Geological characteristics and models of fault-foldfracture body in deep tight sandstone of the second member of Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Xinchang structural belt of Sichuan Basin,SW China

In the second member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation(T_(3)x_(2))in the Xinchang area,western Sichuan Basin,only a low percent of reserves has been recovered,and the geological model of gas reservoir sweet spot remains unclear.Based on a large number of core,field outcrop,test and logging-seismic data,the T_(3)x_(2) gas reservoir in the Xinchang area is examined.The concept of fault-fold-fracture body(FFFB)is proposed,and its types are recognized.The main factors controlling fracture development are identified,and the geological models of FFFB are established.FFFB refers to faults,folds and associated fractures reservoirs.According to the characteristics and genesis,FFFBs can be divided into three types:fault-fracture body,fold-fracture body,and fault-fold body.In the hanging wall of the fault,the closer to the fault,the more developed the effective fractures;the greater the fold amplitude and the closer to the fold hinge plane,the more developed the effective fractures.Two types of geological models of FFFB are established:fault-fold fracture,and matrix storage and permeability.The former can be divided into two subtypes:network fracture,and single structural fracture,and the later can be divided into three subtypes:bedding fracture,low permeability pore,and extremely low permeability pore.The process for evaluating favorable FFFB zones was formed to define favorable development targets and support the well deployment for purpose of high production.The study results provide a reference for the exploration and development of deep tight sandstone oil and gas reservoirs in China.

Geochemical Characteristics of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Sichuan Basin, China and its Significance for Hydrocarbon Accumulation

The alternative development of coal-bearing hydrocarbon source rocks and low-porosity and low-permeability tight sandstone reservoirs of the Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin is favorable for near-source hydrocarbon accumulation. The natural gas composition of the Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin is dominated by hydrocarbon gases, of which the methane content is80.16%-98.67%. Typically, the C2^＋ content is larger than 5% in main wet gas. The dry gas is mainly distributed in the western and northern regions of the basin. The non-hydrocarbon gases mainly contain nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and helium, with a total content of 〈2%. The carbon isotope ranges of methane and its homologues in natural gas are： δ^13C1 of-43.8‰ to-29.6‰, δ^13C2 of-35.4‰ to-21.5‰, δ^13C3 of-27.6‰ to-19.8‰,and δ^13C4 of-27.7‰ to-18.8‰. δ^13C3〉δ^13C4 occurs in some natural gas with a low evolution degree; such gas is mainly coal-related gas from humic-type source rocks of the Xujiahe Formation. As for the natural gas, δ^2 HCH4 values ranged from-195‰ to-161‰,δ^2 HC2H6 values ranged from-154‰ to-120‰, and δ^2 HC2H8 values ranged from-151‰ to-108‰. The dry coefficient,δ^13C and δ^2 HC2H4 are all positively correlated with the maturity of source rocks. The higher the maturity of source rocks is, the larger the natural gas dry coefficient is and the larger the δ^13C and δ^2 HC2H4 values are, indicative of the characteristic of near-source accumulation. The δ^2 HC2H6 value of natural gas is influenced by paleosalinity to a relatively large extent; the higher the paleosalinity is, the larger the δ^2 HC2H4 value is. The Pr/Ph value of the condensate oil ranged from 1.60 to 3.43, illustrating light oxidization-light reduction and partial-oxidization characteristics of the depositional environment of coal-bearing source rocks of the Xujiahe Formation. The natural gas light hydrocarbon（C5-C7） from the Xujiahe Formation presented two characteristics： the first was the relatively high aromatic hydrocarbon content（19%-32.1%）, which reveals the characteristic of natural gas with humic substances of high-maturity; the second was the low content of aromatic hydrocarbon（0.4%-9.3%）,reflecting water-washing during the accumulation of the natural gas. The reported research outcomes indicate a potential mechanism for natural gas accumulation in the Xujiahe Formation, which will further guide natural gas exploration in this region.

