Base-Level Cycles and Episodic Coal Accumulation——Case Study of Dongsheng Coalfield in Ordos Basin

The advantage of high-resolution sequence stratigraphy, which takes base-levels as reference, is that it can be applied to continental depositional basins controlled by multiple factors and can effectively improve the accuracy and resolution of sequential stratigraphic analysis. Moreover, the principles of base-level cycles are also suitable for analyzing sequential stratigraphy in continental coal-bearing basins because of their accuracy in forecasting distribution of coal measures. By taking the Dongsheng coalfield in the Ordos basin as an example, the extensive application of base-level cycles in exploration and exploitation of coal is analyzed. The result shows that the Yan’an formation in the Dongsheng area is a long-term base-level cycle which is bordered by nonconformities and made up of five mid-term cycles and 13 short-term cycles. The long-term cycle and the mid-term cycles are obvious in comparison with a transverse profile. The episodic coal accumulation in the Mesozoic Ordos basin means that the deposition of primary matter (peat bogs) of coalification is discontinuous, periodical and cyclical in the evolution of the basin. The episodic accumulation of coal measures in the Yan’an stage is controlled by ascending-descending changes of a long-term cycle and middle-term cycles. Coal measures formed during the early and late periods of the long-term cycle are characterized by multiple layers, big cumulative thickness and poor continuity. Coal measures formed in the mid-term of the long cycle are dominated by good continuity, fewer layers and a small additive thickness, which is favorable for the accumulation of thick and continuous coal measures in the transition stage of mid term base-level cycles.

A Systematic Analysis of Coal Accumulation Process

Formation of coal seam and coal-rich zone is an integrated result of a series of factors in coal accumulation process. The coal accumulation system is an architectural aggregation of coal accumulation factors. It can be classified into 4 levels： the global coal accumulation super-system, the coal accumulation domain mega-system, the coal accumulation basin system, and the coal seam or coal seam set sub-system. The coal accumulation process is an open, dynamic, and grey system, and is meanwhile a system with such natures as aggregation, relevance, entirety, purpose-orientated, hierarchy, and environment adaptability. In this paper, we take coal accumulation process as a system to study origin of coal seam and coal-rich zone; and we will discuss a methodology of the systematic analysis of coal accumulation process. As an example, the Ordos coal basin was investigated to elucidate the application of the method of the coal accumulation system analysis.

Sequence palaeogeography and coal accumulation of inland faulting basin： an example from late Triassic Yangtze platform of China

To unveil formation mechanism of key sequence boundaries of inland faulting basin and coal accumulation charac- teristics of coal seams in isochrohal stratigraphic framework, sequence stratigraphy, palaeogeographic recovery and other methods were used to research the sequence stratigraphy and coal accumulation in the example of Banding Basn in the west margin of Yangtze Platform, and the authors advanced a coal accumulation model of Faulting basin on the basis of accommo- dation space changes in the background of palaeogeography of sequence framework. The results show that： normal lacustrine regression and forced lacustrine regression are the main driving forces for the formation of sequence boundaries of Faulting ba- sin; basement subsidence is the main source of accommodation space of Faulting basin; and subsidence disequilibrium is the main cause for the difference in generation rate of accommodation space of Faulting basin. Coal accumulation in Faulting basin is obviously controlled by accommodation space changes in sequence framework and basin evolution. As Faulting basin evolves into depression basin, both subsidence rate of basin basement and generation rate of accommodation space decrease vertically, it appears as a progradational reverse-graded sedimentary sequence, coal accumulation in secondary sequence framework intensifies first and then weakens, and coal accumulation at the middle stage of highstand system tract is the best. During steady rifting period, minable coal seams were mostly developed in initial lacustrine flooding surface of fourth-order sequence and at the middle-late period of highstand system tract, and coal accumulation center lay in palaeogeographic unit of delta plain with moderate available accommodation space. During shrinking period, minable coal seams gradually migrated to the maximum lacustrine flooding surface and coal accumulation center lay in palaeographical unit of lacustrine with large available accommodation space.

Deposition of coal-bearing measures and coal accumulation under marine transgression 'events' in North China epicontinental sea basin

In recent years, studies show that coal formed during marine transigression process is also important in coal accumulation basin. Still, the characteristics of coal formation is more clearly demonstrated by the coal formation in TST in the sequence stratigraphic framework. Based on the study of the characteristics of coal formation in epicontinental coal accumulation basin, the viewpoint that coal was formed under marine transgression was put forward by the authors and the mechenism thereof was also analyized. Marine transgression resulted in the forming of swamp and then the peat swamp. And the transgression later on put the peat formed in advance in deep water environment to form coal in the end. The important stratigraphic horrizons, such as coal seams, marine facies layers, formed with marine transgression are of the property of isochronism.

