B, Sr, O and H Isotopic Compositions of Formation Waters from the Bachu Bulge in the Tarim Basin

In order to elucidate the origin and migration of basinal brines in the Bachu Bulge, Tarim Basin, we have carried out analyses on chemical composition, and boron, hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of formation waters together with the XRD of clay minerals from the Paleozoic strata. The waters show Ca, B, Li and Sr enrichment and SO4 depletion in the Carboniferous and Ordovician and K enrichment in part of the Ordovician relative to seawater. The relationship between δD and δ^18O shows that all the data of the waters decline towards the Global Meteoric Water Line with the intersection of them close to the present-day local meteoric water, suggesting that modern meteoric water has mixed with evaporated seawater. The ^87Sr/^86Sr ratios range from 0.7090 to 0.7011, significantly higher than those of the contemporary seawater. The δ^11B values range from ＋19.7 to ＋32.3‰, showing a decrease with the depth and B concentrations. The results suggest that isotopically distinct B and Sr were derived from external sources. However, since the percentages of illite are shown to increase with depth among clay minerals in the study area, i.e., illite is due to precipitation rather than leaching during deeper burial, it is unlikely for illite to have contributed a significant amount of B to the waters. Thus, B with low δ^11B values is interpreted to have been added mainly from thermal degradation of kerogen or the basalts in the Cambrian and Lower Ordovician.

Corrosion and Scaling Threat in Upstream Oil Operation

Corrosiveness or scaling is an inherent threat to oil operations. The primary cause for this threat is the presence of water having complex geochemical matrix. Unanticipated water production, particularly if it contains unwanted impurities, can significantly impact hydrocarbon production. The current paper discusses the degree of threat posed to oil operation facilities based on the water characteristics. Methodology involved the collection and analysis of water samples from major sources in oil industry such as groundwater, wellheads and seawater. The parameters tested include geochemical, microbiological and pollutants. The lab data was used to develop scaling and corrosion prediction indices such as Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), Ryznar Stability Index (RSI) and Puckorius Scaling Index (PSI). The study indicated varying water chemistry for different sources. Mixing of those waters may lead to ionic saturation and scaling in different facilities. Presence of the SRB and GAB in some water sources also posed threat to water system by forming fouling and corrosion. Seawater used for offshore oilfields water injection to maintain reservoir pressure and improve oil recovery showed scaling tendency, whereas under different reservoir pressure, it can cause corrosion. Some of the samples also had corrosion residuals such as iron, which indicated active corrosion. Current study showed higher alkalinity with high sulfate for one groundwater sample with presence of active corrosion residuals such as dissolved iron and manganese. The study showed positive value for LSI which indicated supersaturation of the water samples with respect to calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and scale forming. Similarly, for RSI and PSI, the value was below six which confirmed the scaling potential for all the samples. Even though the index value was pointing towards scaling potential, the geochemistry, microbiology and presence of other impurities indicated corrosion threat to the oil and gas industrial facilities. The study concluded the importance of different scale inhibition mechanism and corrosion control in Oil and Gas industry.

Origin, Flow of Formation Water and Hydrocarbon Accumulation in the Zhenwu Area of the North Jiangsu Basin, China

In order to understand the origin and flow of formation water and to evaluate the hydrocarbon accumulation and preservation conditions, the properties of formation water chemistry and dynamics of the Zhenwu area in the southern Gaoyou Sag, North Jiangsu Basin, China, have been investigated. The results show that Xuzhuang oilfield is infiltrated discontinuously by meteoric water under gravity, which consequently leads to the desalination of formation water. Formation water in the Zhenwu and Caozhuang oilfields is less influenced by meteoric water infiltration, and the origin is interpreted to be connate water. Hydrocarbon migration, accumulation and preservation are closely related to the hydrodynamic field of formation water. Formation water concentrates gradually during the process of centrifugal flow released by mudstone compaction and the centripetal flow of meteoric water infiltration, leading to the high salinity of the central part. The geological conditions of the southern fault-terrace belt are poor for hydrocarbon accumulation and preservation as meteoric water infiltration, leaching and oxidation, while the central part, i.e., northern Zhenwu and Caozhuang oilfields is beneficial for an abundance of hydrocarbon accumulation. Most of the large scale oil-~as fields locate herein.

