Generation and Evolution of Cavitation Bubbles in Volume Alternate Cavitation(VAC)

Cavitation generation methods have been used in multifarious directions because of their diversity,and numerous studies and discussions have been conducted on cavitation generation methods.This study aims to explore the generating mechanism and evolution law of volume alternate cavitation(VAC).In the VAC,liquid water is placed in an airtight container with a variable volume.As the volume alternately changes,the liquid water inside the container continues to cavitate.Then,the mixture turbulence model and in-cylinder dynamic grid model are adopted to conduct computational fluid dynamics simulation of volume alternate cavitation.In the simulation,the cloud images at seven heights on the central axis are monitored,and the phenomenon and mechanism of height and eccentricity are analyzed in detail.By employing the cavitation flow visualization method,the generating mechanism and evolution law of cavitation are revealed.The synergistic effects of experiments and high-speed camera capturing confirm the correctness of the simulation results.In the experiment,the volume change stroke of the airtight container is set to 20 mm,the volume change frequency is 18 Hz,and the shooting frequency of the high-speed camera is set to 10000 FPS.The experimental results indicate that the position of the cavitation phenomenon has a reasonable law during the whole evolution cycle of the cavitation cloud.Also,the volume alternation cycle corresponds to the generation,development,and collapse stages of cavitation bubbles.

Thermal Evolution of Organic Matter and Secondary Hydrocarbon Generation from Upper Paleozoic Coal Deposits in Northern China

The metamorphism and hydrocarbon generation from the Upper Paleozoic coal-bearing strata in Northern China have been widely studied by Chinese geologists since the 1990s. Based on a large amount of data of Ro values,combined with geological background,we have systematically analyzed the thermal evolutionary characteristics of or-ganic matter and the stages of hydrocarbon generation from the Permo-Carboniferous coal deposits and discussed the condition of secondary hydrocarbon generation. The distribution range of secondary hydrocarbon generation in North-ern China is thus determined. It is shown that the coal ranks of the Upper Paleozoic coal deposits are higher in the southern and western belts than those in the northern and eastern belts. Really significant secondary hydrocarbon gen-eration is mainly related to the thermal evolution of organic matter during the Himalayan Period. Profitable areas for secondary hydrocarbon generation should be buried at 3000-4000 m up to the present. Maturity of the Permo-Carbon-iferous source rocks is not very high. It is suggested that the Bohai Bay depression is favourable for secondary hydro-carbon generation and has good oil and gas prospects.

Diversified roles of mineral transformation in controlling hydrocarbon generation process,mechanism,and pattern

Organic matter(OM)is intimately associated with minerals in clay-rich mudstones,leading to widespread organic-mineral interaction during hydrocarbon generation in argillaceous source rocks.What we are concerned is the effects of the different mineral properties on hydrocarbon generation process and mechanism during mineral transformation.In this way,pyrolysis experiments with smectite-octadecanoic acid complexes(Sm-OA and Ex-Sm-OA)were conducted to analyze correlation of mineralogy and pyrolysis behaviors.Based on organicmineral interaction,hydrocarbon generation process was divided into three phases.At 200–300℃,collapse of smectite led to desorption of OM,resulting in high yield of resin and slight increase in saturates.Subsequently,enhanced smectite illitization at 350–450℃was accompanied with large amounts of saturates and a mere gaseous hydrocarbon.Featured by neoformed plagioclase,ankerite,and illite,500C saw plenty of asphaltene and methane-rich gaseous hydrocarbons,revealing cracking reactions of OM.Noteworthy is that saturated and gaseous hydrocarbons in Ex-Sm-OA were considerably more than that in Sm-OA during second and third phases.Quantitative calculation of hydrogen revealed organic hydrogen provided by cross-linking of OM could not balance hydrogen consumed by cracking reactions,but supply of inorganic hydrogen ensured cracking could readily occur and consequently greatly promoted hydrocarbon generation.Further investigating characteristics of mineralogy and pyrolytic products,as well as effects of solid acidity on hydrocarbon generation,we concluded desorption of OM and decarboxylation promoted by Lewis acid were dominated at 200–300C,resulting in lowdegree hydrocarbon generation.While high yield of saturated and gaseous hydrocarbons in second and third phases,together with occurrence of ankerite,indicated predominance of decarboxylation and hydrogenation promoted by Lewis and Brønsted acid,respectively.Variations in organic-mineral interactions indicated(1)the controls of mineral transformation on hydrocarbon generation process and mechanism include desorption,decarboxylation,and hydrogenation reactions;(2)clay minerals acted as reactants evolving together with OM rather than catalysts.These findings are profoundly significant for understanding the hydrocarbon generation mechanisms,organic-inorganic interactions,and carbon cycle.

