Geological conditions and reservoir characteristics of various shales in major shalehosted regions of China

China is home to shales of three facies:Marine shale,continental shale,and marine-continental transitional shale.Different types of shale gas are associated with significantly different formation conditions and major controlling factors.This study compared the geological characteristics of various shales and analyzed the influences of different parameters on the formation and accumulation of shale gas.In general,shales in China’s several regions exhibit high total organic carbon(TOC)contents,which lays a sound material basis for shale gas generation.Marine strata generally show high degrees of thermal evolution.In contrast,continental shales manifest low degrees of thermal evolution,necessitating focusing on areas with relatively high degrees of thermal evolution in the process of shale gas surveys for these shales.The shales of the Wufeng and Silurian formations constitute the most favorable shale gas reservoirs since they exhibit the highest porosity among the three types of shales.These shales are followed by those in the Niutitang and Longtan formations.In contrast,the shales of the Doushantuo,Yanchang,and Qingshankou formations manifest low porosities.Furthermore,the shales of the Wufeng and Longmaxi formations exhibit high brittle mineral contents.Despite a low siliceous mineral content,the shales of the Doushantuo Formation feature a high carbonate mineral content,which can increase the shales’brittleness to some extent.For marine-continental transitional shales,where thin interbeds of tight sandstone with unequal thicknesses are generally found,it is recommended that fracturing combined with drainage of multiple sets of lithologic strata should be employed to enhance their shale gas production.

Analysis of Reservoir Forming Conditions and Prediction of Continuous Tight Gas Reservoirs for the Deep Jurassic in the Eastern Kuqa Depression,Tarim Basin

The exploration targets in the Kuqa Depression at present are mainly structure traps in Cretaceous-Tertiary.Due to the complexity of mountain distribution and reservoir forming conditions, the exploration of Jurassic in the eastern Kuqa Depression has been in a state of semi-stagnation since the discovery of the Yinan-2 gas reservoir.According to the concept and theory of 'continuous petroleum reservoirs' and the re-analysis of the forming conditions of the Yinan-2 gas reservoir and regional natural gas in the eastern Kuqa Depression,it is believed that the deep Jurassic has good natural gas accumulation conditions as well as geological conditions for forming continuous tight gas reservoirs.The boundary of the Yinan-2 gas reservoir is not controlled by a structural spillpoint.The downdip part of the structure is dominated by gas,while the hanging wall of the fault is filled by water and forming obvious inverted gas and water.The gas reservoir has the normal temperature and ultrahigh pressure which formed in the near source or inner-source.All of these characteristics indicate that the Yinan-2 gas reservoir is different from conventional gas reservoirs.The deep Jurassic in the eastern Kuqa Depression has multisets of source-reservoir-cap assemblages,which comprise interbedded sandstones and mudstones.These assemblages are characterized by a self-generation,self-preserving and self-coverage model.Reservoir sandstones and coal measure mudstones are interbedded with each other at a large scale.As the source rocks,Triassic-Jurassic coal measure mudstones distribute continuously at a large scale and can generate and expel hydrocarbon.Source rocks contact intimately with the overlying sandstone reservoirs.During the late stage of hydrocarbon expulsion,natural gas charged continuously and directly into the neighboring reservoirs.Petroleum migrated mainly in a vertical direction over short distances.With ultra-high pressure and strong charging intensity,natural gas accumulated continuously.Reservoirs are dominated by sandstones of braided delta facies.The sand bodies distribute continuously horizontal.With low porosity and low permeability,the reservoirs are featured by strong heterogeneity.It is hypothesized that the sandstones of the interior depression tend to be relatively tight with increasing depth and structure stress weakness.Thus,it is predicted that continuous tight gas reservoirs of ultra-high pressure may exist in the deep formations of the eastern and even the whole Kuqa Depression.So,it is worth evaluating the exploration potential.

Reservoir Characteristics and Preservation Conditions of Longmaxi Shale in the Upper Yangtze Block, South China

The Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale in the Upper Yangtze block represents one of the most important shale gas plays in China. The shale composition, porosity, organic thermal maturity, and methane sorption were investigated at the Qilongcun section in the Dingshan area, southeastern Sichuan Basin. The results show that the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale contains： （1） sapropelic I organic matter; （2） a 40-m thick bedded sequence where total organic carbon （TOC） content is 〉 2%; （3） a 30-m thick layer at the base of the Longmaxi Shale with a brittle mineral content higher than 50%; and （4） a mean methane adsorption capacity of 1.80 cm3/g （7 MPa pressure）. A positive correlation between TOC and sorbed gas indicates that organic matter content exerts an important control on methane storage capacity. Based on the analysis of the shale reservoir characteristics, the lower member of the Longmaxi Shale can thus be considered a favorable stratum for shale gas exploration and exploitation. It has similar reservoir characteristics with the Longmaxi Shale in the Jiaoshiba area tested with a high-yield industrial gas flow. However, based on tectonic analysis, differences in the level of industrial gas flow between the low-yield study area and the high-yield Jiaoshiba area may result from different tectonic preservation conditions. Evidence from these studies indicates the shale gas potential of the Longmaxi Shale is constrained by the reservoir and preservation conditions.

