The pore-fracture system properties of coalbed methane reservoirs in the Panguan Syncline,Guizhou,China

The Panguan Syncline contains abundant coal resources, which may be a potential source of coalbed methane. In order to evaluate the coalbed methane production potential in this area, we investi- gated the pore-fracture system of coalbed methane reservoirs, and analyzed the gas sorption and seepage capacities by using various analytical methods, including scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, optical microscopy, mercury-injection test, low-temperature N2 isotherm adsorption/desorption analyses, low- field nuclear magnetic resonance and methane isothermal adsorption measurements. The results show that the samples of the coal reservoirs in the Panguan Syncline have moderate gas sorption capacity. However, the coals in the study area have favorable seepage capacities, and are conductive for the coalbed methane production. The physical properties of the coalbed methane reservoirs in the Panguan Syncline are gener- ally controlled by coal metamorphism： the low rank coal usually has low methane sorption capacity and its pore and microfractures are poorly developed; while the medium rank coal has better methane sorption capacity, and its seepage pores and microfractures are well developed, which are sufficient for the coalbed methane＇s gathering and exploration. Therefore, the medium rank coals in the Panguan Syncline are the most prospective targets for the coalbed methane exploration and production.

Geological characteristics and co-exploration and co-production methods of Upper Permian Longtan coal measure gas in Yangmeishu Syncline, Western Guizhou Province, China

Coal measure gas(also known as coal-bearing unconventional gas)is the key field and development direction of unconventional natural gas in recent years.The exploration and evaluation of coal measure gas(coalbed methane,coal shale gas and coal measure tight sandstone gas)from single coalbed methane has greatly expanded the field and space of resource evaluation,which is of positive significance for realizing the comprehensive utilization of coal resources,maximizing the benefits and promoting the innovation of oil and gas geological theory and technological advances in exploration and development.For the first time,in Yangmeishu Syncline of Western Guizhou Province,the public welfare coalbed methane geological survey project of China Geological Survey has been carried out a systematic geological survey of coal measure gas for the Upper Permian Longtan Formation,identified the geological conditions of coal measure gas and found high quality resources.The total geological resource quantity of coalbed methane and coal shale gas is 51.423×109 m3 and the geological resource abundance is up to 566×106 m3/km2.In this area,the coal measures are characterized by many layers of minable coal seams,large total thickness,thin to the medium thickness of the single layer,good gas-bearing property of coal seams and coal measure mudstone and sandstone,good reservoir physical property and high-pressure coefficient.According to the principle of combination of high quality and similarity of key parameters of the coal reservoir,the most favorable intervals are No.5-2,No.7 and No.13-2 coal seam in Well YMC1.And the pilot tests are carried out on coal seams and roof silty mudstone,such as staged perforation,increasing hydraulic fracturing scale and"three gas"production.The high and stable industrial gas flow with a daily gas output of more than 4000 m3 has been obtained,which has realized the breakthrough in the geological survey of coal measure gas in Southwest China.Based on the above investigation results,the geological characteristics of coal measure gas in the multi-thin-coal-seam-developed area and the coexploration and co-production methods,such as the optimization method of favorable intervals,the highefficiency fracturing and reservoir reconstruction method of coal measures,and the"three gas"drainage and production system,are systematically summarized in this paper.It will provide a reference for efficient exploration and development of coal measure gas in similar geological conditions in China.

Interlayer interference mechanism of multi-seam drainage in a CBM well:An example from Zhucang syncline

Based on the characteristics of the strong volatility of physical property in vertical direction, high gas content, high resource abundance and large exploitation potentiality of coal reservoir in Bide-Santang basin of Zhina coal field, we study the generation mechanism of interlayer interference, propagation rules of reservoir pressure drop and influencing factors of gas productivity in CBM multi-seam drainage in the paper. On the basis of the actual production data of X-2 well of Zhucang syncline in Bide-Santang basin,by simulating the gas production process of a CBM well under the condition of multiple seam with COMET3 numerical simulation software, we analyze the influencing factors of gas productivity during the process of multi-seam drainage, and illuminate the interlayer interference mechanism of multiseam drainage. The results show that permeability, reservoir pressure gradient, critical desorption pressure and fluid supply capacity of stratum have great influence on gas productivity of multi-seam drainage while coal thickness has little influence on it. Permeability, reservoir pressure gradient and fluid supply capacity of stratum affect the propagation velocity of reservoir pressure drop and thereby affect the final gas productivity. Moreover, the influence of critical desorption pressure on gas productivity of multiseam drainage is reflected in the gas breakthrough time and effective desorption area.

