Three-Gorges Reservoir Area on the Yangtze River Faced with Risk of Induced Destructive Earthquakes

The Three-Gorge Water Conservancy Project on the Yangtze River started to impound water by locking gates on June 1, 2003. A swarm of more than 2000 small earthquakes suddenly occurred densely along the river section in Xinling Town north of Badong, Hubei Province, on June 7. This caused grave concern in the following years, but, with the completion of the second- and third-phase engineering construction, the water level in the reservoir will rise up to 156 m and 175 m respectively, no matter whether it can induce larger and stronger earthquakes. After an analysis of the distribution of active faults in the eastern part of the reservoir area, their intersections and capability to generate earthquakes from a seismo-tectonic viewpoint, we consider that after the reservoir impounding, two potential focal zones existing in Badong and Zigui counties may generate M 5.5 earthquake, the seismic intensity of which may reach Ⅷ. It will induce landslide bodies in the reservoir area to be reactivated and slide. The evidence is the large-scale landslide occurring on the Shazhenxi Creek river in Zigui County on June 12, 2003.

Baoziwan-Majiashan Area of Jiyuan Oilfield Analysis of Reservoir Characteristics and Main Control Factors in Long 4 5 Section

Based on the sheet, scanning electron microscope and high pressure mercury analysis method, this paper takes Jiyuan oilfield-Ma Jia mountain district 4 5 sandstone reservoir as the research object, from the reservoir petrology, pore type and porosity, permeability, the system analyzed the reservoir characteristics and its control factors. The results show that the sandstone in the 4 5 section of Baoziwan-Majiashan area of Jiyuan oilfield is fine in size and high in filling content. The pore types were dominated by intergranular pores and dissolved pores, with a low face rate. The reservoir property is relatively poor, with mean porosity of 11.11% and mean permeability of 1.16 × 10−3 µm2. In the low porous, low otonic background, the development of relatively high pore hypertonic areas. Compaction and cementation should play a destructive role in reservoir properties, and dissolution should play a positive role in reservoir properties. Compaction adjusts the migration of clay minerals and miscellaneous bases in the original sediment in the study area, greatly reducing the porosity and permeability of the reservoir;the development of the cement cement, carbonate cementation and some quartz secondary compounds reduces the storage space;the dissolution effect, especially the secondary dissolution pores of the reservoir, which obviously improves the properties of the reservoir.

Evaluation of Chang 2 Reservoir in Zichang Area, Ordos Basin

In this paper, the Chang 2 reservoir in Zichang Area of Ordos Basin, the second largest sedimentary basin in China, is classified and evaluated by using logging and core data, thin section identification and electron microscopy. The main sedimentary microfacies of Chang 213 is braided river delta sedimentary system in geological history, and there are three main sedimentary microfacies types: swamp microfacies, distributary channel microfacies and natural embankment microfacies on land. The heterogeneity in the study area is as follows: Chang 212 formation has the strongest heterogeneity, followed by Chang 211 formation with strong heterogeneity, and finally Chang 213 formation with medium heterogeneity. The reservoirs of Chang 2 member in the study area are dominated by IIIa, IIb and IIIb, and the reservoirs are mainly composed of ultra-low porosity and low permeability reservoirs and low porosity and low permeability reservoirs.

Influence of Reservoir on Groundwater Environment in the Ecologically Fragile Area, Northwest of China

As the research proposed reservoirs after impact on the surrounding ecological fragile areas of groundwater level and scope, through the proposed reservoir area and its surrounding data collecting, hydrogeology survey and related test, for Modflow system simulation platform, through to the boundary conditions, initial conditions and source sink term and related hydrogeological parameters, the model identification and verification, The model of hydrogeological parameters in the study area is constructed. The simulation results show that the groundwater depth near the reservoir area will be higher than the critical value (1.8 m) of secondary salinization of soil. At the same time, according to the investigation and experiment, if the reservoir does not do seepage treatment, the water infiltration in the reservoir will aggravate the environmental hydrogeological problems in the ecologically fragile area.

