Paleosalinity reconstruction in offshore lacustrine basins based on elemental geochemistry:a case study of Middle Upper Eocene Shahejie Formation,Zhanhua Sag,Bohai Bay Basin

Salinity is a crucial property of water body and is essential for the restoration of paleoecology and paleoenvironment.However,the theoretical method of application of elemental geochemical proxies to paleosalinity reconstruction is still underdeveloped.Moreover,accurate determination and reconstruction of paleosalinity and its variation in an offshore lacustrine basin have been extremely challenging thus far.This study presents detailed elemental geochemical investigations from the Zhanhua Sag in the southern Bohai Bay Basin to reconstruct the salinity variation in the Paleogene Eocene Shahejie Formation(50.8-33.9 Ma).Based on the variation of strontium barium ratio(Sr/Ba)and boron gallium ratio(B/Ga),we determined three typical salinity types of water body:salty water(Sr/Ba>0.5,B/Ga>6),brackish water(0.2<Sr/Ba<0.5,3<B/Ga<6),and fresh water(Sr/Ba<0.2,B/Ga<3),after eliminating carbonate-sourced strontium(Sr).The salinity values following Couch’s paleosalinometer r anged from 3.1 to 11.9,reflecting the overall characteristics of oligohaline(0.5<salinity value<5)to mesohaline(5<salinity value<18)brackish water.All proxies yielded similar trends in paleosalinity variation,demonstrating a clear trend of rising and then declining from 50.8 Ma to 33.9 Ma.We considered that the B/Ga ratio had the highest reliability and resolution in determining the salinity types of water body in the study area.The environmental factors causing paleosalinity variation were also thoroughly analysed based on the temporal relationship among the salinity types of watermasses,paleoclimate characteristics from pollen records,and marine transgression events from marine fossils.Our research established a model of paleoclimatic and eustatic mechanisms to explain paleosalinity variation,providing reasonable and integral driving forces for the salinity variation of all offshore lacustrine basins.

Igneous intrusion contact metamorphic system and its reservoir characteristics:A case study of Paleogene Shahejie Formation in Nanpu sag of Bohai Bay Basin,China

Taking the Paleogene Shahejie Formation in Nanpu sag of Bohai Bay Basin as an example,this study comprehensively utilizes seismic,mud logging,well logging,physical property analysis and core thin section data to investigate the metamorphic reservoir formed by contact metamorphism after igneous rock intrusion.(1)A geological model of the igneous intrusion contact met amorphic system is proposed,which can be divided into five structural layers vertically:the intrusion,upper metamorphic aureole,lower metamorphic aureole,normal sedimentary layers on the roof and floor.(2)The intrusion is characterized by xenoliths indicating intrusive facies at the top,regular changes in rock texture and mineral crystallization from the center to the edge on a microscopic scale,and low-angle oblique penetrations of the intrusion through sedimentary strata on a macroscopic scale.The metamorphic aureole has characteristics such as sedimentary rocks as the host rock,typical palimpsest textures developed,various low-temperature thermal metamorphic minerals developed,and medium-low grade thermal metamorphic rocks as the lithology.(3)The reservoir in contact metamorphic aureole has two types of reservoir spaces:matrix pores and fractures.The matrix pores are secondary"intergranular pores"distributed around metamorphic minerals after thermal metamorphic transformation in metasandstones.The fractures are mainly structural fractures and intrusive compressive fractures in metamudstones.The reservoirs generally have three spatial distribution characteristics:layered,porphyritic and hydrocarbon impregnation along fracture.(4)The distribution of reservoirs in the metamorphic aureole is mainly controlled by the intensity of thermal baking.Furthermore,the distribution of favorable reservoirs is controlled by the coupling of favorable lithofacies and thermal contact metamorphism,intrusive compression and hydrothermal dissolution.The proposal and application of the geological model of the intrusion contact metamorphic system are expected to promote the discovery of exploration targets of contact metamorphic rock in Nanpu sag,and provide a reference for the study and exploration of deep contact metamorphic rock reservoirs in the Bohai Bay Basin.

