Gas source of the Middle Jurassic Shaximiao Formation in the Zhongjiang large gas field of Western Sichuan Depression:Constraints from geochemical characteristics of light hydrocarbons

The Zhongjiang gas field is a typical large gas field in terrigenous strata of the Western Sichuan Depression.It remains debatable which member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation served as the source rocks and how significant the member contributed to the gas accumulations in the Zhongjiang gas field.In this study,we analyzed the essential characteristics of the Lower Jurassic source rocks and the geochemical features of light hydrocarbons in natural gas from the 2nd(T_(3)χ^(2))and 4th members(T_(3)χ^(4))of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation(T_(3)χ),as well as the Middle Jurassic Shaximiao(J_(2)s)and Qianfoya(J_(2)q)formations.Based on this,we explored the sources of the natural gas in the Zhongjiang gas field and determined the natural gas migration patterns and their effects on the properties of light hydrocarbons in the natural gas.The results indicate that the Lower Jurassic lacustrine source rocks of the Zhongjiang gas field contain humic organic matter,with vitrinite reflectance(R_(0))values ranging from 0.86%to 0.98%.Samples meeting the criterion for effective source rocks[total organic carbon(TOC)content≥0.75%]exhibited an average TOC content of merely 1.02%,suggesting significantly lower hydrocarbon generation potential than source rocks in the underlying T3x,which show higher thermal maturity and TOC contents.For natural gas samples from T_(3)χ^(2),T_(3)χ^(4),J_(2)s,and J_(2)q reservoirs,their C_(5-7)iso-alkane content was significantly higher than their n-alkane content,and their methylcyclohexane(MCH)index ranged from 59.0%to 77.3%,indicating the predominance of methylcyclohexane in C_(7)light hydrocarbons.As indicated by the origin identification and gas-source correlation based on the geochemical features of light hydrocarbons,the natural gas in the Zhongjiang gas field is typical coal-derived gas.The gas from the primary pay zone of the Shaximiao Formation,with significantly high K_(1),(P_(2)+N_(2))/C_(7),and P_(3)/C_(7)values,predominantly originated from the 5th member of the T3x and migrated in the free phase,with a small amount possibly sourced from the Lower Jurassic source rocks.The dissolution and adsorption during gas migration led to a decrease in the aromatic content in C_(6-7)light hydrocarbons and an increase in the isoheptane values.Therefore,their effects must be considered when determining the gas origin and thermal maturity based on the aromatic content in C_(6-7) light hydrocarbons and iso-heptane values.

Prediction and quantification of effective gas source rocks in a lacustrine basin:Western Depression in the Liaohe Subbasin,China

Due to limited data on the geochemical properties of natural gas,estimations are needed for the effective gas source rock in evaluating gas potential.However,the pronounced heterogeneity of mudstones in lacustrine successions complicates the prediction of the presence and geochemical characteristics of gas source rocks.In this paper,the Liaohe Subbasin of Northeast China is used as an example to construct a practical methodology for locating effective gas source rocks in typical lacustrine basins.Three types of gas source rocks,microbial,oil-type,and coal-type,were distinguished according to the different genetic types of their natural gas.A practical three-dimensional geological model was developed,refined,and applied to determine the spatial distribution of the mudstones in the Western Depression of the Liaohe Subbasin and to describe the geochemical characteristics(the abundance,type,and maturation levels of the organic matter).Application of the model in the subbasin indicates that the sedimentary facies have led to heterogeneity in the mudstones,particularly with respect to organic matter types.The effective gas source rock model constructed for the Western Depression shows that the upper sequence(SQ2)of the Fourth member(Mbr 4)of the Eocene Shahejie Formation(Fm)and the lower and middle sequences(SQ3 and SQ4)of the Third member(Mbr 3)form the principal gas-generating interval.The total volume of effective gas source rocks is estimated to be 586 km^(3).The effective microbial,oil-type,and coal-type gas source rocks are primarily found in the shallow western slope,the central sags,and the eastern slope of the Western Depression,respectively.This study provides a practical approach for more accurately identifying the occurrence and geochemical characteristics of effective natural gas source rocks,enabling a precise quantitative estimation of natural gas reserves.

