Geological characteristics and exploration breakthroughs of coal rock gas in Carboniferous Benxi Formation,Ordos Basin,NW China

To explore the geological characteristics and exploration potential of the Carboniferous Benxi Formation coal rock gas in the Ordos Basin,this paper presents a systematic research on the coal rock distribution,coal rock reservoirs,coal rock quality,and coal rock gas features,resources and enrichment.Coal rock gas is a high-quality resource distinct from coalbed methane,and it has unique features in terms of burial depth,gas source,reservoir,gas content,and carbon isotopic composition.The Benxi Formation coal rocks cover an area of 16×104km^(2),with thicknesses ranging from 2 m to 25 m,primarily consisting of bright and semi-bright coals with primitive structures and low volatile and ash contents,indicating a good coal quality.The medium-to-high rank coal rocks have the total organic carbon(TOC)content ranging from 33.49%to 86.11%,averaging75.16%.They have a high degree of thermal evolution(Roof 1.2%-2.8%),and a high gas-generating capacity.They also have high stable carbon isotopic values(δ13C1of-37.6‰to-16‰;δ13C2of-21.7‰to-14.3‰).Deep coal rocks develop matrix pores such as gas bubble pores,organic pores,and inorganic mineral pores,which,together with cleats and fractures,form good reservoir spaces.The coal rock reservoirs exhibit the porosity of 0.54%-10.67%(averaging 5.42%)and the permeability of(0.001-14.600)×10^(-3)μm^(2)(averaging 2.32×10^(-3)μm^(2)).Vertically,there are five types of coal rock gas accumulation and dissipation combinations,among which the coal rock-mudstone gas accumulation combination and the coal rock-limestone gas accumulation combination are the most important,with good sealing conditions and high peak values of total hydrocarbon in gas logging.A model of coal rock gas accumulation has been constructed,which includes widespread distribution of medium-to-high rank coal rocks continually generating gas,matrix pores and cleats/fractures in coal rocks acting as large-scale reservoir spaces,tight cap rocks providing sealing,source-reservoir integration,and five types of efficient enrichment patterns(lateral pinchout complex,lenses,low-amplitude structures,nose-like structures,and lithologically self-sealing).According to the geological characteristics of coal rock gas,the Benxi Formation is divided into 8 plays,and the estimated coal rock gas resources with a buried depth of more than 2000 m are more than 12.33×10^(12)m^(3).The above understandings guide the deployment of risk exploration.Two wells drilled accordingly obtained an industrial gas flow,driving the further deployment of exploratory and appraisal wells.Substantial breakthroughs have been achieved,with the possible reserves over a trillion cubic meters and the proved reserves over a hundred billion cubic meters,which is of great significance for the reserves increase and efficient development of natural gas in China.

Reservoir characteristics and formation model of Upper Carboniferous bauxite series in eastern Ordos Basin,NW China

Through core observation,thin section identification,X-ray diffraction analysis,scanning electron microscopy,and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption and isothermal adsorption experiments,the lithology and pore characteristics of the Upper Carboniferous bauxite series in eastern Ordos Basin were analyzed to reveal the formation and evolution process of the bauxite reservoirs.A petrological nomenclature and classification scheme for bauxitic rocks based on three units(aluminum hydroxides,iron minerals and clay minerals)is proposed.It is found that bauxitic mudstone is in the form of dense massive and clastic structures,while the(clayey)bauxite is of dense massive,pisolite,oolite,porous soil and clastic structures.Both bauxitic mudstone and bauxite reservoirs develop dissolution pores,intercrystalline pores,and microfractures as the dominant gas storage space,with the porosity less than 10% and mesopores in dominance.The bauxite series in the North China Craton can be divided into five sections,i.e.,ferrilite(Shanxi-style iron ore,section A),bauxitic mudstone(section B),bauxite(section C),bauxite mudstone(debris-containing,section D)and dark mudstone-coal section(section E).The burrow/funnel filling,lenticular,layered/massive bauxite deposits occur separately in the karst platforms,gentle slopes and low-lying areas.The karst platforms and gentle slopes are conducive to surface water leaching,with strong karstification,well-developed pores,large reservoir thickness and good physical properties,but poor strata continuity.The low-lying areas have poor physical properties but relatively continuous and stable reservoirs.The gas enrichment in bauxites is jointly controlled by source rock,reservoir rock and fractures.This recognition provides geological basis for the exploration and development of natural gas in the Upper Carboniferous in the study area and similar bauxite systems.

