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.

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.

Conditions for the enrichment of karst hydrothermal resources in Bohai Bay Basin

Drilling for karst hydrothermal resources in eastern China has posed challenges,including disparities between the temperature and yield of geothermal water.It is evident that relying solely on geothermal anomalies or indications of karst reservoirs is inadequate for the exploration of karst hydrothermal resources.This study seeks to elucidate the cause of geothermal sweet spots by analyzing the interplay between geothermal anomalies and karst reservoirs and the underlying geological conditions for karst hydrothermal enrichment.Key findings include:(1)the Bohai Bay Basin has been geologically favorable for the development of karst hydrothermal resources since the Mesozoic era;(2)the karst hydrothermal enrichment varies significantly between the basin’s margin and its interior.On the basin margin,the enrichment is largely driven by groundwater activity and faults,particularly where faults facilitate the upwelling of geothermal water.In contrast,within the basin’s interior,karst hydrothermal resources are predominantly influenced by buried hills and are especially enriched in areas facilitating the discharge of deep geothermal waters.

Ultra-deep carbonate basement reservoirs formed by polyphase fracture-related karstification in the Offshore Bohai Bay Basin, China

The Palaeozoic carbonate basement of the Offshore Bohai Bay Basin (OBBB) presents considerable potential for hydrocarbon exploration. However, the multistage tectonism and complex superimposed palaeo-karstification in the area are unclear, which leads to a lack of understanding on the formation mechanism and distribution of the deep carbonate basement reservoirs. In this study, the occurrence of a fracture-vug network and its fillings in carbonate reservoirs were investigated based on borehole cores, thin sections, and image logs from the southwestern slope of the OBBB's Bozhong Sag. Then the diagenetic fluid properties of the carbonate matrix and fillings were analysed via the data of carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopes, and major, rare elements from coring intervals. The results revealed that fracture-related karst reservoirs have lithologic selectivity inclined toward dolomite strata. The intersecting relationships, widths, and strikes of the fractures and the regional tectonic background indicate three structural fracture families: NW-, NNE-, and NNW- trending, related to the Indosinian, middle Yanshanian, and late Yanshanian orogeny, respectively. The Indosinian NW- and end-Mesozoic NNE-trending fractures produced by compressional tectonic stress mainly contributed to the formation of the basement reservoirs. The geochemistry of the calcite veins filling these fractures suggests two main types of diagenetic fluids. The fluid of autogenic recharge related to the earlier fills is karstification diffuse flow dominated by internal runoff from rainfall in the highland setting of the Indosinian thrusting orogenic belt. The other fluid of allogenic recharge related to the later fills is the main lateral freshwater flow dominated by external runoff from the catchment in the setting of the horst-lowland within the rifting basin, induced by the Yanshanian destruction of the North China Craton. Finally, the relationship between the three fracture families and two kinds of related fluids is revealed. This allows us to propose a model to understand the polyphase-superimposed fracture-related karst reservoir complexes within the deep carbonate basement of tilting fault blocks that neighbour the Bozhong hydrocarbon kitchen and predict the formation of potential plays with high accuracy.

Middle Eocene terrestrial paleoweathering and climate evolution in the midlatitude Bohai Bay Basin of eastern China