Genesis of the low-permeability reservoir bed of upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Xinchang gas field,western Sichuan Depression

The genesis of a reservoir is a result of the combined action of deposition, diagenesis, tectonic reworking, and interaction of rock and fluid and the evolutionary environment. We discuss the genetic and evolution mechanism of a low-permeability reservoir bed of the Xujiahe Formation in the western Sichuan Depression on the basis of the study of diagenesis, diagenetic reservoir facies and the diagenetic evolution sequence. The research indicated that this reservoir bed can be divided into five types of diagenetic reservoir facies, namely strong dissolution, chlorite-lined intergranular pores, compaction and pressure solution, carbonate cementation and secondary quartz increase. There are, however, just two diagenetic reservoir facies which provide low-permeability reservoir beds, namely strong dissolution and chlorite-lined intergranular pores. We also analyzed their diagenetic evolution sequences and the origin of the low-permeability reservoir bed. Besides, it was also indicated that the composition and structure of sandstones, types of sedimentary microfacies, diagenesis history as well as the tectonic reworking in later periods are the main factors controlling the formation of the low-permeability reservoir bed. The above- mentioned factors establish the foundation for the forecasting the distribution of high quality reservoir beds.

Tectonic Fractures in Tight Gas Sandstones of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Western Sichuan Basin,China

The western Sichuan Basin, which is located at the front of the Longmen Mountains in the west of Sichuan Province, China, is a foreland basin formed in the Late Triassic. The Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation is a tight gas sandstone reservoir with low porosity and ultra-low permeability, whose gas accumulation and production are controlled by well-developed fracture zones. There are mainly three types of fractures developed in the Upper Triassic tight gas sandstones, namely tectonic fractures, diagenetic fractures and overpressure-related fractures, of which high-angle tectonic fractures are the most important. The tectonic fractures can be classified into four sets, i.e., N-S-, NE-, E-W- and NW-striking fractures. In addition, there are a number of approximately horizontal shear fractures in some of the medium-grained sandstones and grit stones nearby the thrusts or slip layers. Tectonic fractures were mainly formed at the end of the Triassic, the end of the Cretaceous and the end of the Neogene-Early Pleistocene. The development degree of tectonic fractures was controlled by lithology, thickness, structure, stress and fluid pressure. Overpressure makes not only the rock shear strength decrease, but also the stress state change from compression to tension. Thus, tensional fractures can he formed in fold-thrust belts. Tectonic fractures are mainly developed along the NE- and N-S-striking structural belts, and are the important storage space and the principal flow channels in the tight gas sandstone. The porosity of fractures here is 28.4% of the gross reservoir porosity, and the permeability of fractures being two or three grades higher than that of the matrix pores. Four sets of high-angle tectonic fractures and horizontal shear fractures formed a good network system and controlled the distribution and production of gas in the tight sandstones.

Formation mechanisms and sequence response of authigenic grain-coating chlorite: evidence from the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the southern Sichuan Basin, China

Authigenic grain-coating chlorite is widely distributed in the clastic rocks of many sedimentary basins around the world. These iron minerals were mainly derived from flocculent precipitates formed when rivers flow into the ocean, especially in deltaic environments with high hydrodynamic conditions. At the same time, sandstone sequences with grain-coating chlorites also tend to have relatively high glauconite and pyrite content. EPMA composition analysis shows that glauconites with ‘‘high Al and low Fe’’ content indicate slightly to semi-saline marine environments with weak alkaline and weakly reducing conditions. By analyzing the chlorite-containing sandstone bodies of the southern Sichuan Xujiahe Formation, this study found that chlorite was mainly distributed in sedimentary microfacies, including underwater distributary channels, distributary channels, shallow lake sandstone dams, and mouth bars. Chlorite had a tendency to form in the upper parts of sandstone bodies with signs of increased base level, representing the influence of marine（lacustrine）transgression. This is believed to be influenced by megamonsoons in the Middle and Upper Yangtze Region during the Late Triassic Epoch. During periods of abundant precipitation, river discharges increased and more Fe particulates flowed into the ocean（lake）. In the meantime,increases or decreases in lake level were only affected byprecipitation for short periods of time. The sedimentary environment shifted from weakly oxidizing to weak alkaline, weakly reducing conditions as sea level increased, and Fe-rich minerals as authigenic chlorite and glauconite began to form and deposit.

