Exploration of Subtle Trap in Jiyang Depression

This article analyses the procedure of exploration of the Tertiary subtle trap in Jiyang depression and divides the Tertiary subtle trap into 3 types (lithologic reservoir, stratigraphic reservoir and fractured reservoir) and 8 groups, then summarizes the common feature and founding discipline of the subtle trap and finds 4 accumulating modes including steep slope mode, depression mode, center anticline mode and gentle slope mode. Its main exploration methods are explicated from the viewpoint of reservoir geological modeling, description of recognizing traps and comprehensive evaluation of reservoir and so on.

Control of facies/potential on hydrocarbon accumulation:a geological model for lacustrine rift basins

The formation and distribution of hydrocarbon accumulations are jointly controlled by ＂stratigraphic facies＂ and ＂fluid potential＂, which can be abbreviated in ＂control of facies/potential on hydrocarbon accumulation＂. Facies and potential control the time-space distribution of hydrocarbon accumulation macroscopically and the petroliferous characteristics of hydrocarbon accumulation microscopically. Tectonic facies and sedimentary facies control the time-space distribution. Lithofacies and petrophysical facies control the petroliferous characteristics. Favorable facies and high porosity and permeability control hydrocarbon accumulation in the lacustrine rift basins in China. Fluid potential is represented by the work required, which comprises the work against gravity, pressure, interfacial energy and kinetic energy. Hydrocarbon migration and accumulation are controlled by the joint action of multiple driving forces, and are characterized by accumulation in the area of low potential. At the structural high, low geopotential energy caused by buoyancy control anticlinal reservoir. The formation oflithological oil pool is controlled by low interfacial energy caused by capillary force. Low compressive energy caused by overpressure and faulting activity control the formation of the faulted- block reservoir. Low geopotential energy of the basin margin caused by buoyancy control stratigraphic reservoir. The statistics of a large number of oil reservoirs show that favorable facies and low potential control hydrocarbon accumulation in the rift basin, where over 85% of the discovered hydrocarbon accumulations are distributed in the trap with favorable facies and low potentials. The case study showed that the prediction of favorable areas by application of the near source-favorable facies-low potential accumulation model correlated well with over 90% of the discovered oil pools＇ distribution of the middle section of the third member of the Shahejie Formation in the Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin.

Exploration Experience and Problem concerning Deep Basin Gas in the Ordos Basin

Deep basin gas (DBG) reservoirs, in view of the characteristics of their main parts containing gas, are a type of subtle stratigraphic lithologic traps. But they have different reservoir-forming principles, especially in the distribution of oil, gas and water. DBG is characterized by gas-water invertion, namely the water located above the gas; however, normal non-anticline subtle reservoirs have normal distribution of gas and water, namely the water located under the gas. The theory of DBG broke the conventional exploration idea that gas is usually found in the high part of reservoir and water is under the gas. So, it provided a wide field and a new idea for the exploration of natural gas. Recently Ben E. Law (2002), in his article entitled "Basin-centered Gas Systems", discussed global DBG systemically. He listed 72 basins or areas containing known or suspected DBG, covering North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South Asia, Middle East and Africa. Ordos basin, the Sichuan basin and the Jungar basin in China are presented and assumed to be of very high possibility. In China more attention has been paid to the research and exploration of DBG in the past years. The symposiums on DBG were held twice, in Guangzhou in 1998 and in Xi'an in 2000 respectively. In 2002 in particular, the publication of the book named Deep Basin Gas in China by Professor Wangtao indicated that China has entered a new stage in the research on DBG Meanwhile, it is more cheering that the exploration of DBG in the Ordos Basin has achieved remarkable success. Therefore, analyzing the exploration experiences and problems regarding the Ordos basin will promote the exploration and research of DBG in China.