The middle Eocene climatic optimum(MECO,ca.-42 Ma)is a key time period for understanding Cenozoic cooling of the global climate.Still,midlatitude terrestrial records of climate evolution during MEcO epoch are rare.In this study,continuous high-resolution record of shale sediments in mid-Eocene Shahejie Formation(MES shales)in the Bohai Bay Basin were performed with major-element and wavelet analysis.The midlatitude paleoweathering and paleoclimatic evolution during MEcO epoch were analyzed in this study.The MES shales experienced weak-moderate paleoweathering under a subtropical monsoon paleoclimate with mean annual temperature of 8.3-12.9℃ and mean annual precipitation of 685-1100 mm/yr.The MES shales record a mixed provenance involving intermediate igneous rocks,and low compositional maturity.The nutrient-rich environment led to enrichment in organic matter in the MES shales.Wavelet analysis revealed good periodicity about the paleoclimate and weathering during MECO epoch.In the stage I of MES shales depositional process,the paleolake was high in nutrients,and the MES shales experienced high chemical weathering due to a relatively warmer and more humid climate.In contrast,the climate in stage II was relatively cold and dry,and the maturity of the MES shales was relatively high during this stage,suggesting a relatively stable tectonic background.This work provides more terrestrial records of MEco epoch for midlatitude region,and is benefit for better understanding of the palaeoenvironment when MES shales formed.The implication of organic matters enrichment in this study is meaningful for the shale oil/gas exploration in Nanpu Sag.

Depositional Environment and Lithofacies Analyses of Eocene Lacustrine Shale in the Bohai Bay Basin:Insights from Mineralogy and Elemental Geochemistry

The effect of various depositional parameters including paleoclimate,paleosalinity and provenance,on the depositional mechanism of lacustrine shale is very important in reconstructing the depositional environment.The classification of shale lithofacies and the interpretation of shale depositional environment are key features used in shale oil and gas exploration and development activity.The lower 3rd member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation(Es_(3)^(x)shale)was selected for this study,as one of the main prospective intervals for shale oil exploration and development in the intracratonic Bohai Bay Basin.Mineralogically,it is composed of quartz(avg.9.6%),calcite(avg.58.5%),dolomite(avg.7%),pyrite(avg.3.3%)and clay minerals(avg.20%).An advanced methodology(thin-section petrography,total organic carbon and total organic sulfur contents analysis,X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray fluorescence(XRF),field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM))was adopted to establish shale lithofacies and to interpret the depositional environment in the lacustrine basin.Six different types of lithofacies were recognized,based on mineral composition,total organic carbon(TOC)content and sedimentary structures.Various inorganic geochemical proxies(Rb/Sr,Ca/(Ca+Fe),Ti/Al,Al/Ca,Al/Ti,Zr/Rb)have been used to interpret and screen variations in depositional environmental parameters during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale.The experimental results indicate that the environment during the deposition of the Es_(3)^(x)shale was warm and humid with heightened salinities,moderate to limited detrital input,higher paleohydrodynamic settings and strong oxygen deficient(reducing)conditions.A comprehensive depositional model of the lacustrine shale was developed.The interpretations deduced from this research work are expected to not only expand the knowledge of shale lithofacies classification for lacustrine fine-grained rocks,but can also offer a theoretical foundation for lacustrine shale oil exploration and development.

Decipher hydrocarbon generation and accumulation based on fluid inclusion and chronology:A case study from the Upper Paleozoic buried-hills in Huanghua Depression,Bohai Bay Basin

Deciphering hydrocarbon generation and accumulation stage is of significance to understand oil and gas evolution and seek exploration targets.Taking the Upper Paleozoic buried-hills in the Huanghua Depression,Bohai Bay Basin,as a case study,hydrocarbon generation environment and detailed accumulation process are revealed by fluid inclusions observations,Laser Raman spectroscopy,Fourier Infrared spectroscopy,and K-Ar isotope measurements.The results show that both oil and gas inclusion were captured in the quartz overgrowth,dissolved feldspar and calcite microfractures,showing blue to dark brown fluoresce.The grains containing oil inclusions index(GOI)of oil,oil&gas and gas being 25%,65%,and 10%and the inclusions with abundant methyl groups and short chains,both indicate high thermal maturity.One series of fluids inclusion is generally observed,evidenced by the concentrated homogenization temperature of 135-145℃ and salinity of 3%-15 w.t.%NaCl equiv,indicating one primary charging stage.The gas and gas&liquid inclusions mainly contain CH_(4),with also peaks indicating CO_(2) and N_(2.)The Carboniferous and Permian biomarkers show reducing environment with brackish water,with organic matter sources both from marine and continental.The relative content ofααα20RC_(27),ααα20RC_(28),andααα20RC_(29) exhibit source contributions both from algae and higher plants,and mainly of II2 to III kerogen.Both coal derived gas and oil associated hydrocarbons are identified from most of the buried-hills.Combining the fluid homogenization temperature and salinity,as well as the thermal evolution history,the hydrocarbon generated from the Upper Paleozoic was concentrated at the end of the Eocene(40 Ma±),while the beginning of charging is 60 Ma±.The Wumaying Buried-hill is of only coal derived gas and has potential for inner coal measure natural gas exploration.The results provide a detailed understanding of hydrocarbon accumulations in the study area,which can also be reference for improving petroleum exploration efficiency in similar basins.

