Sedimentology and Paleoenvironmental Characteristics of Fine-grained Sediments in Coal-bearing Strata in the Eastern Ordos Basin:A Case Study of the Exploratory Well in the Zizhou Area

The continuously collected cores from the Permo-Carboniferous coal-bearing strata of the eastern Ordos Basin are essential for studying the hydrocarbon potential in this region.This study adopted sedimentological and geochemical methods to analyze the sedimentary environment,material composition,and geochemical characteristics of the coal-bearing strata.The differences in depositional and paleoclimatic conditions were compared;and the factors influencing the organic matter content of fine-grained sediments were explored.The depositional environment of the Benxi and Jinci formations was lagoon to tidal flat with weakly reduced waters with low salinity and dry-hot paleoclimatic conditions;while that of the Taiyuan Formation was a carbonate platform and shallow water delta front,where the water was highly reductive.The xerothermic climate alternated with the warm and humid climate.The period of maximum transgression in the Permo-Carboniferous has the highest water salinity.The Shanxi Formation was deposited in a shallow water delta front with a brackish and fresh water environment and alternative weak reductiveness.And the paleoclimate condition is dry-hot.The TOC content in fine-grained samples was averaging 1.52%.The main controlling mechanism of organic matter in this area was the input conditions according to the analysis on input and preservation of organic matter.

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.

An integrated approach to study of strata behaviour and gas flow dynamics and its application

This paper presents an advanced and integrated research approach to longwall mining-induced strata move- ment, stress changes, fractures, and gas flow dynamics with actual examples of its application from recent studies for coextraction of coal and methane development at Huainan Mining Group in China, in a deep and multi-seam mining environment. The advanced approach takes advantage of the latest techniques in Australia for mine scale geotechnical characterisation, field measurement, monitoring and numerical modelling. Key techniques described in this paper include coal mine site 3D geotechnical characterisation methods, surface deep downhole multi-point extensometers and piezometers for overburden displacement and pore pressure measurements during mining, tracer gas tests for goal gas flow patterns, and advanced numerical modelling codes for coupled coal mine strata, water and gas simulations, and longwall goaf gas ttow investigations. This integrated approach has resulted in significant insights into the complex dynamic imeraction between strata, groundwater, and gas during mining at Huainan Mining Group in recent years. Based on the lindings from the extensive field monitoring and numerical modelling studies, a three-dimensional annular-shaped over-lying zone along the perimeter of the longwall panel was identified for optimal methane drainage during mining.

Oil-gas reservoir in the Mesozoic strata in the Chaoshan depression,northern South China Sea:a new insight from long off set seismic data

The Chaoshan depression,a Mesozoic basin in the Dongsha sea area,northern South China Sea,is characterized by well-preserved Mesozoic strata,being good conditions for oil-gas preservation,promising good prospects for oil-gas exploration.However,breakthrough in oil-gas exploration in the Mesozoic strata has not been achieved due to less seismic surveys.New long-off set seismic data were processed that acquired with dense grid with single source and single cable.In addition,the data were processed with 3D imaging method and fi ner processing was performed to highlight the target strata.Combining the new imaging result and other geological information,we conducted integrated interpretation and proposed an exploratory well A-1-1 for potential hydrocarbon.The result provides a reliable basis for achieving breakthroughs in oil and gas exploration in the Mesozoic strata in the northern South China Sea.

Characteristics of mining gas channel expansion in the remote overlying strata and its control of gas flow

The technology of pressure relief gas drainage is one of the most effective and economic for preventing gas emissions in underground mines.Based on current understanding of strata breakage and fracture development in overlying strata,the current study divides the overlying strata into the following three longitudinal zones in terms of the state of gas flow:a turbulent channel zone,a transitional circulation channel zone and a seepage channel zone.According to the key strata discrimination theory of controlling the overlying strata,the calculation method establishes that the step-type expansion of the mining gas channel corresponds to the advancing distance of working face,and this research also confrms the expanding rule that the mining gas channel in overlying strata follows the advancing distance of mining working face.Based on the geological conditions of Xinjing Coal Mine of Yangquan,this paper researches the expanding rule of mining gas channel as well as the control action of the channel acting on the pressure relief flow under the condition of the remote protective layer,and got the distance using inversion that the step-type expanding of mining gas channel is corresponding to the advancing distance of working face,which verifes the accuracy and feasibility of theoretical calculation method proposed in this study.The research provides the theoretical basis for choosing the technology of pressure relief gas drainage and designing the parameters of construction.