Evaluation of the oil and gas preservation conditions, source rocks, and hydrocarbongenerating potential of the Qiangtang Basin: New evidence from the scientific drilling project

The Qiangtang Basin of the Tibetan Plateau,located in the eastern Tethys tectonic domain,is the largest new marine petroliferous region for exploration in China.The scientific drilling project consisting primarily of well QK-1 and its supporting shallow boreholes for geological surveys(also referred to as the Project)completed in recent years contributes to a series of new discoveries and insights into the oil and gas preservation conditions and source rock evaluation of the Qiangtang Basin.These findings differ from previous views that the Qiangtang Basin has poor oil and gas preservation conditions and lacks high-quality source rocks.As revealed by well QK-1 and its supporting shallow boreholes in the Project,the Qiangtang Basin hosts two sets of high-quality regional seals,namely an anhydrite layer in the Quemo Co Formation and the gypsum-bearing mudstones in the Xiali Formation.Moreover,the Qiangtang Basin has favorable oil and gas preservation conditions,as verified by the comprehensive study of the sealing capacity of seals,basin structure,tectonic uplift,magmatic activity,and groundwater motion.Furthermore,the shallow boreholes have also revealed that the Qiangtang Basin has high-quality hydrocarbon source rocks in the Upper Triassic Bagong Formation,which are thick and widely distributed according to the geological and geophysical data.In addition,the petroleum geological conditions,such as the type,abundance,and thermal evolution of organic matter,indicate that the Qiangtang Basin has great hydrocarbon-generating potential.

Neutronics analysis of a subcritical blanket system driven by a gas dynamic trap-based fusion neutron source for ^(99)Mo production

Gamma-emitting radionuclide ^(99m)Tc is globally used for the diagnosis of various pathological conditions owing to its ideal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) characteristics.However,the short half-life of ^(99m)Tc (T_(1/2)=6 h)makes it difficult to store or transport.Thus,the production of ^(99m)Tc is tied to its parent radionuclide ^(99)Mo (T_(1/2)=66 h).The major production paths are based on accelerators and research reactors.The reactor process presents the potential for nuclear proliferation owing to its use of highly enriched uranium (HEU).Accelerator-based methods tend to use deuterium–tritium(D–T) neutron sources but are hindered by the high cost of tritium and its challenging operation.In this study,a new ^(99)Mo production design was developed based on a deuterium–deuterium (D–D) gas dynamic trap fusion neutron source (GDT-FNS) and a subcritical blanket system (SBS) assembly with a low-enriched uranium (LEU) solution.GDT-FNS can provide a relatively high-neutron intensity,which is one of the advantages of ^(99)Mo production.We provide a Monte Carlo-based neutronics analysis covering the calculation of the subcritical multiplication factor (k_(s)) of the SBS,optimization design for the reflector,shielding layer,and ^(99)Mo production capacity.Other calculations,including the neutron flux and nuclear heating distributions,are also provided for an overall evaluation of the production system.The results demonstrated that the SBS meets the nuclear critical safety design requirement (k_(s)<0.97) and maintained a high ^(99)Mo production capacity.The proposed system can generate approximately 157 Ci ^(99)Mo for a stable 24 h operation with a neutron intensity of 1×10^(14) n/s,which can meet 50%of China’s demand in 2025.

Optimization of sensor deployment sequences for hazardous gas leakage monitoring and source term estimation

Nowadays, chemical safety has attracted considerable attention, and chemical gas leakage monitoring and source term estimation(STE) have become hot spots. However, few studies have focused on sensor layouts in scenarios with multiple potential leakage sources and wind conditions, and studies on the risk information(RI) detection and prioritization order of sensors have not been performed. In this work, the monitoring area of a chemical factory is divided into multiple rectangles with a uniform mesh. The RI value of each grid node is calculated on the basis of the occurrence probability and normalized concentrations of each leakage scenario. A high RI value indicates that a sensor at a grid node has a high chance of detecting gas concentrations in different leakage scenarios. This situation is beneficial for leakage monitoring and STE. The methods of similarity redundancy detection and the maximization of sensor RI detection are applied to determine the sequence of sensor locations. This study reveals that the RI detection of the optimal sensor layout with eight sensors exceeds that of the typical layout with 12 sensors. In addition, STE with the optimized placement sequence of the sensor layout is numerically simulated. The statistical results of each scenario with various numbers of sensors reveal that STE is affected by sensor number and scenarios(leakage locations and winds). In most scenarios, appropriate STE results can be retained under the optimal sensor layout even with four sensors. Eight or more sensors are advised to improve the performance of STE in all scenarios. Moreover, the reliability of the STE results in each scenario can be known in advance with a specific number of sensors. Such information thus provides a reference for emergency rescue.