Shale Lithofacies and Sedimentary Environment of the Third Member,Shahejie Formation,Zhanhua Sag,Eastern China

Researches into shale lithofacies,their sedimentary environments and relationship benefit understanding both of sedimentary cycle division and unconventional hydrocarbon exploration in lacustrine basins.Based on a 100~300-m-thick dark shale,mudstone and limestone encountered in the lower third member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation(Es3l member)in Zhanhua Sag,Bohai Bay Basin,eastern China,routine core analysis,thin sectioning,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),mineralogical and geochemical measurements were used to understand detailed facies characterization and paleoclimate in the member.This Es3l shale sediment includes three sedimentary cycles(C3,C2 and C1),from bottom to top,with complex sedimentary characters and spatial distribution.In terms of the composition,texture,bedding and thickness,six lithofacies are recognized in this succession.Some geochemical parameters,such as trace elements(Sr/Ba,Na/Al,V/Ni,V/(V+Ni),U/Th),carbon and oxygen isotopes(δ^(18)O,δ^(13)C),and total organic carbon content(TOC)indicate that the shales were deposited in a deep to semi-deep lake,with the water column being salty,stratified,enclosed and reductive.During cycles C3 and C2 of the middle-lower sections,the climate was arid,and the water was salty and stratified.Laminated and laminar mudstone-limestone was deposited with moderate organic matter(average TOC 1.8%)and good reservoir quality(average porosity 6.5%),which can be regarded as favorable reservoir.During the C1 cycle,a large amount of organic matter was input from outside the basin and this led to high productivity with a more humid climate.Massive calcareous mudstone was deposited,and this is characterized by high TOC(average 3.6%)and moderate porosity(average 4%),and provides favorable source rocks.

Identification and geochemical significance of unusual C24 tetracyclic terpanes in Shahejie Formation source rocks in the Bozhong subbasin,Bohai Bay Basin

C_(24)tetracyclic terpanes are common compounds in source rocks and crude oils,and C_(24)17,21-secohopane is the most common and widely used source-related indicator.In this study,three unusual C_(24)tetracyclic terpanes were detected on the m/z 191 chromatogram of saturated hydrocarbons in the Shahejie Formation source rocks in the Bozhong subbasin.Based on the mass spectra characteristics,diagnostic ion fragments,retention time and comparisons with published literature,three unusual C_(24)tetracyclic terpanes were identified as 10β(H)-des-A-oleanane,10β(H)-des-A-lupane and C_(24)des-Ahopane.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first study to detect and publicly report these three compounds in source rock samples from the Shahejie Formation of the Bozhong subbasin,Bohai Bay Basin.The results indicated that 10β(H)-des-A-oleanane and 10β(H)-des-A-lupane likely originated from terre strial angiosperms,while C_(24)des-A-hopane likely originated fro m prokaryotic o rganisms.Te rrestrial angiosperms provide the material basis for the generation of compounds A and B,and the distribution and concentration of these two compounds are affected by thermal maturity.In the low maturity stage(0.5%<R_(0)<0.7%),compounds A and B are relatively enriched in the source rocks.

Reservoirs properties of slump-type sub-lacustrine fans and their main control factors in first member of Paleogene Shahejie Formation in Binhai area, Bohai Bay Basin, China

High-yielding oil wells were recently found in the first member of Paleogene Shahejie Formation,the Binhai area of Qikou Sag,providing an example of medium-and deep-buried high-quality reservoirs in the central part of a faulted lacustrine basin.By using data of cores,cast thin sections,scanning electron microscope and physical property tests,the sedimentary facies,physical properties and main control factors of the high-quality reservoirs were analyzed.The reservoirs are identified as deposits of slump-type sub-lacustrine fans,which are marked by muddy fragments,slump deformation structure and Bouma sequences in sandstones.They present mostly medium porosity and low permeability,and slightly medium porosity and high permeability.They have primary intergranular pores,intergranular and intragranular dissolution pores in feldspar and detritus grains,and structural microcracks as storage space.The main factors controlling the high quality reservoirs are as follows:(1)Favorable sedimentary microfacies of main and proximal distributary gravity flow channels.The microfacies with coarse sediment were dominated by transportation and deposition of sandy debris flow,and the effect of deposition on reservoir properties decreases with the increase of depth.(2)Medium texture maturity.It is shown by medium-sorted sandstones that were formed by beach bar sediment collapsing and redepositing,and was good for the formation of the primary intergranular pores.(3)High content of intermediate-acid volcanic rock detritus.The reservoir sandstone has high content of detritus of various components,especially intermediate-acid volcanic rock detritus,which is good for the formation of dissolution pores.(4)Organic acid corrosion.It was attributed to hydrocarbon maturity during mesodiagenetic A substage.(5)Early-forming and long lasting overpressure.A large-scale overpressure compartment was caused by under-compaction and hydrocarbon generation pressurization related to thick deep-lacustrine mudstone,and is responsible for the preservation of abundant primary pores.(6)Regional transtensional tectonic action.It resulted in the structural microcracks.

