Oil-source rock correlation and quantitative assessment of Ordovician mixed oils in the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin

The origin of the marine oils in the Tarim Basin has long been a disputed topic. A total of 58 DST （drill stem test） crude oil and 8 rock samples were investigated using a comprehensive geochemical method to characterize and identify the origin of the Ordovician oils in the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin, northwest China. Detailed oil–oil and oil–source rock correlations show that the majority of the oils have typical biomarker characteristics of the Middle-Upper Ordovician （O2＋3） source rock and the related crude oil. These characteristics include a distinct ＂V-shaped＂ relative abundance of C27, C28 and C29 regular steranes, low abundance of dinosterane, 24-norcholestanes, triaromatic dinosteroids and gammacerane. Only a few oils display typical biomarker characteristics indicating the Cambrian–Lower Ordovician （∈-O1） genetic affinity, such as linear or anti ＂L＂ shape distribution of C27, C28 and C29 regular sterane, with relatively high concentrations of dinosterane, 24-norcholestanes, triaromatic dinosteroids and gammacerane. It appears that most of the Ordovician oils in the Tazhong Uplift were derived from the O2＋3 intervals, as suggested by previous studies. However, the compound specific n-alkane stable carbon isotope data indicate that the Ordovician oils are mixtures from both the ∈-O1 and O2＋3 source rocks rather than from the O2＋3 strata alone. It was calculated that the proportion of the∈-O1 genetic affinity oils mixed is about 10.8%-74.1%, with an increasing trend with increasing burial depth. This new oil-mixing model is critical for understanding hydrocarbon generation and accumulation mechanisms in the region, and may have important implications for further hydrocarbon exploration in the Tarim Basin.

Geochemical studies of the Silurian oil reservoir in the Well Shun-9 prospect area, Tarim Basin, NW China

Commercial oil flow has been obtained from the sandstone reservoir of the Lower Silurian Kelpintag Formation in the Well Shun-9 prospect area.In the present studies,10 Silurian oil and oil sand samples from six wells in the area were analyzed for their molecular and carbon isotopic compositions,oil alteration（biodegradation）,oil source rock correlation and oil reservoir filling direction.All the Silurian oils and oil sands are characterized by low Pr/Ph and C21/C23 tricyclic terpane（〈1.0） ratios,＂V＂-pattern C27-C29 steranes distribution,low C28-sterane and triaromatic dinosterane abundances and light δ13C values,which can be correlated well with the carbonate source rock of the O3 l Lianglitage Formation.Different oil biodegradation levels have also been confirmed for the different oils/oil sands intervals.With the S1k2 seal,oils and oil sands from the S1k1 interval of the Kelpintag Formation have only suffered light biodegradation as confirmed by the presence of ＂UCM＂ and absence of 25-norhopanes,whereas the S1k3-1 oil sands were heavily biodegraded（proved by the presence of 25-norhopanes） due to the lack of the S1k2 seal,which suggests a significant role of the S1k2 seal in the protection of the Silurian oil reservoir.Based on the Ts/（Ts＋Tm） and 4-/1-MDBT ratios as reservoir filling tracers,a general oil filling direction from NW to SE has been also estimated for the Silurian oil reservoir in the Well Shun-9 prospect area.