Numerical calculation for gas and strata movement law caused by protection layer mining

According to the problem during mining coal seam with high gas and its control, the theory numerical calculation of gas and strata movement law caused by protection layer mining was studied, with the background of Snake Mountain coal mine. First of all, the basic principle of fluid(gas)-solid coupling was briefly described, and a three dimensional model was established by FLAC software. Secondly, the calculation parameters of fluid-solid coupling were obtained based on the measured data, and the numerical calculation of sublevel mining was carried out in turn. Lastly, initial stress state, gas movement law, deformation law of pore pressure and movement characteristics of rock strata were studied, respectively. The results show that the gas and pressure were greatly reduced with the advance of 4 coal seam working surface, as well as the constant increase of area of goaf. Facilitating gas and the stress were gradually penetrated and released to goaf during the whole process of mining. The gas pressure, the aggregation degree and the surrounding rock pressure of the 1 coal seam and the 3 coal seam were greatly reduced.

Numerical simulation on the movement law of overlying strata in the stope with a fault and analysis of its influence on the ground gas drainage boreholes

In order to study the influence of a fault on the movement law of the overlying strata as well as its effect on the gas drainage boreholes, based on the practical situation of 1242（1） panel at Xieqiao Mine in Huainan, the Finite Element Method （FEM） model was built up, and the distribution of the stress field and the displacement field of the overlying strata in the stope with a fault were simulated by using the FEM software ANSYS. The results indicate that because of the existence of the fault, the horizontal displacement of overlying strata near the gas drainage borehole becomes larger than that in the stope without a fault, and the distribution of the stress field of the overlying strata changes greatly. When the working face is far away from the fault, the distribution of the stress field is approximately symmetrical. As the working face advances to the place 50 m away from the fault, the stress range at the right side goaf area is as twice as that at the left side. Here, the stress distribution area of goaf area and the fault plane run through, the fracture-connected-zone is formed. It can be presumed that the gas adsorbed in the coal and rock will flow into the fault zone along the fracture-connected-zone, which causes the quantity of gas drainage reduce remarkably.

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.

Insights into lithium adsorption by coal-bearing strata kaolinite

The sharp increase in the demand for lithium(Li)for high-energy-storage battery materials due to its high specific energy and low negative chemical potential render Li a geopolitically significant resource.It is urgent to develop a low-cost,efficient method to improve lithium extraction.Herein,Li ion(Li+)adsorption in coal-bearing strata kaolinite(CSK)was studied.The effects of pre-activation acid leaching(meta-kaolinite/H2SO4,MK-HS)and dimethyl sulfoxide intercalation(coal-bearing strata kaolinite/dimethyl sulfoxide,CSK-DMSO)on the Li+adsorption capacity were studied under the same adsorption conditions.The results indicated that the adsorption was completed in 60 min under alkaline conditions(pH=8.5),a high solution concentration(400 mg/L),and a low dosage(1 g/100 mL);and the comprehensive adsorption capacity is MK-HS>CSK-DMSO>CSK.Furthermore,the DMSO intercalation caused the interlayer spacing of the CSK to increase,which provided more space for Li+to enter and increase the adsorption capacity.After thermal pre-activation and acid leaching,structural failure and lattice collapse resulted in the presence of more micropores in the MK-HS,which resulted in a 10-fold increase in its specific surface area and caused coordination bond changes(Al(VI)to Al(IV))and leaching of aluminum(Al)from the lattice.It is proposed that these structural changes greatly improve the activity of CSK so that Li+cannot only adsorb onto the surface and between the layers but can also enter the lattice defects,which results in the MK-HS having the best adsorption performance.Combined with the adsorption kinetics analysis,the adsorption methods of CSK and two modified materials include physical adsorption and chemical adsorption.In this study,the adsorption capacity of CSK and its modified products to Li were explored,providing a new option for the reuse of CSK and the extraction of Li.