Origin of Quartz Cement in the Paleogene Sandstone Reservoir of Shahejie Formation,Bohai Bay Basin,China

The precipitation of authigenic quartz plays a significant role to reduce the reservoir characteristics and enhance the stiffness of the rock.The Es_(1) sandstone of Shahejie Formation is acting as a significant hydrocarbon producing rock in the Nanpu Sag.Various methods like thin section petrography,cathodoluminescence(CL),scanning electron microscope(SEM,with EDS),and electron microprobe analysis has been used to reveal the origin of quartz cement as well as to evaluate the effect of quartz cement on reservoir quality.The studied sandstone is classified as immature to mature feldspathic litharenite and lithic arkose and consists of quartz,feldspar,rock fragments and micas.Petrographic studies and SEM analysis shows that the authigenic quartz is acting a significant cement that reduces the reservoir quality.Whereas clay minerals(kaolinite and mixed layer illite to smectite)are dominant in the Es_(1) sandstone,that can reduce the reservoir quality.SEM,CL and thin section analysis reveal that there are two stages of quartz cement in the studied samples;that are pore filling authigenic cement and quartz overgrowth cement.Fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures shows that stages of quartz cement were developed with continuous process from 70℃ to 130℃.Quartz cements were generally originated from I/S reaction,feldspar dissolution,conversion of rock fragments and pressure solution.Feldspar dissolution(K-feldspar)and kaolinite to illite reaction is an insignificant silica source for the silica cement which is internally precipitated in a close system with diffusion transporting mechanism.Overall,quartz cement significantly enhance the rock strengthen and brittleness effectively as well as it reduce the overall reservoir quality.

Formation of inter-salt overpressure fractures and their significances to shale oil and gas: A case study of the third member of Paleogene Shahejie Formation in Dongpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin

Taking the inter-salt organic-rich shales in the third member of Paleogene Shahejie Formation(Es3)of Dongpu sag in Bohai Bay Basin as an example,the origin of overpressure,development characteristics,formation and evolution mechanism,formation stages and geological significance on shale oil and gas of overpressure fractures in the inter-salt shale reservoir were investigated by means of thin section identification,scanning electron microscopy observation,analysis of fluid inclusions,logging data analysis,and formation pressure inversion.The results show that overpressure is universal in the salt-lake basin of Dongpu sag,and under-compaction caused by the sealing of salt-gypsum layer,pressurization due to hydrocarbon generation,transformation and dehydration of clay minerals,and fault sealing are the 4 main factors leading to the occurrence of overpressure.The overpressure fractures are small in scale,with an average length of 356.2μm and an average underground opening of 11.6μm.But they are densely developed,with an average surface density of 0.76 cm/cm2.Moreover,they are often accompanied by oil and gas charging,and thus high in effectiveness.Overpressure fractures were mainly formed during two periods of large-scale oil and gas charging,approximately 25-30 Ma ago and 0-5 Ma ago.Inter-salt overpressure fractures play dual roles as the storage space and migration paths of shale oil and gas.They contribute 22.3%to the porosity of shale reservoir and 51.4%to the permeability.They can connect fracture systems of multiple scales,greatly improving the quality of shale reservoir.During the development of shale oil and gas,inter-salt overpressure fractures can affect the extension and morphology of hydraulic fractures,giving rise to complex and highly permeable volumetric fracture networks,improving hydraulic fracturing effect and enhancing shale oil and gas productivity.