Origin and genetic family of Huhehu oil in the Hailar Basin, northeast China

The Huhehu Sag is one of the most important oil and gas depressions in the Hailar Basin. However, the origin of Huhehu oil is still controversial. Previous studies on source rocks have mainly focused on the Nantun Formation(K1 n); a few studies have investigated the Damoguaihe Formation(K1 d). Based on the Rock–Eval pyrolysis parameters, 172 drill cutting samples from the Huhehu Sag were analyzed to evaluate their geochemical characteristics. Based on the Rock–Eval data, the mudstones from the first member of the Damoguaihe Formation(K1 d1) and the second member of the Nantun Formation(K1 n2) have moderate to high hydrocarbon generation potential, while mudstones from the first member of the Nantun Formation(K1 n1) have poor to good hydrocarbon generation potential.Additionally, both the K1 n1 and K1 n2 coal members have poor to fair hydrocarbon generation potential, but the K1 n2 coal member has a better generative potential. Fifteen Huhehu oils were collected for molecular geochemical analyses to classify the oils into genetic families and to identify the source rock for each oil using chemometric methods. The Huhehu oils were classified into three groups with different maturity levels using hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Group A oils(high maturity) are characterized by relatively moderate ratios of Pr/Ph, Pr/n-C17, and Ph/n-C18, as well as an abundance of C29 steranes, mainly derived from the K1 n2 and K1 n1 mudstone members. In comparison, group B oils(moderate maturity) have relatively low Pr/Ph ratios,moderate Pr/n-C17 and Ph/n-C18 ratios, and low concentrations of C29 steranes. Group C oils(low maturity) show relatively high ratios of Pr/Ph, Pr/n-C17, and Ph/n-C18, as well as high concentrations of C29 steranes. Furthermore,group B oils derived from the K1 d1 mudstone member and group C oils derived from the K1 n2 coal member were also identified by principal component analysis score plots.Correlation studies suggest a major contribution from the K1 n mudstone Formation and the K1 d1 mudstone member to the oils of the Huhehu Sag. So, the Nantun Formation and relatively shallow strata of the Damoguaihe Formation(e.g., the K1 d1 member) represent important targets for future oil-reservoir exploration in the Huhehu Sag.

Catalytic decarboxylations of fatty acids in immature oil source rocks

Catalytic decarboxylations of fatty acids in immature oil source rock samples were examined in this study. The rock samples were obtained from seven oil fields in China. In order to clarify the effect of each mineral matter in the rock samples, both the Fe M?ssbauer effect and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to determine the relative content of each mineral in the rock samples, and the catalytic activities of several minerals like clays, carbonates and pyrite were determined. The Fe M?ssbauer effect and the XRD studies show that clays are the main mineral components in the rock samples except for the samples from Biyang and Jianghan in which the main mineral component is ankerite. The other mineral components include calcite, plagioclase, quartz, feldspar, siderite, aragonite, pyrite, analcime, pyroxene and anhydrite. The studies of the catalytic decarboxylations of fatty acids suggest that carbonates and pyrite can make much greater contributions to the catalytic activities of the rock samples than clays. It is found that the overall catalytic activities of the rock samples are well related to the relative contents and the catalytic activities of clays, carbonates and pyrite in the rock samples.

“Exploring petroleum inside source kitchen”: Shale oil and gas in Sichuan Basin

The Sichuan Basin is rich in shale oil and gas resources,with favorable geological conditions that the other shale reservoirs in China cannot match.Thus,the basin is an ideal option for fully"exploring petroleum inside source kitchen"with respect to onshore shale oil and gas in China.This paper analyzes the characteristics of shale oil and gas resources in the United States and China,and points out that maturity plays an important role in controlling shale oil and gas composition.US shale oil and gas exhibit high proportions of light hydrocarbon and wet gas,whereas Chinese marine and transitional shale gas is mainly dry gas and continental shale oil is generally heavy.A comprehensive geological study of shale oil and gas in the Sichuan Basin reveals findings with respect to the following three aspects.First,there are multiple sets of organic-rich shale reservoirs of three types in the basin,such as the Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation and Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Silurian Longmaxi Formation marine shale,Permian Longtan Formation transitional shale,Triassic Xujiahe Formation lake-swamp shale,and Jurassic lacustrine shale.Marine shale gas enrichment is mainly controlled by four elements:Deep-water shelf facies,moderate thermal evolution,calcium-rich and silicon-rich rock association,and closed roof/floor.Second,the"sweet section"is generally characterized by high total organic carbon,high gas content,large porosity,high brittle minerals content,high formation pressure,and the presence of lamellation/bedding and natural microfractures.Moreover,the"sweet area"is generally characterized by very thick organic-rich shale,moderate thermal evolution,good preservation conditions,and shallow burial depth,which are exemplified by the shale oil and gas in the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation,Longtan Formation,and Daanzhai Member of the Ziliujing Formation.Third,the marine,transitional,and continental shale oil and gas resources in the Sichuan Basin account for 50%,25%,and 30%of the respective types of shale oil and gas geological resources in China,with great potential to become the cradle of the shale oil and gas industrial revolution in China.Following the"Conventional Daqing-Oil"(i.e.,the Daqing oilfield in the Songliao Basin)and the"Western Daqing-Oil&Gas"(i.e.,the Changqing oilfield in the Ordos Basin),the Southwest oil and gas field in the Sichuan Basin is expected to be built into a"Sichuan-Chongqing Daqing-Gas"in China.