Gas-in-place and its influence factors of the upper Paleozoic coal-bearing shale in the Qinshui Basin, China

Coal-bearing shale shows great potential for unconventional gas resources in China, while its exploration and development have been challenging for a long time. Gas-in-place (GIP) is critical to shale gas evaluation, but the major factors controlling the GIP content of coal-bearing shale remain unclear. To address this issue, the coal-bearing shales of the upper Carboniferous-lower Permian Taiyuan and Shanxi formations in the Zuoquan Block, Qinshui Basin, China, were collected for GIP measurements and an integrated investigation, including organic geochemistry, inorganic mineral compositions, and pore characterizations, was carried out. Our results show that the GIP content of the studied shales displays relatively low values and wide variations, which range from 0.30 to 2.28 m^(3)/t. The GIP is dominated by desorbed gas and residual gas. Total organic carbon (TOC) contents of the studied shales vary from 0.92% to 16.91%, and inorganic minerals are dominated by clays that mainly consist of illite/smectite mixed layer (I/S) and kaolinite. Inorganic pores have been widely observed in the studied shales, while the organic matter-hosted pores are rarely found using SEM observations. Total porosity of the studied shales is primarily contributed by clay minerals, followed by organic matter and quartz. Weak positive relationships between the GIP content and pore structure parameters imply that the adsorption of methane to nanopores is relatively weak, which may be attributed to the hydrophilicity of clay-hosted pores. Moreover, hydrophobic organic pores are not well developed. Positive correlations between the GIP contents and contents of TOC, clays, and the I/S indicate that major factors influencing the GIP contents of the coal-bearing shales are clays (especially I/S) and TOC content. In summary, these findings would be very helpful to reveal the enrichment mechanism of coal-bearing shale gas and provide a scientific basis for the exploration and development of coal-bearing shale gas.

Piston mechanism of interaction of non-linear geomechanical and physicochemical gas exchange and mass transfer processes in coal-bearing rocks

The article focuses on a theoretical and experimental framework for the quantification of interaction between nonlinear geomechnical and physicochemical processes in high-stress coal-bearing rock mass during mining under high seismic risk due to large-scale blasting and earthquakes,as well as because of structural and temperature effects.The tests were aimed to examine and study comprehensively the piston mechanism of gas exchange and mass transfer processes,revealed recently at the Institute of Mining,SB RAS,as well as to explain the fact that the earthquake-induced low-velocity(quasi-meter range)pendulum waves(velocity to 1 m/s and frequency of 0.5–5 Hz)could stimulate an increase in the gas content in coal mines.In order to perform laboratory investigation at the Institute of Mining SB RAS,special-purpose stand for analyzing gas exchange and mass transfer processes in coal-bearing geomaterials under various thermodynamic conditions(P,V,T)and gas composition was constructed in cooperation with the Institute of Semiconductors Physics SB RAS.Matching of air flow rate with compression pressures allowed to obtain relations showing that air flow rate increases at the uncertain time interval under the increasing of the compression pressure.The same measurements was carried out with another gases such as Hydrogen H_(2),Helium He,methane CH_(4),carbon dioxide CO_(2) and carbon oxide CO.The laboratory tests aimed to detailed investigation of the previously revealed“piston mechanism”of gas exchange and mass transfer processes in the coal specimens and their quantitative description in terms of theory of the pendulum waves were carried in the first time.Consequently,there are some arguments for the testing of the opportunity of quantitative description of the“piston mechanism”related to gas exchange and mass transfer processes in the scale of coal mines.It is relevant when pendulum waves induced by powerful earthquakes and technical blasting reaches the mine.

Characteristics of Gas Emission at Super-Length Fully-Mechanized Top Coal Caving Face

Characteristics of gas emission at the K8206 working face in the Third mine of the Yangquan Coal Group were investigated. The effects of strata movement,advancing velocity of working face,production capacity of working face and gas extraction capability of strike high-level entry on gas emission at K8206 working face were analyzed. A regression equation,reflecting the relationship between relative gas emission rate and the production capacity of work-ing faces,was established. Another regression equation showing the relationship between the gas emission rate from adjacent layers when the working face was advancing for one metre and advancing velocity was derived. It can be con-cluded that,1) the amount of gas emitted at the K8206 working face is far greater than that of ordinary top coal caving faces with a dip length of 180-190 m; 2) the dynamic process of gas emission from adjacent layers during the initial mining stage is controlled by the movement of key strata; 3) the amount of gas emitted that needs to be forced out by air is greatly affected by the capability of gas extraction; 4) when the advancing velocity is between 3.5-5.5 m/d or when the output is up to 8-12 kt/d,the gas emission from adjacent layers is almost constant.

