Composition and Origin of Shallow Biogenetic Gases in the Baise Basin, South China

Based on the analytical data of over 30 gas samples, combined with geochemical and geological backgrounds, the composition and distribution characteristics of shallow biogenetic gases in the Baise Basin, a Tertiary residual basin in southern China, were extensively investigated, and the origin and formation mechanism tentatively approached. The shallow gases are primarily composed of gaseous hydrocarbons, generally accounting for over 90%. The abundances of methane and C2＋ homologues show a relatively wide range of variation, mainly 50%-100% and 0%-50%, respectively, depending on the mixing proportions between biogenetic and thermogenic gases. A highly negative carbon isotope is the significant signature for the shallow gases with δ^13C1 values of -55‰ to -75‰. According to molecular and isotopic compositions and light hydrocarbon parameters, the shallow gases in the basin can be classified into three types of origins： biogenetic gas, biogenetic/thermogenic mixed gas, and oii-biodegraded gas. They exhibit regular distribution both spatially and temporally, and are believed to be associated with the maturity of adjoining gas source rocks and biodegraded oil accumulation. The Baigang and Nadu source rocks can be considered to have experienced early and late gas generation during early burial and after basin uplift respectively. A late accumulation mechanism of multiple gas sources is put forward for the formation of the shallow gas reservoirs, which is responsible for the variations in chemical and isotopic composition of the gases in depth profile.

On Lacustrine Depositional Systems and Coal Accumulation in Baise Basin

Baise basin is a semi-graben type , pan-shaped faulted basin of Early Tertiary , in which carbonate lacustrine deposits and elastic lacustrine deposits developed . The assemblages of Gilbert-type delta-lakes ,littoral ,shallow and deep water fades are recognized . Based on grain size , the clastic lacustrine deposit systems can be grouped in three kinds of depositional sequences of progressive deposition : (1)from coarse to fine , (2)from fine to coarse and (3) from fine to coarse and then to fine agan . This was controlled mainly by hydrodynamic factor of lake bottom type .Lake shore was an important place for coal accumulation and peatmoor development . It had long time for coal accumulation and there was a very little amount of minerals into the basin ,and the thick coal layer and high quality coal developed m the zone where initial lake bottom was plan-like and the surface stream flow was weak .Peat accumulation advanced from the margin to the center of basin .Carbonate lakes contained much water ,very high preponderant contenis of coagel ,low inert contents and no fusinite in the coal .