Petrophysical and capillary pressure properties of the upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation tight gas sandstones in western Sichuan,China

The tight sandstones of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation（T_3x） constitute important gas reservoirs in western Sichuan.The Xujiahe sandstones are characterized by low to very low porosity （av.5.22%and 3.62%） for the T_3x^4 and T_3x^2 sandstones,respectively）,extremely low permeability（av. 0.060 mD and 0.058 mD for the T_3x^4 and T_3x^2 sandstones,respectively）,strong heterogeneity,micronano pore throat,and poor pore throat sorting.As a result of complex pore structure and the occurrence of fractures,weak correlations exist between petrophysical properties and pore throat size,demonstrating that porosity or pore throat size alone does not serve as a good permeability predictor.Much improved correlations can be obtained between permeability and porosity when pore throat radii are incorporated. Correlations between porosity,permeability,and pore throat radii corresponding to different saturations of mercury were established,showing that the pore throat radius at 20%mercury saturation（R_（20）） is the best permeability predictor.Multivariate regression analysis and artificial neural network（ANN） methods were used to establish permeability prediction models and the unique characteristics of neural networks enable them to be more successful in predicting permeability than the multivariate regression model.In addition, four petrophysical rock types can be identified based on the distributions of R_（20）,each exhibiting distinct petrophysical properties and corresponding to different flow units.

Tectono–sedimentary Evolution of the Late Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin

The early stage of Sichuan Basin formation was controlled by the convergence of three major Chinese continental blocks during the Indosinian orogeny that include South China,North China,and Qiangtang blocks.Although the Late Triassic Xujiahe Formation is assumed to represent the commencement of continental deposition in the Sichuan Basin,little research is available on the details of this particular stratum.Sequence stratigraphic analysis reveals that the Xujiahe Formation comprises four third-order depositional sequences.Moreover,two tectono-sedimentary evolution stages,deposition and denudation,have been identified.Typical wedge-shaped geometry revealed in a cross section of the southern Sichuan Basin normal to the Longmen Shan fold-thrust belt is displayed for the entire Xujiahe Formation.The depositional extent did not cover the Luzhou paleohigh during the LST1 to LST2 （LST,TST and HST mean Iowstand,transgressive and highstand systems tracts,1,2,3 and 4 represent depositional sequence 1,2,3 and 4）,deltaic and fluvial systems fed sediments from the Longmen Shan belt,Luzhou paleohigh,Hannan dome,and Daba Shan paleohigh into a foreland basin with a centrally located lake.The forebulge of the western Sichuan foreland basin was located southeast of the Luzhou paleohigh after LST2.According to the principle of nonmarine sequence stratigraphy and the lithology of the Xujiahe Formation,four thrusting events in the Longmen Shan fold-thrust belt were distinguished,corresponding to the basal boundaries of sequences 1,2,3,and 4.The northern Sichuan Basin was tilted after the deposition of sequence 3,inducing intensive erosion of sequences 3 and 4,and formation of wedge-shaped deposition geometry in sequence 4 from south to north.The tilting probably resulted from small-scale subduction and exhumation of the western South China block during the South and North China block collision.