Extreme massive hydraulic fracturing in deep coalbed methane horizontal wells:A case study of the Linxing Block,eastern Ordos Basin,NW China

Deep coal seams show low permeability,low elastic modulus,high Poisson’s ratio,strong plasticity,high fracture initiation pressure,difficulty in fracture extension,and difficulty in proppants addition.We proposed the concept of large-scale stimulation by fracture network,balanced propagation and effective support of fracture network in fracturing design and developed the extreme massive hydraulic fracturing technique for deep coalbed methane(CBM)horizontal wells.This technique involves massive injection with high pumping rate+high-intensity proppant injection+perforation with equal apertures and limited flow+temporary plugging and diverting fractures+slick water with integrated variable viscosity+graded proppants with multiple sizes.The technique was applied in the pioneering test of a multi-stage fracturing horizontal well in deep CBM of Linxing Block,eastern margin of the Ordos Basin.The injection flow rate is 18 m^(3)/min,proppant intensity is 2.1 m^(3)/m,and fracturing fluid intensity is 16.5 m^(3)/m.After fracturing,a complex fracture network was formed,with an average fracture length of 205 m.The stimulated reservoir volume was 1987×10^(4)m^(3),and the peak gas production rate reached 6.0×10^(4)m^(3)/d,which achieved efficient development of deep CBM.

Microscopic characteristics of tight sandstone reservoirs and their effects on the imbibition efficiency of fracturing fluids:A case study of the Linxing area,Ordos Basin

The Linxing area within the Ordos Basin exhibits pronounced reservoir heterogeneity and intricate micro-pore structures,rendering it susceptible to water-blocking damage during imbibition extraction.This study delved into the traits of tight sandstone reservoirs in the 8th member of the Shihezi Formation(also referred to as the He 8 Member)in the study area,as well as their effects on fracturing fluid imbibition.Utilizing experimental techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),high-pressure mercury intrusion(HPMI),and gas adsorption,this study elucidated the reservoir characteristics and examined the factors affecting the imbibition through imbibition experiments.The findings reveal that:①The reservoir,with average porosity of 8.40%and average permeability of 0.642×10^(-3)μm^(2),consists principally of quartz,feldspar,and lithic fragments,with feldspathic litharenite serving as the primary rock type and illite as the chief clay mineral;②Nano-scale micro-pores and throats dominate the reservoir,with dissolution pores and intercrystalline pores serving as predominant pore types,exhibiting relatively high pore connectivity;③Imbibition efficiency is influenced by petrophysical properties,clay mineral content,and microscopic pore structure.Due to the heterogeneity of the tight sandstone reservoir,microscopic factors have a more significant impact on the imbibition efficiency of fracturing fluids;④A comparative analysis shows that average pore size correlates most strongly with imbibition efficiency,followed by petrophysical properties and clay mineral content.In contrast,the pore type has minimal impact.Micropores are vital in the imbibition process,while meso-pores and macro-pores offer primary spaces for imbibition.This study offers theoretical insights and guidance for enhancing the post-fracturing production of tight sandstone reservoirs by examining the effects of these factors on the imbibition efficiency of fracturing fluids in tight sandstones.

Characteristics and control factors of feldspar dissolution in gravity flow sandstone of Chang 7 Member,Triassic Yanchang Formation,Ordos Basin,NW China

To clarify the formation and distribution of feldspar dissolution pores and predict the distribution of high-quality reservoir in gravity flow sandstone of the 7^(th) member of Triassic Yanchang Formation(Chang 7 Member)in the Ordos Basin,thin sections,scanning electron microscopy,energy spectrum analysis,X-ray diffraction whole rock analysis,and dissolution experiments are employed in this study to investigate the characteristics and control factors of feldspar dissolution pores.The results show that:(1)Three types of diagenetic processes are observed in the feldspar of Chang 7 sandstone in the study area:secondary overgrowth of feldspar,replacement by clay and calcite,and dissolution of detrital feldspar.(2)The feldspar dissolution of Chang 7 tight sandstone is caused by organic acid,and is further affected by the type of feldspar,the degree of early feldspar alteration,and the buffering effect of mica debris on organic acid.(3)Feldspars have varying degrees of dissolution.Potassium feldspar is more susceptible to dissolution than plagioclase.Among potassium feldspar,orthoclase is more soluble than microcline,and unaltered feldspar is more soluble than early kaolinized or sericitized feldspar.(4)The dissolution experiment demonstrated that the presence of mica can hinder the dissolution of feldspar.Mica of the same mass has a significantly stronger capacity to consume organic acids than feldspar.(5)Dissolution pores in feldspar of Chang 7 Member are more abundant in areas with low mica content,and they improve the reservoir physical properties,while in areas with high mica content,the number of feldspar dissolution pores decreases significantly.