Forming Condition and Geology Prediction Techniques of Deep Clastic Reservoirs

1 Introduction As new exploration domain for oil and gas,reservoirs with low porosity and low permeability have become a hotspot in recent years(Li Daopin,1997).With the improvement of technology,low porosity and low

Physical simulation of hydrodynamic conditions in high rank coalbed methane reservoir formation

In order to select highly productive and enriched areas of high rank coalbed methane reservoirs, based on hydrologic geology as one of the main factors controlling coalbed methane （CBM） reservoir formations, the effect of hydrodynamic forces controlling CBM reservoir formations was studied by a physical simulation experiment in which we used CBM reservoir simulation facilities. The hydrodynamic conditions of high coal rank reservoirs in the Qinshui basin were analyzed. Our experiment shows the following results： under strong hydrodynamic alternating action, 6C~ of coalbed methane reservoir changed from the start at -2.95% ~ -3.66%, and the lightening process occurred in phases; the CI-I4 volume reduced from 96.35% to 12.42%; the CO2 vo- lume decreased from 0.75% in sample 1 to 0.68% in sample 2, then rose to 1.13% in sample 3; the N2 volume changed from 2.9% in sample 1 to 86.45% in sample 3. On one hand, these changes show the complexity of CBM reservoir formation; on the other hand, they indicate that strong hydrodynamic actions have an unfavorable impact on CBM reservoir formation. It was found that the gas volume and hydrodynamic intensity were negatively correlated and low hydrodynamic flow conditions might result in highly productive and enriched areas of high rank CBM.

Prediction of Structure-H Gas Hydrate Formation Conditions for Reservoir Fluids

In this work, a thermodynamic model is developed for prediction of structure H hydrate formation. The model combines the Peng-Robinson equation of state for the vapor, liquid and aqueous phases with the extended Ng-Robinson hydrate model for gas hydrate formation of all three structures. The parameters of 14 structure- H hydrate formers are determined based on the experimental data of structure-H hydrates in the literature. The expression of fugacity of water in the empty hydrate phase is correlated for calculating structure-H hydrate formation conditions in the absence of free water. The model is tested by predicting hydrate formation conditions of a number of structure-H hydrate forming systems which are in good agreement with the experimental data. The proposed model is also applied to the prediction of hydrate formation conditions for various reservoir fluids such as natural gas and gas condensate.

Numerical simulation of groundwater under complex karst conditions and the prediction of roadway gushing in a coal mine:a case study in the Guang'an Longtan Reservoir in Sichuan Province, China

Numerical simulation of groundwater in karst areas has long been restricted by the difficulty of generalizing the hydrogeological conditions of reservoirs and of determining the relevant parameters due to the anisotropy and discontinuity of the karst water-bearing media in these areas. In this study, we used the Guang'an Longtan Coal mine in Sichuan as an example, and generalized the complex hydrogeological conditions in the reservoir area. A finite element numerical flow model was used to simulate current and future scenarios of roadway gushing at the bottom of the coal mine at pile number 1 + 700 m. The results show that the roadway section corresponding to valleys has a gushing quantity of 4323.8–4551.25 m^3/d before impoundment. Modeled water inflow after impoundment increased to 1.6 times the water inflow before impoundment, which threatens the impoundment as well as the roadway's normal operation. Therefore, roadway processing measures are needed to guarantee the safety of the impoundment and of the mining operation.

Engineering geological conditions and features of geologic hazards in Wudongde reservoir of Jinshajiang River valley

There is a great difference between the distribution and evolvement characteristics of slope geological hazard in the same geographical location and climatic conditions,taking the similar structural-genetic connection in Wudongde reservoir area of Jinshajiang River valley for example. In all engineering geological conditions,the chronologic age and attitude of strata,and the lithologic association factors control the distributions and evolvement characteristics of slope geological hazard in the studied area. The study shows that the slopes in geological evolution are in different stages. The conclusion helps to understand the types and the intensity of geological disasters.

