle Cambrian have shown initial sealing capacity.These effective cap rocks are closely related to the distribution of Lower Palaeozoic hydrocarbons in the Tazhong Low Rise.With well-preserved Sangtamu Formation mudstone and its location close to migration pathways,rich Lower Paleozoic hydrocarbon accumulation can be found on the Northem Slope.Vertically,most of the reserves are distributed below the Sangtamu Formation mudstone; areally,hydrocarbons are mainly found in the areas with well-developed Sangtamu Formation mudstone and Lianglitag Formation marl.Burial history and hydrocarbon charging history show that the evolution of Lower Palaeozoic cap rocks controlled the accumulation of hydrocarbon in the Tazhong Low Rise.Take the Red Mudstone Member of the Tatairtag Formation and Sangtamu Formation mudstone for examples：1） In the hydrocarbon charging time of the Late Caledonian-Early Hercynian,with top surfaces at burial depths of over 1,100 m,the cap rocks were able to seal oil and gas; 2） During the intense uplifting of the Devonian,the cap rocks with top surfaces at burial depths of 200-800 m and 500-1,100 m respectively were denuded in local areas,thus hydrocarbons trapped in earlier time were degraded to widespread bitumen; 3） In the hydrocarbon charging time of the Late Hercynian and Himalayan,the top surfaces of the cap rocks were at burial depths of over 2,000 m without intense uplifting and denudation thereafter,so trapped hydrocarbons were preserved.Based on cap rocks,the Ordovician Penglaiba Formation and Lower Cambrian dolomite could be potential targets for exploration on the Tazhong Northern Slope,and combined with hydrocarbon migration,less risk would be involved.

Distribution and isotopic signature of 2-alkyl-1,3,4-trimethylbenzenes in the Lower Paleozoic source rocks and oils of Tarim Basin:Implications for the oil-source correlation

Series of 2-alkyl-1,3,4-trimethylbenzenes(ATMBs)were detected in most of crude oils and source rocks collected from various strata and locations of the Tarim Basin.They appeared to have heavy carbon isotopic signatures(δ13C,up to~-16‰)compared to those hydrocarbons from oxygenic phototrophic organisms,indicating that the unequivocal source of green sulfur bacteria(GSB)and photic zone euxinia(PZE)existed in the original environment.Considering the high paleoproductivity,the PZE may have enhanced the preservation of organic matter,which triggered the formation of extremely organic-rich source rocks with TOC up to 29.8%for the Lower Cambrian Yuertus Formation(€1y).The coexistence of ATMBs and the diagnostic products from secondary alterations(e.g.,abundant 25-norhopanes,thiadiamondoids,and diamondoids)indicated a stronger ability of anti-second-alterations.Combined with the results of quantitatively de-convoluting mixed oil,the oil-source correlation based on ATMBs from a large number of Lower Paleozoic samples of the Tarim Basin suggested that the abundant deep crude oil resources co ntained a dominant contribution(>50%)from the€1y source rocks.Therefore,the ATMBs,as diagnostic biomarkers indicating unequivocal precursors under special habitat conditions,might provide important insights for the exploration of deep Lower Paleozoic crude oils in the Tarim Basin.

The Lower Paleozoic rock units in Egypt:An overview

Lower Paleozoic rocks are exposed in various regions of Egypt（south central Sinai,north Eastern Desert and southwest Western Desert）,in addition to occurring in the subsurface such as north Western Desert and the Gulf of Suez.The Lower Paleozoic rocks in Egypt include surface and subsurface rock units of formational status.The surface rock units are the Taba,Araba and Naqus formations. The subsurface rock units include the Shifa,Kohla and Basur formations. The Infracambrian Taba Formation has been discovered recently in the outcrops of the southeast central Sinai in the Taba-Ras El-Naqab area.It is missing and/or not recognized in the subsurface.The Taba Formation consists mainly of reddish brown,unfossiliferous gravelly fine-to medium-grained kaolinitic sandstones and subordinate horizons of paleosols.The Cambrian Araba Formation and its subsurface equivalent（the Shifa Formation） are essentially composed of reddish brown,line-grained laminated sandstone and siltstone with abundant Skolithos and Cruziana sp.In contrast,the Ordovician—Silurian Naqus Formation and its subsurface equivalents（the Kohla Formation and Basur Formation） are mainly composed of white,unfossiliferous,cross-bedded,medium-to coarse-grained sandstones with haphazardly distributed pebbles and cobbles.Sedimentological analysis indicates that the Araba Formation and its subsurface equivalent were deposited in a marginal-marine environment,whereas the Naqus Formation and its subsurface equivalents were laid down in a fluvio-glacial environment. Integrated stratigraphic and sedimentological studies of the Lower Paleozoic rocks permit reconstruction of the paleogeography of Egypt at that time.Egypt has been largely controlled since the Cambrian by the pre-existing structural framework of the pre-Phanerozoic basement rocks inherited from the Late Proterozoic Pan-African event.Additionally,sedimentation processes were controlled during Cambro-Ordovician times by tectonic movements,whereas glacio-eustatic control predominated during the Late Ordovician—Silurian Period.These studies suggest that most areas of Egypt were exposed lands with episodically transgression by epi-continental seas related to the paleo-Tethys.These lands formed a part of a stable subsiding shelf at the northern Gondwana margin.