DEVELOPMENT OF MESO-AND MICRO-SCALE STRUCTURES IN THE CHAMBA-BHARMAUR SYNCLINE, WESTERN HIMALAYA, INDIA

The Chamba\|Bharmaur syncline located in between Zanskar range in the north and Dhauladhar\|Pirpanjal range in the south , in the Chamba district of Western Himachal Pradesh. The rocks constituting Chamba\|Bharmaur syncline belong to Precambrian to Lr. Triassic (Rattan, 1973) and represent the southern extension of the Tethyan facies of the Zanskar Tethys Himalayan sequence (Thakur, 1998). The geological and structural mapping in the Chamba\|Bharmaur syncline reveal that the area comprises of various litho\|units which show imprint of various phases of deformation. Three main phases of deformation DF\-1, DF\-2 and DF\-3 have affected the rocks of the Chamba\|Bharmaur syncline. The earliest recognisable deformational structures of the area are tight isoclinal folds appressed with long drawn out limbs and thickened hinges have experienced buckle shortening of 80%. They have been rendered intrafolial folds in many places; only a few of them show disharmony. The folds initiated in the multilayered sequences are generally controlled in their distribution and wave\|length by more competent members of the sequence.

The Last Pterosaurs: First Record from the Uppermost Maastrichtian of the Tremp Syncline (Northern Spain)

Pterosaur bones are for the first time reported from the Tremp Syncline （Spain） and the southern Pyrenees. They come from the Torrebilles-2 site （Isona, Lleida Province） in the upper Maastrichtian part of the Tremp Formation, which falls within the C29r magnetochron. Fragmentary long bones are referred to the Pterosauria based on their cortical thinness, micro-architecture, and histological features. They belong to very large to possibly giant individuals. The most complete specimen is possibly a partial right femur. The review of the Maastrichtian pterosaur record shows that only a few specimens can be referred to the C29r （which contains the K/Pg boundary）. The identification of fragmentary remains could improve our knowledge about the abundance and distribution of these flying sauropsids just before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.

CBM geology conditions study of Gemudi syncline,Western Guizhou Province

Through the analysis of the surrounding rock, coal seam burial depth, coal quality and hydrologic geological condition, the methane-bearing property characteristics of the coal reservoir in the Gemudi syncline were elucidated. Most of the wall rock of the coal reservoir is mudstone and silt, which is a favourable enclosing terrane. Burial depth of the main excavating coat seam is moderate. The groundwater activity is thin, and there are absolute groundwater systems between each coal seam, which make poor intercon- nections to accelerate CBM enrichment. In our research, the area coal reservoir meta- morphosis is high, CBM content is high, hole-cranny system development degree is high, and permeability of the great mass of the main coal seam exceeds 0.1×10^-3 μm2, The result demonstrates that the southeast of the Gemudi syncline has the best conditions for prospecting and exploiting CBM.

Benthic Foraminiferal and Calcareous Algae Assemblages in the Tirgan Formation (Urgonien Facies Type) in South Flank of Ghorogh Syncline (North of Chenaran), NE Iran

In this research, the Tirgan Formation in the south flank of Ghorogh Syncline (north of Chenaran), northeastern Iran with the thickness of 251 was studied. This section consists of limestone, marly limestone and shale with impressions of echinoderms toxasteridae family, many of foraminifera from orbitolinidae family and also lots of calcareous algae that create facies variation along with other non-skeletal allochems. Micropaleontological investigation has been carried out on 90 thin-sections. These criteria reveal that an equivalent of the Urgonian facies type (in France-Swiss area) and open marine, low depth sedimentary basin are extended in the Kopet-Dagh basin. In this article, we tried to introduce some of the important foraminiferal and calcareous algal assemblages of this area.