Carbon isotopic compositions of mono-, di-, tri-aromatics provide insights into the source of sulfur-rich crude oils in the Huanghekou Depression, Bohai Bay Basin

The stable carbon isotope compositions (δ13C) of individual aromatic hydrocarbons have been analyzed in sulfur-rich and sulfur-lean crude oils from the Huanghekou Depression, Bohai Bay Basin. The δ13C values of individual aromatic hydrocarbons, including alkylbenzenes, alkylnaphthalenes, alkylphenanthrenes, alkylfluorenes and alkyldibenzothiophenes, are reported. The main aims are to find out the origin of these oils and their relationship to paleoclimate. The distribution of aromatic hydrocarbons and maturity parameters show the oils all stay in the low-mature to mature stage. Meanwhile, aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly derived from the diagenetic/catagenetic origin. The δ13C values for 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (−30.7‰ to −28.8‰) and 1,2,3,4-tetramethylbenzene (−32.4‰ to −26.3‰) indicate the algae-derived organic matter for alkylbenzenes. Some isomers, such as 1,7-+1,3-+1,6-dimethylnaphthalene, 1,2,5-trimethylnaphthalene, 1,2,5,6-+1,2,3,5-tetramethylnaphthalene, 1,10-+1,3-+3,10-+3,9-dimethylphenanthrenes, 1,6-+2,9-+2,5-dimethylphenanthrenes and 4,9-+4,10-+1,9- dimethylphenanthrenes show isotopic depletion (−34.9‰ to −25.2‰), indicating the major contribution of algae for these compounds. Meanwhile, isotopically depleted (−33.6‰ to −26.7‰) alkyldibenzothiophenes represent the algae input. δ13C values for mainly algae-derived naphthalene to trimethylnaphthalenes of sulfur-rich oils are more enriched than those of sulfur-lean oil, with the most significant difference of 4.4‰, indicating that the aridity of the environment and stratified water column result in the enrichment in 13C.

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.

Diversity of depositional architecture and sandbody distribution of sublacustrine fans during forced regression: A case study of Paleogene Middle Sha 3 Member in Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, East China

Currently, the differences in gravity flow deposits within different systems tracts in continental lacustrine basins are not clear. Taking the middle submember of the third member of Paleogene Shahejie Formation(Sha 3 Member) in the Shishen 100 area of the Dongying Sag in the Bohai Bay Basin as an example, the depositional architecture of sublacustrine fans during forced regression and the impact of the fourth-order base-level changes on their growth were investigated using cores, well logs and 3D seismic data. Sublacustrine fans were mainly caused by hyperpycnal flow during the fourth-order base-level rise, while the proportion of slump-induced sublacustrine fans gradually increased during the late fourth-order base-level fall. From rising to falling of the fourth-order base-level, the extension distance of channels inside hyperpycnal-fed sublacustrine fans reduced progressively, resulting in the transformation in their morphology from a significantly channelized fan to a skirt-like fan. Furthermore, the depositional architecture of distributary channel complexes in sublacustrine fans changed from vertical aggradation to lateral migration, and the lateral size of individual channel steadily decreased. The lobe complex's architectural patterns evolved from compensational stacking of lateral migration to aggradational stacking, and the lateral size of individual lobe steadily grew. This study deepens the understanding of depositional features of gravity flow in high-frequency sequence stratigraphy and provides a geological foundation for the fine development of sublacustrine fan reservoirs.