Hydrocarbon generation and storage mechanisms of deepwater shelf shales of Ordovician Wufeng Formation–Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin, China

As the hydrocarbon generation and storage mechanisms of high quality shales of Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation– Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation remain unclear, based on geological conditions and experimental modelling of shale gas formation, the shale gas generation and accumulation mechanisms as well as their coupling relationships of deep-water shelf shales in Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation of Sichuan Basin were analyzed from petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry. The high quality shales of Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin are characterized by high thermal evolution, high hydrocarbon generation intensity, good material base, and good roof and floor conditions;the high quality deep-water shelf shale not only has high biogenic silicon content and organic carbon content, but also high porosity coupling. It is concluded that:(1) The shales had good preservation conditions and high retainment of crude oil in the early times, and the shale gas was mainly from cracking of crude oil.(2) The biogenic silicon(opal A) turned into crystal quartz in early times of burial diagenesis, lots of micro-size intergranular pores were produced in the same time;moreover, the biogenic silicon frame had high resistance to compaction, thus it provided the conditions not only for oil charge in the early stage, but also for formation and preservation of nanometer cellular-like pores, and was the key factor enabling the preservation of organic pores.(3) The high quality shale of Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation had high brittleness, strong homogeneity, siliceous intergranular micro-pores and nanometer organic pores, which were conducive to the formation of complicated fissure network connecting the siliceous intergranular nano-pores, and thus high and stable production of shale gas.

Formation mechanism of tight sandstone gas in areas of low hydrocarbon generation intensity: A case study of the Upper Paleozoic in north Tianhuan depression in Ordos Basin, NW China

The Upper Paleozoic in the north part of Tianhuan depression in the Ordos Basin,NW China has lower hydrocarbon generation intensity and complex gas-water relationship,the main factors controlling the formation of tight sandstone gas and the distribution of tight sandstone gas in the low hydrocarbon generation intensity area are studied.Through two-dimensional physical simulation experiment of hydrocarbon accumulation,analysis of reservoir micro-pore-throat hydrocarbon system and dissection of typical gas reservoirs,the evaluation models of gas injection pressure,reservoir physical property,and gas generation threshold were established to determine the features of tight gas reservoirs in low hydrocarbon intensity area:(1)at the burial depth of less than 3 000 m,the hydrocarbon generation intensity ofis high enough to maintain effective charging;(2)tight sandstone in large scale occurrence is conducive to accumulation of tight gas;(3)differences in reservoir physical property control the distribution of gas pool,for the channel sandstone reservoirs,ones with better physical properties generally concentrate in the middle of sandstone zone and local structural highs;ones with poor physical properties have low gas content generally.Based on the dissection of the gas reservoir in the north Tianhuan depression,the formation of tight gas reservoirs in low hydrocarbon generating intensity area are characterized by"long term continuous charging under hydrocarbon generation pressure,gas accumulation in large scale tight sandstone,pool control by difference in reservoir physical property,and local sweet spot",and the tight gas pools are distributed in discontinuous"sheets"on the plane.This understanding has been proved by expanding exploration of tight sandstone gas in the north Tianhuan depression.

The role of strain in oxygen evolution reaction

The oxygen evolution reaction(OER)is a crucial step in metal-air batteries and water splitting technologies,playing a significant role in the efficiency and achievable heights of these two technologies.However,the OER is a four-step,four-electron reaction,and its slow kinetics result in high overpotentials,posing a challenge.To address this issue,numerous strategies involving modified catalysts have been proposed and proven to be highly efficient.In these strategies,the introduction of strain has been widely reported because it is generally believed to effectively regulate the electronic structure of metal sites and alter the adsorption energy of catalyst surfaces with reaction intermediates.However,strain has many other effects that are not well known,making it an important yet unexplored area.Based on this,this review provides a detailed introduction to the various roles of strain in OER.To better explain these roles,the review also presents the definition of strain and elucidates the potential mechanisms of strain in OER based on the d-band center theory and adsorption volcano plot.Additionally,the review showcases various ways of introducing strain in OER through examples reported in the latest literature,aiming to provide a comprehensive perspective for the development of strain engineering.Finally,the review analyzes the appropriate proportion of strain introduction,compares compressive and tensile strain,and examines the impact of strain on stability.And the review offers prospects for future research directions in this emerging field.