Three Episodes of Hydrocarbon Generation and Accumulation of Marine Carbonate Strata in Eastern Sichuan Basin,China

It is concluded that there are three hydrocarbon generation and accumulation processes in northeastern Sichuan on the basis of the characteristics of solid bitumen, gas-light oils-heavy oils, homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions and diagenesis for beach- and reef-facies dolomite gas- bearing reservoirs in the Puguang Gas Field, northeastern Sichuan Basin, southern China. The first hydrocarbon generation and accumulation episode occurred in the Indosinian movement （late Middle Triassic）. The sapropelic source rocks of the O3w （Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation）-S1l （Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation） were buried at depths of 2500 m to 3000 m with the paleogeothermal temperature ranging from 70℃ to 95℃, which yielded heavy oil with lower maturity. At the same time, intercrystalline pores, framework pores and corrosion caused by organic acid were formed within the organic reef facies of P2ch （Upper Permian Changxing Formation）. And the first stage of hydrocarbon reservoir occurred, the level of surface porosity of residual solid bitumen {solid bitumen/ （solid bitumen ＋ residual porosity）} was higher than 60%. The second episode occurred during the Middle Yanshanian movement （late Middle Jurassic）. During that period, the mixed organic source rocks were deposited in an intra-platform sag during the Permian and sapropelic source rocks of O3w-S1l experienced a peak stage of crude oil or light oil and gas generation because they were buried at depths of 3500 m to 6800 m with paleogeothermal temperatures of 96-168℃. At that time, the level of surface porosity of residual solid bitumen of the T1f shoal facies reservoirs was between 25% and 35%, and the homogenization temperatures of the first and second stages of fluid inclusions varied from 100℃ to 150℃. The third episode occurred during the Late Yanshanian （Late Cretaceous） to the Himalayan movement. The hydrocarbon reservoirs formed during the T1f and P2ch had the deepest burial of 7700 m to 8700 m and paleogeotemperatures of 177℃ to 220℃. They could be cracked into dry gas （methane）, and the same with the source rocks of the Permian and O3w-S1l because they all reached the pyrolysis stage under such conditions. Consequently, the present natural gas （methane） reservoirs were developed.

Cyclic Characteristics of the Physical Properties of Key Strata in CBM Systems Controlled by Sequence Stratigraphy—An Example from the Gujiao Block

Multiple coal seams and interbedded rock assemblages formed in vertical progression due to the influence of multiple stages of sea level transgressions.Based on mercury injection experiment,low temperature liquid nitrogen experiment,porosity and permeability experiment and breakthrough pressure experiment,the vertical variation characteristics of coal-bearing strata in Gujiao block are explained in detail.The results of the mercury injection and low temperature liquid nitrogen experiments show that the pore structure characteristics fluctuate with increasing depth in the strata,with fewer micropores followed by transition pores.The BET specific surface area and average pore diameter of the Shanxi Formation are generally larger than those of the Taiyuan Formation.Due to the continuous cyclic sequence stratigraphy changes,the porosity,permeability,breakthrough pressure and breakthrough time of the samples show a certain cyclicity.Within the same sequence,the porosity is larger,and the permeability is smaller near the maximum flooding surface.Although the permeability of the sandstone samples is higher,the porosity is lower,and the breakthrough pressure and breakthrough times are greater.The strata in the study area formed in an oxidized environment that was affected by freshwater,and the pore structure of different lithologies is quite different.After the formation of sandstone,the intergranular pores generally underwent filling with secondary quartz,clay minerals and organic matter,resulting in low porosity and permeability.

Controlling Effects of Surrounding Rock to Coal Seam Gas Occurrence

Surrounding rock of coal seam was one of the important factors to gas occurrence. The coal seam gas occurrence was studied by the index of roof strata thickness or sand content rate;we found that there were certain shortcomings. In order to reasonably evaluate the influence of coal seam surrounding rock on gas occurrence in Panji mining area, we quantitatively evaluated the effect of coal seam surrounding rock on gas occurrence by influence coefficient of roof strata thickness, and built six mathematical models of the variational gas content in the mining area which is divided into six gas geological units. The results shows that the coal seam gas content is mainly influenced by 20 mroof strata in each gas geological unit, the gas content presents the tendency of increase, and with the influence coefficient of strata thickness increases, they exist a significant linear relationship.

Natural Gas Resource in Jurassic,Y Faulted Subbasin of Songliao Basin

Y faulted depression is located in the southeast of Songliao basin, which is another important area explored for natural gas in deep Formation after Xujiaweizi. But it is lowly explored and is not likely to make a major breakthrough in nature gas exploration for shallow and medium layers. The data on the geochemistry and geology indicate that the deep source rocks, especially the Jurassic mudstone has great potentials of natural gas generation. Based on this, the paper examines the conditions of natural gas generation and further points out the favorable prospective gas - bearing area. The results show that the amount of natural gas generated from the Jurassic mudstone in the Y faulted depression is 8. 42x1012m3 and the favorable gas - generating area is the body of the faulted depression.