Evolution characteristics and exploration targets of Permian clastic rock reservoirs in Bohai Bay Basin,East China

Based on core observation, thin section examination, fluid inclusions analysis, carbon and oxygen isotopic composition analysis, and other approaches, the structural and burial evolution histories were investigated, and the diagenetic evolution process and genetic/development models were systematically discussed of the Upper Paleozoic Permian clastic rock reservoirs in the Bohai Bay Basin, East China. The Bohai Bay Basin underwent three stages of burial and two stages of uplifting in the Upper Paleozoic. Consequently, three stages of acid dissolution generated by the thermal evolution of kerogen, and two stages of meteoric freshwater leaching occurred. Dissolution in deeply buried, nearly closed diagenetic system was associated with the precipitation of authigenic clay and quartz, leading to a limited increase in storage space. Different structural uplifting–subsidence processes of tectonic zones resulted in varying diagenetic–reservoir-forming processes of the Permian clastic reservoirs. Three genetic models of reservoirs are recognized. The Model I reservoirs with pores formed in shallow strata and buried in shallow to medium strata underwent two stages of exposure to long-term open environment and two stages of meteoric freshwater leaching to enhance pores near the surface, and were shallowly buried in the late stage, exhibiting the dominance of secondary pores and the best physical properties. The Model Ⅱ reservoirs with pores formed in shallow strata and preserved due to modification after deep burial experienced an early exposure-open to late burial-closed environment, where pore types were modified due to dissolution, exhibiting the dominance of numerous secondary solution pores in feldspar and the physical properties inferior to Model I. The Model Ⅲ reservoirs with pores formed after being regulated after multiple periods of burial and dissolution experienced a dissolution of acidic fluids of organic origin under a near-closed to closed environment, exhibiting the dominance of intercrystalline micropores in kaolinite and the poorest physical properties. The target reservoirs lied in the waterflood area in the geological period of meteoric freshwater leaching, and are now the Model Ⅱ deep reservoirs in the slope zone–depression zone. They are determined as favorable options for subsequent exploration.

Cycles of fine-grained sedimentation and their influences on organic matter distribution in the second member of Paleogene Kongdian Formation in Cangdong Sag,Bohai Bay Basin,East China

According to the theory of sequence stratigraphy based on continental transgressive-regressive(T-R)cycles,a 500 m continuous core taken from the second member of Kongdian Formation(Kong 2 Member)of Paleogene in Well G108-8 in the Cangdong Sag,Bohai Bay Basin,was tested and analyzed to clarify the high-frequency cycles of deep-water fine-grained sedimentary rocks in lacustrine basins.A logging vectorgraph in red pattern was plotted,and then a sequence stratigraphic framework with five-order high-frequency cycles was formed for the fine-grained sedimentary rocks in the Kong 2 Member.The high-frequency cycles of fine-grained sedimentary rocks were characterized by using different methods and at different scales.It is found that the fifth-order T cycles record a high content of terrigenous clastic minerals,a low paleosalinity,a relatively humid paleoclimate and a high density of laminae,while the fifth-order R cycles display a high content of carbonate minerals,a high paleosalinity,a dry paleoclimate and a low density of laminae.The changes in high-frequency cycles controlled the abundance and type of organic matter.The T cycles exhibit relatively high TOC and abundant endogenous organic matters in water in addition to terrigenous organic matters,implying a high primary productivity of lake for the generation and enrichment of shale oil.