Gas Sources of Natural Gas Hydrates in the Shenhu Drilling Area, South China Sea: Geochemical Evidence and Geological Analysis

The Shenhu gas hydrate drilling area is located in the central Baiyun sag, Zhu I! depression, Pearl River Mouth basin, northern South China Sea. The gas compositions contained in the hydrate-bearing zones is dominated by methane with content up to 99.89% and 99.91%. The carbon isotope of the methane （δ^13C1） are -56.7%0. and -60.9%0, and its hydrogen isotope （δD） are -199%0 and -180%0, respectively, indicating the methane from the microbial reduction of CO2. Based on the data of measured seafloor temperature and geothermal gradient, the gas formed hydrate reservoirs are from depths 24-1699 m below the seafloor, and main gas-generation zone is present at the depth interval of 416-1165 m. Gas-bearing zones include the Hanjiang Formation, Yuehai Formation, Wanshan Formation and Quaternary sediments. We infer that the microbial gas migrated laterally or vertically along faults （especially interlayer faults）, slump structures, small-scale diapiric structures, regional sand beds and sedimentary boundaries to the hydrate stability zone, and formed natural gas hydrates in the upper Yuehai Formation and lower Wanshan Formation, probably with contribution of a little thermogenic gas from the deep sedments during this process.

Factors controlling the formation and evolution of source rocks in the Shahezi Formation,Xujiaweizi fault depression,Songliao Basin

The types and quality of source rocks in the Shahezi Formation are the key factors affecting the distributions of various deep gas reservoirs in the Xujiaweizi fault depression in Songliao Basin.To clarify the quality differences and origins of different types of source rocks in the Shahezi Formation,this study reconstructed the sedimentary and water environment,determined the controlling effects of fault activity,sedimentary facies,and paleo-sedimentary environment on the quality of various source rocks,by making full use of seismic,logging,core,organic geochemical and element geochemical analysis.The results show that two types of source rocks developed in the Shahezi Formation,namely,mudstones and coals.The mudstones have a relatively high abundance of organic matter,which consists of type-Ⅱ kerogen and partial type-Ⅲ kerogen,and are concentrated in Sha-I Member.The coals have a high abundance of organic matter,which consist of type-Ⅲ kerogen,and are mainly distributed in Sha-Ⅱ Member.During the deposition of Sha-I Member,intense fault activity formed arrow,deep-water lacustrine basins with high salinity and strong reducibility on the downthrow sides of faults.During the deposition of Sha-II Member,fault activity progressively weakened,and the areas of lacustrine basins enlarged to their maximum values and became wide,shallow-water basins with low salinity and low reducibility.The development of source rocks was controlled by fault activity,sedimentary facies,and paleo-sedimentary environment.Fault activity formed accommodation space on the downthrown sides of faults for mudstone accumulation,thus determining mudstone thickness.The sedimentary environment controlled the organic matter input and determined the distribution of mudstones and coals.The paleo-sedimentary environment,which consisted of paleo-salinity,as well as paleo-water depth and redox conditions,affected the accumulation and preservation of organic matter and is the main controlling factor for the quality difference of various source rocks in the Shahezi Formation.

Kinetics and model of gas generation of source rocks in the deepwater area, Qiongdongnan Basin