DEPOSITS OF TIDAL SAND RIDGES IN THE COAL-BEARING STRATA OF MAYI DISTRICT, PANXIAN COUNTY, GUIZHOU PROVINCE

Tidal sand ridges are large-scale linear bottom configurations in a good many tidal seas. The modern tidal sand ridges in Jianggang area, the northern part of Jiangsu Province, China, have attracted the attention of geological circles because of the radial form and large scale. Berg, Brenner and Davies have reported that linear sand bodies of this kind were recognized within the Mesozoic strata of western America, but we have not seen any reports about the discovery of this kind of sediment from the ancient lithofacies analyses of China, especially in coal-bearing strata. Based on the study of sedimentary facies, this note describes the deposits of tidal sand ridges in the coal-bearing strata of China.

A NEW TYPE OF DISTRIBUTARY CHANNEL DEPOSITS IN COAL-BEARING STRATA OF NAYONG AREA, GUIZHOU PROVINCE

Considerable progresses in the sedimentologic studies of the anastomosing river models have been made in recent years. There are now many modern and ancient examples such as those described by Smith, Rust et al. Flores et al. But all examples are found in the alluvial plains and the intermontane basins. None is known reporting about the upper delta plain environment. However, this type of distributary channels

Experimental investigation into stress-relief characteristics with upward large height and upward mining under hard thick roof

According to geological conditions of No. 3 and No. 4 coal seams （namely A3 and B4） of the Pan＇er coal mine and the parameters of panels 11223, 11224, and 11124 with fully-mechanical coal mining, we built 2D similar material simulation and FLAC3D numerical simulation models to investigate the development of mining-induced stress and the extraction effect of pressure-relief gas with large height and upward mining. Based on a comprehensive analysis of experimental data and observations, we obtained the deformation and breakage characteristics of strata overlying the coal seam, the development patterns of the mining-induced stress and fracture, and the size of the stress-relief area. The stress-relief effect was investigated and analyzed in consideration with mining height and three thick hard strata. Because of the group of three hard thick strata located in the main roof and the residual stress of mined panel 11124, the deformation, breakage, mining-induced stress and fracture development, and the stress-relief coefficient were discontinuous and asymmetrical. The breakage angle of the overlying strata, and the compressive and expansive zones of coal deformation were mainly controlled by the number, thickness, and strength of the hard stratum. Compared with the value of breakage angle derived by the traditional empirical method, the experimental value was lower than the traditional results by 3°-4°below the hard thick strata group, and by 13°-19° above the hard thick strata group. The amount of gas extracted from floor drainage roadway of B4 over 17 months was variable and the amount of gas per month differed considerably, being much smaller when panel 11223 influenced the area of the three hard thick strata. Generally, the stress-relief zone of No. 4 coal seam was small under the influence of the hard thick strata located in the main roof, which played an important role in delaying the breakage time and increasing the breakage space. In this study we gained understanding of the stress-relief mechanism influenced by the hard thick roof. The research results and engineering practice show that the main roof of the multiple hard thick strata is a critical factor in the design of panel layout and roadways for integrated coal exploitation and gas extraction, provides a theoretical basis for safe and high-efficient mining of coal resources.

Mechanics and fracturing techniques of deep shale from the Sichuan Basin, SW China

Deep shale gas exploration and production in Fuling(Sichuan Basin,SW China)are confronted with hydraulic fracturing challenges owing to high stress,high fracture pressure,low pump rate and proppant concentration,as well as high closing pressure in deep strata.This study focused on the mechanical properties of shale core samples from Fuling through high-temperature triaxial rock mechanical tests and in-situ stress tests based on the Kessel effect of acoustic emission.Their mechanical property var-iations with depth were delineated using brittleness index calculated via simulating different depths and different confining pressures for the samples.The results showed that several parameters of deep shale reservoirs,i.e.brittleness index,fracture density,performance of self-propping,and flow conductivity,are lower than that of shale reservoirs with moderate burial depth.Thus,the current operating pressure in deep shale reservoir stimulation should be taken full advantage of,rather than channeling the focus on the propagation of fracture length.The objective is to increase the complexity of the near-hole fracture network for enhancing self-propping and flow conductivity of the fractures.This can be achieved by reducing the number of perforation clusters and cluster spacing,adopting variable-rate fracturing,decreasing proppant size,increasing sand volume,and optimizing the fracturing parameters.A field application showed that,compared with the neighboring wells,the test well had larger drainage area,doubling the gas yield.