Hydrocarbon accumulation in deep ancient carbonate-evaporite assemblages

The Ediacaran–Ordovician strata within three major marine basins(Tarim,Sichuan,and Ordos)in China are analyzed.Based on previous studies focusing on the characteristics of the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian strata within the three major basins(East Siberian,Oman,and Officer in Australia)overseas,the carbonate–evaporite assemblages in the target interval are divided into three types:intercalated carbonate and gypsum salt,interbedded carbonate and gypsum salt,and coexisted carbonate,gypsum salt and clastic rock.Moreover,the concept and definition of the carbonate-evaporite assemblage are clarified.The results indicate that the oil and gas in the carbonate-evaporite assemblage are originated from two types of source rocks:shale and argillaceous carbonate,and confirmed the capability of gypsum salt in the saline environment to drive the source rock hydrocarbon generation.The dolomite reservoirs are classified in two types:gypseous dolomite flat,and grain shoal&microbial mound.This study clarifies that the penecontemporaneous or epigenic leaching of atmospheric fresh water mainly controlled the large-scale development of reservoirs.Afterwards,burial dissolution transformed and reworked the reservoirs.The hydrocarbon accumulation in carbonate-evaporite assemblage can be categorized into eight sub-models under three models(sub-evaporite hydrocarbon accumulation,supra-evaporite hydrocarbon accumulation,and inter-evaporite hydrocarbon accumulation).As a result,the Cambrian strata in the Tazhong Uplift North Slope,Maigaiti Slope and Mazatag Front Uplift Zone of the Tarim Basin,the Cambrian strata in the eastern-southern area of the Sichuan Basin,and the inter-evaporite Ma-4 Member of Ordovician in the Ordos Basin,China,are defined as favorable targets for future exploration.

Geochemical characteristics and diagenetic systems of dolomite reservoirs of the Changxing Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin, China

In order to discuss the relationship between dolomite reservoirs and diagenetic systems of the Changxing Formation, we studied carbon, oxygen and strontium stable isotopes, iron, manganese and strontium trace elements and the Mg/Ca （mol%） ratio, dolomite order degree, and determined that burial dolomitization is the key to controlling the distribution of high quality dolomite reservoir in the Changxing Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin. The dolomite of the Changxing Formation is divided into four diagenetic systems： （1） penecontemporaneous stage syngenetic brine diagenetic system, （2） early diagenetic stage strata seal brine diagenetic system, （3） middle-late diagenetic stage mixed hot brine diagenetic system and （4） tectonic uplift stage mixed hydrothermal fluid diagenetic system. New understanding of the controlling factors and distribution of dolomite reservoir development is discussed. Reef shoal facies belts controlled regional reservoir distribution and the scale of development. Burial dolomitization of a strata seal brine diagenetic system is the foundation of reservoir development, mainly developing pore reservoir. Burial dolomitization of mixed hot brine diagenetic system expanded the reservoir distribution and improved the reservoir quality, mainly developing pore-vug reservoir. Fracturing and dissolution of a mixed hydrothermal fluid diagenetic system is the key to improving the reservoir quality, mainly developing pore-vug-crack complex reservoirs.

Dolomitization evolution and its effects on hydrocarbon reservoir formation from penecontemporaneous to deep burial environment

Aiming at the scientific problem that only part of dolomite acts as dolomite reservoir,this paper takes the multiple dolomite-bearing formations in the Tarim and Ordos basins,NW China and Sichuan Basin,SW China as the study object,by means of mineral petrological analysis and geochemical methods including carbonate clumped isotope,U-Pb isotopic dating,etc.,to rebuild the dolomitization pathway and evaluate its effects on reservoir formation.On the basis of detailed rock thin section observation,five dolomitic structural components are identified,including original fabric-retained dolomite(microbial and/or micrite structure),buried metasomatic dolomite I(subhedral-euhedral fine,medium and coarse crystalline structure),buried metasomatic dolomite II(allotriomorphic-subhedral fine,medium and coarse crystalline structure),buried precipitation dolomite and coarse crystalline saddle dolomite.Among them,the first three exist in the form of rocks,the latter two occur as dolomite minerals filling in pores and fractures.The corresponding petrological and geochemical identification templates for them are established.Based on the identification of the five dolomitic structural components,six dolomitization pathways for three types of reservoirs(preserved dolomite,reworked dolomite and limestone buried dolomitization)are distinguished.The initial porosity of the original rock before dolomitization and the dolomitization pathway are the main factors controlling the development of dolomite reservoirs.The preserved dolomite and reworked dolomite types have the most favorable dolomitization pathway for reservoir formation,and are large scale and controlled by sedimentary facies in development and distribution,making them the first choices for oil and gas exploration in deep carbonate formations.

