Hydrocarbon distribution along the Soapaga thrust(Eastern Cordillera, Colombia) based on new strategic geochemistry samples

The Colombian Eastern Cordillera constitutes a region with potential for finding hydrocarbon reserves that are still under-explored, despite the existence of oil and tar sand production. The intense tectonic deformation affects the petroleum systems and increases exploration challenges due to the different generation, maturation, and entrapment conditions that they produce. Diverse geochemical analysis conducted on strategic samples determines that these are likely generated by the same anoxic marine source rock type. Two source rock samples we investigated are characterized by very different biomarker signals as compared to the tar sands and oil samples. Both samples are dominated by hopanes as compared to tri-and tetracyclic terpanes, with very low(Tibasosa Formation) to no(Chipaque Formation) extended tricyclic terpanes. The Soapaga Thrust, along which the analyzed samples are located, has exercised first-rate regional structural control of the distribution of hydrocarbons in the studied area. The uplift of their Mesozoic hanging wall produces intense erosion with sediment transport towards the eastern footwall forming the present infill of the Arcabuco basin. The kitchen areas were connected with the shallower entrapment sectors where excellent reservoir levels such as the Picacho Formation before the Soapaga Thrust movement. The high degree of biodegradation observed in the Picacho Fm. tar sands support early charge before the Soapaga thrust movement, and severe biodegradation following the thrust movement when hydrocarbon supply from the kitchen was interrupted. This work aims to contribute to a better understanding of the geochemical characteristics of the petroleum systems due to the action of the Soapaga Thrust.

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.

Hydrocarbon accumulation in deep water areas of Angola in West Africa

Through comprehensive analysis of source rocks and hydrocarbon geochemical data of several offshore blocks in Angola,two sets of source rocks in the Cretaceous Iabe Formation and Lower Oligocene Malembo Formation are developed in the suprasalt structures in deep water area.The source rocks in the Cretaceous Iabe Formation is dominated by Type I kerogen,while the source rocks in the Lower Oligocene Malembo Formation is dominated by Type IIeIII kerogen which mainly generate gas.In the extensional zone,the source rocks in the Malembo Formation are mature and the source rocks in the Iabe Formation are post-matured;this zone undergo multi-stage filling,and the Oligocene paleoreservoirs experience high-temperature pyrolysis to form gas reservoirs;the Upper Miocene reservoirs undergo biodegradation due to poor storage condition.In the transitional zone,oil and gas in the drape anticline area are mainly from the Iabe Formation,and it mix with a small amount of oil and gas from the Malembo Formation in the later stage.In the compression zone,the crude oil is from the Iabe Formation at the mature stage,and contains a small amount of dissolved gas generated by thermal degradation.