A tectono-thermal perspective on the petroleum generation,accumulation and preservation in the southern Ordos Basin, North China

The southern Ordos Basin has excellent petroleum exploration prospects.However,the tectono-thermal history and the controls on petroleum generation,accumulation and preservation conditions in southern basin are unclear.In this study,we analyzed the present geothermal field,paleo-geothermal gradient,maturity of the hydrocarbon source rocks,uplift and cooling process and tectono-thermal evolution history.In the study area,for the Ordovician,Permain and the Triassic strata,the present temperature is low(3070℃)in the southeastern area but high(80140℃)in the northwestern area.The paleogeothermal gradient varied from 24℃/km to 30℃/km with a heat flow of 58—69 m W/m^(2)(i.e.,a medium-temperature basin).The paleo-temperatures are higher than the present temperatures and the maximum paleo-temperatures controlled the thermal maturity of the source rocks.The vitrinite reflectance(Ro)values of the Triassic strata are>0.7%and the thermal maturity reached the middlemature oil generation stage.The Rovalues of the Permian-Ordovician strata are>1.8%and the thermal maturity reached the over-mature gas generation stage.The southern Ordos Basin has experienced the multiple tectonic events at the Late Ordovician Caledonian(452 Ma),Late Triassic(215 Ma),Late Jurassic(165160 Ma),End-Early Cretaceous(110100 Ma)and Cenozoic(since 40 Ma).A large-scale tectonothermal event occurred at the End-Early Cretaceous(110100 Ma),which was controlled by lithospheric extension,destruction and thinning.This event led to the highest paleo-temperatures and thermal maturities and coeval with the peak period of petroleum generation and accumulation.The southern Ordos Basin has undergone rapid and large-scale uplift since the Late Cretaceous due to expansion of the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau,uplift of the Qinling orogenic belt and thrust faulting in the Liupanshan tectonic belt.The southern Ordos Basin experienced tectonic overprinting that was strong in the south and weak in the north.The strongest overprinting occurred in the southwestern part of the basin.The large-scale uplift,denudation and faulting led to oil and gas loss from reservoirs.The petroleum generation,accumulation and preservation in the southern Ordos Basin were affected by deep lithospheric structures and the tectono-thermal evolution.This work provides a novel tectono-thermal perspective on the petroleum generation,accumulation and preservation condition of the southern Ordos Basin.

Microfacies and diagenetic alteration in a semi-deep to deep lacustrine shale: The Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin, China

The mineralogical development and diagenetic sequence of lacustrine shales in the Chang 7 Member of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin are detailed studied.A model of their depositional system and a diagenetic diagram are proposed in this study.Through detailed petrographic,mineralogical,and elemental analyses,four distinct shale types are identified:argillaceous shale,siliceous shale,calcareous shale,and carbonate,clay,and silt-bearing shale.The main diagenetic process in argillaceous shale is the transformation of illite to smectite,negatively impacting shale porosity.Siliceous shale undergoes carbonate cementation and quartz dissolution,contributing to increased porosity,particularly in mesopores.Calcareous shale experiences diagenesis characterised by carbonate formation and dissolution,with a prevalence of siderite.In carbonate,clay,and silt-bearing shale,the dissolution of K-feldspar contributes to illitization of kaolinite.Argillaceous shale,characterised by more clay minerals and lower mesopore volume,is identified as a potential hydrocarbon seal.Siliceous shale,with the highest pore volume and abundant inter-mineral pores,emerges as a promising shale oil reservoir.These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of shale properties,aiding in the prediction of shale oil exploration potential in the studied area.