Lake Sequence Stratigraphy of the Shahejie Formation in the Zhanhua Hollow, Shandong Province

Two sequences can be identified in the sedimentary strata of the lower Tertiary ShahejieFormation in the Zhanhua hollow. The lowstand, lake-transgressive and highstand systemstracts were formed under the control of ancient structure, palaeotopography, palaeoclimate, sed-iment supply, marine-transgression, and so on. In the paper the authors present a composite se-quence stratigraphical section of the Shahejie Formation in this area, and expound the bounda-ries of parasequences, parasequences set and systems tracts and evolutions of lake sequencestratigraphy and sedimentology and discuss various factors controlling the lake level fluctuation.The differences between lake and marine sequence stratigraphy are also indicated in the paper.The lake sequence stratigraphical study should be based on a synthetic analysis of structural evo-lution, palaeomagnetism, palaeoclimatic changes, geological Well logs, seismic and logging data,palaeontological data, global sea level changes, and so on. The sequence stratigraphical evolutionis closely related to the formation, development and elimination of the whole basin and thesedimentary process.

Paleosalinity and Its Association with Organic Matter: A Case Study from the Eocene Shahejie Formation, Laizhou Bay Sag, Bohai Bay Basin (China)

Paleosalinity is vital for the paleoenvironmental reconstruction and affects the formation of source rock.The lower-middle sections of the third member of Eocene Shahejie formation(Es3M-L)constitute the most important source rock layer in Laizhou Bay Sag.However,the paleosalinity of the depositional water in which Es3M-L submembers are deposited remains unclear.A series of integrated experiments,including major and trace elements,X-ray diffraction,total organic carbon,and Rock-Eval,was performed to reveal the paleosalinity and its relationship with organic matter(OM).Various inorganic proxies(Sr/Ba,Rb/K,B/Ga,Walker’s paleosalimeter,Adam’s paleosalimeter,and Couch’s paleosalimeter)were employed to determine the paleosalinity of samples.Prominent differences existed in the proxies.Couch’s paleosalimeter is the most reliable and qualitative approach for Laizhou Bay Sag.Samples from the lake center(depocenter)and margin showed paleosalinities from 4.92 wt‰to 9.73 wt‰,suggesting a ubiquitous brackish(oligohaline-mesohaline)water body in the paleolake.Molybdenum enrichment in samples indicates an oxygen-depleted(suboxic or anoxic)condition.The increase in salinity has a certain but non-significant positive correlation with oxygen reduction.This condition may be attributed to the weak stratification of the water column in brackish water bodies.Moreover,paleosalinity has a weak and indirect relationship with OM accumulation during the deposition of Es3M-L submembers in Laizhou Bay Sag.

Structural characteristics of continental carbonate-rich shale and shale oil movability: A case study of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation shale in Jiyang Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Based on rock mineral and geochemical analysis, microscopic observation, physical property measurement, and thin laminae separation test, etc., the characteristics of typical laminae of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation carbonate-rich shale in the Jiyang Depression were analyzed, and the organic matter abundance, reservoir properties, and oil-bearing properties of different laminae were compared. Typical shale storage-seepage structures were classified, and the mobility of oil in different types of shale storage-seepage structure was compared. The results show that the repeated superposition of mud laminae and calcite laminae are the main layer structure of carbonate-rich shales. The calcite laminae are divided into micritic calcite laminae, sparry calcite laminae and fibrous calcite vein. The mud-rich laminae are the main contributor to the organic matter abundance and porosity of shale, with the best hydrocarbon generation potential, reservoir capacity, and oil-bearing property. The micritic calcite laminae also have relatively good hydrocarbon generation potential, reservoir capacity and oil-bearing property. The sparry calcite laminae and fibrous calcite vein have good permeability and conductivity. Four types of shale storage-seepage structure are developed in the carbonate-rich shale, and the mobility of oil in each type of storage-seepage structure is in descending order: sparry calcite laminae enriched shale storage-seepage structure, mixed calcite laminae enriched shale storage-seepage structure, fibrous calcite vein enriched shale storage-seepage structure, and micritic calcite laminae enriched shale storage-seepage structure. The exploration targets of carbonate-rich shale in the Jiyang Depression Shahejie Formation are different in terms of storage-seepage structure at different thermal evolution stages.