Thermochemical Sulfate Reduction in the Tazhong District,Tarim Basin,Northeast China:Evidence from Formation Water and Natural Gas Geochemistry

Systematic analyses of the formation water and natural gas geochemistry in the Central Uplift of the Tarim Basin （CUTB） show that gas invasion at the late stage is accompanied by an increase of the contents of HeS and CO2 in natural gas, by the forming of the high total dissolved solids formation water, by an increase of the content of HCO3^-, relative to Cl^-, by an increase of the 2nd family ions （Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, Sr^2＋ and Ba^2＋） and by a decrease of the content of SO4^2-, relative to Cl^-. The above phenomena can be explained only by way of thermochemicai sulfate reduction （TSR）. TSR often occurs in the transition zone of oil and water and is often described in the following reaction formula： ∑CH＋CaSO4＋H-2O→H2S＋CO2＋CaCO3. （1） Dissolved SO4^2- in the formation water is consumed in the above reaction, when HeS and CO2 are generated, resulting in a decrease of SO4^2- in the formation water and an increase of both HeS and CO2 in the natural gas. If formation water exists, the generated CO2 will go on reacting with the carbonate to form bicarbonate, which can be dissolved in the formation water, thus resulting in the enrichment of Ca^2＋ and HCO3^-. The above reaction can be described by the following equation： CO2＋HeO＋CaCO3→Ca^2＋＋2HCO3^-. The stratigraphic temperatures of the Cambrian and lower Ordovician in CUTB exceeded 120℃, which is the minimum for TSR to occur. At the same time, dolomitization, which might be a direct result of TSR, has been found in both the Cambrian and the lower Ordovician. The above evidence indicates that TSR is in an active reaction, providing a novel way to reevaluate the exploration potentials of natural gas in this district.

Relationship between Formation Water Rate,Equivalent Penetration Rate and Volume Flow Rate of Air in Air Drilling

Formation water invasion is the most troublesome problem associated with air drilling. However, it is not economical to apply mist drilling when only a small amount of water flows into wellbore from formation during air drilling. Formation water could be circulated out of the wellbore through increasing the gas injection rate. In this paper, the Angel model was modified by introducing Nikurade friction factor for the flow in coarse open holes and translating formation water rate into equivalent penetration rate. Thus the distribution of annular pressure and the relationship between minimum air injection rate and formation water rate were obtained. Real data verification indicated that the modified model is more accurate than the Angel model and can provide useful information for air drilling.

Corrosion behavior of the expandable tubular in formation water

The corrosion behavior of expandable tubular materials was investigated in simulated downhole formation water environments using a series of electrochemical techniques. The corrosion morphologies in the real downhole environment after three months of application were also observed by stereology microscopy and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The results show that, compared with the unex- panded sample, the area of ferfite increases dramatically after a 7.09% expansion. The expanded material shows a higher corrosion current in the polarization curve and a lower corrosion resistance in the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） plot at every studied tempera- ture. The determined critical pitting temperatures （CPT） before and after expansion are 87.5℃and 79.2℃, respectively. SEM observations demonstrate stress corrosion cracks, and CO2 corrosion and H2S corrosion also occur in the downhole environment. Due to additional defects generated during the plastic deformation, the corrosion performance of the expanded tubing deteriorates.

Impact of formation water on the generation of H2S in condensate reservoirs： a case study from the deep Ordovician in the Tazhong Uplift of the Tarim Basin, NW China

A number of condensate reservoirs with high concentrations of H2S have been discovered in the deep dolomite reservoirs of the lower Ordovician Yingshan Formation（O1y） in the Tazhong Uplift, where the formation water has a high p H value. In the O1y reservoir, the concentrations of Mg^2＋ and SO4^2-in the formation water are higher than those in the upper Ordovician formation.The concentration of H2 S in the condensate reservoirs and the concentration of Mg^2＋in the formation water correlate well in the O1y reservoirs of the Tazhong Uplift, which indicates a presumed thermochemical sulfate reduction（TSR） origin of H2S according to the oxidation theory of contact ion-pairs（CIPs）. Besides, the p H values of the formation water are positively correlated with the concentration of H2S in the condensate reservoirs, which may indicate that high p H might be another factor to promote and maintain TSR. Oil–source correlation of biomarkers in the sulfuretted condensates indicates the Cambrian source rocks could be the origin of condensates. The formation water in the condensate reservoirs of O1y is similar to that in the Cambrian; therefore, the TSR of sulfate-CIPs likelyoccurred in the Cambrian. High H2S-bearing condensates are mainly located near the No. 1 Fault and NE-SW strikeslip faults, which are the major migration pathway of deep fluids in the Tazhong Uplift. The redox between sulfateCIPs and hydrocarbons is the generation mechanism of H2S in the deep dolomite condensate reservoirs of the Tazhong Uplift. This finding should be helpful to predict the fluid properties of deep dolomite reservoirs.