Two stages of subsidence and its formation mechanisms in Mid-Late Triassic Ordos Basin,NW China

Based on a large number of newly added deep well data in recent years,the subsidence of the Ordos Basin in the Mid-Late Triassic is systematically studied,and it is proposed that the Ordos Basin experienced two important subsidence events during this depositional period.Through contrastive analysis of the two stages of tectonic subsidence,including stratigraphic characteristics,lithology combination,location of catchment area and sedimentary evolution,it is proposed that both of them are responses to the Indosinian Qinling tectonic activity on the edge of the craton basin.The early subsidence occurred in the Chang 10 Member was featured by high amplitude,large debris supply and fast deposition rate,with coarse debris filling and rapid subsidence accompanied by rapid accumulation,resulting in strata thickness increasing from northeast to southwest in wedge-shape.The subsidence center was located in Huanxian–Zhenyuan–Qingyang–Zhengning areas of southwestern basin with the strata thickness of 800–1300 m.The subsidence center deviating from the depocenter developed multiple catchment areas,until then,unified lake basin has not been formed yet.Under the combined action of subsidence and Carnian heavy rainfall event during the deposition period of Chang 7 Member,a large deep-water depression was formed with slow deposition rate,and the subsidence center coincided with the depocenter basically in the Mahuangshan–Huachi–Huangling areas.The deep-water sediments were 120–320 m thick in the subsidence center,characterized by fine grain.There are differences in the mechanism between the two stages of subsidence.The early one was the response to the northward subduction of the MianLüe Ocean and intense depression under compression in Qinling during Mid-Triassic.The later subsidence is controlled by the weak extensional tectonic environment of the post-collision stage during Late Triassic.

Tracing of natural gas migration by light hydrocarbons:A case study of the Dongsheng gas field in the Ordos Basin,NW China

Based on the analysis of light hydrocarbon compositions of natural gas and regional comparison in combination with the chemical components and carbon isotopic compositions of methane,the indication of geochemical characteristics of light hydrocarbons on the migration features,dissolution and escape of natural gas from the Dongsheng gas field in the Ordos Basin is revealed,and the effect of migration on specific light hydrocarbon indexes is further discussed.The study indicates that,natural gas from the Lower Shihezi Formation(Pix)in the Dongsheng gas field displays higher iso-C5-7contents than n-C5-7contents,and the C6-7light hydrocarbons are composed of paraffins with extremely low aromatic contents(<0.4%),whereas the C7light hydrocarbons are dominated by methylcyclohexane,suggesting the characteristics of coal-derived gas with the influence by secondary alterations such as dissolution.The natural gas from the Dongsheng gas field has experienced free-phase migration from south to north and different degrees of dissolution after charging,and the gas in the Shiguhao area to the north of the Borjianghaizi fault has experienced apparent diffusion loss after accumulation.Long-distance migration in free phase results in the decrease of the relative contents of the methylcyclohexane in C7 light hydrocarbons and the toluene/n-heptane ratio,as well as the increase of the n-heptane/methylcyclohexane ratio and heptane values.The dissolution causes the increase of isoheptane values of the light hydrocarbons,whereas the diffusion loss of natural gas in the Shiguhao area results in the increase of n-C5-7contents compared to the iso-C5-7contents.

Main controlling factors and exploration enlightenment of aluminous rock series gas reservoirs in Ordos Basin,NW China

Based on the data of outcrop,core,logging,gas testing,and experiments,the natural gas accumulation and aluminous rock mineralization integrated research was adopted to analyze the controlling factors of aluminous rock series effective reservoirs in the Ordos Basin,NW China,as well as the configuration of coal-measure source rocks and aluminous rock series reservoirs.A natural gas accumulation model was constructed to evaluate the gas exploration potential of aluminous rock series under coal seam in the basin.The effective reservoirs of aluminous rock series in the Ordos Basin are composed of honeycomb-shaped bauxites with porous residual pisolitic and detrital structures,with the diasporite content of greater than 80%and dissolved pores as the main storage space.The bauxite reservoirs are formed under a model that planation controls the material supply,karst paleogeomorphology controls diagenesis,and land surface leaching improves reservoir quality.The hot humid climate and sea level changes in the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian dominated the development of a typical coal-aluminum-iron three-stage stratigraphic structure.The natural gas generated by the extensive hydrocarbon generation of coal-measure source rocks was accumulated in aluminous rock series under the coal seam,indicating a model of hydrocarbon accumulation under the source.During the Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian,the relatively low-lying area on the edge of an ancient land or island in the North China landmass was developed.The gas reservoirs of aluminous rock series,which are clustered at multiple points in lenticular shape,are important new natural gas exploration fields with great potential in the Upper Paleozoic of North China Craton.