In order to investigate the hydrocarbon generation process and gas potentials of source rocks in deepwater area of the Qiongdongnan Basin, kinetic parameters of gas generation （activation energy distribution and frequency factor） of the Yacheng Formation source rocks （coal and neritic mudstones） was determined by thermal simulation experiments in the closed system and the specific KINETICS Software. The results show that the activation energy （Ea） distribution of C1–C5 generation ranges from 50 to 74 kcal/mol with a frequency factor of 2.4×1015 s–1 for the neritic mudstone and the Ea distribution of C1–C5 generation ranges from 49 to 73 kcal/mol with a frequency factor of 8.92×1013 s–1 for the coal. On the basis of these kinetic parameters and combined with the data of sedimentary burial and paleothermal histories, the gas generation model of the Yacheng Formation source rocks closer to geological condition was worked out, indicating its main gas generation stage at Ro （vitrinite reflectance） of 1.25%–2.8%. Meanwhile, the gas generation process of the source rocks of different structural locations （central part, southern slope and south low uplift） in the Lingshui Sag was simulated. Among them, the gas generation of the Yacheng Formation source rocks in the central part and the southern slope of the sag entered the main gas window at 10 and 5 Ma respectively and the peak gas generation in the southern slope occurred at 3 Ma. The very late peak gas generation and the relatively large gas potential indices （GPI：20×10^8–60×10^8 m^3/km^2） would provide favorable conditions for the accumulation of large natural gas reserves in the deepwater area.

“Exploring petroleum inside source kitchen”: Connotation and prospects of source rock oil and gas

Based on the transitional background of the global energy structure, exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas, and investigation of key basins, the unconventional oil and gas resources are divided into three types: source rock oil and gas, tight oil and gas, and retention and accumulated oil and gas. Source rock oil and gas resources are the global strategic supplies of oil and gas, the key resource components in the second 150-year life cycle of the future petroleum industry, and the primary targets for "exploring petroleum inside source kitchen". The geological connotation of source rock oil and gas was proposed, and the models of source rock oil and gas generation, expulsion and accumulation were built, and five source rock oil and gas generation sections were identified, which may determine the actual resource potential under available technical conditions. The formation mechanism of the "sweet sections" was investigated, that is, shale oil is mainly accumulated in the shale section that is close to the oil generation section and has higher porosity and permeability, while the "sweet sections" of coal-bed methane(CBM) and shale gas have self-contained source and reservoir and they are absorbed in coal seams or retained in the organic-rich black shale section, so evaluation and selection of good "sweet areas(sections)" is the key to "exploring petroleum inside source kitchen". Source rock oil and gas resources have a great potential and will experience a substantial growth for over ten world-class large "coexistence basins" of conventional-unconventional oil and gas in the future following North America, and also will be the primary contributor to oil stable development and the growth point of natural gas production in China, with expected contribution of 15% and 30% to oil and gas, respectively, in 2030. Challenges in source rock oil and gas development should be paid more attention to, theoretical innovation is strongly recommended, and a development pilot zone can be established to strengthen technology and promote national support. The source rock oil and gas geology is the latest progress of the "source control theory" at the stage of unconventional oil and gas. It will provide a new theoretical basis for the new journey of the upstream business in the post-industry age.

Study of the gas sources of the Ordovician gas reservoir in the Central-Eastern Ordos Basin

The source of the natural gas in the Lower Paleozoic Ordovician strata in the Ordos Basin,China is a controversial issue.In the present study,the genesis and distribution characteristics of the Ordovician natural gas were qualitatively investigated based on the composition of the natural gas and the hydrocarbon isotopic composition.Then,the kinetics of the carbon isotope were analyzed to determine the proportions of the gas in the Ordovician gas reservoir contributed from the Carboniferous-Permian and Ordovician strata.The results show the following.Compared to the Upper Paleozoic natural gas,the Ordovician natural gas has a large dryness coefficient.In core areas where gypsum-salt rocks are developed,the gypsum-salt rocks completely isolate the gas sources.The weathering crust of the reservoir in the fifth member of the Majiagou Formation(Ma_(5)^(1+2))originates primarily from the Upper Paleozoic coal-measure source rocks,while the Ma_(5)^(5)and the pre-salt natural gas are mainly derived from the Ordovician source rocks.In the areas where the gypsum-salt rocks are relatively well-developed,the gypsum-salt rocks isolate the gas source to some extent,the pre-salt gas reservoir is mainly derived from the Lower Paleozoic source rocks,and this contribution gradually increases with increasing depth.In the areas where the gypsum-salt rocks are not developed,the proportion of the contribution of the Upper and Lower Paleozoic source rocks to the gas source of the Ordovician gas reservoir is mainly controlled by the volume of gas generated and the other accumulation conditions,and it does not reflect the isolation effect of the gypsum-salt rocks on the gas source.The Ordovician natural gas accumulation models in the central-eastern Ordos Basin can be divided into four types according to the differences in the gas sources.