Characteristics of Coal Accumulation of Transform-Extensional Basins in Linear Fracture Zones: A Case Study of the Meihekou Basin

This paper discusses the characteristics of coal accumulation of transfor-extensional basins in linear fracture zones on the basis of an analysis of tectonic evolution and sequence stratigraphy in the Meihekou basin. Coal accumulation of the basin occurred mainly in the accelerated rifting period of the transtentional regime and in the late period of tectonic transformation of the transpressional regime. In the former period, swamps developed in shallow lakes. The thickness of coal seams was controlled by the activity of fault block. Thick coal was formed in a downfaulted trough. In the latter period, swamps developed in a braided fan delta plain. The coal seams are thin and have poor lateral continuity. The thickness of coal seams was controlled by the migration of water channels in the braided plain.

Sequence paleogeography and coal accumulation in epicontinental basin

Based on an investigation of the Benxi-Shanxi formations in the southwestern Shandong province,we studied the forming mechanisms of key stratigraphic boundaries in an epicontinental basin and the coal-accumulating characteristics in the paleogeographic background of isochronous stratigraphic frameworks.In total,we sequenced three types of stratigraphic boundaries(i.e.,regional unconformities,the shifting surface of transgressions caused by basin basement subsidence,and fluvial erosional surfaces including exposed surfaces as well as correlative conformities,which are caused by forced regression)and proposed a model for coal-accumulation.The results show that in the high accommodation space of the barrier coast system in the lower Benxi-Taiyuan formations,the base level was higher than sedimentary boundaries,parasequences were bounded by a marine flooding surface and formed during the semi-cycle of base level falling that was influenced by high-frequency fluctuations of base level,and coal seams were thin with multistoried patterns.In this region,the coal accumulating center was located in the transitional zone of the barrier island and tidal-flat.In the low accommodation space of the fluvial delta in the upper Shanxi formation,the base level coincided with sedimentary boundaries,parasequences formed during the semi-cycle of base level rising were bounded by erosional surfaces and a marine flooding surface,and the coal accumulating center was located in the lower deltaic plain and interdistributary lacustrine environment.In this region,the surplus accommodation space was relatively high.

A New Understanding on South China Permian Coal-bearing Strata and Coal Accumulation Regularity

The Longtan Formation was originally thought to belong to the Late Permian, but this study reveals that the lower part of this formation belongs to the Middle Permian. The study proposes the corresponding chro-nostratigraphic boundary and new schemes for the correlation of geological sections. Based on these schemes a new understanding on the accumulation regularity of Permian coal measures in South China is reached.

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 .

A study of sequence stratigraphy of the Early Cretaceous coal-bearing series in the southeastern Songliao Basin, NE China

The Early Cretaceous is an important coal accumulation period in China.Abundant coal resources were formed in the southeastern margin of Songliao Basin.Sequence stratigraphy and coal accumulation of the Early Cretaceous in the southeastern margin of Songliao Basin have been studied on the basis of extensive outcrop and borehole data.Based on regional unconformity,basal erosional surfaces of incised valley fills,and abrupt depositional facies-reversal surface,six sequence boundaries have been identified,which subdivide the Early Cretaceous coal-bearing series into 5 third-order sequences.Sequence I corresponds to Huoshiling Formation,sequences II and III correspond to member I and member II of Shahezi Formation.Sequences IV and V correspond to member I and member II of Yingcheng Formation.Sequence I developed at the initial subsiding stage,sequence II and III developed during the stable subsiding stage,while sequence IV and V developed during the basin shrinkage stage.The major coal seams were developed in the sequence II and III,which ensured the relative balance between the increase rate of the accommodation space and the rate of peat accumulation for a longer period,thus forming a thick coal seam.