Differential Hydrocarbon Enrichment and its Main Controlling Factors in Depressions of the Bohai Bay Basin Differential Hydrocarbon Enrichment and its Main Controlling Factors in Depressions of the Bohai Bay Basin

Significant differential hydrocarbon enrichment occurs in depressions in a petroliferous basin.There are multiple depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin, and each depression as a relatively independent unit of hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation, contains significantly different hydrocarbon generation conditions and enrichment degree. On the basis of previous documents and a large number of statistical data, this work comparatively analyzed the differential hydrocarbon enrichment and its major controlling factors in depressions of the Bohai Bay Basin. The results show that depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin have various hydrocarbon enrichment degrees, and can be categorized into four types, namely enormously oil-rich, oil-rich, oily and oil-poor depressions. In general, the enormously oil-rich and oil-rich depressions are distributed in the eastern part of the basin along the Tan-Lu and Lan-Liao faults, whereas depressions in the western part of the basin are poor in hydrocarbons. Moreover, the vertical distribution of hydrocarbons is also highly heterogeneous, with Pre-Paleogene strata rich in hydrocarbons in the northern and western depressions, Paleogene strata rich in hydrocarbons in the entire basin, and Neogene strata rich in hydrocarbons in the off-shore areas of the Bohai Bay Basin. From early depressions in onshore areas to the late depressions in offshore areas of the Bohai Bay Basin, the source rocks and source-reservoir-cap rock assemblages gradually become younger and shallower, and the hydrocarbon resource abundance gradually increases. Hydrocarbon supplying condition is the key factor constraining the hydrocarbon enrichment for different depressions,while the main source-reservoir-cap rock assemblage, sufficient hydrocarbons and the transportation capacity of faults control the vertical distribution of hydrocarbons. The main factors controlling hydrocarbon enrichment are different for different layers. The hydrocarbon supplying condition of source rocks is the key controlling factor, whereas the source-reservoir configuration, the main sourcereservoir-cap rock assemblages, and the fault transportation are the main factors of hydrocarbon enrichment in the Paleogene, Paleogene and Neogene, respectively.

Reservoir Characteristics of Lacustrine Shale and Marine Shale:Examples from the Songliao Basin,Bohai Bay Basin and Qiannan Depression

Lacustrine shale from the Qingshankou Formatin of Songliao basin and the Shahejie Formation of Bohai Bay basin, and marine shale from the lower Cambrian Jinmenchong Formation of Qiannan depression were analysed by using rock pyrolysis, TOC （total organic carbon）, XRD （X-ray diffraction）, SEM （scanning electron microscope）, FE-SEM （field emission scanning electron microscope）, high pressure mercury intrusion, and low pressure N2 and CO2 gas adsorption experiments, in aim to reveal their reservoir features. The results show that： （1） the width of micro-pores of all the studied samples mainly ranges from 0.45 to 0.7 nm indicated by CO2 isotherms, and the width of meso-pores is less than 10 nm, with type IV adsorption isotherms and type H2 hysteresis loop, indicative of ＂ink-bottle＂-shaped pores. Good correlations exist among pore volume, surface area and averaged pore diameter, and a good positive correlation exists between micro-pore volume and TOC content; however, there is no obvious correlation between meso-pore volume and TOC content; （2） interparticle pores, pores among the edge of mineral grains and organic matter pores were all identified in marine and lacustrine shale, among which the interparticle pores may be influence by dissolution effect. Not all bitumen develops organic matter pore, and only high to over mature bitumen present pores. Now the description methods of micrometer scale pores developed in shale are very lack. Micro- fractures developed in Jiyang depression and dissolution interparticle pores developed in Songliao Basin should be the accumulation sites for shale oil in lacustrine shale, and can be as sweet spots.