Reconsideration of the sediment characteristics of the second member of the Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Sanhuiba,Huaying Mountain

The second member of the Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sanhuiba area in Huaying Mountain is an important section of sedimentary delta facies in the Chongqing Tianfu Geological Survey and Training Base. In spite of some initial efforts on its lithology and lithofacies, the existing research is yet to be completed and suffers from contradictory conclusions and inadequate evidence. Starting from the sedimentary microfaeies types and cyclic features, we analyzed the vertical sequence of a sedimentary delta model and discovered that this section is a constructional delta deposit. Eight incomplete and asymmetric regressive cycles are marked off, given that frequent erosion surfaces appeared in the section. Based on the analysis of structural characteristics of every monocycle, we summarized the system of cycles, tracts and sequence characteristics of the overall section. In view of this systematic series of cycles, we discussed the features of the syndepositional tectonic movements in the area and conclude that, due to frequent erosion, migration and diversion of a sub-channel branch was brought about by oscillating movements of the crust. In a comparison with neighboring sections, we explored the cause of erosion and the relations between erosion and cycles. This study greatly strengthens existing research and theories, makes an important and comprehensive contribution to geological surveys and training in the area and provides essential suggestions for coal exploration, oil and gas evaluation and in general to exploration and development in the target stratum.

Characterization of favorable lithofacies in tight sandstone reservoirs and its significance for gas exploration and exploitation: A case study of the 2nd Member of Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Xinchang area, Sichuan Basin

By using core,logging curves,and experiment data,favorable lithofacies types in the 2 nd Member of Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Xinchang area,Sichuan Basin were classified,standard of the favorable lithofacies was established,planar distribution regularities of the favorable lithofacies were identified,and forming mechanisms of the favorable lithofacies and their control effect on production were examined.(1)The 2 nd Member of Xujiahe Formation has twelve types of lithofacies,among which multiple layer medium-coarse grain sandstone lithofacies,parallel bedding medium-coarse grain sandstone lithofacies,massive bedding medium-coarse grain sandstone lithofacies,inclined bedding medium-coarse grain sandstone lithofacies,and charcoal-bearing medium-coarse grain sandstone lithofacies with better physical properties and higher gas content are favorable lithofacies;they feature low gamma,low neutron porosity,low resistivity,and high acoustic travel time on logging curves.(2)The sedimentary process controls spatial distribution of sand bodies which are the material basis of the favorable lithofacies;post diagenetic fluids would differentially reconstruct the favorable lithofacies;tectonic activities and abnormal formation pressure made strata slide along the weakness plane,giving rise to fractures in different types of rocks,which can enhance the reservoir permeability significantly.(3)The development degree of favorable lithofacies is a major factor affecting stable production of gas well.

Types and genesis of sweet spots in the tight sandstone gas reservoirs:Insights from the Xujiahe Formation,northern Sichuan Basin,China

Through comprehensively applying geological and geophysical data,as well as core and thin section observation,the characteristics of reservoirs and fractures in the second member of the Xujiahe Formation(hereinafter referred to as Xu2 Member)in the Yuanba area,northern Sichuan Basin,were studied.Combined with the analysis of the main controlling factors of production capacity,the types and characteristics of the sweet spots in the tight sandstone gas reservoir were determined.The evaluation standards and geological models of the sweet spots were established.The results are as follows:(1)There are bedding-parallel fracture-,fault-induced fracture-,and pore-dominated sweet spots in the tight sandstone gas reservoirs of the Xu2 Member.(2)The bedding parallel fracture-dominated sweet spots have developed in quartz sandstones with well-developed horizontal fractures and micro-fractures.They are characterized by high permeability and high gas output during production tests.This kind of sweet spots is thin and shows a limited distribution.Their logging responses show extremely low gamma-ray(GR)values and medium-high AC values.Moreover,the bedding parallel fracture-dominated sweet spots can be mapped using seismic methods.(3)The fault-induced fracture-dominated sweet spots have welldeveloped medium-and high-angle shear fractures.Their logging responses show an increase in peaks of AC values and total hydrocarbon content and a decrease in resistivity.Seismically,the areas with welldeveloped fault-induced fracture-dominated sweet spots can be effectively mapped using the properties such as seismic entropy and maximum likelihood.(4)The pore-dominated sweet spots are developed in medium-grained feldspathic litharenites with good reservoir properties.They are thick and widely distributed.(5)These three types of sweet spots are mainly determined by sedimentation,diagenesis,and tectonism.The bedding parallel fracture-dominated sweet spots are distributed in beachbar quartz sandstones on the top of the 1st sand layer group in the Xu2 Member,which develops in a shore-shallow lake environment.The fault-induced fracture-dominated sweet spots mainly occur near faults.They are increasingly developed in areas closer to faults.The pore-dominated sweet spots are primarily distributed in the 2nd and 3rd sand layer groups,which lie in the development areas of distributary channels near provenances at western Yuanba area.Based on the geological and seismic data,a comprehensive evaluation standard for these three types of sweet spots of the tight sandstone reservoirs in the Xu2 Member has been established,which,on the one hand,lays the foundation for the development and evaluation of the gas reservoir,and on the other hand,deepens the understanding of sweet spot in the tight sandstone gas reservoirs.