On the Paleogene coal-measure distribution over the China sea area

The Paleogene coal accumulation basins of China are part of the global Tertiary coal-accumulated zone of the Pacific Rim located in the eastern coastal provinces and areas. Although the coal-bearing basins of the China Sea area are faults and depressed basins, they come up in groups. The overall structures are suitable for the development of coal-bearing deposition. The continuity of basin groups are good, and the coal-bearing depositions are thick. For example, the coal-bearing deposi- tion is more than a kilometer thick at the Qiongdongnan Basin and Xihu Sag in the East China Sea, which the continental Pa- leogene coal basins cannot reach. Research shows that the coal accumulation basins in the sea area consist of many sags. There are two types of coal accumulation sags： half-graben sag and graben sag. In terms of water depth, coal accumulation sags can also be classified as deep-water half-graben sag and shallow-water half-graben sag; the graben sag is the deep-water sag. There are two distinct coal-accumulated zones in the basin： gentle slope and steep slope, with the gentle slope being the dominant one. The marshes of the supratidal zone and intertidal zone in a tidal flat system is favorable for the coal accumulation process widely taking place. There are two types of peat accumulation： autochthonous accumulation and allochthonous accumulation. Because of tectonic activities in the basins, allochthonous accumulations may be the more important form of coal-forming ac- tivities in the sea area. The very thick coal-bearing deposition in the sea area provides a rich material base for the assemblage of coal-related gas. Also, as a result of the deep burial depth, the degree of coal metamorphism is relatively high, so the coal-bearing strata become good hydrocarbon source rocks.

On the analysis of the high-resolution sequence stratigraphy and coal accumulating law of jurassic in Ordos Basin

The strata of Jurassic was divided into three tectonic sequences and eight se- quences of third rank,according to the developing feature of the tectonic inconformity and the transforming feature of the depositional system tracts.Also the identification and the division of the base-level cycle of different period were carried through.Therefore three cycles of super period,eight cycles of long period,twenty-four cycles of middle period and some cycles of short period were identified.From the overall character of the coal-accu- mulation in the Mesozoic,we can see that the Yan'an formation is of the best nature of coal bearing.When the coal bearing systems of Jurassic were depositing,the Ordos area is the coal accumulating basin of terrene of large scale and located in the same tectonic unit.But the local structure of different part and the paleolandform are different in the basin which resulted in the difference of the depositional environment.So the layer number and the distribution of the thickness of the coal beds are different in the different part of the ba- sin.The coal-accumulating action migrated regularly along with the development,evolve- ment and migration of the depositional systems.The layer numbers of the coal beds, which can be mined,are more in the north and west fringe of the basin,whose distributing area is extensive,and they are more steady in the landscape orientation,also the total thickness is great.Therefore the nature of coal bearing and the coal-accumulating action of different part changed obviously in the space in Ordos area.

An improved model of partition curve based on accumulation normal distribution function

Extensive studies based on partition curve of gravity separation have been investigated. All created models are merely used to simulate density distribution at the same size fraction. However, they cannot be used to predictive distribution of materials depending on compound feature of density and size. According to this situation, an improved model of partition curve based on accumulation normal distribution, which was distinguished from conventional model of accumulation normal distribution for partition curve, was proposed in this paper. It could simulate density distribution at different size fractions by using the density-size compound index and conflating the partition curves at different size fractions as one partition curve. The feasibility of three compound indexes, including mass index, settlement index and transformation index, were investigated. Specific forms of the improved model were also proposed. It is found that transformation index leads to the best fitting results, while the fitting error is only 1.75 according to the fitting partition curve.

Critical tectonic events and their geological controls on deep buried coalbed methane accumulation in Daning-Jixian Block, eastern Ordos Basin

Commercial exploration and development of deep buried coalbed methane (CBM) in Daning-Jixian Block, eastern margin of Ordos Basin, have rapidly increased in recent decades. Gas content, saturation and well productivity show significant heterogeneity in this area. To better understand the geological controlling mechanism on gas distribution heterogeneity, the burial history, hydrocarbon generation history and tectonic evolution history were studied by numerical simulation and experimental simulation, which could provide guidance for further development of CBM in this area. The burial history of coal reservoir can be classified into six stages, i.e., shallowly buried stage, deeply burial stage, uplifting stage, short-term tectonic subsidence stage, large-scale uplifting stage, sustaining uplifting and structural inversion stage. The organic matter in coal reservoir experienced twice hydrocarbon generation. Primary and secondary hydrocarbon generation processes were formed by the Early and Middle Triassic plutonic metamorphism and Early Cretaceous regional magmatic thermal metamorphism, respectively. Five critical tectonic events of the Indosinian, Yanshanian and Himalayan orogenies affect different stages of the CBM reservoir accumulation process. The Indosinian orogeny mainly controls the primary CBM generation. The Yanshanian Orogeny dominates the second gas generation and migration processes. The Himalayan orogeny mainly affects the gas dissipation process and current CBM distribution heterogeneity.