Petrography and geochemistry of Paleocene-Eocene limestones in the Ching-dar syncline,eastern Iran

The Ching-dar syncline is located to the west of the city of Birjand, in the east of han. The ca. 500 m thick studied section at the eastern flank of the syncline contains a sequence of almost continuous shallow- marine limestones that exhibit no major sedimentary breaks or evidence for volcanic activity. Skeletal grains consist of large benthic foraminifera and green algae whereas non-skeletal grains are mostly peloids and intraclasts. They were deposited on a shallow-marine carbonate ramp. The limestones have undergone extensive diagenetic processes with varying intensities, the most important of which are micritization, cementation, compaction （chemical and mechanical）, internal filling and stylolitization. Chemical analysis of the limestone samples revealed high calcium and low magnesium content. Major and minor element values were used to determine the original carbonate mineralogy of these lime- stones. Petrographic evidence and elemental values indicate that calcite was the original carbonate mineral in the limestones of the Ching-dar syncline. The elemental composition of the Ching-dar car- bonates also demonstrates that they have stabilized in a meteoric phreatic environment. Variation of Sr/ Ca vs. Mn values suggests that diagenetic alteration occurred in an open geochemical system.

Microbial degradation and its influence on components of coalbed gases in Enhong syncline, China

Coalbed gases (CBG) in Enhong syncline are characterized by high concentration of C2+ (C2-5 ), with the highest content of ethane over 30%. However, the concentrations of C2+ are not evenly distributed in the syncline. Based on the analysis of δ13C1 , δ13C2 , δ13C3 , δ13CO2 , δDCH4 of CBG and their origin diagrams in the normal and abnormal areas, this research shows that gases in both areas are thermogenic gases and the reason for the uneven distribution of C2+ is that the microbial degradation action on gases is stronger in the normal area than in the abnormal area. The secondary biologic gases in the normal area are mainly characterized by that the carbon isotopes become obviously lighter in methane and become heavier in ethane, whereas the molecular and isotopic compositions of CO2 change little. These features indicate that the secondary biologic gases are mainly generated by the microbial degradation of C2+ , not generated by the reduction of CO2 . The degradation process is selective to make the residual ethane being enriched in 13C and the generated methane rich in 12C.

Characteristics of petroleum accumulation in syncline of the Songliao basin and discussion on its accumulation mechanism

The relation between oil and water in reservoirs with low and ultra-low permeability is very complicated. Gravitational separation of oil and water is not obvious. Normal reservoirs are located in depression and structural high spot, oil and water transitions are located in their middle. Stagnation is the key fact of oil-forming reservoir in the axis of a syncline based on the research of oil, gas and water migration manner, dynamics and non-Darcy flow in the Songliao basin. In low and ultra-low permeable reservoir, gas and water migrate easily through pore throats because their molecules are generally smaller than the pore throats; but the minimum diameter of oil droplets is larger than pore throats and they must be deformed to go through. Thus, gas and water migrate in advance of oil, and oil droplets remain behind. Pressure differential and the buoyancy force in a syncline reservoir are a main fluid driving force; and capillary force is the main resistance to flow. When the dynamics force is less than resistance, oil is immobile. When the buoyancy force is less than the capillary force, a gravitational separation of oil and water does not occur. The reservoir in the mature source rock of a syncline area with the low and ul- tra-low permeability belongs to an unconventional petroleum reservoir.

Genetic model of hanging wall syncline and central dome in extensional fault

Hanging wall syncline and central dome are special extension structures, developing over the hanging wall in an extensional ramp-flat fault. Under the condition that the flat is sub-horizontal, the hanging wall syncline is separated from the half graben by the central dome. And on the dome forms an erosional surface. Both sediments in the half graben and erosional surface on the top of the central dome extended over the dome and entered into the hanging wall syncline with extension going on. Meanwhile, those having entered were overlapped by new sedimentary layers in the hanging wall syncline, so that there is a together-threaded, diachronic unconformity to form in the same epoch stratum. The layers in the hanging wall syncline also have an attribute of migrating laterally and getting tilted with extension. There is no sedimentation on the central dome. But sediments, which came from the half graben, got thicker over the dome in extension.