Tectonic evolution and accumulation characteristics of Carboniferous shale gas in Yadu-Ziyun-Luodian aulacogen, Guizhou Province, South China

The Yadu-Ziyun-Luodian aulacogen(YZLA) developed into being NW-trending in the Late Paleozoic,and was considered as an important passive continental margin aulacogen in Guizhou Province, South China. This tectonic zone is considered a large intracontinental thrust-slip tectonic unit, which has undergone a long period of development. It was ultimately determined in the Yanshanian, where the typical Upper Paleozoic marine shales were deposited. In 2021, Well QSD-1 was deployed in the Liupanshui area at the northwest margin of the aulacogen, and obtained a daily shale gas flow of 11011 m3in the Carboniferous Dawuba Formation. It thus achieved a breakthrough in the invesgation of shale gas in the Lower Carboniferous in South China, revealing relatively good gas-bearing properties and broad exploration prospects of the aulacogen. Being different from the Lower Paleozoic strata in the Sichuan Basin and the Yichang area of the Middle Yangtze, the development of the Carboniferous Dawuba Formation in the aulacogen exhibits the following characteristics:(1) The Lower Carboniferous shale is thick and widely distributed, with interbedded shale and marlstone of virous thickness;(2) The total organic carbon(TOC) content of the shale in the Dawuba Formation ranges from 1% to 5%, with an average of 2%, and the thermal maturity of organic matter(Ro) varies from 1% to 4%, with an average of2.5%, indicating good hydrocarbon generation capacity;(3) The main shale in the aulacogen was formed during the fault subsidence stage from the Middle Devonian to the Early Permian. Although the strong compression and deformation during the late Indosinian-Himalayan played a certain role in destroying the formed shale gas reservoirs, comparative analysis suggests that the area covered by the current Triassic strata has a low degree of destruction. It therefore provides good conditions for shale gas preservation,which can be regarded as a favorable area for the next exploration.

Tectono-Thermal Evolution, Hydrocarbon Filling and Accumulation Phases of the Hari Sag, in the Yingen-Ejinaqi Basin, Inner Mongolia,Northern China

This work restored the erosion thickness of the top surface of each Cretaceous formations penetrated by the typical well in the Hari sag, and simulated the subsidence burial history of this well with software BasinMod. It is firstly pointed out that the tectonic subsidence evolution of the Hari sag since the Cretaceous can be divided into four phases: initial subsidence phase, rapid subsidence phase,uplift and erosion phase, and stable slow subsidence phase. A detailed reconstruction of the tectonothermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation histories of typical well was undertaken using the EASY R% model, which is constrained by vitrinite reflectance(R) and homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions. In the rapid subsidence phase, the peak period of hydrocarbon generation was reached at c.a.105.59 Ma with the increasing thermal evolution degree. A concomitant rapid increase in paleotemperatures occurred and reached a maximum geothermal gradient of about 43-45℃/km. The main hydrocarbon generation period ensued around 105.59-80.00 Ma and the greatest buried depth of the Hari sag was reached at c.a. 80.00 Ma, when the maximum paleo-temperature was over 180℃.Subsequently, the sag entered an uplift and erosion phase followed by a stable slow subsidence phase during which the temperature gradient, thermal evolution, and hydrocarbon generation decreased gradually. The hydrocarbon accumulation period was discussed based on homogenization temperatures of inclusions and it is believed that two periods of rapid hydrocarbon accumulation events occurred during the Cretaceous rapid subsidence phase. The first accumulation period observed in the Bayingebi Formation(Kb) occurred primarily around 105.59-103.50 Ma with temperatures of 125-150℃. The second accumulation period observed in the Suhongtu Formation(Ks) occurred primarily around84.00-80.00 Ma with temperatures of 120-130℃. The second is the major accumulation period, and the accumulation mainly occurred in the Late Cretaceous. The hydrocarbon accumulation process was comprehensively controlled by tectono-thermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation history. During the rapid subsidence phase, the paleo temperature and geothermal gradient increased rapidly and resulted in increasing thermal evolution extending into the peak period of hydrocarbon generation,which is the key reason for hydrocarbon filling and accumulation.