Sedimentary microfacies of Member 5 of Xujiahe Formation in the Dongfengchang area, Sichuan Basin

Member 5 of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation(T_(3)X_(5))in central Sichuan Basin has made a breakthrough in exploration recently.However,this new stratum has not been investigated sufficiently with respect to basic geology,making its types and distribution of sedimentary facies unclear,which severely restricts its subsequent exploration evaluation.In this study,types of sedimentary microfacies in the first sand group of T_(3)X_(5)(T_(3)X_(5)^(1))are clarified through core observation and logging interpretation using core,log and seismic data,and then distribution of sedimentary microfacies in T_(3)X_(5)^(1) is determined according to seismic waveform features and seismic prediction.The results show that T_(3)X_(5)^(1) in the Dongfengchang area is mainly composed of deltaic deposits of several microfacies,such as delta front underwater distributary channel,sheet sand,and interdistributary bay.On seismic sections,different microfacies are significantly different in waveform features,the underwater distributary channel is characterized by one trough between two peaks,while diversion bay exhibits chaotic reflections between T6 and T51.The sedimentary microfacies varied greatly during the depositional period of T_(3)X_(5)^(1) in the Dongfengchang area,this is because that the sediment supply was mainly controlled by the southwest and southeast provenance regions.Three superimposed underwater distributary channels are developed in the Dongfengchang area.The phase-1 superimposed underwater distributary channel in the northwest transition to sheet sand in the northeast,the phase-2 superimposed underwater distributary channel in the south extends shortly,the phase-3 superimposed underwater distributary channel in the northeast has a large development scale.These research findings are helpful to guide the subsequent exploration of T_(3)X_(5) gas reservoir and also theoretically significant for investigating the depositional evolution of the Xujiahe Formation in central Sichuan Basin.

Genetic mechanisms of high-quality tight siliciclastic reservoirs:A case study from the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Yuanba area,Sichuan Basin,China

This study analyzed the petrological characteristics,diagenesis,pore types,and physical properties of the tight coarse-grained siliciclastic sequences in the third member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation(also referred to as the Xu-3 Member)in the western Yuanba area in the northeastern Sichuan Basin,China,based on the results of 242.61-m-long core description,292 thin-section observations,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and 292 physical property tests.The types and genetic mechanisms of high-quality tight coarse-grained siliciclastic reservoirs in this member was determined thereafter.The research objective is to guide the exploration and development of the tight coarse-grained siliciclastic sequences in the Xu-3 Member.The results of this study are as follows.Two types of high-quality reservoirs are developed in the coarse-grained siliciclastic sequences of the Xu-3 Member,namely the fractured fine-grained sandy conglomerate type and porous medium-grained calcarenaceous sandstone type.Hydrodynamic energy in the sedimentary environment is the key factor controlling the formation of high-quality reservoirs.These high-quality reservoirs are developed mainly in the transitional zone with moderately high hydrodynamic energy between delta-plain braided channels and delta-front subaqueous distributary channels.The dolomitic debris(gravel)content is the main factor affecting the reservoirs’physical properties.The micritic algal debris and sandy debris in the dolomitic debris(or gravels)tend to recrystallize during burial,forming intercrystalline pores within.In the medium-grained calcarenaceous sandstones,intercrystalline pores in the dolomitic debris are formed at the early diagenetic stage,and a pore system consisting of structural fractures connecting intergranular pores,intergranular dissolution pores,and kaolinite intergranular micropores is developed at the late stage of diagenesis.The formation of intercrystalline pores in dolomite gravels and gravel-edge fractures,a pore system connected by gravel-edge and tectonic fractures,is closely related to the dolomite gravels in the sandy fine-grained conglomerates.

