Influencing factors and prevention measures of casing deformation in deep shale gas wells in Luzhou block,southern Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on structural distribution and fault characteristics of the Luzhou block,southern Sichuan Basin,as well as microseismic,well logging and in-situ stress data,the casing deformation behaviors of deep shale gas wells are summarized,and the casing deformation mechanism and influencing factors are identified.Then,the risk assessment chart of casing deformation is plotted,and the measures for preventing and controlling casing deformation are proposed.Fracturing-activated fault slip is a main factor causing the casing deformation in deep shale gas wells in the Luzhou block.In the working area,the approximate fracture angle is primarily 10°-50°,accounting for 65.34%,and the critical pore pressure increment for fault-activation is 6.05-9.71 MPa.The casing deformation caused by geological factors can be prevented/controlled by avoiding the faults at risk and deploying wells in areas with low value of stress factor.The casing deformation caused by engineering factors can be prevented/controlled by:(1)keeping wells avoid faults with risks of activation and slippage,or deploying wells in areas far from the faulting center if such avoidance is impossible;(2)optimizing the wellbore parameters,for example,adjusting the wellbore orientation to reduce the shear force on casing to a certain extent and thus mitigate the casing deformation;(3)optimizing the casing program to ensure that the curvature radius of the curved section of horizontal well is greater than 200 m while the drilling rate of high-quality reservoirs is not impaired;(4)optimizing the fracturing parameters,for example,increasing the evasive distance,lowering the single-operation pressure,and increasing the stage length,which can help effectively reduce the risk of casing deformation.

Integrated gravity and magnetic study on patterns of petroleum basin occurrence in the China seas and adjacent areas

The China seas and adjacent areas contain numerous petroleum basins.One of the main challenges for future oil and gas exploration is to identify the inherent patterns of petroleum basin distribution.The formation and evolution of petroleum basins along with the migration and accumulation of oil and gas are often closely related to the tectonic environment.The gravity and magnetic fields with high lateral resolution and wide coverage provide important data for regional tectonic research.Based on the gravity data in the Global Satellite Gravity Anomaly Database(V31.1)and magnetic data from the Earth Magnetic Anomaly Grid(2-arc-minute resolution)(V2),this study uses integrated gravity and magnetic field technique to obtain integrated gravity and magnetic field result for the China seas and adjacent areas,and then adopts the normalized vertical derivative of the total horizontal derivative technique to conduct partition.Finally,it identifies the relationship between the partition characteristics and tectonics as well as the patterns of petroleum basin occurrence.The research shows that the partition of gravity and magnetic field integrated result has a good correlation with the Neo-Cathaysian tectonic system and tectonic units.The petroleum basins are characterized according to three blocks arranged from north to south and four zones arranged from east to west.The north-south block structure causes the uneven distribution of oil and gas resources in the mainland area and the differences in the hydrocarbon-bearing strata.Petroleum basins are more abundant in the north than in the south.The ages of the main oil-and gas-bearing strata are“Paleozoic–Mesozoic,Paleozoic–Mesozoic–Cenozoic,and Paleozoic–Mesozoic”,in order from north to south.The difference in the overall type of oil and gas resources in all basins is controlled by the east–west zonation.From east to west,the oil and gas resource type exhibits a wave-like pattern of“oil and gas,gas,oil and gas,gas”.The vertical distribution is characterized by an upper oil(Mesozoic–Cenozoic)and lower gas(Mesozoic–Paleozoic)structure.Within the study area,the Paleozoic marine strata should be the main strata of future natural gas exploration.

Early Palaeozoic Evolution of the Zhen' an- Xichuan Block and the Small Qinling Multi-Island Ocean Basin

Based on studies of palaeogeography, palaeobiogeography, palaeomagnetism, geochemistry and volcanism, this paper proposes that the Zhen'an-Xichuan area was a small Early Palaeozoic block rifted away from South Qinling and suturing onto North Qinling earlier than the other parts of South Qinling. In the Early Palaeozoic Qinling was a small archipelagic ocean basin with 5 rows of islands including the Zhen'an-Xichuan block. The drifting of the Yangtze and North China plates and the islands between them in the same direction at different speeds caused their suturing process to be different from the classic plate collision, which is the major feature of the suturing of the multi-island Tethys ocean basin. This also explains the problem that the Caledonian collision did not result in orogeny in eastern Qinling.