Sedimentary Features and Distribution of High-Quality Reservoirs in the Ledong Area, Yinggehai Basin

The Ledong-30 area is located in the southern part of the central depression of the Yinggehai basin, where the exploration activity aims to gas in the middle and deep strata is started lately. The previous studies on the sedimentary system and main controlling factors of reservoir formation are mainly focused on the middle and shallow strata above the Huangliu Formation. Based on a fine interpretation of seismic data, the sedimentary characteristics, internal structures, and distribution rules of submarine fans and gravity flow channels in the Ledong-30 area are analyzed in this paper. In addition, the dynamic migration processes of their planar distribution and the vertical evolution law (vertical sequence combinations and superposition features of turbidity events) are also addressed. At last, the internal structural characteristics of the gravity flow system and comprehensive formation mechanisms of the large-scale gravity flow sediments (turbidities fans) are also been analyzed, which is helpful for the prediction of favorable reservoir distribution. The results can be used directly to guide oil and gas exploration in the Ledong area of the Yinggehai basin.

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.

Geological characteristics of unconventional tight oil reservoir (10^(9) t): A case study of Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, northern Songliao Basin, NE China

The Daqing exploration area in the northern Songliao Basin has great potential for unconventional oil and gas resources,among which the total resources of tight oil alone exceed 109 t and is regarded as an important resource base of Daqing oilfield.After years of exploration in the Qijia area,Songliao Basin,NE China,tight oil has been found in the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation.To work out tight oil’s geological characteristics,taking tight oil in Gaotaizi oil layers of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in northern Songliao Basin as an example,this paper systematically analyzed the geological characteristics of unconventional tight oil in Gao3 and Gao4 layers of the Qijia area,based on the data of the geological survey,well drilling journey,well logging,and test.It is that three sets of hydrocarbon source rocks(K2qn1,K2qn2+3,and K2n1)develop in the examined area,and exhibit excellent type I and II kerogens,high organic matter abundance,and moderate maturity.The reservoir is generally composed of thin-bedded mudstone,siltstone,and sandstone,and presents poor porosity(average 8.5 vol.%)and air permeability(average 4 mD).The main reservoir space primarily includes intergranular pores,secondary soluble pores,and intergranular soluble pores.Three types of orifice throats were identified,namely fine throat,extra-fine throat,and micro-fine throat.The siltstone is generally oil-bearing,the reservoirs with slime and calcium become worse oil-bearing,and the mudstone has no obvious oil-bearing characteristics.The brittleness indices of the sandstone in the tight oil reservoir range from 40%to 60%,and those of the mudstone range from 40%to 45%,indicating a better brittleness of the tight oil reservoir.Based on the study of typical core hole data,this paper gives a comprehensive evaluation of the properties of the tight oil and establishes a tight oil single well composite bar chart as well as the initial evaluation system with the core of properties in the tight oil reservoir.This study has theoretical guiding significance and practical application value for tight oil exploration and evaluation in the Qijia area.

Reductions in non-point source pollution through different management practices for an agricultural watershed in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

Non-point source water pollution generated by agricultural production is considered a major environmental issue in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area （TGRA） of China. The Annualised Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution （AnnAGNPS） model was selected to assess the impact of the application of various management treats, including seven crops, five fertilizer levels and three-group management practice scenarios, on water quality from Heigou River Watershed in TGRA. The scenario subsets include conservation tillage practice （CTP）, conservation reserve program （CRP） and conversion of cropland into forestland program （CCFP）. Results indicated that tea can not be replaced by other crops because comparatively tea resulted in a higher sediment yield. CTP with no-tillage was more effective to reduce sediment yield, but could increased nutrient loss. CRP reduced sediment yield significantly, but slightly benefited on nutrient loss. CCFP reduced not only sediment yield but also the nutrient loss significantly. The conversion of cropland with a slope greater than 10° into forestland was found to be the best scenario as the sediment yield export is less than 5 tons/ha and nutrient loss is within the permissible limit.

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on the water quality in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area during and after its construction

A survey concerning the concentration of the nutrients in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area was carried out. This paper presents the parameters(NO 3 - N, NO 2 - N, Kjeldahl N, non ionic ammonia, P PO 4 and TP) determined at 16 sampling sites from 1997 to 1999 The dominant soluble nitrogen form was NO 3 - N followed by Kjeldahl N, NO 2 - N and non ionic ammonia. Mean values of NO 3 - N, NO 2 - N, Kjeldahl N and non ionic ammonia ranged from 0 50 to 2 37 mg/L, 0 022 to 0 084 mg/L, 0 33 to 0 99 mg/L and 0 007 to 0 092 mg/L respectively. Mean values of P PO 4 at most sampling sites were higher than 0 1 mg/L for subject to eutrophication. The major factors influencing the concentrations of N and P might be agricultural runoff, municipal and industrial effluents. In addition, 6 kinds of soil were sampled at the area where would inundated after the dam completed. Two approaches were adopted to simulate the N and P release from the inundated soils. The results showed that the soils would release nitrogen and phosphorus to the overlying water when the soils were inundated. The characteristics of soil affected the equilibrium concentrations of N and P between the soil and the overlying water.