Gas Generation from Coal and Coal-Measure Mudstone Source Rocks of the Xujiahe Formation in the Western Sichuan Depression,Sichuan Basin

The Triassic and Jurassic tight sandstone gas in the western Sichuan depression,Sichuan Basin has attracted much attention in recent years,and the Upper Triassic coal-bearing Xujiahe Formation is believed to be the major source rock.However,there are relatively few studies on the carbon isotopic heterogeneity of methane generated from coal-measure source rocks and the origin of the natural gases in Xinchang Gas Field is still controversial.In this study,one coal-measure mudstone sample and one coal sample of the Xujiahe Formation in western Sichuan Basin were selected for gold tube pyrolysis experiment to determine their gas generation characteristics.Geological extrapolation of gas generation and methane carbon isotope fractionation parameters reveals that the main gas generation stage of Xujiahe Formation ranges from Late Jurassic to Cretaceous in the Xinchang Gas Field.The natural gas in the 5th member of Xujiahe Formation in Xinchang Gas Field is mainly derived from the 5th member of Xujiahe Formation itself,i.e.,self-generation and self-reservoir,however,the gas in the Jurassic gas pools is mainly derived from the source rocks of the 3rd member of Xujiahe Formation rather than the 5th member of Xujiahe Formation.

Basin-Scale Sand Deposition in the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation of the Sichuan Basin, Southwest China: Sedimentary Framework and Conceptual Model

The Upper Triassic Xujiahe （须家河） Formation in the Sichuan （四川） Basin, Southwest China is distinctive for the basin-scale sand deposition. This relatively rare sedimentary phenomenon has not been well interpreted. Here we addressed this issue by discussing sedimentary framework and conceptual model. Analysis of sedimentary setting implied that the basin received transgression during the deposition. It had multiple provenance supplies and river networks, as being surrounded by old- lands in multiple directions including the north, east and south. Thus, the basin was generally charac-terized by coastal and widely open and shallow lacustrine deposition during the Late Triassic Xujiahe period. This is similar to the modern well-known Poyang （鄱阳） Lake. Therefore, we investigated the framework and conceptual model of the Sichuan Basin during the Xujiahe period with an analogue to the Poyang Lake. Results show that the conceptual model of the deposition can be divided into transgressive and regressive stages. The first, third and fifth mem- bers of the formation are in transgressive stage and the deposits are dominated by shore and shallow lacustrine mud. In contrast, the deposition is mainly of braided river channel sand deposits during the regressive stage, mainly including the second, fourth and sixth members of the formation. The sand deposited in almost the entire basin because of the lateral migration and forward moving of the cross networks of the braided rivers. The multiple alternations of short and rapid transgression and relatively long regression are beneficial to the basin-scale sand deposition. Thus, the main channel of the braided river and its extensional areas are favorable for the development of hydrocarbon reservoir. This provides practical significance to the reservoir evaluation and exploration. In addition, the results also justify the relatively distinctive sedimentary phenomenon in the study area and may also have im- plications for understanding the large-scale sand deposition elsewhere.