Potential evaluation of saline aquifers for the geological storage of carbon dioxide: A case study of saline aquifers in the Qian-5 member in northeastern Ordos Basin

The well-developed coal electricity generation and coal chemical industries have led to huge carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emissions in the northeastern Ordos Basin.The geological storage of CO_(2) in saline aquifers is an effective backup way to achieve carbon neutrality.In this case,the potential of saline aquifers for CO_(2) storage serves as a critical basis for subsequent geological storage project.This study calculated the technical control capacities of CO_(2) of the saline aquifers in the fifth member of the Shiqianfeng Formation(the Qian-5 member)based on the statistical analysis of the logging and the drilling and core data from more than 200 wells in the northeastern Ordos Basin,as well as the sedimentary facies,formation lithology,and saline aquifer development patterns of the Qian-5 member.The results show that(1)the reservoirs of saline aquifers in the Qian-5 member,which comprise distributary channel sand bodies of deltaic plains,feature low porosities and permeabilities;(2)The study area hosts three NNE-directed saline aquifer zones,where saline aquifers generally have a single-layer thickness of 3‒8 m and a cumulative thickness of 8‒24 m;(3)The saline aquifers of the Qian-5 member have a total technical control capacity of CO_(2) of 119.25×10^(6) t.With the largest scale and the highest technical control capacity(accounting for 61%of the total technical control capacity),the Jinjie-Yulin saline aquifer zone is an important prospect area for the geological storage of CO_(2) in the saline aquifers of the Qian-5 member in the study area.

Characteristics and genetic mechanism of the Mesoproterozoic rift system,Ordos Basin,China

The Mesoproterozoic rifts are developed in the Ordos Basin located in the western margin of the North China Plate.Based on the latest 3D seismic data and previous research results,this study intends to discuss the zonal differential deformation characteristics and genetic mechanism of the Mesoproterozoic rifts in the Ordos Basin.NE-trending rifts are developed in the Mesoproterozoic in the south-central Ordos Basin,the main part of which are located near the western margin of the North China Plate.NNW-trending rifts are developed in the north of the basin,while NW-NNW rifts in the Mesoproterozoic in Hangjinqi area.The genetic mechanism of the Mesoproterozoic rifts is related to regional extensional stress field,plate boundary conditions and internal preexisting structures.The main extensional stress direction strikes NWW-SSE(120°)in the western margin of the North China Plate,based on the forward rift trend of the northern Mesoproterozoic.In Hangjinqi area,the reactivation of the existing NWtrending Wulansu fault and NW-NW-trending Daolao fault,results in dextral shear stress field.The boundary between the western margin of the North China Plate and its adjacent plates forms a nearly NS-trending preexisting basement tectonic belt,which intersects with the NWW-SSE(120°)extensional stress at an acute angle of 60°.Therefore,the western margin of the North China Plate is formed by oblique normal faults under oblique extension.Due to the long time span of Columbia Supercontinent breakup(1.8e1.6 Ga),the oblique rift in the south-central Ordos Basin is formed under the continuous oblique extension at the western margin of the North China Plate.

Connotation,pathway and significance of carbon neutrality“super energy system”:A case study of the Ordos Basin,NW China

Super oil and gas basins provide the energy foundation for social progress and human development.In the context of climate change and carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals,constructing an integrated energy and carbon neutrality system that balances energy production and carbon reduction becomes crucial for the transformation of such basins.Under the framework of a green and intelligent energy system primarily based on“four news”,new energy,new electricity,new energy storage,and new intelligence,integrating a“super energy system”composed of a huge amount of underground resources of coal,oil,gas and heat highly overlapping with abundant wind and solar energy resources above ground,and a regional intelligent energy consumption system with coordinated development and utilization of fossil energy and new energy,with a carbon neutrality system centered around carbon cycling is essential.This paper aims to select the traditional oil and gas basins as“super energy basins”with the conditions to build world-class energy production and demonstration bases for carbon neutrality.The Ordos Basin has unique regional advantages,including abundant fossil fuel and new energy resources,as well as matching CO_(2)sources and sinks,position it as a carbon neutrality“super energy basin”which explores the path of transformation of traditional oil and gas basins.Under the integrated development concept and mode of“coal+oil+gas+new energy+carbon capture,utilization and storage(CCUS)/carbon capture and storage(CCS)”,the carbon neutrality in super energy basin is basically achieved,which enhance energy supply and contribute to the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals,establish a modern energy industry and promote regional green and sustainable development.The pioneering construction of the world-class carbon neutrality“super energy system”demonstration basin in China represented by the Ordos Basin will reshape the new concept and new mode of exploration and development of super energy basins,which is of great significance to the global energy revolution under carbon neutrality.