Study on the relationship between hydrocarbon generation and pore evolution in continental shale from the Ordos Basin,China

The relationship between hydrocarbon generation and the evolution of shale pore structure and its heterogeneity of continental shale from the Ordos Basin,China was quantitatively studied based on thermal simulation experiment,mercury injection capillary pressure(MICP),gas adsorption,vitrinite reflectance(R_(o))analysis,and hydrocarbon generation test combined with Frenkel-Halsey-Hill(FHH)fractal model.The result shows that the pore volume(PV)and specific surface area(SSA)of pores with different pore sizes show a trend of decreasing first and then increasing as the maturity increases in general,R_(o)>1.59%is initially defined as a favorable stage for pore development in continental shale.Hydrocarbon generation has different effects on pore heterogeneity of different scales.For the N_(2)adsorption,the roughness of small pore surface(D_(1))decreases in the oil window;the complexity of large pore structure(D_(2))increases in the oil window but decreases in the gas window.For the MICP,the heterogeneity of small pore(D_(1))increases in the oil window and increases first and then decreases in the gas window;D_(2)remains basically constant during the whole stage and is close to 3,indicating that the heterogeneity of large pores is extremely strong and is not affected by hydrocarbon generation.

Geochemical characteristics,generation,and evolution mechanism of coalbed methane in the south-western Ordos Basin,China

The south-western Ordos Basin is rich in low-middle rank coalbed methane(CBM)resources;while the geochemical characteristics and genetic mechanism of CBM are not clear.Herein,according to geological and geochemical test data from gas and coal seam water from CBM wells in Bingchang,Jiaoxun,Huangling,Yonglong,and Longdong minging areas,we systematically studied the geochemical characteristics,generation,and evolution mechanism of CBM in Jurassic Yan’an Formation in the south-western Ordos Basin.The results show that the CH4 content of whole gas is in the range of 42.01%-94.72%.The distribution ranges of theδ^(13)C-CH_(4)value is−87.2‰to−32.5‰,indicating diverse sources of thermogenic gas and biogenic gas.The microbial methane is mainly generated by a CO_(2)reduction pathway,with certain methyl-type fermentation spots.Theδ^(13)C-CH_(4)has a positive correlation with burial depth,indicating the obvious fractionation of CBM.The relationship between the genetic types and burial depth of the CBM reservoir indicates that the favorable depth of secondary biogenic gas is less than 660 m.The Late Cretaceous Yanshanian Movement led to the uplift of the Ordos Basin,and a large amount of thermogenic gas escaped from the edge of the basin.Since the Paleogene Period,the coal reservoir in the basin margin has received recharge from atmospheric precipitation,which is favorable for the formation of secondary biogenic methane.The deep area,generally under 1000 m,mainly contains residual thermogenic gas.The intermediate transition zone is mixed gas.Constrained by the tectonic background,the genetic types of CBM in different mining areas are controlled by the coupling of burial depth,coal rank,and hydrogeological conditions.The Binchang mining area contains biogenic gas,and the development of CBM has achieved initial success,indicating that similar blocks with biogenic gas formation conditions is key to the efficient development of CBM.The research results provide a scientific basis for searching for favorable exploration areas of CBM in the south-western Ordos Basin.

Hydrocarbon Generation Potential and Organic Matter Enrichment Mechanism of the Cambrian Marine Shale in the Tadong Low Uplift,Tarim Basin