Impact of formation water on the generation of H2S in condensate reservoirs： a case study from the deep Ordovician in the Tazhong Uplift of the Tarim Basin, NW China

A number of condensate reservoirs with high concentrations of H2S have been discovered in the deep dolomite reservoirs of the lower Ordovician Yingshan Formation（O1y） in the Tazhong Uplift, where the formation water has a high p H value. In the O1y reservoir, the concentrations of Mg^2＋ and SO4^2-in the formation water are higher than those in the upper Ordovician formation.The concentration of H2 S in the condensate reservoirs and the concentration of Mg^2＋in the formation water correlate well in the O1y reservoirs of the Tazhong Uplift, which indicates a presumed thermochemical sulfate reduction（TSR） origin of H2S according to the oxidation theory of contact ion-pairs（CIPs）. Besides, the p H values of the formation water are positively correlated with the concentration of H2S in the condensate reservoirs, which may indicate that high p H might be another factor to promote and maintain TSR. Oil–source correlation of biomarkers in the sulfuretted condensates indicates the Cambrian source rocks could be the origin of condensates. The formation water in the condensate reservoirs of O1y is similar to that in the Cambrian; therefore, the TSR of sulfate-CIPs likelyoccurred in the Cambrian. High H2S-bearing condensates are mainly located near the No. 1 Fault and NE-SW strikeslip faults, which are the major migration pathway of deep fluids in the Tazhong Uplift. The redox between sulfateCIPs and hydrocarbons is the generation mechanism of H2S in the deep dolomite condensate reservoirs of the Tazhong Uplift. This finding should be helpful to predict the fluid properties of deep dolomite reservoirs.

Geochemical characteristics and diagenetic fluids of dolomite reservoirs in the Huanglong Formation, Eastern Sichuan Basin, China

Based on a comprehensive study of texture,diagenetic behavior and evolution of dolomite in the Huanglong Formation,trace （e.g.,Fe,Mn and Sr） and rare earth element （REE） geochemistry,andisotopic characteristics （e.g.,C,O and Sr）,four types of diagenetic fluids are identified in the Huanglong Formation dolomite reservoirs of the Eastern Sichuan Basin,China：1）：marine-derived pore waters in the marine diagenetic environment,2） sabkha compaction brine conserved in the early shallowburied diagenetic environment,3） strongly-oxidizing low-temperature meteoric water in the seepagesubsurface flow diagenetic environment,and 4） strongly reducing deeply seated mixed hot brine in the middle and deep burial diagenetic environment.The fluids developed hereditarily from one environment to another,which resulted in its respective characteristics.Fluid characteristics play an important role in the development of dolomite reservoirs：1） dolomitization by marine-derived pore water in the quasisyngenetic stage did not form an effective reservoir; 2） early diagenetic burial dolomitization by the sabkha compaction brine formed the basis for reservoir development; 3） meteoric water karstification in the paleo-epidiagenetic stage expanded both the distribution and the size of the reservoirs,and improved the reservoir quality; 4） deep-burial dissolution and tectonic fracturing in the reburial diagenetic stage further improved reservoir porosity and permeability.