The Type and Evolution of Neoproterozoic Sedimentary Basin in the Dahongshan Region,Northern Margin of the Yangtze Block:An Insight from Sedimentary Characteristics of the Huashan Group

Objective The Huashan group（composed of the lower Hongshansi Formation and the upper Liufangzui Formation）is an important Neoproterozoic stratigraphic unit along the northern margin of the Yangtze Block.Previous documents have focused on the geochronological and geochemical aspects of the Neoproterozoic sedimentary basin in the Dahongshan region.However.

Layer-block tectonics of Cenozoic basements and formation of intra-plate basins in Nansha micro-plate, southern South China Sea

Layer-block tectonics （LBT） concept, with the core of pluralistic geodynamic outlook and multilayer-sliding tectonic outlook, is one of new keys to study 3-dimensional solid and its 4-dimensional evolution history of global tectonic system controlled by global geodynamics system. The LBT concept is applied to study the lithospheric tectonics of the southern South China Sea （SCS）. Based on the analysis of about 30 000 km of geophysical and geological data, some layer-blocks in the Nansha micro-plate can be divided as Nansha ultra-crustal layer-block, Zengmu crustal layer-block, Nanwei （Rifleman bank）-Andu （Ardasier bank） and Liyue （Reed bank） North Palawan crustal layer-blocks, Andu-Bisheng and Liyue-Banyue basemental layer-blocks. The basic characteristics of the basemental layer-blocks have been dicussed, and three intra-plate basin groups are identified. The intra-plate basins within Nansha micro-plate can be divided into three basin groups of Nanwei- Andu, Feixin-Nanhua, and Liyue-North Palawan based on the different geodynamics. In the light of pluralistic geodynamic concept, the upheaving force induced by the mid-crust plastic layer is proposed as the main dynamical force which causes the formation of the intra-plate basins within the Nansha micro-plate. Finally, models of a face-to-face dip-slip detachment of basemental layerblock and a unilateral dip-slip-detachment of basemental layer-block are put forward for the forming mechanisms of the Nanwei Andu and Liyue-North Palawan intra-plate basin groups, respectively.

The Earlier Spreading of South China Sea Basin due to the Late Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic Extension of South China Block: Structural Styles and Chronological Evidence from the Dulong-Song Chay Metamorphic Dome, Southwest China

To understand the forming and tectonic evolution of the South China Sea basin, new data of the structural styles and geochronology were obtained from the Dulong-Song Chay dome, southeastern Yunnan and northern Vietnam. The structural styles were acquired through field investigation and geo-chronological dating was carried out using zircon SHRIMP Ⅱ U-P and argon isotopic analyses. The South China Sea basin extension occurred firstly at Late Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic, and then at Late Oligocene to Middle Miocene （32-17 Ma）. The second stage of extension formed immediately after the first stage, and both extensions have a consistent forming mechanism. New structural analysis and geo-chronological data do not support the models of ＂backarc spreading＂ and ＂strike-slip faults producing the extension＂. Then what mechanism resulted in the extension of South China Sea basin？ The data indicate that at least two episodes of major extensional tectonics, i.e. , the D1 deformation at 237-228 Ma resulted in the rising and exhumation of the dome, and D2 deformation at 86-78 Ma overprinted and redeformed the dome. Of them, the D2 shows a consistent forming time, extensional direction and tectonic regime among Dulong-Song Chay dome, South China block and the northern margin of the South China Sea basin. Regional geology has proved that the northern margin of the South China Sea basin belongs to the South China block, therefore, we interpreted that the Late Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic extensional tectonics occurred in the northern margin of the South China Sea basin due to the intraplate deformation of the South China block, while the Ailaoshan-Red River sinistral slip strengthened the Cenozoic extension in the South China Sea basin.