Cambrian shales in China and elsewhere contain abundant oil and gas resources.However,due to its deep burial and limited outcrop,there has been relatively little research conducted on it.The Cambrian shale of the Tadong low uplift in the Tarim Basin of western China,specifically the Xidashan-Xishanbulake Formation(Fm.)and overlying Moheershan Fm.provide a case study through the use of organic petrology,mineralogy,organic and elemental geochemistry,with the aim of analyzing and exploring the hydrocarbon generation potential(PG)and organic matter(OM)enrichment mechanisms within these shale formations.The results indicate that:(1)the Cambrian shale of the Tadong low uplift exhibits relatively dispersed OM that consists of vitrinite-like macerals and solid bitumen.These formations have a higher content of quartz and are primarily composed of silica-based lithology;(2)shale samples from the Xidashan-Xishanbulake and Moheershan formations demonstrate high total organic carbon(TOC)and low pyrolytic hydrocarbon content(S_(2))content.The OM is predominantly typeⅠand typeⅡkerogens,indicating a high level of maturation in the wet gas period.These shales have undergone extensive hydrocarbon generation,showing characteristics of relatively poor PG;(3)the sedimentary environments of the Xidashan-Xishanbulake and Moheershan formations in the Tadong low uplift are similar.They were deposited in warm and humid climatic conditions,in oxygen-deficient environments,with stable terrigenous inputs,high paleoproductivity,high paleosalinity,weak water-holding capacity,and no significant hydrothermal activity;and(4)the relationship between TOC and the paleoproductivity parameter(P/Ti)is most significant in the Lower Cambrian Xidashan-Xishanbulake Fm.,whereas correlation with other indicators is not evident.This suggests a productivity-driven OM enrichment model,where input of landderived material was relatively small during the Middle Cambrian,and the ancient water exhibited lower salinity.A comprehensive pattern was formed under the combined control of paleoproductivity and preservation conditions.This study provides valuable guidance for oil and gas exploration in the Tarim Basin.

The accumulation characteristics and exploration potential of oil and gas in the back-arc basin of Japan under the background of high heat flow

The Sea of Japan is located in the southeast margin of Eurasia, in the triangle area of the western Pacific Ocean. Due to the interaction of the Pacific plate, Eurasian plate and Philippine plate, its tectonic environment is complex, forming a typical trench-arc-basin system. At present, 148 oil and gas fields have been discovered in Japan, with an oil and gas resource of 255.78×10^(6) t, showing a good prospect for oil and gas exploration. Based on the previous research and the recently collected geological and geophysical data, the characteristics of tectonic-sedimentary evolution and geothermal field in the basins around the Sea of Japan are analyzed. The results show that the tectonic evolution of the basin is mainly controlled by plate subduction and back-arc oceanic crust expansion, and it mainly undergone four tectonic-sedimentary evolution stages: Subduction period, basin development period, subsidence period and compression deformation period. The overall heat flow value of Japan Sea is high, and it is distributed annularly along Yamato Ridge. The geothermal heat flow value is about 50–130 MW/m^(2), and the average heat flow is75.9±19.8 MW/m^(2), which has a typical “hot basin ”. The high heat flow background provides unique thermal evolution conditions for hydrocarbon generation, which leads to the high temperature and rapid evolution. The authors summarized as “early hydrocarbon generation, rapid maturity and shallow and narrow hydrocarbon generation window”. The type of oil and gas is mainly natural gas, and it mainly distributed in Neogene oil and gas reservoirs. The trap types are mainly structural traps, lithologic traps and composite traps. In addition, the pre-Neogene bedrock oil and gas reservoirs also show a good exploration prospect. The resource prospecting indicates that Niigata Basin, Ulleung Basin and kitakami Basin are the main target areas for future exploration and development.

Mechanism of Forming Hydrocarbon in Coal Measures

The forming condition of coal and coaly organic matter is analyzed. The dynamics of hydrocarbon generation of coal and coaly organic matter is discussed. It has been pointed out that the temperature is the main predominant factor for the hydrocarbon generation of coal; chemical effect of structural pressing and shearing force accelerates the evolution of hydrocarbon derived from coal, and is the prerequisite for the hydrocarbons to be expelled from coal. The existence of atoms of N, S, O etc. is the prerequisite for forming the hydrocarbons at early evolution stage. The importance of NSO compounds in the evolution of hydrocarbon generation has been emphasized.

Assessment of recoverable oil and gas resources by in-situ conversion of shale——Case study of extracting the Chang 7_(3) shale in the Ordos Basin