Distribution patterns of tight sandstone gas and shale gas

Based on an elaboration of the resource potential and annual production of tight sandstone gas and shale gas in the United States and China,this paper reviews the researches on the distribution of tight sandstone gas and shale gas reservoirs,and analyzes the distribution characteristics and genetic types of tight sandstone gas reservoirs.In the United States,the proportion of tight sandstone gas in the total gas production declined from 20%-35%in 2008 to about 8%in 2023,and the shale gas production was 8310×10^(8)m^(3)in 2023,about 80%of the total gas production,in contrast to the range of 5%-17%during 2000-2008.In China,the proportion of tight sandstone gas in the total gas production increased from 16%in 2010 to 28%or higher in 2023.China began to produce shale gas in 2012,with the production reaching 250×10^(8)m^(3)in 2023,about 11%of the total gas production of the country.The distribution of shale gas reservoirs is continuous.According to the fault presence,fault displacement and gas layer thickness,the continuous shale gas reservoirs can be divided into two types:continuity and intermittency.Most previous studies believed that both tight sandstone gas reservoirs and shale gas reservoirs are continuous,but this paper holds that the distribution of tight sandstone gas reservoirs is not continuous.According to the trap types,tight sandstone gas reservoirs can be divided into lithologic,anticlinal,and synclinal reservoirs.The tight sandstone gas is coal-derived in typical basins in China and Egypt,but oil-type gas in typical basins in the United States and Oman.

Coalbed methane genesis, occurrence and accumulation in China

Coalbed methane （CBM） is an important type of unconventional gas. Commercial development of CBM in America has been very successful since the 1980s. The CBM industry in Australia and Canada has developed rapidly during the last decade. Commercial development of CBM in China started in the 1990s, and has made great progress. The geological theory of CBM in China has achieved great advancement in genesis, occurrence and accumulation. On the aspect of CBM genesis, five CBM genetic types （primary biogenic gas, secondary biogenic gas, thermal degradation gas, pyrolysis gas and mixed gas） are identified by studying the geochemical characteristics of CBM, and a tracing indicator system is established. The discovery of secondary biogenic gas in medium-high rank coal reservoirs has widened the potential of CBM resources. On the aspect of CBM occurrence, the gas adsorption regulation under combined action of temperature and pressure is revealed by conducting adsorption experiments of different coal ranks under varying temperature and pressure conditions. Besides, by applying the adsorption potential theory in CBM research, the adsorption model under combined action of temperature and pressure is established. The new model can predict CBM resources accurately, and overcome the limitation of the traditional Langmuir model which uses just a single factor to describe the adsorption characteristics of deep buried coal. On the aspect of CBM accumulation, it is proposed that there are three evolutionary stages during CBM accumulation, including gas generation and adsorption, unsaturated gas adsorption, gas desorption-diffusion and preservation. Controlled by tectonic evolution, hydrodynamics and sealing conditions, CBM tends to be regionally enriched in synclines. Advances in geological theory of CBM in China can not only improve understanding of natural gas, but also provide new ideas for further exploration of CBM.

Lithostratigraphy, Structure, Geological History, Economic Geology and Paleontology of Mari Bugti Hills and Surrounding Areas of Balochistan, South Punjab and North Sindh (Pakistan)

Mari Bugti hills and surroundings belong to Sulaiman basin (fragment of Gondwana) lies under the territory of Balochistan, South Punjab and North Sindh (Pakistan) but luckily have diverse marine and terrestrial sediments varying in age from Triassic to Recent, petroleum and a large number of mineral resources especially huge gypsum and cement resources, numerous suitable anticlinal structures and world-famous paleontology. The large-sized poripuchian titanosaurs, theropods, mesoeucrocodiles, pterosaur, bird and snake were reported from the latest Cretaceous Vitakri Formation, and largest terrestrial mammals and eucrocodiles were reported from the Oligocene Chitarwata Formation and other mammals were also reported from Late Paleogene and Neogene terrestrial deposits. Previously part of this area was not mapped due to remoteness and security problems but recently the mapping of these areas was started. Further, the structural and geological maps of previously omitted parts are added here. After performing the multidisciplinary field investigations by senior author, the corresponding results were obtained. The main objective of this work is to focus on the lithostratigraphic deposits, structure, geological history, economic geology and paleontology of the Mari Bugti Hills and surrounding areas.

Integration of Electrical Resistivity and Electromagnetic Radiation Methods for Fracture Flow System Detection

An electrical resistivity and electromagnetic emission survey was carried out involving the use of vertical electrical soundings (VES) and natural pulse electromagnetic field of the earth (NPEMFE). The use of this new methodology managed to detect the fracture flow system rupture zones in the underground, also answered the questions about the deferent subsurface water bodies. The present study focuses on Marsaba-Feshcha sub-basin in the northeast of the Dead Sea. Due to the scarcity of boreholes in the study area, several geophysical methods were implanted. The combination of these two methods (VES and NPEMFE) with the field observations and East-West transversal faults with the coordination (624437/242888) was determined, cutting through the anticlines with their mainly impervious cores with fracture length of >400 m. These transversal faults saddle inside Nabi Musa syncline (Boqea syncline), leading to a hydraulic connection between the Lower and the Upper Aquifer. Due to the identified transversal fault, the water of the Upper and Lower Aquifer mixed and emerged as springs at Ein Feshcha group.