Paleoenvironmental reconstruction and organic matter accumulation of the paleogene shahejie oil shale in the Zhanhua Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, Eastern China

The controlling factors of organic-rich shale accumulation is essential for the exploration and development of shale oil and gas resources.The sedimentary environment plays a vital role in the formation of organic-rich sediments in lacustrine facies.This article unravels the mineralogy,geochemistry,and paleoenvironmental evolution during the deposition of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation(Es_(3)^(L)).It discusses the effects of paleoclimate,paleosalinity,paleoredox conditions,paleowater depth,and paleoproductivity on organic matter(OM)enrichment.Finally,the OM enrichment model was established.The results show that the mineralogical compositions are mainly composed of calcite(avg.40.13%),quartz(avg.21.64%)and clay minerals(avg.24.07%),accompanied by dolomite(avg.7.07%),feldspar(avg.6.36%)and pyrite(avg.2.95%).The Es_(3)^(L) shale has a high abundance of OM,with total organic carbon(TOC)ranging from 1.07%to 5.12%.The organic matter type is mainly composed of type I-II_(1) kerogen,which is generally considered a good-quality source rock.The source of OM is a mixture of lower bacteria,algae,and plants.During the early sedimentary period,the paleoclimate was dry and cold,with high salinity,intense reducibility,and relatively low productivity.During the late sedimentary period,the climate became warmer and more humid.As a result,the salinity decreased to a level that was suitable for biological reproduction,and productivity increased gradually due to the input of terrigenous plants.Paleosalinity and paleoclimate determined the environment of the sedimentary period,in addition,paleoproductivity and paleoredox condition indicated the formation and preservation conditions of OM.The warm and humid climate,brackish water,suitable reduction conditions and high productivity are the favorable conditions for the generation and preservation of organic matter.The research results may have implications for the genetic mechanisms of organic matter accumulation.They will provide theoretical and technical insights into the exploration and development of shale oil.

Impact of volcanism on the formation and hydrocarbon generation of organic-rich shale in the Jiyang Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Globally,most organic-rich shales are deposited with volcanic ash layers.Volcanic ash,a source for many sedimentary basins,can affect the sedimentary water environment,alter the primary productivity,and preserve the organic matter(OM)through physical,chemical,and biological reactions.With an increasing number of breakthroughs in shale oil exploration in the Bohai Bay Basin in recent years,less attention has been paid to the crucial role of volcanic impact especially its influence on the OM enrichment and hydrocarbon formation.Here,we studied the petrology,mineralogy,and geochemical characteristics of the organic-rich shale in the upper submember of the fourth member(Es_(4)^(1))and the lower submember of the third member(Es_(3)^(3))of the Shahejie Formation,aiming to better understand the volcanic impact on organic-rich shale formation.Our results show that total organic carbon is higher in the upper shale intervals rich in volcanic ash with enriched light rare earth elements and moderate Eu anomalies.This indicates that volcanism promoted OM formation before or after the eruption.The positive correlation between Eu/Eu*and Post-Archean Australian Shale indicates hydrothermal activity before the volcanic eruption.The plane graph of the hydrocarbon-generating intensity(S1+S2)suggests that the heat released by volcanism promoted hydrocarbon generation.Meanwhile,the nutrients carried by volcanic ash promoted biological blooms during Es_(4)^(1 )and Es_(3)^(3) deposition,yielding a high primary productivity.Biological blooms consume large amounts of oxygen and form anoxic environments conducive to the burial and preservation of OM.Therefore,this study helps to further understand the organic-inorganic interactions caused by typical geological events and provides a guide for the next step of shale oil exploration and development in other lacustrine basins in China.