The purpose of this study is to investigate the entire evolution process of shales with various total organic contents(TOC)in order to build models for quantitative evaluation of oil and gas yields and establish methods for assessing recoverable oil and gas resources from in-situ conversion of organic matters in shale.Thermal simulation experiments under in-situ conversion conditions were conducted on Chang 7_(3) shales from the Ordos Basin in a semi-open system with large capacity.The results showed that TOC and R_(o) were the key factors affecting the in-situ transformation potential of shale.The remaining oil and gas yields increased linearly with TOC but inconsistently with R_(o).R_(o) ranged 0.75%—1.25%and 1.05%—2.3%,respectively,corresponding to the main oil generation stage and gas generation stage of shale in-situ transformation.Thus a model to evaluate the remaining oil/gas yield with TOC and R_(o) was obtained.The TOC of shale suitable for in-situ conversion should be greater than 6%,whereas its R_(o) should be less than 1.0%.Shales with 0.75%(R_(o))could obtain the best economic benefit.The results provided a theoretical basis and evaluation methodology for predicting the hydrocarbon resources from in-situ conversion of shale and for the identification of the optimum“sweet spots”.The assessment of the Chang 7_(3) shale in the Ordos Basin indicated that the recoverable oil and gas resources from in-situ conversion of organic matters in shale are substantial,with oil and gas resources reaching approximately 450×10^(8) t and 30×10^(12)m^(3),respectively,from an area of 4.27×10^(4) km^(2).

Quantitative study on hydrocarbon expulsion mechanism based on micro-fracture

The significance of source rocks for oil and gas accumulation has been indisputably acknowledged.Moreover,it has been gradually realized that there is difference between hydrocarbon generation capacity and hydrocarbon expulsion capacity,and this has prompted research on hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency.However,these studies dominantly highlight the results of hydrocarbon expulsion,and investigation into the corresponding process and mechanism is primarily from a macroscopic perspective.Despite its wide acceptance as the most direct hydrocarbon expulsion mode,hydrocarbon expulsion through micro-fractures is still not sufficiently understood.Therefore,this study obtains observations and performs experiments on two types of source rocks(mudstones and shales)of the Chang 7 oil group of the Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin,China.Microscopy reveals that organic matter is non-uniformly distributed in both types of source rocks.Specifically,mudstones are characterized by a cluster-like organic matter distribution,whereas shales are characterized by a layered organic matter distribution.Thermal evolution simulation experiments demonstrate that the hydrocarbon generation process is accompanied by the emergence of micro-fractures,which are favorable for hydrocarbon expulsion.Moreover,based on the theories of rock physics and fracture mechanics,this study establishes micro-fracture development models for both types of source rocks,associated with the calculation of the fracture pressure that is needed for the initiation of fracture development.Furthermore,the relationship between the fluid pressure,fracture pressure,and micro-fracture expansion length during micro-fracture development is quantitatively explored,which helps identify the micro-fracture expansion length.The results indicate that the development of micro-fractures is commonly impacted by the morphology and distribution pattern of the organic matter as well as the mechanical properties of the source rocks.The micro-fractures in turn further affect the hydrocarbon expulsion capacity of the source rocks.The results of this study are expected to provide theoretical and practical guidance for the exploration and exploitation of tight oil and shale oil.

Structure and Hydrocarbons in Junggar Basin

Having undergone four basin forming tectonic cycles--Hercynian, Indosinian, Yanshanian, and Himalayan, the Junggar basin becomes a multi cyclic superposed basin of old and hard mediun block pattern. Its multi cyclic tectonic and sedimentary evolution results in five series of hydrocarbon source rock formations--Carboniferous, Permian, Upper Triassic, Middle lower Jurassic, and Lower Tertiary, correspondingly forming five petroleum generation systems, of which the Permian and Middle lower Jurassic petroleum generation systems are the most important with the highest exploration degree. Hydrocarbons are controlled by basin structure as follows: 1) Hydrocarbon accumulations are controlled by the structural styles of paleo uplifts, paleo overthrust belts and contorted anticline belts formed in multi cyclic tectonic movements; 2) Important pathways for long distance lateral and vertical migration are provided respectively by unconformities and faults; 3) The pool forming characteristics of the Permian petroleum system are controlled by paleo structure; 4) The pool forming characteristics of Jurassic and Tertiary petroleum system are controlled by recent structures.

Immature Oils in China and Their Genetic Mechanisms

Immature crude oils are a kind of unconventional petroleum resources. They are generated through early low-temperature biochemical/chemical reactions of some specific organic matter. Their geological reserves explored are as high as several hundred million tons in China. Based on a detailed organic geochemical study, five genetic mechanisms of immature oils have been proposed in this paper for early hydrocarbon generation from suberinite, resinite, bacteria-reworked terrestrial organic matter, biolipids and sulphur-rich macromolecules respectively.