Ordovician reservoirs in Fuxian area:Gas accumulation patterns and their implications for the exploration of lower Paleozoic carbonates in the southern Ordos Basin

In recent years,the Fuxian area in the southeastern Ordos Basin has undergone significant exploration,with industrial gas flow tested in wells drilled into the Ordovician marine carbonates.Despite this,the gas accumulation patterns of this area are not fully understood,posing challenges for further exploration.Our analysis of geological conditions indicates that the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in this area hosts two gas plays:one found in weathering crusts and the other found in interior of the formation.We investigated various typical gas reservoirs in the area,focusing on differentiating the geological conditions and factors controlling gas accumulation in the weathering-crust and interior gas reservoirs.The results suggest three primary gas accumulation patterns in the Majiagou Formation in the Fuxian area:(1)upper gas accumulation in weathering crusts,present in the high parts of landforms such as residual paleo-hills or buried paleo-platform(Pattern I);(2)the stereoscopic pattern with gas accumulation in both weathering crusts and strata interior,arising in high parts of landforms such as residual paleo-hills or buried paleo-platforms(Pattern II);(3)lower gas accumulation in strata interior,occurring in the upper reaches and on both sides of paleo-trenches(Pattern III).This study will serve as a geological basis for future exploration deployment in the Fuxian area.

Fault characteristics and their control on oil and gas accumulation in the southwestern Ordos Basin

3D seismic data recently acquired from the Ordos Basin shows three sets of regularly distributed fault systems,which overrides previous understanding that no faults were developed in this basin.Seismic interpretation suggests that the faults in the southwestern Ordos Basin have three basic characteristics,namely extreme micro-scale,distinct vertical stratification,and regularity of planar distribution.These NS-,NW-,and NE-trending fault systems developed in the Meso-Neoproterozoic e Lower Ordovician strata.Of these,the NS-trending fault system mainly consists of consequent and antithetic faults which show clear syndepositional deformation.The fault systems in the Carboniferous e Middle-Lower Triassic strata are not clear on seismic reflection profiles.The NW-and NE-trending fault systems are developed in the Upper Triassic e Middle Jurassic strata.Of these,the NW-trending fault system appears as a negative flower structure in sectional view and in an en echelon pattern in plan-view;they show transtensional deformation.A NE-trending fault system that developed in the Lower Cretaceous e Cenozoic strata shows a Y-shaped structural style and tension-shear properties.A comprehensive analysis of the regional stress fields at different geologic times is essential to determine the development,distribution direction,and intensity of the activity of fault systems in the Ordos Basin.Current exploration suggests three aspects in which the faults within the Ordos Basin are crucial to oil and gas accumulation.Firstly,these faults serve as vertical barriers that cause the formation of two sets of relatively independent petroleum systems in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata respectively;this is the basis for the‘upper oil and lower gas’distribution pattern.Secondly,the vertical communication of these faults is favorable for oil and gas migration,thus contributing to the typical characteristics of multiple oil and gas fields within the basin,i.e.oil and gas reservoirs with multiple superimposed strata.Finally,these faults and their associated fractures improve the permeability of Mesozoic tight reservoirs,providing favorable conditions for oil enrichment in areas around the fault systems.

Prediction of favorable geological storage areas based on sedimentary characteristics:A case study on the northeastern Ordos Basin,China

The Ordos Basin is a large cratonic basin with stable deposition in Northwest China.Given its mostly stable subsidence background and the urgent need for saline water disposal and carbon dioxide storage in the coal mining and coal chemical industries,the Ordos Basin has been chosen as a pilot demonstration site for carbon dioxide and saline water storage in China.However,few studies have been made to evaluate the sedimentary and sequence stratigraphy characteristics of this region,as well as their influence on carbon dioxide and saline water storage potential.To address this research gap,we conducted a sedimentary study of the Lower Triassic Liujiagou Formation in the northeastern Ordos Basin utilizing the stratigraphy theory,laboratory test analysis,and pilot project demonstration,to evaluate the area's viability for the deep geological storage of gas and liquid waste.We studied the tectonic setting,petrological features,and sedimentary characteristics of the favorable strata and predicted favorable areas based on sequence stratigraphy theory.The lithology predominantly consists of feldspathic graywacke,with a fine grain size and mostly fine-to-medium-grained sandstone.The distribution of thick-grained sandstone and fine-grained sediment was identified by dividing the sequence,and a favorable reservoir-cap assemblage configuration was formed.It's concluded that the Lower Triassic Liujiagou Formation exhibits suitable characteristics for the deep geological storage of carbon dioxide and saline water.This study demonstrates the importance of basic theory in guiding practical applications and provides a reference for the scientific selection of favorable areas for deep basin storage.