Distribution prediction of the glutenite in Member 3 of Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Yuanba area,northern Sichuan Basin

Although the Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Yuanba area of northern Sichuan has a large amount of resources,the proportion of proved reserves to the amount of resources is low.Production of most of the pilot production wells is high at the initial stage,but it declines rapidly,mainly due to tight rock properties and strong heterogeneity of Xujiahe Formation.Thus,it is important to investigate the distribution of high-quality reservoirs.The Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation develops sandstone interbedded with mudstone,and its lateral thickness of different sandstone groups varies greatly,so it is a challenge to identify appropriate time windows for seismic attribute analysis,thus,so the prediction effect of the glutenite in the Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation.In this study,through analysis of core data and logging facies,single-well sedimentary microfacies subdivision is carried out.Single-well lithological interpretation is also studied with application of lithological identification technique.Then,lithological associations and its seismic responses at the top and bottom interfaces of each sandstone group in the Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation are well investigated,The lithological association with the glutenite above and the mudstone below the stratigraphic interface respectively,corresponds to a trough in seismic profiles;in this case,when extracting the seismic attributes of sandstone groups above the stratigraphic interface,only the difference of between drilling horizons and seismic horizons needs to be considered.The lithological association with the mudstone above and glutenite below the stratigraphic interface respectively,corresponds to a peak in seismic profiles;in this case,when extracting the seismic attributes of sandstone groups above the stratigraphic interface,influence of which should be eliminated;thus,a method of time window determination for seismic attribute extraction is established.Among amplitude,frequency,and phase attributes,the total peak energy has the good correlation with thickness of the glutenite at well sites and it also can reflect the distribution of distributary channels well.The results show that belt-like glutenite in each sandstone group in the Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation extends in a NW-SE direction and thins out toward the southeast,and the distribution of glutenite has certain inheritance in the longitudinal direction,the glutenite in the third sandstone group in the Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation(TX33)and the first sandstone group in the Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation(TX31)are both developed.

Analysis of lithofacies and evaluation of effective reservoirs of member 2 of Xujiahe Formation in the Xinchang area in Western Sichuan

In the Xinchang area in western Sichuan Basin,a total of 121.12 billion cubic meters of proved reserves of natural gas are discovered in Member 2 of Xujiahe Formation,but only 7.739 billion cubic meters of proved reserves of natural gas are produced.The main reason is that sandstones in Member 2 of Xujiahe Formation in the Xinchang area are generally tight,with strong heterogeneity,only intervals with relatively good physical properties have a certain production capacity;therefore,it is very necessary and important to evaluate effective reservoirs in Member 2 of Xujiahe Formation.Through analysis of cores,with consideration of color,sedimentary texture and grain size,lithofacies of Member 2 of Xujiahe Formation in the Xinchang area can be divided into 12 types.According to data of physical properties and thin section analysis,it can be concluded that the favorable lithofacies in the upper submember of Member 2 of Xujiahe Formation are the massive medium-coarse sandstone,the medium-coarse sandstone with cross bedding,and the medium-coarse sandstone with carbonaceous fragments.On the basis of electrical characteristics,well-logging interpretation standards for favorable lithofacies are established,in addition,favorable lithofacies and effective reservoir in the Xinchang area are determined,and distribution of favorable lithofacies(effective reservoir)is identified,which lay a solid foundation for next deployment of appraisal well and development of effective reserves.

Theory and practice of unconventional gas exploration in carrier beds: Insight from the breakthrough of new type of shale gas and tight gas in Sichuan Basin, SW China