Characteristics and impacts on favorable reservoirs of carbonate ramp microfacies: A case study of the Middle-Lower Ordovician in Gucheng area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Based on the latest drilling core, thin section, 3D seismic, well logging data as well as exploration results, the sequence stratigraphy and sedimentary microfacies of the Middle-Lower Ordovician carbonates in Gucheng area, and their controlling effects on the development of reservoir were examined by the theories and methods of fine carbonate sedimentology.The results show that the Middle-Lower Ordovician in Gucheng area is a set of typical carbonate ramp deposits, which can be divided into 10 microfacies in 4 subfacies as follows: back ramp, inner shallow ramp, outer shallow ramp, and deep ramp. The back ramp subfacies consists of muddy-dolomitic flat and dolomitic lagoon microfacies;it is dominated by lamellar micrite dolomite tight in lithology. The inner shallow ramp subfacies includes dolomitic shoal and dolomitic flat in shoal top and dolomitic flat between shoals microfacies;it is mainly composed of crystal dolomite with metasomatic residual structure, as well as abundant karst vugs and intercrystalline pores. The crystal dolomite has an average porosity of 4.36%. The outer ramp subfacies includes medium-high and low energy grain shoal and inter-shoal microfacies;it is dominated by sandy limestone,oolitic limestone, and micrite limestone with few pores. The deep ramp subfacies is dominated by low-energy argillaceous deposits, with local presences of storm shoal microfacies. The Lower-Middle Ordovician has six third-order sequences from bottom to top, among which sequence(SQ3) represents the third member of Yingying Formation. The main reservoir has three fourth-order high-frequency sequences. Apparently, the favorable reservoir in the study area is jointly controlled by sedimentary microfacies and high frequency sequence in the carbonate ramp. The former controls the primary pore structure, and the latter controls the intensities of karstification exposure and dolomitization in the penecontemporaneous period. The dolomitic shoals and top dolomitic flats of different stages, superimposed and connected into favorable reservoirs of considerable scale like "platform margin", are favorable exploration facies in the carbonate ramp.

Characteristics and main control factors of Ordovician shoal dolomite gas reservoir in Gucheng area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Based on seismic, drilling data and experimental analysis, the characteristics and main controlling factors of shoal dolomite gas reservoir in the third member of Ordovician Yingshan Formation of Gucheng area, Tarim basin were examined.The study shows that the dolomite gas reservoir in Gucheng area is lithologic gas reservoir controlled by shoal and fault jointly,and its formation is mainly attributed to the following factors:(1) The continuously developing paleotectonic structure has been in the direction of gas migration and accumulation;(2) The large area of medium-high energy grain bank deposited in gentle slope environment is the material basis for the formation of dolomite reservoir;(3) Atmospheric water leaching and dolomitization and fluid dissolution in fault zone are the key factors for the formation of high-quality dolomite reservoir;(4)The natural gas comes from cracking of the ancient oil reservoir and hydrocarbon generation of dispersed organic matter in source rocks, and the NNE-trending strike-slip fault is the dominant channel for vertical migration of natural gas;(5) Limestone cap rocks in the first and second members of Yingshan Formation provide direct sealing for the formation of gas reservoir there. On the basis of comprehensive analysis, it is pointed out that the Gucheng area has three grain shoal zones in the third member of Yingshan Formation in nearly S-N direction, which together with seven strike-slip fault zones in NNE direction control the development of shoal dolomite gas reservoir.

Development and preservation mechanism of deep and ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs

Exploration practice has proved that deep and ultra-deep reservoirs consist of mainly matrix-porous dolomite reservoirs and fractured-vuggy karst reservoirs and still will be very important targets for future exploration, in which large oil and gas fields such as Anyue, Yuanba, Halahatang, Fuman and Shunbei have been discovered. This paper systematically summarizes three theoretical and technical achievements in studying deep and ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs in the past decade.(1) The micro-zone and multi-parameter experiment analysis technology featured by determining the “age, temperature, pressure and fluid properties” of carbonate reservoirs, together with experimental simulation of cross-tectonic-period pore formation and preservation featured by the “multi-stage, continuous, visualized and online detection technology”, providing useful tools for studying the pore formation and preservation mechanism of deep and ultra-deep carbonate rocks from the perspective of“forward” and “inversion”.(2) Deep and ultra-deep matrix-porous dolostone reservoirs are still controlled by sedimentary facies,among which reef(mound) and/or beach contribute most. The reservoir space is mainly composed of sedimentary primary pores and supergene dissolution pores and fractures, though some of reservoir spaces are formed by burial dissolution and they tend to develop and may locally concentrate following the pre-existing porous zone. In other words, burial dissolution vugs are inherited rather than newly formed. Early dolomite precipitation(or dolomitization) has a high potential to preserve early pores.(3) The development and preservation mechanism of fractured-vuggy karst limestone reservoirs in deep and ultra-deep realm was analyzed. Pene-contemporaneous dissolution and interlayer and buried-hill karstification control the development of early and late supergene fractured-vuggy reservoirs. Strike-slip faults superimposed with supergene karstification lead to the development of “fence-style” faulted karst reservoirs. Dissolution simulation experiments reveal that the development of karst fracturedvuggy reservoirs is facies-controlled in certain degree, mainly developed in packstone. Rock mechanics analysis reveals that the preservation of caves is under the control of lithology, cave size, and the distance to the unconformity, and caves can be well preserved at 10,000 m. The theoretical and technical achievements provide supports for carbonate oil and gas exploration into ten thousand meters deep.