Reservoir Conditions of Central Gas Field in Shaan-Gan-Ning Basin

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Laboratory study of fluid viscosity induced ultrasonic velocity dispersion in reservoir sandstones

Ultrasonic velocities of a set of saturated sandstone samples were measured at simulated in-situ pressures in the laboratory.The samples were obtained from the W formation of the WXS Depression and covered low to nearly high porosity and permeability ranges.The brine and four different density oils were used as pore fluids,which provided a good chance to investigate fluid viscosity-induced velocity dispersion.The analysis of experimental observations of velocity dispersion indicates that（1）the Biot model can explain most of the small discrepancy（about 2–3%）between ultrasonic measurements and zero frequency Gassmann predictions for high porosity and permeability samples saturated by all the fluids used in this experiment and is also valid for medium porosity and permeability samples saturated with low viscosity fluids（less than approximately 3 mP·S）and（2）the squirt flow mechanism dominates the low to medium porosity and permeability samples when fluid viscosity increases and produces large velocity dispersions as high as about 8%. The microfracture aspect ratios were also estimated for the reservoir sandstones and applied to calculate the characteristic frequency of the squirt flow model,above which the Gassmann’ s assumptions are violated and the measured high frequency velocities cannot be directly used for Gassmann’s fluid replacement at the exploration seismic frequency band for W formation sandstones.

Comprehensive security risk factor identification for small reservoirs with heterogeneous data based on grey relational analysis model

Identification of security risk factors for small reservoirs is the basis for implementation of early warning systems.The manner of identification of the factors for small reservoirs is of practical significance when data are incomplete.The existing grey relational models have some disadvantages in measuring the correlation between categorical data sequences.To this end,this paper introduces a new grey relational model to analyze heterogeneous data.In this study,a set of security risk factors for small reservoirs was first constructed based on theoretical analysis,and heterogeneous data of these factors were recorded as sequences.The sequences were regarded as random variables,and the information entropy and conditional entropy between sequences were measured to analyze the relational degree between risk factors.Then,a new grey relational analysis model for heterogeneous data was constructed,and a comprehensive security risk factor identification method was developed.A case study of small reservoirs in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China shows that the model constructed in this study is applicable to security risk factor identification for small reservoirs with heterogeneous and sparse data.

The battle against SARS and MERS coronaviruses: Reservoirs and Animal Models

In humans, infection with the coronavirus, especially the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV) and the emerging Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV), induces acute respiratory failure, resulting in high mortality. Irregular coronavirus related epidemics indicate that the evolutionary origins of these two pathogens need to be identified urgently and there are still questions related to suitable laboratory animal models. Thus, in this review we aim to highlight key discoveries concerning the animal origin of the virus and summarize and compare current animal models.

Non-Uniform Sediment Transport Downstream from Reservoir

The transport characters of non-uniform sediment before and after the reservoir operation are compared and analyzed. Field data from the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), Danjiangkou, and Sanmenxia reservoir indicate that the transport character of coarse particle is various in different reaches. Before the reservoir operation, the dramatic decrease of the hydraulic condition in some reaches is the main reason to cause the coarse particle deposited. After the reservoir operation, almost all grain sized sediment may be eroded, when the reach is eroded seriously. However, the transport character of the coarse particle will be consistent with what it was before, when the reach is not eroded seriously. The deposition amount will be less than its pre-dam value, and it will tend to decrease with the time going on. Erosion of fine particle results from its unsaturation. Longdistance erosion downstream from reservoir is caused by shortage of the supply from riverbed, especially the shortage of fine particle.

Bulging in incremental sheet forming of cold bonded multi-layered Cu clad sheet: Influence of forming conditions and bending

Bulge is a defect that causes geometrical inaccuracy and premature failure in the innovative incremental sheet forming (ISF) process. This study has two-fold objectives:(1) knowing the bulging behavior of a Cu clad tri-layered steel sheet as a function of forming conditions, and (2) analyzing the bending effect on bulging in an attempt to identify the associated mechanism. A series of ISF tests and bending analysis are performed to realize these objectives. From the cause-effect analysis, it is found that bulge formation in the layered sheet is sensitive to forming conditions in a way that bulging can be minimized utilizing annealed material and performing ISF with larger tool diameter and step size. The bending under tension analysis reveals that the formation of bulge is an outgrowth of bending moment that the forming tool applies on the sheet during ISF. Furthermore, the magnitude of bending moment depending upon the forming conditions varies from 0.046 to 10.24 N·m/m and causes a corresponding change in the mean bulge height from 0.07 to 0.91 mm. The bending moment governs bulging in layered sheet through a linear law. These findings lead to a conclusion that the bulge defect can be overcome by controlling the bending moment and the formula proposed can be helpful in this regards.