Characteristics of Tight Sandstone Reservoirs and Controls of Reservoir Quality: A Case Study of He 8 Sandstones in the Linxing Area, Eastern Ordos Basin, China

Determining the process of densification and tectonic evolution of tight sandstone can help to understand the distribution of reservoirs and find relatively high-permeability areas.Based on integrated approaches of thin section,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),cathode luminescence(CL),nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),X-ray diffraction(XRD),N2 porosity and permeability,micro-resistivity imaging log(MIL)and three-dimensional seismic data analysis,this work discussed the reservoir characteristics of the member 8 of the Permian Xiashihezi Formation(He 8 sandstones)in the Linxing area of eastern Ordos Basin,determined the factors affecting reservoir quality,and revealed the formation mechanism of relatively high-permeability areas.The results show that the He 8 sandstones in the Linxing area are mainly composed of feldspathic litharenites,and are typical tight sandstones(with porosity<10%and permeability<1 mD accounting for 80.3%of the total samples).Rapid burial is the main reason for reservoir densification,which resulted in 61%loss of the primary porosity.In this process,quartz protected the original porosity by resisting compaction.The cementation(including carbonate,clay mineral and siliceous cementation)further densified the sandstone reservoirs,reducing the primary porosity with an average value of 28%.The calcite formed in the eodiagenesis occupied intergranular pores and affected the formation of the secondary pores by preventing the later fluid intrusion,and the Fe-calcite formed in the mesodiagenetic stage densified the sandstones further by filling the residual intergranular pores.The clay minerals show negative effects on reservoir quality,however,the chlorite coatings protected the original porosity by preventing the overgrowth of quartz.The dissolution of feldspars provides extensive intergranular pores which constitute the main pore type,and improves the reservoir quality.The tectonic movements play an important role in improving the reservoir quality.The current tectonic traces of the study area are mainly controlled by the Himalayan movement,and the high-permeability reservoirs are mainly distributed in the anticline areas.Additionally,the improvement degree(by tectonic movements)of reservoir quality is partly controlled by the original composition of the sandstones.Thus,the selection of potential tight gas well locations in the study area should be focused on the anticline areas with relatively good original reservoir quality.And the phenomena can be referenced for other fluvial tight sandstone basins worldwide.

Changes in cultivated land patterns and driving forces in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China, from 1992 to 2015

Changes of cultivated land patterns caused by major water conservation projects are rarely reported. We selected the Three Gorges Reservoir area in China to study the change in area and landscape pattern of the cultivated land in the head,central, and tail areas of the reservoir that took place between 1992 and 2015;we then studied the spatial distribution of the cultivated land in the three parts of the reservoir;finally, we studied the driving forces behind the changes in the cultivated land. The results derived are as follows.(1) During the construction of the Three Gorges Project(TGP, 1992–2015), the area of cultivated land around the reservoir decreased by30.23 million ha. This reduction occurred in phases:the most severe change in cultivated land occurred during the later stage of the project(2002–2010);only 0.62 million ha of cultivated land did not change between 1992 and 2015.(2) Spatial pattern analysis showed that the cultivated land in the three parts of the reservoir changed from a northern distribution to a southern distribution;thus, the area of cultivated land in the north decreased over the time period. The area of cultivated land in the head and tail areas decreased by varying degrees, while it increased in the central area over the 23 years, indicating that the change in cultivated land showed regional differences.(3) The TGP, the policy of reverting farmland to forest,and urbanization were the main driving factors for the change of cultivated land, but there were differences in their impacts at different stages.(4) According to the patch dynamics of the land cover change, the degree of change gradually intensified during the early and later stages of the project and then stabilized during the operational period. Our research provides scientific support for the protection of cultivated land resources and food security in the reservoir area and for the coordination of social and economic development, which is of great significance to sustainable development in the reservoir area.

Land Use of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area and the Effect on Its Landscape Pattern in the Recent 50 Years

The paper makes detailed analysis on the changing processes of the main types of land use in Three Gorges Reservoir Area through the techniques of RS （Remote Sense） and GIS （Geography Information System）. Based on the theory of landscape ecology, many types of landscape pattern indexes are calculated and made correlation analysis. The results indicate that： in 1995 the ecological environment of Three Gorges Reservoir Area was the most vulnerable in the recent 50 years, but resumed in 2002; the landscape pattern diversity index, fractal dimension index and fragmentation index has close correlation with the area of land use/cover change （LUCC）. The research also releases that the increase of the cultivated land, grassland and construction land deteriorates the landscape ecological pattern, while the increase of forest land area will help restore the landscape ecological pattern to its original state. The rapid change of grassland is an important index of the change of landscape pattern, because it has the most effect on change of landscape pattern index.