Accumulation conditions and exploration directions of Ordovician lower assemblage natural gas, Ordos Basin, NW China

Based on drilling cores, well logging and seismic data, source rocks and reservoirs are evaluated;and the natural gas genesis is identified through the analysis of natural gas isotopes, components and fluid inclusions, to study the gas accumulation conditions of the gypsum salt rock related strata of the Ordovician lower assemblage in Ordos Basin.(1) The natural gas from Ordovician lower assemblage is high thermal evolution dry gas from marine source rock, characterized by relatively light δ^(13)C value of methane and heavy δ^(13)C value of ethane. The natural gas is identified as gas cracking from crude oil according to component analysis. Thermochemical sulfate reduction(TSR) reaction has happened between the hydrocarbon fluid and sulfate as sulfur crystals are found in the cores, hydrogen sulfide is found in the natural gas, and hydrocarbon and hydrogen sulfide fluid inclusions are widespread in secondary minerals.(2) Around the gypsum-salt lows, argillaceous rocks are extensive in the Ordovician lower assemblage, reaching a cumulative thickness of 20–80 m. The effective source rocks include argillaceous rock rich in organic laminae, algal clump and algal dolomite. Analysis shows that the source rocks have a dominant TOC of 0.1%–0.5%, 0.31% on average and 3.24% at maximum. The source rocks have an average TOC of 0.58% after recovered through organic acid salt method, indicating the source rocks have high hydrocarbon supply potential.(3) In the sedimentary period, the palaeo-uplift controlled the distribution of reservoirs. The inherited secondary palaeo-uplift in Wushenqi–Jingbian east of the central palaeo-uplift and the low uplift formed by thick salt rocks near Shenmu–Zizhou area controlled the distribution of penecontemporaneous grain shoal dolomite reservoirs. The salinization sedimentary environment of gypsum salt rock can promote the development of reservoir. There are three types of dolomite reservoirs, the one with intercrystalline pore, with dissolution pore, and with fracture;intercrystalline and dissolution pores are main reservoir spaces.(4) There are two types of cap rocks, namely tight carbonate rock and gypsum-salt rock, constituting two types of source-reservoir-cap assemblages respectively. The general accumulation model is characterized by marine source rock supplying hydrocarbon, beach facies limy dolomite reservoir, small fractures acting as migration pathways, and structural-lithologic traps as accumulation zones.(5) The third and fourth members of Majiagou Formation are major target layers in the lower assemblage. The Wushengqi–Jingbian secondary paleo-uplift area and Shenmu–Zizhou low uplift are dolomite and limestone transition zone, there develops tight limestone to the east of the uplift zone, which is conducive to the formation of gas reservoir sealed by lithology in the updip. Two risk exploration wells drilled recently have encouraging results, indicating that the two uplift zones are important prospects.

Dolomitization of the Ordovician subsalt Majiagou Formation in the central Ordos Basin,China:fluid origins and dolomites evolution