The coupling of dynamics and permeability in the hydrocarbon accumulation period controls the oil-bearing potential of low permeability reservoirs:a case study of the low permeability turbidite reservoirs in the middle part of the third member of Shahejie

The relationships between permeability and dynamics in hydrocarbon accumulation determine oil- bearing potential （the potential oil charge） of low perme- ability reservoirs. The evolution of porosity and permeability of low permeability turbidite reservoirs of the middle part of the third member of the Shahejie Formation in the Dongying Sag has been investigated by detailed core descriptions, thin section analyses, fluid inclusion analyses, carbon and oxygen isotope analyses, mercury injection, porosity and permeability testing, and basin modeling. The cutoff values for the permeability of the reservoirs in the accumulation period were calculated after detailing the accumulation dynamics and reservoir pore structures, then the distribution pattern of the oil-bearing potential of reservoirs controlled by the matching relationship between dynamics and permeability during the accumulation period were summarized. On the basis of the observed diagenetic features and with regard to the paragenetic sequences, the reservoirs can be subdivided into four types of diagenetic facies. The reservoirs experienced two periods of hydro- carbon accumulation. In the early accumulation period, the reservoirs except for diagenetic facies A had middle to high permeability ranging from 10 × 10-3 gm2 to 4207 × 10-3 lain2. In the later accumulation period, the reservoirs except for diagenetic facies C had low permeability ranging from 0.015 × 10-3 gm2 to 62× 10-3 -3m2. In the early accumulation period, the fluid pressure increased by the hydrocarbon generation was 1.4-11.3 MPa with an average value of 5.1 MPa, and a surplus pressure of 1.8-12.6 MPa with an average value of 6.3 MPa. In the later accumulation period, the fluid pressure increased by the hydrocarbon generation process was 0.7-12.7 MPa with an average value of 5.36 MPa and a surplus pressure of 1.3-16.2 MPa with an average value of 6.5 MPa. Even though different types of reservoirs exist, all can form hydrocarbon accumulations in the early accumulation per- iod. Such types of reservoirs can form hydrocarbon accumulation with high accumulation dynamics; however, reservoirs with diagenetic facies A and diagenetic facies B do not develop accumulation conditions with low accumu- lation dynamics in the late accumulation period for very low permeability. At more than 3000 m burial depth, a larger proportion of turbidite reservoirs are oil charged due to the proximity to the source rock, Also at these depths, lenticular sand bodies can accumulate hydrocarbons. At shallower depths, only the reservoirs with oil-source fault development can accumulate hydrocarbons. For flat surfaces, hydrocarbons have always been accumulated in the reservoirs around the oil-source faults and areas near the center of subsags with high accumulation dynamics.

Diagenetic evolution and formation mechanisms of middle to deep clastic reservoirs in the Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, East China

The reservoir properties, diagenetic features and evolution of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation(Es) in the Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin were analyzed based on mineralogical and petrological data, and the main controlling factors and formation mechanisms of medium to deep high-quality reservoir were revealed by multiple regression analysis. The results show that the sedimentary microfacies, rigid grains content, and dissolution process are the key factors controlling the formation of high-quality clastic reservoir in middle to deep depth in the Nanpu sag. The formation mechanisms of middle to deep sandstones of the Es in different structural belts differ widely in formation mechanism. The Es1(uppermost member of Es) sandstone reservoirs in the Nanpu No.3 structural belt is low porosity, moderate to high permeability reservoir in the mesodiagenesis A2 stage on the whole, and the formation of high-quality reservoirs is mainly attributed to strong compaction resistance ability primarily, and dissolution process secondarily. The Es3(third member of Es) sandstones in Gaoshangpu structural belt is classified as tight sandstones in the mesodiagenesis A1 stage, in which the development of favorable reservoirs is primarily controlled by dissolution. This study provides references for reservoir evaluation of deep clastic reservoirs and exploration deployment in the Bohai Bay rift basin. As there are high-quality reservoirs, it is believed that the deep clastic reservoirs in the eastern of China, such as Bohai Bay Basin still have significant exploration potential.