Effects of deep alkaline and acidic fluids on reservoir developed in fault belt of saline lacustrine basin

Through the long development processes of reservoir sedimentation and diagenesis, acidic and alkaline fluids play key roles in controlling deep reservoir development. However, the ways in which deep fluids control and transform the reservoir under complex fault conditions remain unclear. In this study, a 2D model was established based on a typical sub-salt to intra-salt vertical profile in the Qaidam Basin, China. Based on measured data, multiphase flow reaction and solute transport simulation technology were used to analyze fluids flow and migration in the intra-salt and sub-salt reservoirs, determine the mineral dissolution, precipitation, and transformation in the reservoir caused by the deep fluids, and calculate the changes in reservoir porosity. Results show that deep fluid migrates preferentially along dominant channels and triggers a series of fluid–rock chemical reactions. In the first stage, a large amount of anhydrite precipitated in the fault as a result of upward migration of deep saline fluid, resulting in the formation of anhydrite veins and blockage at the base of the fault. In the second stage, organic acids caused minerals dissolution and a vertical channel was opened in previously blocked area, which promoted continuous upward migration of organic acids and the formation of secondary pores. This study clarifies the transformative effects of deep alkaline and acidic fluids on the reservoir. Moreover, the important fluid transport role of faults and their effect on reservoir development were determined.

FEM simulation and experimental verification of roll forming and springback process under complex contact conditions

The application of advanced high strength steel （AHSS） has an important significance in the development of the lightweight of automobile, but the parts made of AHSS usually have defects, such as fracture and large amount of springback, etc. In this paper, a model of multi-pass roll form- ing and springback process of AHSS is established with finite element software ABAQUS. Then a roll forming experiment is performed, and simulation and experimental results have been compared and analyzed. The model is established under complex contact conditions, including self-contact condi- tion. The results shows that during the process of sheet bending, large Mises stresses appear at ben- ding corners. The smaller the bending radius is, the larger the Mises stress and strain are. Thick- ness of sheet metal changes exceeds a certain limit, the differently if the bending radius is different. When the bending radius change tendency of the sheet thickness turns from increase to decrease.

Homogenization temperature and its significance for primary fluid inclusion in halite formed in Chaka salt lake,Qardam basin

Halite precipitation with water and air temperature was observed in detail,and homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions in halite formed in ancient and modem Chaka Salt Lake was studied.Halite precipitates mainly in August every year and largely precipitates between 13 and 15pm at one day when water temperatures reach 20℃but can seldom reach 30℃.Homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in halite formed in Chaka Salt Lake range from 14℃to 38℃with an average of 23.7℃.The number of inclusions appears an obvious peak value at homogenization temperatures between 18～25℃,which probably represent the water temperature in which halite mainly precipitates when water temperatures reach 20℃.Therefore,homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in halite formed in Chaka Salt Lake can well reflect the water temperature.

Hydrocarbon Accumulation Condition and Exploration Direction in the Deepwater Area of Qiongdongnan Basin,Northern South China Sea

The deepwater area of southern Qiongdongnan Basin is a hydrocarbon exploration frontier and mainly located on the continental slope in the northwestern South China Sea.Its tectonic and depositional evolution is similar to the typical marginal deepwater areas abroad where oils have been discovered.Favorable hydrocarbon conditions in this area are as follows:(1) three sets of source rocks (including lacustrine mudstone of Eocene,coastal plain coal-bearing strata and semi-closed shallow sea mudstone of Oligocene,and marine mudstone

Experimental study of low-damage drilling fluid to minimize waterblocking of low-permeability gas reservoirs

This paper discusses the systematic design and development of low-damage drilling fluid to protect the low-permeability gas reservoir of the Sulige block in the Ordos Basin, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. Based on investigation of the geological characteristics and the potential formation damage of the Permian formation of the reservoir, waterblocking due to invasion of drilling or completion fluids was identified one of the most severe causes of damage to gas well deliverability. By adopting the phase trap prevention method, ideal packing theory, and film-forming technology, a lowdamage drilling fluid, sodium formate brine containing efficient waterblocking preventing surfactants, optimized temporary bridging agents （TBAs）, and film-forming agents has been developed. The performance of the new drilling fluid was evaluated by using a variety of techniques. The results show that the fluid has good rheological properties, good strong shale-swelling inhibition, good temporary plugging effect, ultra-low filtration, and good lubricity. It can efficiently minimize waterblocking and can be used to drill horizontal wells with minimal intervention of the reservoir in the Sulige Gas Field.