Shale oil enrichment evaluation and production law in Gulong Sag,Songliao Basin,NE China

Based on the results of drilling,tests and simulation experiments,the shales of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in the Gulong Sag of the Songliao Basin are discussed with respect to hydrocarbon generation evolution,shale oil occurrence,and pore/fracture evolution mechanism.In conjunction with a substantial amount of oil testing and production data,the Gulong shale oil enrichment layers are evaluated and the production behaviors and decline law are analyzed.The results are drawn in four aspects.First,the Gulong shales are in the stage of extensive hydrocarbon expulsion when R_(0) is 1.0%-1.2%,with the peak hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency of 49.5%approximately.In the low-medium maturity stage,shale oil migrates from kerogen to rocks and organic pores/fractures.In the medium-high maturity stage,shale oil transforms from adsorbed state to free state.Second,the clay mineral intergranular pores/fractures,dissolution pores,and organic pores make up the majority of the pore structure.During the transformation,clay minerals undergo significant intergranular pore/fracture development between the minerals such as illite and illite/smectite mixed layer.A network of pores/fractures is formed by organic matter cracking.Third,free hydrocarbon content,effective porosity,total porosity,and brittle mineral content are the core indicators for the evaluation of shale oil enrichment layers.Class-I layers are defined as free hydrocarbon content equal or greater than 6.0 mg/g,effective porosity equal or greater than 3.5%,total porosity equal or greater than 8.0%,and brittle mineral content equal or greater than 50%.It is believed that the favourable oil layers are Q2-Q3 and Q8-Q9.Fourth,the horizontal wells in the core area of the light oil zone exhibit a high cumulative production in the first year,and present a hyperbolic production decline pattern,with the decline index of 0.85-0.95,the first-year decline rate of 14.5%-26.5%,and the single-well estimated ultimate recovery(EUR)greater than 2.0×10^(4)t.In practical exploration and production,more efforts will be devoted to the clarification of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion mechanisms,accurate testing of porosity and hydrocarbon content/phase of shale under formation conditions,precise delineation of the boundary of enrichment area,relationship between mechanical properties and stimulated reservoir volume,and enhanced oil recovery,in order to improve the EUR and achieve a large-scale,efficient development of shale oil.

Pore structure evolution of lacustrine organic-rich shale from the second member of the Kongdian formation in the Cangdong Sag,Bohai Bay Basin,China

Pyrolysis experiments were conducted on lacustrine organic-rich shale from Cangdong Sag in Bohai Bay Basin,China,to investigate the impact of hydrocarbon generation on shale pore structure evolution.Thermal evolution is found to control the transformation of organic matter,hydrocarbon products characteristics,and pore structure changes.Furthermore,pore volume and specific surface area increase with increasing maturity.In low-mature stage,the retained oil content begins to increase,pore volumes show slight changes,and primary pores are occluded by the generated crude oil of high molecular weight and density.In the oil-window stage,the retained oil content rapidly increases and reaches maximum,and pore volumes gradually increase with increasing thermal maturity.At high mature stage,the retained oil content begins to decrease,and the pore volume increases considerably owing to the expulsion of liquid hydrocarbon.In over mature stage,natural gas content significantly increases and kerogen transforms to asphalt.Numerous organic pores are formed and the pore size gradually increases,resulting from the connection of organic pores caused the increasing thermal stress.This study lays a foundation for understanding variation of hydrocarbon products during the thermal evolution of lacustrine shales and its relationship with the evolution of shale reservoirs.

The hydrocarbon generation mechanism and the threestage type model of hydrocarbon generation for carbonate source rocks

The diagenetic mechanism and process of carbonate rocks, which is different to that of clastic rocks, decides the existence of different existing state organic matters in carbonate rocks. This has been verified by both the microscopic observation of organic petrology and the analysis of organic geochemistry of many samples. Based on the hydrous pyrolysis simulation experiment of the low-mature carbonate rocks, the contrasting study on the yield and their geochemistry characteristics of different existing state soluble organic matters of a series of various maturity samples shows that the different existing state organic matters make different contributions to hydrocarbon generation during every evolution state. So that, the hydrocarbon generation process of carbonate rocks can be summarized as the following three stages; the first is the direct degradation of biogenic bitumen macromolecules during the immature stage, the second is the thermal degradation of a large amount of kerogen at the mature stage, the last stage is the expulsion or release of inclusion organic matter owing to the increased thermal expansion pressure during the high evolution stage.