Exploration Strategies for Complex Fault Block Reservoirs in the Subei Basin

The geological background of the Subei basin is that of small relief subsidence, low geothermal gradient, multi-sedimentary hiatuses, intense reconstruction of the basin, frequent magmatic activity, and a unique combination of source rock and reservoir. This geological background resulted in characteristics such as many small fault blocks, multiple oil-bearing formations, scattered oil distribution, mini- to small-sized reservoirs, and difficulties in exploration. Aimed at such characteristics, an effective exploration strategy was adopted, and the oil reserves, production and economic benefits of the Jiangsu oilfield were significantly increased. This exploration strategy included understanding the hydrocarbon generation mechanism of source rocks, progressive evaluation of oil resources, comprehensive research on the faulted systems, the distribution of oil reservoirs and their controlling factors. The techniques used included integration of acquisition, processing and interpretation with 3-D seismics as the core technology, trap description and evaluation, directional drilling and cluster drilling, integration of cuttings logging, gas chromatographic logging and geochemical logging, and integration of early reservoir description and progressive exploration and development. This strategy could be guidance for other complex fault blocks.

Two-episode Tectono-thermal Events of the Heyuan Fault in Late Cretaceous and Oligocene and their Tectonic Implications, Southernmost South China Block

The Heyuan Fault, is one of the main NE-trending faults in the southernmost South China Block and is close to the northernmost South China Sea to the south. The fault features multi-stage deformation and controlled the formation of late Cretaceous to Cenozoic basins. Based on detailed field investigations and comprehensive geochronological research, including zircon U-Pb, Rb-Sr isochron, zircon U-Th-He dating, two episodic tectono-thermal events are recognized. The first occurred during ~79 Ma to 66 Ma, which is characterized by large-scale quartz-fluid emplacement. The other occurred at ~34 Ma, which features the eruption of a set of basalts. The two events show a changing on material source from siliceous hydrotherm to basalt magma, supporting obvious lithospheric thinning of the southernmost South China Block, which shed light on the geological evolution and the interaction mechanisms between the SCB and the northern South China Sea since the Late Cretaceous.

Provenance and paleogeography of Carboniferous-Permian strata in the Bayanhot Basin:Constraints from sedimentary records and detrital zircon geochronology

The Bayanhot Basin is a superimposed basin that experienced multiple-staged tectonic movements;it is in the eastern Alxa Block,adjacent to the North China Craton(NCC)and the North Qilian Orogenic Belt(NQOB).There are well-developed Paleozoic-Cenozoic strata in this basin,and these provide a crucial window to a greater understanding of the amalgamation process and source-to-sink relationships between the Alxa Block and surrounding tectonic units.However,due to intensive post-depositional modification,and lack of subsurface data,several fundamental issues-including the distribution and evolution of the depositional systems,provenance supplies and source-to-sink relationships during the Carboniferous-Permian remain unclear and thus hinder hydrocarbon exploration and limit the geological understanding of this basin.Employing integrated outcrop surveys,new drilling data,and detrital zircon dating,this study examines the paleogeographic distribution and evolution,and provenance characteristics of the Carboniferous-Permian strata in the Bayanhot Basin.Our results show that the Bayanhot Basin experienced a long-term depositional evolution process from transgression to retrogression during the Carboniferous-late Permian.The transgression extent could reach the central basin in the early Carboniferous.The maximum regional transgression occurred in the early Permian and might connect the Qilian and North China seas with each other.Subsequently,a gradual regression followed until the end of the Permian.The northwestern NCC appeared as a paleo-uplift area and served as a sediments provenance area for the Alxa Block at that time.The NCC,Bayanwula Mountain,and NQOB jointly served as major provenances during the Carboniferous-Permian.There was no ocean separation,nor was there an orogenic belt between the Alxa Block and the NCC that provided sediments for both sides during the Carboniferous-Permian.The accretion of the Alxa and North China blocks should have been completed before the Carboniferous period.