Impact of microorganism degradation on hydrocarbon generation of source rocks:A case study of the Bozhong Sag,Bohai Bay Basin

The discovery of the Bozhong 19-6 gas field,the largest integrated condensate gas field in the eastern China in 2018,opened up a new field for the natural gas exploration deep strata in the Bohai Bay Basin,demonstrating there is a great potential for natural gas exploration in oil-type basins.The ethane isotope of the Bozhong 19-6 condensate gas is heavy,showing the characteristics of partial humic gas.In this paper,aimed at the source rocks of the Bozhong 19-6 gas field in the Bohai Bay Basin,the characteristics of the source rocks in the Bozhong 19-6 structural belt were clarified and the reason are explained from impact of microorganism degradation on hydrocarbon generation of source rocks why the condensate oil and gas had heavy carbon isotope and why it showed partial humic characteristics was explored based on the research of parent materials.The following conclusions were obtained:The paleontology of the Bozhong 19-6 structural belt and its surrounding sub-sags is dominated by higher plants,such as angiosperm and gymnosperm.During the formation of source rocks,under the intensive transformation of microorganism,the original sedimentary organic matter such as higher plants was degraded and transformed by defunctionalization.Especially,the transformation of anaerobic microorganisms on source rocks causes the degradation and defunctionalization of a large number of humic products such as higher plants and the increase of hydrogen content.The degradation and transformation of microorganism don't transform the terrestrial humic organic matter into newly formed“sapropel”hydrocarbons,the source rocks are mixed partial humic source rocks.As a result,hydrogen content incrased and the quality of source rocks was improved,forming the partial humic source rocks dominated by humic amorphous bodies.The partial humic source rocks are the main source rocks in the Bozhong 19-6 gas field,and it is also the internal reason why the isotope of natural gas is heavy.

Hydrocarbon Generation and Expulsion of the Upper Triassic T3x5Source Rocks in the Western Sichuan Depression: Assessment for Unconventional Natural Gas

Tight-sand gas in the Jurassic and shale gas within the fifth member of Xujiahe Formation （T3xs） in the Western Sichuan Basin （WSD） are currently regarded as the most prolific emerging unconventional gas plays in China. This study conducted a conventional evaluation of T3x5 source rocks in the WSD, and investigated their hydrocarbon generation and expulsion characteristics, including intensity, efficiency and amount. The results show that, the T3x5 source rocks are thick （generally 〉200 m）, and have a high total organic content （TOC）, ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 wt%. It is thus indivative of a great hydrocarbon generation potential when they underwent high thermal evolution （Ro〉1.2%） in the area. In addition, an improved method of hydrocarbon generation potential is applied, indicating that the source rocks reached a hydrocarbon expulsion threshold with vitrinite reflectance （Ro） reaching 1.06%. and that the comprehensive hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency is about 60%. The amount of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion from Tax5 source rocks is 3.14x10^10 t and 1.86x10^10 t, respectively, with a residual amount of 1.28x10^10t within them. Continuous-type tight-sand gas is predicted to have developed in the Jurassic in the Chengdu Sag of the WSD because of the good source-reservoir configuration; the Jurassic sandstone reservoirs are tight, and the gas expelled from the T3xs source rocks migrates for very short distances vertically and horizontally. The amount of gas accumulation in the Jurassic reservoirs derived from T3x5 source rocks is up to 9.3x10s t. Geological resources of shale gas are up to 1.05x10TM t. Small differences between the amounts calculated by the volumetric method and those obtained by hydrocarbon generation potential method may be due to other gas accumulations present within interbedded sands associated with gas shales.