Division and Characteristics of Shale Parasequences in the Upper Fourth Member of the Shahejie Formation, Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Shale parasequence analysis is an important part of sequence stratigraphy sudies. This paper proposed a systematic research method for analyzing shale parasequences including their delineation, division, characteristics and origins. The division method is established on the basis of lithofacies. Multi-method analysis and mutual verification were implemented by using auxiliary indicators（such as mineral compositions, geochemical indicators and wavelet values）. A typical shale parasequence comprises a lower interval of deepening water-depth and an upper interval of shallowing water-depth（e.g., a shale parasequence including a high-total organic carbon（TOC） shale-low-TOC limy shale）. Abrupt increases in pyrite content, TOC value, relative hydrocarbon generation potential（（S1＋S2）/TOC）, and wavelet values are indicative of parasequence boundaries. The proposed research method was applied to study the upper fourth member of the Shahejie Formation in the Dongying depression, Bohai Bay Basin. Results show that there were seven types of parasequences developed. A singular and a dual structured parasequences were identified. Three factors controlling the development of the shale parasequences were identified including relative lake level change, terrestrial input and transgression. The development of high-TOC（〉2%） shale parasequences was mainly controlled by biological and chemical sedimentation. The low-TOC（〈2%） shale parasequences were mainly deposited by chemical sedimentation. The diversities of shale parasequences were caused by four major controlling factors including climate, relative lake level change, terrestrial input and emergency（e.g., transgression）.

Architecture of Sandstone Bodies of Paleogene Shahejie Formation in Northern Qikou Sag, Northeast China

The conception of special geologic bodies has been applied in this study to define and illustrate economic oil and gas reservoirs in sandbodies, which is helpful for hydrocarbon forecast and exploration. Using the comprehensive analysis of drilling, logging, seismic, seismic attribute extraction, and logging constrained inversion in 3D data volume, the special geologic bodies of the Shahejie Formation（Ps^1s） in northern Qikou sag, which have good hydrocarbon potential, are identified and described under the constraint of sequence stratigraphic framework. The dimensions, geometry, and spatial distribution features of the special geologic bodies, as well as their inner architectures and sequence-structure patterns, are also ascertained. The geologic bodies evolved from relative centralization in the middle part of the lacustrine basin in the early stage of Ps1~s Formation, to several dispersive isolated parts in the later stage. This shows a small cycle interval（~2.5 Ma） at the end of the whole transgressive depositional process of Ps1（~7.5 Ma） during the expansion of the lake and relative lake level rise, with the control of sediments supply and fault-related subsidence, which effect the evolution of the sedimentary system. According to the relevance and regularity of the geologic bodies＇ development, different types of potential profitable reservoir traps, including the lithologic lenticular traps, lithologic updip pinchout traps, and structural-lithologic composite traps, can be preserved in the study area. In addition, the internal architecture models provide scientific basis for further hydrocarbon exploration in the frontier basin without enough data.

Origin and Source of Deep Natural Gas in Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Natural gas exploration in Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, has achieved breakthroughs in recent years, and a number of natural gas and condensate wells with high yield have been found in several structures in the beach area. Daily gas production of single wells is up to 170,000 m3, and high-yield wells are mainly distributed in？the Nanpu No. 1 structural belt.？Studies have shown that these natural gases are mainly hydrocarbon gases, with methane content about 80% to 90% and ethane 6%-9%, so they are mainly wet gas; and non-hydrocarbons are at a low level.？Carbon isotopes of methane range from -42‰ to -36‰, and ethane from -28‰ to -26‰. Calculated maturity based on the relationship between δ13C and Ro of natural gas, the gases are equivalent to those generated from organic matter when Ro is 1.0%-1.7% （mainly 1.25%-1.32%）. The natural gas is oil-type gas generated from the source rocks at mature to high mature stage, associated with condensate, so carbon isotopes of the gases are heavier. Natural gas in the Nanpu No.1 structural belt is mainly associated gas with condensate. The analysis of the origin and source of natural gas and condensate, combined with the monomer hydrocarbon carbon isotopes and biomarker, indicated that the main source rocks in the Nanpu No.1 structural belt were Es3 （the lower member of the Shahejie Formation）, followed by Es1 （the upper member of the Shahejie Formation）.？The high-mature hydrocarbons from source rocks in the deep sag mainly migrated through deep inherited faults into shallow traps and accumulated to form oil and gas pools. Therefore, there is a great potential for exploring gas in deep layers.