Paleoenvironment of marine-continental transitional shales in the lower Permian Shanxi formation,southeastern Ordos Basin,China

The paleoenvironment of shales can be reconstructed to some extent using the combinations or concentrations of elements that correlate strongly with environmental conditions.In this study,we analyzed rare earth elements(REEs),major elements,and trace elements in the marine-continental transitional shales(transitional shales for short)of the Shan 2^(3)submember of the Shanxi Formation in the southeastern Ordos Basin.The purpose is to deduce the paleoenvironmental conditions of the shales,encompassing paleoredox,paleoclimate,paleoproductivity,and paleo-provenance.The Shan 2^(3)submember comprises four sections,namely Shan 2^(3)-1,Shan 2^(3)-2,Shan 2^(3)-3,and Shan 2^(3)-4.The Ba/Al,P/Al,and Cu/Al ratios,along with biogenic barium(Babio),indicate that the paleoproductivity of the submember peaked during the Shan 2^(3)-1 deposition and exhibited a downtrend upward in other sections.Trends in the Uau and the Ni/Co,V/Cr,U/Th,and V/Sc ratios suggest that suboxic conditions prevailed during the Shan 2^(3)-1 deposition,with the oxidation level gradually increasing from Shan 2^(3)-1 to Shan 2^(3)-4.C-value and the Sr/Cu vs.Ga/Rb cross-plot indicate a warm and arid paleoclimate during the Shan 2^(3)-1 deposition,which transitioned to cooler,drier conditions during the deposition of other sections.Indicators sensitive to paleoclimate,such as the K/Rb and Th/U ratios,along with the ICV,PIA,and Chemical Index of Alteration(CIA),highlight elevated weathering from Shan 2^(3)-2 to Shan 2^(3)-4,with Shan 2^(3)-1 exhibiting the weakest weathering during its deposition.As suggested by the REE data,the Zr/Sc vs.Th/Sr cross-plot,provenance discriminant functions,and the cross-plots of Hf vs.La/Th,Th vs.Hf-Co,and∑REE vs.La/Yb,the sedimentary provenance for the transitional shales of the Shan 2^(3)submember is of multiple origins,with significant contributions from the Upper Continental Crust(UCC).Discriminant diagrams,including those of Th-Co-Zr/10,Th-Sc-Zr/10,La-Th-Sc,and K_(2)O/Na_(2)O vs.SiO_(2),suggest that the transitional shales of the Shan 2^(3)submember were primarily deposited under tectonic settings such as continental island arcs(CIAs)and passive continental margins(PCMs).

The formation and evolutionary characteristics of organic matter and pyrites in the continental shales of the 3^(rd)submember of Chang 7 Member,Yanchang formation,Ordos Basin,China

Through microscopic analyses(e.g.,organic macerals,thin section observation,scanning electron microscope(SEM)imaging of fresh bedding planes via argon ion milling,and energy spectrum tests)combined with Rock-Eval analyses,this study systematically investigated the organic matter and pyrites in the continental shales in the 3^(rd)submember of the Chang 7 Member(Chang 7^(3)submember)in the Yanchang Formation,Ordos Basin and determined their types and the formation and evolutionary characteristics.The results are as follows.The organic matter of the continental shales in the Chang 7^(3)submember is dominated by amorphous bituminites and migrabitumens,which have come into being since the early diagenetic stage and middle diagenetic stage A,respectively.The formation and transformation of organic matter is a prerequisite for the formation of pyrites.The Ordos Basin was a continental freshwater lacustrine basin and lacked sulphates in waters during the deposition of the Chang 7 Member.Therefore,the syndiagenetic stage did not witness the formation of large quantities of pyrites.Since the basin entered early diagenetic stage A,large quantities of sulfur ions were released as the primary organic matter got converted into bituminites and,accordingly,pyrites started to form.However,this stage featured poorer fluid and spatial conditions compared with the syndepositional stage due to withdraw of water,the partial formation of bituminites,and a certain degree of compaction.As a result,large quantities of pyrrhotite failed to transition into typical spherical framboidal pyrites but grew into euhedral monocrystal aggregates.In addition,pyrites are still visible in the migrabitumens in both microfractures and inorganic pores of mudstones and shales,indicating that the pyrite formation period can extend until the middle diagenetic stage A.