Downhole Microseismic Source Location Based on a Multi-Dimensional DIRECT Algorithm for Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoir Exploration

Downhole microseismic data has the significant advantages of high signal-to-noise ratio and well-developed P and S waves and the core component of microseismic monitoring is microseismic event location associated with hydraulic fracturing in a relatively high confidence level and accuracy.In this study,we present a multidimensional DIRECT inversion method for microseismic locations and applicability tests over modeling data based on a downhole microseismic monitoring system.Synthetic tests inidcate that the objective function of locations can be defined as a multi-dimensional matrix space by employing the global optimization DIRECT algorithm,because it can be run without the initial value and objective function derivation,and the discretely scattered objective points lead to an expeditious contraction of objective functions in each dimension.This study shows that the DIRECT algorithm can be extensively applied in real downhole microseismic monitoring data from hydraulic fracturing completions.Therefore,the methodology,based on a multidimensional DIRECT algorithm,can provide significant high accuracy and convergent efficiency as well as robust computation for interpretable spatiotemporal microseismic evolution,which is more suitable for real-time processing of a large amount of downhole microseismic monitoring data.

Formation and distribution of coal measure source rocks in the Eocene Pinghu Formation in the Pinghu Slope of the Xihu Depression,East China Sea Shelf Basin

The Xihu Depression in the East China Sea Shelf Basin is a large petroliferous sedimentary depression,in which oil and gas reservoirs were mainly discovered in the Pinghu Slope and the central inversion zone.The oil-gas source correlation in the Xihu Depression was analyzed by hydrocarbon generating thermal simulation data via gold-tube pyrolysis experiments.The results indicated that the oil and gas in the Xihu Depression were mainly derived from coal measure source rocks of the Eocene Pinghu Formation.Therefore,the identification of coal seams is extremely crucial for evaluating coal measure source rocks in the Pinghu Formation in the Xihu Depression.Geochemical and petrological characterization pointed to input of terrigenous organic matter and redox conditions of the depositional environment as factors that govern the ability of the coal measure source rocks in hydrocarbon generation in the Xihu Depression.In this regard,the sedimentary organic facies in the Pinghu Formation were classified into four predominantly terrigenous and one mixed-source subfacies,which all varied in carbon and hydrogen content.The coal measure source rocks in the carbon-and hydrogen-rich tidal flat-lagoon exhibited the highest hydrocarbon generation potential,whereas the mudstone in the neritic facies was the poorest in its hydrocarbon yield.These results suggested that the coal measure source rocks in the Pinghu Formation likely developed in the Hangzhou Slope and the Tiantai Slope,both representing promising sources for oil and gas exploration.

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

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

Source Rock and Cap Rock Controls on the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation–Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation Shale Gas Accumulation in the Sichuan Basin and its Peripheral Areas

Objective The Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation is one of the priority interval for shale gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin and its peripheral areas, and commercial shale gas has been discovered from this interval in Jiaoshiba, Changning and Weiyuan shale gas fields in Sichuan Province. However, there is no significant discovery in other parts of the basin due to the different quality of black shale and the differences of tectonic evolution. Based on the progress of shale gas geological theory and exploration discoveries, as well as the theory of ＂source rock and cap rock controls on hydrocarbon accumulation＂, of the Upper Ordovician the main controlling factors Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale gas enrichment in the Sichuan Basin and its peripheral areas were analyzed, and the source rock and cap rock controls on the shale gas were also discussed. The results can provide new insights for the next shale gas exploration in this area.

Modeling the Flow Regime Near the Source in Underwater Gas Releases

Recent progress in calculating gas bubble sizes in a plume, based on phenomenological approaches using the release conditions is a significant improvement to make the gas plume models self-reliant. Such calculations require details of conditions Near the Source of Plume （NSP）; （i.e. the plume/jet velocity and radius near the source）, which inspired the present work. Determining NSP conditions for gas plumes are far more complex than that for oil plumes due to the substantial density difference between gas and water. To calculate NSP conditions, modeling the early stage of the plume is important. A novel method of modeling the early stage of an underwater gas release is presented here. Major impact of the present work is to define the correct NSP conditions for underwater gas releases, which is not possible with available methods as those techniques are not based on the physics of flow region near the source of the plume/jet. We introduce super Gaussian profiles to model the density and velocity variations of the early stages of plume, coupled with the laws of fluid mechanics to define profile parameters. This new approach, models the velocity profile variation from near uniform, across the section at the release point to Gaussian some distance away. The comparisons show that experimental data agrees well with the computations.