Characteristics,Types,and Prospects of Geological Sweet Sections in Giant Continental Shale Oil Provinces in China

“Sweet sections”in giant shale oil provinces are preferential fields that primarily support China to increase the reserves and production of continental shale oil.Based on the study of the geological conditions of shale oil in the continental basins in China,it was found that the shale stratum in major oil generation windows generally has higher degrees of oil and gas accumulation,and mostly contains oil.Hydrocarbon generation and reservoir capacities are the two key parameters for evaluating and optimizing favorable shale oil provinces.The evaluation index(volume of shale stratum multiplied by total organic carbon(TOC)multiplied by total porosity)for the giant continental shale oil provinces is also proposed.It is optimized that the Upper Triassic Chang 7 Member in the southcentral Ordos Basin,Lower Cretaceous Qing 1 Member in the Gulong-Changling Sag in the Songliao Basin,Middle-Lower Permian in the Junggar Basin,Da’anzhai Member of the Ziliujing Formation of Lower Jurassic in the central and northern Sichuan Basin,and Paleogene oil-rich sag in the Bohai Bay Basin are the five giant continental shale oil provinces.The word“geological sweet sections”in continental shale oil provinces of China refers to favorable shale intervals which are relatively rich in oil,with superior physical properties,and more easily modified and developed commercially under applicable economic and technological conditions.After evaluation,there are mainly two types of“geological sweet sections”of giant continental shale oil developed onshore in China.One type of“geological sweet sections”is generally mudstone with optimal physical properties or a thin tight reservoir,to which the shale oil migrates a short distance.They are medium-to-high-mature zones with a thin sandy shale stratum in the Chang 7 Member in the Ordos Basin,mixed shale stratum in the mediummature Lucaogou Formation in the Jimsar Sag,and multi-layered mixed Paleogene shale stratum in the Bohai Bay Basin.The other type of“geological sweet sections”is generally shale oil residing in various shale reservoir spaces.This type was developed in the Qing 1 Member in the Gulong Sag and Da’anzhai Member in the north-central Sichuan Basin.Free shale oil mainly occurs in shale,sandycarbonate lamina,micro-lamella structure,and micro-fractures.Layers with lamina,lamination,and micro-fractures are generally shale oil“geological sweet sections.”Starting from field tests and the construction of the“geological sweet sections”in giant continental shale oil provinces,the shale oil industry has been rapidly developing and will become an important supplement to domestic oil production in China.

Theory, Technology and Practice of Unconventional Petroleum Geology

0 INTRODUCTION The breakthroughs in unconventional petroleum have a great impact on world petroleum industry and innovation in petroleum geology(Dou et al,2022;Jia,2017;Zou et al.,2015b,2014a;Yerkin,2012;Pollastro,2007;Schmoker,1995).The exploration and development evolution from conventional petroleum to unconventional petroleum and more and more frequent industrial activities of exploring petroleum inside sources kitchen have deepened theoretical understanding of unconventional petroleum geology and promoted technical research and development(Jia et al.,2021,2017;Jin et al.,2021;Zhao W Z et al.,2020;Ma Y S et al.,2018,2012;Zou et al.,2018b,2016,2009;Dai et al.,2012).We have introduced and extended the theory of continuous hydrocarbon accumulation since 2008 and published several papers/books(in Chinese and English)with respect to unconventional petroleum geology since 2009,basically forming the theoretical framework for this discipline(Yang et al.,2022a,2021a,2019a,,2015a;Zou et al.,2019c,2017b,2014a,,2013a).In this paper,we present the background of unconventional petroleum geology,review the latest theoretical and technological progress in unconventional petroleum geology,introduce relevant thinking and practices in China,and explore the pathway of unconventional petroleum revolution and multi-energy coordinated development in super energy basins,hopefully to promote the unconventional petroleum geology and industry development.