Present Geothermal Fields of the Dongpu Sag in the Bohai Bay Basin

The Dongpu sag is located in the south of the Bohai Bay basin,China,and has abundant oil and gas reserves.To date,there has been no systematic documentation of its geothermal fields.This study measured the rock thermal conductivity of 324 cores from 47 wells,and calculated rock thermal conductivity for different formations.The geothermal gradient and terrestrial heat flow were calculated for 192 wells on basis of 892 formation-testing data from 523 wells.The results show that the Dongpu sag is characterized by a medium-temperature geothermal field between stable and active tectonic areas,with an average geothermal gradient of 32.0℃/km and terrestrial heat flow of 65.6 mW/m2.The geothermal fields in the Dongpu sag is significantly controlled by the Changyuan,Yellow River,and Lanliao basement faults.They developed in the Paleogene and the Dongying movement occurred at the Dongying Formation depositional period.The geothermal fields distribution has a similar characteristic to the tectonic framework of the Dongpu sag,namely two subsags,one uplift,one steep slope and one gentle slope.The oil and gas distribution is closely associated with the present geothermal fields.The work may provide constraints for reconstructing the thermal history and modeling source rock maturation evolution in the Dongpu sag.

Relationship between Geological Structures and Hydrocarbon Enrichment of Different Depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin

The Bohai Bay Basin contains many depressions with varying degrees of hydrocarbon enrichment associated with the geological structures of different depressions. This study discussed the relationship between the geological structures and hydrocarbon enrichment of the depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin. Based on the Paleogene strata distribution and the length to width ratio of different depressions, their geological structures are divided into three types in plan-view： open（length/width 〈 2）, narrow（length/width 〉 4） and transitional types（length/width 2-4）. In cross section, the geological structures can be divided into dustpan I, dustpan II and double-faulted types. Based on tectonic evolution and sedimentary characteristics, the depressions are classified into early-formed, inherited and late-formed categories. Generally, narrow depressions are mainly located in the northeast and southwest of the Bohai Bay Basin, while open depressions are dominantly distributed in the central area of the basin; late-formed depressions are mainly around the Bohai sea area, and early-formed depressions are mostly located in the periphery of the basin. Geological structures of the depressions control the formation of the source, reservoir and cap rocks as well as hydrocarbon accumulation setting, and further influence the pay zones and oil-bearing sequence. In detail, dustpan II and doublefaulted depressions mainly have A-type sags, which often possess better hydrocarbon generation conditions than dustpan I ones; hydrocarbons in open dustpan II depressions tend to accumulate in the central uplift areas or buried hill, while those in narrow dustpan I depressions always accumulate in gentle slope belts. The oil-bearing sequence for different evolutional depressions corresponds well with the sedimentary strata of the main development stages of depressions. In early-formed depressions, hydrocarbons are mainly enriched in deeply buried reservoirs, while in late-formed depressions hydrocarbons are abundant in the relatively shallow traps. In summary, most inherited and late-formed dustpan II depressions are enriched in hydrocarbons due to their extensive source rocks and good source-reservoir-seal assemblages, whereas dustpan I and early-formed depressions are relatively poor in hydrocarbons.

Paleoporosity and critical porosity in the accumulation period and their impacts on hydrocarbon accumulation—A case study of the middle Es3 member of the Paleogene formation in the Niuzhuang Sag, Dongying Depression, Southeastern Bohai Bay Basin, East Chi

Similar reservoir sandbodies and fault conduit systems in the sandstone reservoirs in the middle Es3 member of the Niuzhuang Sag have been problematic for a long time. The following problems remain unsolved： 1） The distribution of sandstone porosity is inconsistent with the hydrocarbon accumulation. The oil sandstones have low porosity instead of high porosity. 2） Sandstones, which have the same properties, have different levels of oiliness, and the sandstones with almost the same properties show different degrees of oil-bearing capacity. This study analyzes the condition of reservoirs in the research area during the accumulation period in terms of paleoporosity estimation and discusses the critical porosity of the sandstone reservoirs during the same period. The following conclusions can be drawn from the results. 1） Although reservoir properties are low at present and some reservoirs have become tight, the paleoporosity ranging from 18% to 25% is greater than the critical porosity of 13.9%. As the： loss of porosity is different in terms of burial history, the present porosity cannot reflect porosity during the accumulation period. Similar/y, high porosity during the accumulation period does not indicate that tbe present porosity is high. 2） The present reservoir location is consistent with the distribution of high paleoporosity during the accumulation period. This result indicates that high porosity belts are prone to hydrocarbon accumulation because of the dominant migration pathways generated as a result of property discrepancies under similar fault conduit conditions. Consequently, the hydrocarbon mainly accumulates in high porosity belts. Paleoporosity during the accumulation period is found to be a vital controlling factor. Therefore, high paleoporosity sandstones in the middle Es3 member of the Niuzhuang Sag have great potential for future exploration.