Sinian gas sources and effectiveness of primary gas-bearing system in Sichuan Basin, SW China

Based on correlation between geochemical characteristics of Sinian and Cambrian source rocks and discovered gas reservoirs,paleoand the analysis on geological conditions of reservoir formation,the sources of natural gas in the Sinian of Sichuan Basin have been discussed to sort out the contribution of Sinian source rocks to the gas reservoirs and effectiveness of Sinian primary gas-bearing system.Through the analysis of natural gas composition,carbon and hydrogen isotopes and effectiveness of Sinian accumulation assemblages,it is concluded that:(1)The natural gas derived from the Sinian source rock is characterized by low ethane content,heavy ethane carbon isotope and light methane hydrogen isotope,and obviously different from the gas generated by the Cambrian source rock.(2)The gas reservoirs discovered in Sinian Dengying Formation are sourced by Sinian and Cambrian source rocks,and the Sinian source rock contributes different proportions to the gas in the 4th member and the 2nd member of the Dengying Formation,specifically,39%and 55%to the 4th member in marginal zone and intra-platform,54%and 68%to the 2th member in the marginal zone and intra-platform respectively.(3)The effectiveness of the Sinian primary gas-bearing system depends on the gas generating effectiveness of the source kitchen,reservoir and combination of gas accumulation elements.For high-over mature marine source rocks at the Ro of less than 3.5%,besides gas generated from the thermal cracking of liquid hydrocarbon,the kerogen still has some gas generation potential by thermal degradation.In addition,the Sinian microbial dolomite still preserves relatively good-quality reservoirs despite large burial depths,which match well with other basic conditions for gas accumulation in central Sichuan paleo-uplift,increasing the possibility of Sinian primary gas-bearing system.The research results confirm that the Sinian primary gas-bearing system is likely to form large-scale accumulation.

Mining seismicity, gas outburst and the sig-nificance of their relationship in the study of physics of earthquake source

This paper presents an overview of mining seismicity, gas outburst and their origin. The internal relation of mining seismicity and gas outburst in the dynamic process is studied on the basis of the fact that these disasters sometimes occur simultaneously. The examples show a close relationship between mining seismicity and gas outburst in high gassy coal mines. It is proposed that strong mine shocks plus the response of low value and delay time are early warning signals. The mechanism of the relationship between mining seismicity and gas outburst is analyzed by using the location of mining shocks, focus mechanism, cause of mining shocks and conditions of gas outburst. The trigger action of gas fluid on mining shocks, especially the effect of the anomalous property of supercritical fluid on the preparation and occurrence of mining shocks is discussed. According to the similarity between mining-induced earthquakes and tectonic earthquakes in terms of mechanism, the significance of the above results in the study of physics of earthquake source is also discussed.

Genetic type and source of natural gas in the southern margin of Junggar Basin, NW China

Natural gas has been discovered in many anticlines in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin. However, the geochemical characteristics of natural gas in different anticlines haven’t been compared systematically, particularly, the type and source of natural gas discovered recently in Well Gaotan-1 at the Gaoquan anticline remain unclear. The gas composition characteristics and carbon and hydrogen isotope compositions in different anticlines were compared and sorted systematically to identify genetic types and source of the natural gas. The results show that most of the gas samples are wet gas, and a few are dry gas;the gas samples from the western and middle parts have relatively heavier carbon isotope composition and lighter hydrogen isotope composition, while the gas samples from the eastern part of southern basin have lighter carbon and hydrogen isotope compositions. The natural gas in the southern margin is thermogenic gas generated by freshwater-brackish water sedimentary organic matter, which can be divided into three types, coal-derived gas, mixed gas and oil-associated gas, in which coal-derived gas and mixed gas take dominance. The Jurassic coal measures is the main natural gas source rock in the southern margin, and the Permian lacustrine and the Upper Triassic lacustrine-limnetic facies source rocks are also important natural gas source rocks. The natural gas in the western part of the southern margin is derived from the Jurassic coal measures and the Permian lacustrine source rock, while the natural gas in the middle part of the southern margin is mainly derived from the Jurassic coal measures, partly from the Permian and/or the Upper Triassic source rocks, and the natural gas in the eastern part of the southern margin is originated from the Permian lacustrine source rock. The natural gas in the Qingshuihe oil and gas reservoir of Well Gaotan-1 is a mixture of coal-derived gas and oil-associated gas, of which the Jurassic and Permian source rocks contribute about half each.