Distribution of gas hydrate reservoir in the first production test region of the Shenhu area,South China Sea

In May and July of 2017,China Geological Survey (CGS),and Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey (GMGS)carried out a production test of gas hydrate in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea and acquired a breakthrough of two months continuous gas production and nearly 3.1×10^5 m^3 of production. The gas hydrate reservoir in the Shenhu area of China,is mainly composed of fine-grained clay silt with low permeability,and very difficult for exploitation,which is very different from those discovered in the USA,and Canada (both are conglomerate),Japan (generally, coarse sand)and India (fracture-filled gas hydrate).Based on 3D seismic data preserved-amplitude processing and fine imaging,combined with logging-while-drilling (LWD)and core analysis data,this paper discusses the identification and reservoir characterization of gas hydrate orebodies in the Shenhu production test area.We also describe the distribution characteristics of the gas hydrate deposits and provided reliable data support for the optimization of the production well location.Through BSR feature recognition,seismic attribute analysis, model based seismic inversion and gas hydrate reservoir characterization,this paper describes two relatively independent gas hydrate orebodies in the Shenhu area,which are distributed in the north-south strip and tend to be thicker in the middle and thinner at the edge.The effective thickness of one orebody is bigger but the distribution area is relatively small.The model calculation results show that the distribution area of the gas hydrate orebody controlled by W 18/W 19 is about 11.24 km^2,with an average thickness of 19 m and a maximum thickness of 39 m,and the distribution area of the gas hydrate orebody controlled by W11/W17 is about 6.42 km^2,with an average thickness of 26 m and a maximum thickness of 90 m.

Oil／Gas Accumulation Characteristics and Exploration Methods of the Deltaic Lithologic Reservoirs in Northern Shaanxi Area

There are large deltaic systems in the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the northern Shaanxi area of the Ordos Basin, and developed two sets of good source-reservoir-caprock assemblages and many sets of oil-bearing beds. Exploration experience demonstrates that the formation and distribution of the reservoir were controlled by the generative depression of the Yanchang Formation, and deltaic reservoir sand body is the material basis for large-scale oilfields. In addition, secondary laumontite in a low permeable area was dissolved and then a high permeable area was formed. The updip lithologic variety of reservoir sand bodies is favorable to the formation of subtle lithologic traps, and the deltaic reservoirs are characterized by large multi-beds of oil-generation and abundant hydrocarbon resources. In this paper, the petroleum geologic settings of the studied area are analyzed, and the accumulation characteristics and exploration methods of lithologic reservoirs are summarized. It is of theoretical significance for the study of the exploration theories of lithologic reservoirs, and also expedites the exploration steps of deltaic reservoirs in the northern Shaanxi area.

Geological Features and Reservoiring Mode of Shale Gas Reservoirs in Longmaxi Formation of the Jiaoshiba Area

This study is based on the sedimentation conditions, organic geochemistry, storage spaces, physical properties, lithology and gas content of the shale gas reservoirs in Longmaxi Formation of the Jiaoshiba area and the gas accumulation mode is summarized and then compared with that in northern America. The shale gas reservoirs in the Longmaxi Formation in Jiaoshiba have good geological conditions, great thickness of quality shales, high organic content, high gas content, good physical properties, suitable depth, good preservation conditions and good reservoir types. The quality shales at the bottom of the deep shelf are the main target interval for shale gas exploration and development. Shale gas in the Longmaxi Formation has undergone three main reservoiring stages：the early stage of hydrocarbon generation and compaction when shale gas reservoirs were first formed; the middle stage of deep burial and large-scale hydrocarbon generation, which caused the enrichment of reservoirs with shale gas; the late stage of uplift, erosion and fracture development when shale gas reservoirs were finally formed.