Water transfer characteristics during methane hydrate formation and dissociation processes inside saturated sand

Gas hydrates formation and dissociation processes inside porous media are always accompanied by water transfer behavior, which is similar to the water behavior of ice freezing and thawing processes. These processes have been studied by many researchers, but all the studies are so far on the water transfer characteristics outside porous media and the water transfer characteristics inside porous media have been little known. In this study, in order to study the water transfer characteristics inside porous media during methane hydrate formation and dissociation processes, a novel apparatus with three pF-meter sensors which can detect water content changes inside porous media was applied. It was experimentally observed that methane hydrate formation processes were accompanied by water transfer from bottom to top inside porous media, however, the water behavior during hydrate dissociation processes was abnormal, for which more studies are needed to find out the real reason in our future work.

Formation mechanisms of water inrush and mud burst in a migmatite tunnel：a case study in China

This paper presents a case study of water inrush and mud burst occurring in a migmatite tunnel to study its formation mechanisms. The geological investigation and mineralogical analysis showed that water inrush and mud burst in the migmatite was closely related to the component of the host rock. High content of soluble minerals,e.g.,calcite and dolomite,would make the migmatite rock prone to be fragmentized,isintegrated and eventually form different sorts of connected or semi-connected veins. The field exploration revealed most cavities in the magmatite tunnel were eroded by groundwater and formed large interconnected networks. The two faults and the dike in the magmatite tunnel became the preferred paths and provided great convenience for plenty of precipitation and mud slurry. Due to high water pressure and blast disturbance,the cavities can soon connect each other as well as all sorts of veins,forming a complex ground channel for water inrush and mud burst. To estimate the potential occurrenceof water inrush and mud burst,the water bursting coefficient was employed. The results showed the water bursting coefficient of the magmatite tunnel was much bigger than the threshold values and it can be used to explain the accident of water inrush and mud burst occurring in the magmatite tunnel.

An overview of Antarctic polynyas: sea ice production, forcing mechanisms, temporal variability and water mass formation

Polynyas are irregular open water bodies within the sea ice cover in polar regions under freezing weather conditions.In this study,we reviewed the progress of research work on dynamical forcing,sea ice production(SIP),and water mass formation for both coastal polynyas and open-ocean polynyas in the Southern Ocean,as well as the variability and controlling mechanisms of polynya processes on different time scales.Polynyas play an irreplaceable role in the regulation of global ocean circulation and biological processes in regional ocean ecosystems.The coastal polynyas(latent heat polynyas)are mainly located in the Weddell Sea,the Ross Sea and on the west side of protruding topographic features in East Antarctica.During the formation of coastal polynyas,which are mainly forced by offshore winds or ocean currents,brine rejection triggered by high SIP results in the formation of high salinity shelf water,which is the predecessor of the Antarctic bottom water-the lower limb of the global thermohaline circulation.The open-ocean polynyas(sensible heat polynyas)are mainly found in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean,which are formed by ocean convection processes generated by topography and negative wind stress curl.The convection processes bring nutrients into the upper ocean,which supports biological production and makes the polynya regions an important sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide.The limitations and challenges in polynya research are also discussed.

Formation Water Geochemistry and Its Controlling Factors: Case Study on Shiwu Rifted Sub-basin of Songliao Basin, NE China

A common way to trace fluid flow and hydrocarbon accumulation is by studying the geochemistry of formation water. This paper focuses on the spacial distribution of the geochemical features of the formation water in the Shiwu Rifled Basin and its indication of the water-rock interaction processes. The hydrodynamic field controls the spacial distribution of formation water. Due to the penetration of meteoric water, the salinity is below 4,500mg/L at the basin margin and the severely faulted central ridge and increases basin ward to 7,000-10,000mg/L. The vertical change of formation water can be divided into 3 zones, which correspond respectively to the free replacement zone （〈1,250m）, the obstructed replacement zone （1,250m-1,650m） and the lagged zone （〉 1,650m） in hydrodynamics. In the free replacement zone, the formation water is NaHCO3-type with its salinity increased to 10,000mg/L. The formation water in the obstructed replacement zone is Na2SO4-type with its salinity decreased to 5,000mg/L-7,000mg/L because of the dehydration of mud rocks. The formation water in the lagged zone is CaC12-type, but its salinity decreases sharply at a depth of 1,650m and then increases vertically downward to 10,000mg/L. This phenomenon can be best explained by the osmosis effect rather than the dehydration of mud rocks. The relationships between Cl^--HCO3^- and Na^＋＋K^＋-Ca^2＋ show that the initial water-rock interaction is the dissolution of NaCl and calcium-beating carbonate, causing an increase of Na^＋-K^＋-Ca^2＋-Cl^- and salinity. The succeeding water-rock interaction is albitization, which leads to a decrease of Na^＋ and an increase of Ca2＋ simultaneously, and generates CaCl2-type fluid. The above analysis shows that the geochemical evolution of formation water is governed by the water-rock interactions, while its spacial distribution is controlled by the hydrological conditions. The water-rock interaction processes are supported by other geological observations, suggesting that formation water geochemistry is a viable method to trace the fluid-rock interaction processes and has broad applications in practice.