The Original Organism Assemblages and Kerogen Carbon Isotopic Compositions of the Early Paleozoic Source Rocks in the Tarim Basin, China

Original organisms are the biological precursors of organic matter in source rocks. Original organisms in source rocks are informative for oil-source rock correlation and hydrocarbon potential evaluation, especially for source rocks which have high-over level of thermal maturity. Systematic identification of original organism assemblages of the Lower Paleozoic potential source rocks and detailed carbon isotopic composition of kerogen analyses were conducted for four outcrop sections in the Tarim basin. Results indicated that the original organism assemblages of the lower part of the Lower Cambrian were composed mainly of benthic algae, whereas those of the Upper Cambrian and the Ordovician were characterized by planktonic algae. Kerogen carbon isotopic data demonstrated that the δ13 Ckerogen values of source rocks dominated by benthic algae are lower than-34‰, whereas the δ13 Ckerogen values of source rocks dominated by planktonic algae are higher than-30‰ in general. We tentatively suggested that the carbon species those are utilized by algae and the carbon isotopic fractionation during photosynthesis are the major controls for the δ13 Ckerogen values in the Lower Paleozoic source rocks in the Tarim basin. Correlating the δ13 C values of oils exploited in the Tarim basin, the original organism assemblages, and δ13 Ckerogen values of source rocks, it implied that the Lower Paleozoic oils exploited in the Tarim basin should be sourced from the source rocks with original organism assemblages dominated by planktonic algae, and the hydrocarbon sourced from the Cambrian benthic algae should be of great exploration potential in future. Original organism assemblages in source rocks can provide important clues for oil-source rocks correlation, especially for the source rocks with high thermal maturity.

Early Paleozoic accretionary orogens along the Western Gondwana margin

Early Paleozoic accretionary orogens dominated the Western Gondwana margin and were characterized by nearly continuous subduction associated with crustal extension and back-arc basin development.The southwestern margin is represented by Famatinian and Pampean basement realms exposed in South America,both related to the protracted Paleozoic evolution of the Terra Australis Orogen,whereas the northwestern margin is mainly recorded in Cadomian domains of Europe and adjacent regions.However,no clear relationships between these regions were so far established.Based on a compilation and reevaluation of geological,paleomagnetic,petrological,geochronological and isotopic evidence,this contribution focuses on crustal-scale tectonic and geodynamic processes occurring in Western Gondwana accretionary orogens,aiming at disentangling their common Early Paleozoic evolution.Data show that accretionary orogens were dominated by high-temperature/lowpressure metamorphism and relatively high geothermal gradients,resulting from the development of extended/hyperextended margins and bulk transtensional deformation.In this sense,retreating-mode accretionary orogens characterized the Early Paleozoic Gondwana margin,though short-lived pulses of compression/transpression also occurred.The existence of retreating subduction zones favoured mantle-derived magmatism and mixing with relatively young(meta)sedimentary sources in a thin continental crust.Crustal reworking of previous forearc sequences due to trenchward arc migration thus took place through assimilation and anatexis in the arc/back-arc regions.Therefore,retreating-mode accretionary orogens were the locus of Early Paleozoic crustal growth in Western Gondwana,intimately associated with major flare-up events,such as those related to the Cadomian and Famatian arcs.Slab roll back,probably resulting from decreasing convergence rates and plate velocities after Gondwana assembly,was a key factor for orogen-scale geodynamic processes.Coupled with synchronous oblique subduction and crustal-scale dextral deformation,slab roll back might trigger toroidal mantle flow,thus accounting for bulk dextral transtension,back-arc extension/transtension and a large-scale anticlockwise rotation of Gondwana mainland.

Organic geochemical and petrographic characteristics of the Cambrian-Ordovician organic-rich marine shales in Scandinavia

This work used organic geochemistry and organic petrology to study the depositional environment,organic matter characteristics,and thermal maturity of the Cambrian-Ordovician organic-rich marine shales in the Baltic Basin.The main macerals in Cambrian samples include alginite,bituminite and solid bitumen,while zooclastic macerals become the major proportion of organic matter in the Ordovician samples.As the maturity increase,solid bitumen becomes abundant and dispersed.Semifusinite-like maceral was observed only in Furongian of well DBH15/73,which probably indicates the local intrusion of Permo-Carboniferous dolerite dikes.The programmed pyrolysis results show that immature,early mature,and over-mature samples are developed.However,the data of high-uranium Furongian samples were greatly altered by igneous intrusives from local dikes.HIo calculation model is simulated based on pyrolysis data and fitted according to the least-square fitting method.The simulated fitting HIo:400mg HC/g TOC(369.5 mg HC/g TOC,430.5 mg HC/g TOC as 95%confidence bounds)is within the worldwide marine shale HI_(o)and indicates a marine anoxia and transgressive sea with shallow water column(organofacies B).