Conflict between wild boars(Sus scrofa) and farmers:distribution, impacts,and suggestions for management of wild boars in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

Economic losses caused by wild boars(Sus scrofa)continue to increase in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.We selected 206 farmers in Wuqiaohe Basin as survey respondents using random stratified sampling.The distribution and impacts of wild boars were examined using a questionnaire survey and spatial analysis.The results showed that:(1)The density of farmer settlements is low and most peasants’households are located on the forest edge.Due to large-scale labor migration,a high proportion of farmland(25.85%)has been abandoned and an even higher proportion of farmland(40.48%)has been returned to forest.(2)The probability of wild boar damage to peasant households was 67.96%.Yields of corn and sweet potato decreased by 24.87%and 28.24%,respectively,with a total economic loss of approximately 2,590,100 RMB/yr in the Wuqiaohe basin.Sixty-five percent of the affected cultivatedlands were located within approximately 150 m of the forest edges.(3)The wild boar damage coefficient was significantly and negatively correlated with the distance between the peasants’household and the forest edge,the density of the settlements,and the area of cultivated land.The wild boar damage coefficient shows a significant positive correlation with the area of farmland returned to forest.(4)The damage activity caused by wild boars began to occur7-8 years ago,and the destruction has been more frequently and seriously observed in the last 4-5 years.(5)We make suggestions for wild boar control and management measures including developing a compensation policy.The compensation standard is related to the land area returning from farmland to forests and the actual cultivated land area.

Spatial heterogeneity of fine root biomass of Pinus massoniana forests in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

Environmental heterogeneity is a constant presence in the natural world that significantly affects plant behavior at a variety of levels of complexity. In order to estimate the spatial pattern of fine root biomass in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, the spatial heterogeneity of fine root biomass in the upper layer of soils （0-10 cm） in three Mas- son pine （Pinus massoniana） stands in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China, was studied in 30 m x 30 m plots with geostatistical analysis. The results indicate that 1） both the live and dead fine root biomass of stand 2 were less than those of other stands, 2） the spatial variation of fine roots in the three stands was caused together by structural and ran- dom factors with moderate spatial dependence and 3） the magnitude of spatial heterogeneity of live fine roots ranked as： stand 3 〉 stand 1 〉 stand 2, while that of dead fine roots was similar in the three stands. These findings suggested that the range of spatial autocorrelation for fine root biomass varied considerably in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, while soil properties, such as soil bulk density, organic matter and total nitrogen, may exhibit great effect on the spatial distribution of fine roots. Finally, we express our hope to be able to carry out further research on the quantitative relation- ship between the spatial heterogeneous patterns of plant and soil properties.

Monitoring the Cultivated Slope Land in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area Based on Remote Sensing and GIS

By means of combining auto-extraction with manual interpretation, the current distribution information about cultivated land is obtained. The distribution information of 1992 is extracted from the dynamic polygons of 2002. The monitoring mini-system of the cultivated slope land is established. In the system, detailed surveys, focused on the resources of cultivated slope land, are carried out. The results indicate that the area of the cultivated slope land is very large. Meanwhile, there are lots of cultivated steep slopes with gradient above 35°. The areas of steep land cultivated had been slowly reduced from 1992 to 2002. At the same time, the pressures of returning farm land to forestry are great in all counties. The conflicts between population growth, insufficient grain supply and stagnant economic development sharpen increasingly. It is inevitable to improve the agricultural structure.

Identification of the Quaternary low gas-saturation reservoirs in the Sanhu area of the Qaidam Basin,China

Low gas-saturation reservoirs are gas bearing intervals whose gas saturation is less than 47%. They are common in the Quaternary of the Sanhu area in the Qaidam Basin.Due to the complex genesis mechanisms and special geological characteristics,the logging curves of low gas-saturation reservoirs are characterized by ambiguity and diversity,namely without significant log response characteristics. Therefore,it is particularly difficult to identify the low gas-saturation reservoirs in the study area.In addition,the traditional methods such as using the relations among lithology,electrical property,physical property and gas bearing property,as well as their threshold values,can not effectively identify low gas-saturation reservoirs.To solve this problem,we adopt the decision tree,support vector machine and rough set methods to establish a predictive model of low gas-saturation reservoirs,which is capable of classifying a mass of multi-dimensional and fuzzy data.According to the transparency of learning processes and the understandability of learning results,the predictive model was also revised by absorbing the actual reservoir characteristics.Practical applications indicate that the predictive model is effective in identifying low gas-saturation reservoirs in the study area.

On the land use in Three Gorges Reservoir area

In this study the arable land changes in two counties (Zigui and Xingshan) in the Three Gorges Reservoir area in China are investigated. The statistical data from the officially published statistical books are used to study these changes in the two counties during the past 50 years since 1949. The changes of arable land, changes of arable land per capita, and changes of multiple crop index in Zigui and Xingshan counties are examined. Using an index method, we conclude that the two counties are critical in the sustainable utilization of arable land.