General trends in Horiuti-Polanyi mechanism vs non-Horiuti-Polanyi mechanism for water formation on transition metal surfaces

It is generally acknowledged in heterogeneous catalysis that hydrogenation follows the so-called Horiuti-Polanyi(HP) mechanism. In this work, a thorough investigation of the mechanism of hydrogenation of hydroxyl groups and O catalyzed by a series of transition metals was carried out through density functional theory calculations, as surface hydroxyls and O are very common species in many catalytic systems. It is found that different metal catalysts exhibit different mechanisms. On some metal catalysts, the non-HP mechanism is preferred, whereas the classic HP mechanism is favored on other catalysts. Detailed analyses of the metal-dependent mechanism shows that the activity toward the dissociation of H2 decides which mechanism is preferred. On active catalysts, such as Ni and Pt, H2 prefers to dissociate with strong H adsorption energies, which lead to the classic HP mechanism being favored. On inactive surfaces, on the other hand, the adsorption of H is weak, which results in the non-HP mechanism being preferred. The parameter η, which is a structural descriptor, was defined to understand the different mechanisms.

Mechanics of water pore formation in lipid membrane under electric field

Transmembrane water pores are crucial for substance transport through cell membranes via membrane fusion, such as in neural communication. However, the molecular mechanism of water pore formation is not clear. In this study, we apply all-atom molecular dynamics and bias-exchange metadynamics simulations to study the process of water pore formation under an electric field. We show that water molecules can enter a membrane under an electric field and form a water pore of a few nanometers in diameter. These water molecules disturb the interactions between lipid head groups and the ordered arrangement of lipids. Following the movement of water molecules, the lipid head groups are rotated and driven into the hydrophobic region of the membrane. The reorientated lipid head groups inside the membrane form a hydrophilic surface of the water pore. This study reveals the atomic details of how an electric field influences the movement of water molecules and lipid head groups, resulting in water pore formation.

The formation and evolution of the East China Sea winter dense water

On the basis of the historical profile observations and the recent Kuroshio observations,the yearly formation,development and decay of the high density water found between 50 to 100 m isobath over the middle and southern East China Sea continental shelf are anyalysed. The formation of this high density water occurs between November and March of the following year. A possible reason for it is that as the mixed water between the coastal water and the outer sea water transports northward by the Taiwan Warm Current, its density increases by surface cooling. It also mixes with the neighbouring lower density water masses. The transportation and decay of the high density water through April to July are also descussed. They can be ascribed to the seasonal surface layer warming and the fast development of Taiwan Warm Current. The high density water disappears in August.

Analyzing the formation cause of Xidatan drinking mineral springs in island permafrost area on north slope of the Kunlun Mountains

The replenishment source of Xidatan drinking mineral springs in island permafrost area on north slope of the Kunlun Mountains are mainly the melting water from the modern glaciers bottom, snow and ice melting water, atmospheric precipitation, and surface water in Yuzhu Peak area on the Kunlun Mountains. This scenario is based on the survey of hydrogeology, water-conducting and water-controlling faults, and water chemistry, and on the EH-4 high-frequency electronic deep exploration. The original water recharges the deep groundwater at fracture zone of active normal faults F3 and F4 , then groundwater enriches at normal faults F2 and F2-1,2 , and then run northward. A water-rich triangle area is formed when groundwater reach the active reverse fault F1 . Groundwater then discharges through fracture zone of F1 , which is the major cause of the Xidatan mineral springs formation.

MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS OF FILLED AND EMPTY CAGE-LIKE WATER CLUSTERS IN LIQUID WATER AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE TO GAS HYDRATE FORMATION MECHANISMS

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to observe the evolutions of 512 and 51262 cage-like water clusters filled with or without a methane molecule immersed in bulk liquid water at 250 K and 230 K. The lifetimes of these clusters are calculated according to their Lindemann index δ (t) using the criteria of δ≥0.07. For both the filled and empty clusters, we find the dynamics of bulk water determines the lifetimes of cage-like water clusters, and that the lifetime of 512 62 cage-like cluster is the same as that of 512 cage-like cluster. Although the methane molecule indeed makes the filled cage-like cluster more stable than the empty one, the empty cage-like cluster still has chance to be long-lived compared with the filled clusters. These observations support the labile cluster hypothesis on the formation mechanisms of gas hydrates.

An Evaluation of Phase Behaviors of the Oil-Gas-Water System in the Displacement of Crude Oil with CO_(2)

CO_(2)dissolution into an aqueous phase and water evaporation into a gaseous phase takes place during CO_(2)injection into an oil reservoir.This study aims to evaluate the phase behaviors of the oil-gas-water system in the displacement of crude oil by CO_(2).The composition of the JL oilfield in the northeast of China is taken as an example.The flash calculation of the oil-gas-water system was performed,based on the method presented by Li and Nghiem.The research results show that CO_(2)dissolution in the aqueous phase declines as the NaCl concentration in formation water rises.CO_(2)injection is beneficial for the evaporation of formation water.The NaCl concentration in formation water has little effect on water evaporation and dissolved-gas escape.When the injection-gas mole fraction of CO_(2)is 0.5,CO_(2)injection can reverse the phase behavior of the petroleum mixture and the oil-gas system is converted to a pure gas-condensate system.For CO_(2)injection,water vapor has little effect on the miscibility of multiple contacts,but can reduce the miscibility of the first contact.

Produced Water Geochemistry from an Upstream Oil Operation

Oil and gas industries generate a significant amount of water during the production. The composition of this water varies with the geologic age, depth, and geochemistry of the region along with the chemicals added during the process. Geochemistry of formation water is used for aquifer identification, pollution problems, water compatibility studies, corrosion monitoring, water-quality control, water flooding, exploration, and to diagnose wellbore integrity issues. The current study investigates the spatial and temporal variation of produced water geochemistry from one of the largest conventional oil field, Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia. Produced water from different wellheads were collected and analyzed for different geochemical characteristics. Sixteen wells from ABQQ, nineteen wells from ANDR and twenty wells from SDGM area were selected for the current study. Sampling and analysis were performed as per the standard procedures. Results indicated that the pH of the sample varied from 6.0 to 7.4, and Electrical conductivity from 94200 to 102690 μS/cm. The spatial variation of major cations and anions were also recorded and represented by graphical plots. Metal analysis indicated the highest concentration for boron, which is 20.5 mg/L at ABQQ area, whereas all other metals are very low in concentration. Temporal variation of a single well at SDGM area indicated drastic change in the ionic concentration, whereas the geochemistry remains same as indicated by Tickler plot. The water type of the respective area was studied by tickler plots, which indicated same source of formation water in different wells at ABQQ, ANDR and SDGM areas. The ionic concentration is also used to predict corrosion and scaling issues. By Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) and Ryznar Stability Index (RSI), the sample from all the wells showed higher scaling potential. The study concludes that the water type in different areas under Ghawar field remains same regardless of drastic changes in the ionic concentration, which can be used to diagnose wellbore integrity issues.

Establishing geothermometric constraints on the local geothermal gradients:Case study of the Eastern Cordillera Basin,Colombia

Geochemical analyses were performed on 170 coal bed-trapped groundwater samples from 97 underground mines located in the Eastern Cordillera Basin, Colombia. The waters analyzed in this paper are from exploited coal beds, located up to 0.73 km deep, which emerge along with the local fault systems.The hydrochemical facies were classified based on the concentration of major ions by inferring the equilibrium state and rock water source. The main hydrochemical facies presented in the groundwater study are SO_4-Ca-Mg, HCO_3-Ca, HCO_3-Ca-Mg, and SO_4-HCO_3 mixed waters. We used geothermometric equations to estimate the most probable temperature under in-situ conditions and the propagation of errors theory to test the results. The geothermal gradient in the study area is close to 30℃/km, which is consistent with measurements from oil wells within the study area. Principal Component Analysis was used to explain factors affecting formation water composition and hydrogeochemical evolution of aquifers.