The Middle Ordovician subsalt Majiagou Formation in the Ordos Basin comprises pervasively dolomitized shallow marine limestone and is a major reservoir rich in natural gas resources.Four types of dolomite matrix and cement were identified based on petrographic textures:(very)finely crystalline,non-planar to planar-s matrix dolomite(Md1);finely to medium crystalline,planar-s to planar-e matrix dolomite(Md2);microbialites comprising dolomite microcrystals(Md3);and finely to coarsely crystalline dolomite cement(Cd).The Md1 and Md2 dolomites were controlled by alternating lagoon-shoal facies and haveδ13C values(−1.89 to+1.45‰VPDB for Md1,−1.35 to+0.42‰VPDB for Md2)that fall within or are slightly higher than the coeval seawater,suggesting the dolomitizing fluid of evaporated seawater.Md2 dolomite was then subjected to penecontemporaneous karstification by meteoric water and burial recrystallization by sealed brines during diagenesis,as indicated by its relatively lowerδ18O values(−8.89 to−5.73‰VPDB)and higher 87Sr/86Sr ratios(0.708920–0.710199).Md3 dolomite comprises thrombolite and stromatolite and is interpreted to form by a combination of initial microbial mediation and later replacive dolomitization related to evaporated seawater.Cd dolomite was associated with early-formed karst system in the Md2 host dolomite.The lowestδ18O values(−11.78 to−10.18‰VPDB)and 87Sr/86Sr ratios(0.708688–0.708725)and fluid inclusion data(Th:123–175°C)indicate involvement of hydrothermal fluid from which the Cd dolomite precipitated during deep burial.These results reveal the multi-stage dolomitization history of the Majiagou Formation and provide new constraints on fluid origins and dolomites evolution during deep burial in old superimposed basins,such as the Ordos Basin and elsewhere.

Dolomite reservoir formation and diagenesis evolution of the Upper Ediacaran Qigebrak Formation in the Tabei area,Tarim Basin

Ancient dolomite reservoirs play an increasingly important role in deep oil and gas exploration.The mechanism of formation and preservation of dolomite reservoirs is complex,which is always the key issue.With the discovery of deep oil and gas in the Ediacaran dolomites of the world,the upper Ediacaran Qigebrak Formation in the Tabei area has begun to attract attention,but its reservoir space difference and formation mechanism have yet to be clarified.Based on ultra-deep drilling cores and field outcrops in the Tabei area,the lithofacies,reservoir space,and formation mechanism are systematically analyzed by macro to micro,and qualitative to quantitative petrology:(1)The types of dolomite can be divided into five major categories,including microbial dolomite,granular dolomite,residual granular dolomite,crystalline dolomite and karst breccias.(2)The main types of reservoir space are microbial-framework pores,microbial-mold pores,and non-fabric selective dissolution pores.Spongiomicrobialite,karst breccias,and fine-grained dolomite are the dominant reservoir rock types.(3)High-frequency sedimentary cycles and meteoric dissolution are the key factors of reservoir formation.Two sets of large-scale reservoirs are present:the first set is mainly controlled by the supergene karst of the Keping movement,and the second set is mainly controlled by high-frequency sedimentary cycles in the penecontemporaneous period.The reservoirs formed at the shallow burial stage and were preserved until the deep burial stage.(4)The quality of a deep reservoir depends on the geological events that affect the processes of pore reduction and increase.Cementation,compaction and pressure solution are the main destructive diagenetic processes;however,the reservoir space can still be effectively preserved under the influence of constructive diagenetic processes,such as meteoric dissolution and early dolomitization.This research has important theoretical and practical significance for revealing the formation mechanism of upper Ediacaran deep dolomite reservoirs in the Tarim Basin.

Characteristics of dolomite karstic reservoir in the Sinian Dengying Formation,Sichuan Basin

The Sinian dolomite reservoir in Dengying Formation was developed extensively in the Sichuan Basin,and typically was the facies-controlled dolomite karstic reservoir.The development of this kind of the reservoir was related with the special deposits,diagenetic environment as well as the multi-phase and multi-type dissolution and fracturing actions.The arid-hot/dry paleo-climate was favourable to develop the large-scale microbial reef-shoal bodies and moundeshoal bodies,which was characterized by the organic framework and the sea floor hardening,thus forming primary matrix pore-type reservoir.In the background of the arid-hot/dry paleo-climate,the water-rock interaction was weak,the mineral stabilization process was slowly,and the vadose pisoliths,aragonite and high-magnesium calcite were well preserved,therefore,this diagenetic environment especially was beneficial for pore preservation.Moreover,the syngenetic and penecontemporaneous dissolution,especially three phases of weathered crust karstification due to three episodes of the Tongwan movement,led to further dissolution of spaces and form numerous non-fabric selective dissolution fractures and dissolution caves along faults and fractures.Multi-phase fractures,especially the late Yanshanian-Himalayan tectonic fractures,resulted in connection among pores,vugs and dissolution caves,and improved quality of the reservoir tremendously.