Unconventional gas in the Sichuan Basin mainly includes shale gas and tight gas.The development of shale gas is mainly concentrated in the Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Silurian Longmaxi Formation,but has not made any significant breakthrough in the Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation marine shale regardless of exploration efforts for years.The commercial development of tight sandstone gas is mainly concentrated in the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation,but has not been realized in the widespread and thick Triassic Xujiahe Formation.Depending on the geological characteristics of the Qiongzhusi Formation and Xujiahe Formation,the feedback of old wells was analyzed.Then,combining with the accumulation mechanisms of con-ventional gas and shale gas,as well as the oil/gas shows during drilling,changes in production and pressure during develop-ment,and other characteristics,it was proposed to change the exploration and development strategy from source and reservoir exploration to carrier beds exploration.With the combination of effective source rock,effective carrier beds and effective sand-stone or shale as the exploration target,a model of unconventional gas accumulation and enrichment in carrier beds was built.Under the guidance of this study,two significant results have been achieved in practice.First,great breakthrough was made in exploration of the silty shale with low organic matter abundance in the Qiongzhusi Formation,which breaks the traditional approach to prospect shale gas only in organic-rich black shales and realizes a breakthrough in new areas,new layers and new types of shale gas and a transformation of exploration and development of shale gas from single-layer system,Longmaxi For-mation,to multi-layer system in the Sichuan Basin.Second,exploration breakthrough and high-efficient development were re-alized for difficult-to-produce tight sandstone gas reserves in the Xujiahe Formation,which helps address the challenges of low production and unstable production of fracture zones in the Xujiahe Formation,promote the transformation of tight sandstone gas from reserves without production to effective production,and enhance the exploration and development potential of tight sandstonegas.

End-Triassic storm deposits in the lacustrine Sichuan Basin and their driving mechanisms

Storm deposits or tempestites are event sequences formed by storms,requiring at least a water temperature of 26.5℃.While inland lakes are unlikely to form storm deposits because of their limited width and water temperature.The Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin is a set of coal-bearing,clastic sequences with dominant sedimentary facies varying from braided river delta to lacustrine settings,with storm deposits widely reported.In the Zilanba of Guanyuan area,in situ tree trunks on a palaeosol surface in Member Vof the Xujiahe Formation provide new evidence of a storm event.Six fallen-down directions of nine in situ tree trunks were predominant in the NW direction,contrary to the palaeocurrent direction of the underlying strata,suggesting that the southeasterlies prevailed during the end-Triassic in the northern Sichuan Basin.Massive mud clasts were frequently recorded in sandstones of the Xujiahe Formation,as well as in the Xindianzi section.These mud clasts showed a rip-up or a plastic deformation with upside-down V-shapes,were capped on an erosional surface,showed no transport traces and were therefore interpreted as a storm lag deposit.The megamonsoonal climate prevailed during the Late Triassic,although the megamonsoons themselves could not generate a storm deposition in the Xujiahe Formation due to its low maximum surface wind speed.The driving mechanism for generating storm deposits in the Xujiahe Formation is suggested to be tropical cyclones over the Tethys Ocean moving eastward,further landfalling on the western margin of the Sichuan Basin.Statistics of storm events in the circum-Tethys region show a widespread storm surge in low latitudes during the end-Triassic.The storm deposits at the top of the Xujiahe Formation represent a sedimentary response to the end-Triassic hyperthermal event.

Late Triassic sauropodomorph and Middle Jurassic theropod tracks from the Xichang Basin,Sichuan Province,southwestern China:First report of the ichnogenus Carmelopodus

Upper Triassic and Middle Jurassic strata of the Xichang Basin in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, yielded important dinosaur ichnofossils. From the Xujiahe Formation of the Yiguojiao tracksite, we report a Late Triassic footprint assemblage in China and the first discovery of diagnostic Triassic sauropodomorph tracks in this region. The tracks share a number of features in common with the ichnogenera Eosauropus(Late Triassic) and Liujianpus(Early Jurassic). The neighboring Bingtu tracksite is stratigraphically younger(Shaximiao Formation, Middle Jurassic) and preserves small tridactyl theropod tracks that represent the first occurrence of the ichnotaxon Carmelopodus in China and Asia. While these tracks are morphologically comparable to those from the Middle Jurassic type locality in North America, the specimens from China show the proximal margin of the digit IV impression in a more cranial position, which may indicate a trackmaker with a relatively short metatarsal IV. In addition to the skeletal record, the Carmelopodus footprints document the presence of small theropods in the dinosaur fauna of the Middle Jurassic Shaximiao Formation.