Main Controlling Factors and Dominant Reservoir Series Analysis of Es_3 in the Qibei Area of Qikou Sag

Based on analysis of geophysical data such as core observation, rock slices identification, physical property, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, logging data etc., 16 factors of sedimentation, diagenesis, fluid pressure, and their relationships with reservoir physical property were analyzed, and the results indicate sedimentation is the internal factor controlling the reservoir property, diagenesis is the external and final decisive factor and abnormal fluid pressure is an important factor preserving the deep reservoir property. Quantitative characterization of diagenesis indicates that compaction and dissolution are more important than cementation and they respectively cause porosity change of-23.6% and 7.7% and -6.2%. Through optimizing 11 main controlling factors and constructing reservoir evaluation index （REI） according to the hierarchical cluster and principal component analysis, reservoir classification standard was established and reservoirs were divided into four classes. The studies show that Es~ SQ4 consists mainly of class I and II, while Es~ SQ6 is mainly of class III and II; the favorable zone is the north and south slope of Qibei sub-sag and the Liujianfang fault-nose. The successful application of the quantitative and comprehensive evaluation in the Qibei area verifies the advanced, practicable method of less artificial factor is suitable for the low porosity and permeability reservoir.

Original Sedimentary Pattern of an Inverted Basin:A Case Study from the Bozhong Depression,Offshore Bohai Bay Basin

The third member of Shahejie Formation （Sha-3 member; 42–38Ma of Eocene） in the Bozhong Depression, offshore Bohai Bay Basin was subject to multiple post-depositional modifications. The present structural framework of the Bozhong Depression, which is characterized by sags alternating with uplifts, does not reflect its original sedimentary pattern. Previous studies have not discussed the post-depositional modification of this succession, including the sedimentary pattern variations and the depositional geodynamic setting. This work determined the characteristics of the post-depositional modification and original sedimentary pattern of the Bozhong Depression through analysis of seismic data, well-log data and fission-track ages. The results demonstrate that the Shijiutuo rise, a major structural feature of the current basin, did not exist during the major depositional stage of the Sha-3 member, when the Qinnan sag was largely connected to the Bozhong sag to form a single contiguous deposition area within the basin. By contrast, the Shaleitian and Chengbei rises, located in the western part of the Bozhong Depression, have existed before the depositional period of the Eocene Sha-3 member; these features were manifested as syn-depositional tilted fault blocks, the uplifted footwall blocks of which provided sediments for the neighboring Shanan and Chengbei sags. The western part of the Bonan low rise, located in the southern part of the Bozhong Depression, did not experience uplifting during the depositional phase of the Eocene Sha-3 member. The Huanghekou sag was connected with the Bozhong sag in the western part of the Bozhong Depression. The original sedimentary boundary of the southern Miaoxi sag possibly extended eastward about 10 km and connected with the Bozhong sag at its northern part. The present-day Bodong low rise, which is bounded by the Tan–Lu fault zone, also formed after the depositional period of Eocene Sha-3 member. It is thus concluded that the Bozhong Depression formed a connected large-scale sub-basin during the depositional stage of the Eocene Sha-3 member. Several neighboring sags that are now separated by rises, including the Qinnan, Shanan, Chengbei, Huanghekou, Miaoxi and Bodong sags, formed a single contiguous depositional area during the Eocene. The significant differences between the present and original basin patter and framework provide valuable information for better understanding the history of basin inversion and its impact on related hydrocarbon-system evolution.

Quantitative reconstruction of the palaeoclimate of the Shahejie Formation in the Chezhen Depression,Bohai Bay Basin,eastern China

This paper uses pollen climate analysis and coexistence analysis to systematically analyze the climatic evolution of the Shahejie Formation in the Chezhen Depression,Bohai Bay Basin,eastern China and discusses the relationship between palaeoclimatic evolution and lake level rise.The results show that the sedimentary period of the Shahejie Formation in the Chezhen Depression had an overall temperature change trend from hot to cold and simultaneously experienced a dry and wet balance-wet-dry and wet balance-wet transition process.The climatic parameters of the Shahejie Formation in the Chezhen Depression include a mean annual temperature of 8.1℃-15.1℃,a mean coldest monthly temperature of-0.1℃-2℃,a mean warmest monthly temperature of 18.6℃-28℃,a mean annual precipitation of 389-1164 mm,a wettest monthly precipitation amount of 215-262 mm,and a driest monthly precipitation amount of 8-48 mm.Climate change is believed to affect the rise and fall of lake levels to some extent.The quantitative reconstruction of these climatic parameters allows researchers to more intuitively understand the geological background of the Chezhen Depression and guide the exploration and development of oil and gas resources.