Stratigraphy and Structure of Dhamtaur Area, District Abbottabad, Eastern Hazara, Pakistan

Pre-Cambrian to Paleocene age sedimentary rocks predominantly characterize the fold and thrust belt of eastern Hazara division. The Hazara Slate Formation is the oldest rock unit which represents the Precambrian sequence. The Permian and Triassic sequences are missing. The Jurassic sequence comprises Samana Suk Formation whereas the Cretaceous exposed is Chichali and Lumshiwal formations. The Eocene sequence consists of Nammal and Sakessar formations. The structural fabric of the area is mainly attributed to a series of northwest trending parallel to en echelon anticlines and synclines. Most of these folds are found to be asymmetric and are Northwest facing. Several thrust faults verging both to the north have been mapped that generally dissect the forelimbs of the anticlinal structures. But the following study going to be focus on surface structural features as well as subsurface projections of folds and faults. Study of such structural features has get prime importance in economic geology such as petroleum geology, mining geology and engineering geology. In our study area subsurface projection of folds and faults along the structural transects of the area suggests that these structures have formed as a result of shortening associated with ramping from a regional basal decollement. All the structures clearly demonstrate that the eastern Hazara area has been subjected to compressional deformation/stresses oriented northeast southwest. The repetition of rock units indicates, folding in the area and thrusting of Pre-Cambrian Hazara Formation over younger Paleocene Lockhart Formation, evidence of thrust fault. There are unconformable contacts between Hazara and Samana Suk, Chichali and Lumshiwal, Kawagarh and Hangu and Lockhart formations indicate fluctuation in the environment of deposition. The Bagnotar Fault, Dhamtaur syncline and Thai anticline are the major structural features identified and reported in the study area.

GIS based integration of multi-spectral remote sensing and morphostructural analysis for delineating potential areas of hydrocarbon exploration in Western Vindhyan Basin,India

The Chambal Valley forms the western part of the Proterozoic Vindhyan Basin that has been less studied and poorly explored from the hydrocarbon perspective than its eastern counterpartdthe Son Valley Vindhyans.In the present manuscript,attempts have been made to use remote sensing and GIS(geographic information system)based analysis to focus on the northern part of Chambal Valley to decipher its tectonics and structural configuration,its tectonic relation with the Son Valley Vindhyans,Bundelkhand Massif and Ganga Basin.This study also assumes significance as it attempts to delineate potential lead areas for hydrocarbon exploration in Chambal Valley.As part of the study,a detailed spectral analysis based on image data sets is carried out to identify areas of microseeps as proxies of potential hydrocarbon accumulations.Also,a neotectonics-based geomorphic analysis is carried out to delineate a fault network and geomorphic highs that act as aliases to subsurface faults and structural highs.The results are subsequently validated by available geophysical data and extensive fieldwork,and suggest four structural trends in the Chambal Valley as striking NE-SW,E-W,NW-SE and NeS,of which the NW-SE trend is the oldest,followed by the NE-SW,E-W and NeS trends.A GIS-based analysis of the E-W trends indicates that these are probably manifestations of the westward continuity of E-W-trending shear zones developed in Bundelkhand massif within the basement of the Chambal Valley.Further remote sensing studies of the shear zone network exposed in the Bundelkhand massif indicate the pattern to be replicated on a larger scale in the morphostructural fault layout in the adjacent Ganga Basin,implying these shear zones may be continuing in the basement of Ganga Basin and controlling structures developed later,and consequently the different petroleum system elements in the basin.A dip data based structural analysis of the Chambal Valley describes a regional synform attributed with an almost vertical NW-SE-trending axial trace.This axial trace may be in continuity with the NE-SWtrending synformal axis of the Son Valley with its trajectory sympathetic to the southern boundary of the Bundelkhand massif and the Central Indian Tectonic Zone(CITZ)e Aravalli Delhi Fold Belt(ADFB)geometry.Finally,based on the integration of the results of spectral and morphostructural analysis,a number of potential areas of hydrocarbon exploration are demarcated in the study area.