Experimental analysis of matrix moveable oil saturation in tight sandstone reservoirs of the south Ordos Basin,China

Tight oil reservoirs in the south Ordos Basin are characterized by fractured,heterogeneous oil-bearing strata(an oil saturation of less than 55%on average),normal pressure(0.8±)and extra-low permeability(less than 0.3 mD).In the Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoir in Honghe oilfield,micro-and nanopores,especially those with a pore-throat radius of less than 1 mm,account for more than 90%.Fluid flow in the matrix is non-linear and crude oil flow rates are very low under normal pressure gradients.An improved understanding of oil mobility in a tight matrix is key to further development of normalpressure tight-oil resources in the continental basin.In this study,constant-velocity and high-pressure mercury injection experiments were conducted using samples of typical tight sandstone cores obtained from the south of Ordos Basin.A new method for reconstructing the full-scale pore-throat distribution characteristics of tight sandstone reservoirs was established successfully,based on which multistage centrifugal tests,tests of low-pressure differential displacement of oil by water,and nuclear magnetic resonance tests were conducted in order to obtain the distribution characteristics of moveable fluid in different pores.The moveable oil saturation(MOS)and degree of oil recovery(i.e.ratio of accumulative oil production to producing geologic reserves)of the core samples under different differential pressures for displacement were determined.As for the tight oil reservoirs in the south Ordos Basin,the moveable fluids are mainly stored in sub-micron(0.10-0.5 mm)pores.For Type I reservoirs(k>0.1 mD),the volume percentage of moveable fluid in pores with a radius larger than 0.5 mm is relatively high(greater than 40%).The degree of oil recovery of water flooding serves as the basis for forecasting recoverable reserves for tight oil reservoirs.Recoverable reserves under water flooding,mainly occur in pores with a radius greater than 0.5 mm.The contribution of Type I reserves to oil production is observed to be greater than 60%,and the degree of oil recovery reaches up to 17.1%.These results help improve our understanding on the evaluation and classification of Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoirs in Honghe oilfield and serve as theoretical basis for pilot tests to explore effective injection media and development methods to improve the matrix-driven pressure differences and displacement efficiency for oil.

Dynamic evaluation on sealing capacity of caprocks of the Meso-Neoproterozoic reservoirs in Ordos Basin,China

The Meso-Neoproterozoic is a new play in the Ordos Basin.A deeper understanding about the dynamic relationship between the caprocks and the source rocks is needed.Based on the comprehensive analysis of hydrocarbon source development characteristics of the Meso-Neoproterozoic and its overlying strata,as well as the formation contact relationships,lithology characteristics and exploratory drilling data,it is recognized that the Meso-Neoproterozoic contains two types of petroleum accumulation assemblage,that is,the“self-sourced indigenous”and“upper source rock-lower reservoir”assemblages.The former is mainly controlled by the development and distribution of source rocks of the Changcheng System,with the Lower Cambrian shale sequence as its caprock.The later is controlled by the superposition between the Meso-Neoproterozoic and its overlying source rocks and this assemblage is mainly distributed in Hangjinqi and Pingliang areas with the Carboniferous-Permian shale sequence as its caprock.The dynamic evaluation on the displacement pressure serves to reconstruct the displacement pressure history of the caprock.The results show that the shale sequence of the Cambrian Maozhuang Formation in well XY 1 in the southern Ordos Basin has possibly acquired the ability of sealing natural gas since the early of Late Triassic.Its displacement pressure increased rapidly up to 20 MPa during the Late Triassic-Jurassic and keeps at 9.2 MPa at present,indicating fair sealing ability.The Carboniferous-Permian caprocks in Hangjinqi area could have acquired the ability to seal natural gas in the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous,and the present-day displacement pressure is 9e12 MPa,indicating good sealing ability.The upper Paleozoic caprock in Pingliang area has been able to seal natural gas since the Early Jurassic,with a maximum displacement pressure of 23 MPa during the Cretaceous period and a current value of 17 e20 MPa,indicative of strong ability to seal natural gas.The sealing ability of caprocks of both the“selfsourced indigenous”and“upper source rock-lower reservoir”assemblages has come into being earlier than or at least no later than the peak gas generation of the source rocks and therefore the caprocks are dynamically effective in geohistory.The Meso-Neoproterozoic reservoirs in the Ordos Basin are well preserved and probabally of better potential for exploration in terms of the caprock-source rock combination.