Characteristics and evolution of strike-slip tectonics of the Liaohe Western Sag,Bohai Bay Basin

Because of its rich oil and gas resources and the special tectonic location of the Liaohe Western Sag （the Tanlu Fault traverses the sag）, Bohai Bay Basin, a detailed study of its strike-slip tectonics is significant in revealing the sag＇s tectonic evolution, its control on hydrocarbon accumulation, and the activity history of the northern section of the Tanlu Fault in the Cenozoic. Through systematic structure analysis of 3D seismic data of the Liaohe Western Sag, combined with balanced section analysis, a variety of structural features in relation to right-lateral strike-slip faults, such as echelon normal faults, ＂comb＂ structure, ＂flower＂ structure,＂interpretable＂ and ＂buried＂ strike-slip faults have been revealed exist in the Liaohe Western Sag. According to the research in this paper, the complex structural phenomena in the Liaohe Western Sag could be reasonably interpreted as right-lateral strike-slip activity and the strike-slip activities of the Liaohe Western Sag began in the early Oligocene. The activity was weak at the beginning （E3s1-2）, then strengthened gradually and reached its strongest level in the late Oligocene （E3d1）. In the Miocene, the strike-slip activity was low and then strengthened significantly once again from the Pliocene to the present. It is speculated that the entire northern section of the Tanlu Fault has had a similar evolution history since the Oligocene.

Structures of the Bohai Petroliferous Area,Bohai Bay Basin

This paper, for the first time, deals with a more systematic study of the structures in the Bohai petroliferous area that covers nearly one third of the Bohai Bay basin. The study mainly involves the effects of preexisting basement faults on the basin formation, the characteristics of basin geometry and kinetics, the modelling of the tectonic-thermal history, the polycyclicity and heterogeneity in the structural evolution and the natural seismic tomographic images of the crust and upper mantle. The authors analyze the features of the dynamic evolution of the basin in the paper and point out that the basin in the Bohai petroliferous area is an extensional pull-apart basin.

Hydrocarbon Generation Evolution of Permo-Carboniferous Rocks of the Bohai Bay Basin in China

The Bohai Bay Basin is a Mesozoic subsidence and Cenozoic rift basin in the North China Craton. Since the deposition of the Permo-Carboniferous hydrocarbon source rock, the basin has undergone many tectonic events. The source rocks have undergone non-uniform uplift, twisting, deep burying, and magmatism and that led to an interrupted or stepwise during the evolution of hydrocarbon source rocks. We have investigated the Permo-Carboniferous hydrocarbon source rocks history of burying, heating, and hydrocarbon generation, not only on the basis of tectonic disturbance and deeply buried but also with new studies on apatite fission track analysis, fluid inclusion measurements, and the application of the numerical simulation of EASY % Ro. The heating temperature of the source rocks continued to rise from the Indosinian to Himalayan stage and reached a maximum at the Late Himalayan. This led to the stepwise increases during organic maturation and multiple stages of hydrocarbon generation. The study delineated the tectonic stages, the intensity of hydrocarbon generation and spatial and temporal distribution of hydrocarbon generations. The hydrocarbon generation occurred during the Indosinian, Yanshanian, and particularly Late Himalayan. The hydrocarbon generation during the late Himalayan stage is the most important one for the Permo-Carboniferous source rocks of the Bohai Bay Basin in China.