Hydrocarbon Potential of Pre-cenozoic Strata in the North Yellow Sea Basin

The North Yellow Sea Basin ( NYSB ), which was developed on the basement of North China (Huabei) continental block, is a typical continental Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary basin in the sea area. Its Mesozoic basin is a residual basin, below which there is probably a larger Paleozoic sedimentary basin. The North Yellow Sea Basin comprises four sags and three uplifts. Of them, the eastern sag is a Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary sag in NYSB and has the biggest sediment thickness; the current Korean drilling wells are concentrated in the eastern sag. This sag is comparatively rich in oil and gas resources and thus has a relatively good petroleum prospect in the sea. The central sag has also accommodated thick Mesozoic-Cenozoic sediments. The latest research results show that there are three series of hydrocarbon source rocks in the North Yellow Sea Basin, namely, black shales of the Paleogene, Jurassic and Cretaceous. The principal hydrocarbon source rocks in NYSB are the Mesozoic black shale. According to the drilling data of Korea, the black shales of the Paleogene, Jurassic and Cretaceous have all come up to the standards of good and mature source rocks. The NYSB owns an intact system of oil generation, reservoir and capping rocks that can help hydrocarbon to form in the basin and thus it has the great potential of oil and gas. The vertical distribution of the hydrocarbon resources is mainly considered to be in the Cretaceous and then in the Jurassic.

Influence of depressurization rate on gas production capacity of high-rank coal in the south of Qinshui Basin, China

A desorption simulation experiment with the condition of simulated strata was designed. The experiment, under different depressurizing rates and the same fluid saturation, was conducted on the sample from 3# coal of Daning coal mine in Jincheng, Shanxi Province. The gas production rate and pressure change at both ends of the sample were studied systematically, and the mechanisms of some phenomena in the experiment were discussed. The experimental results show that, whether at fast or slow depressurizing rate, the methane adsorbed to high-rank coal can effectively desorb and the desorption efficiency can reach above 90%. There is an obvious inflection point on the gas yield curve during the desorption process and it appears after the pressure on the lump of coal reduces below the desorption pressure. The desorption of methane from high-rank coal is mainly driven by differential pressure, and high pressure difference is conducive to fast desorption. In the scenario of fast depressurization, the desorption inflection appears earlier and the gas production rate in the stage of rapid desorption is higher. It is experimentally concluded that the originally recognized strategy of long-term slow CBM production is doubtful and the economic benefit of CBM exploitation from high-rank coal can be effectively improved by rapid drainage and pressure reduction. The field experiment results in pilot blocks of Fanzhuang and Zhengzhuang show that by increasing the drainage depressurization rate, the peak production of gas well would increase greatly, the time of gas well to reach the economic production shortened, the average time for a gas well to reach expected production reduced by half, and the peak gas production is higher.

Tectono-Sedimentary Evolution of the Offshore Hydrocarbon Exploration Block 5, East Africa: Implication for Hydrocarbon Generation and Migration

Sedimentary deposits in Block 5, offshore Tanzania basin have been imaged using two-dimensional (2D) seismic data. The seismic data and well data reveal four tectonic units representing different tectonic events in relation to structural styles, sedimentation and hydrocarbon potential evolved in Block 5. Results show that during Early to Late Jurassic, Block 5 was affected by the break-up of Gondwana and the drifting of Madagascar as evidenced by patterns of sediments and structural features. The chaotic and discontinuous reflectors are characteristics features on the sediments pattern indicating a possible transitional setting following the breakup of Gondwana. From the Late Cretaceous, Block 5 sits in more stable subsiding sag as the consequence of the high thermal subsidence. The period displayed continuous parallel reflectors with few markable faults. This was followed by the late post rift sedimentation that occurred after Middle Eocene Unconformity characterized by high wavy and sub parallel reflectors. The evolution of Block 5 through major tectonic events reveals a more complete petroleum system towards the south. Thus, Block 5 responded in both space and time to a complex interplay between tectonics and sedimentation. This indicates that structural styles and associated features are potential control for hydrocarbon generation and migration.

Gravity Model for an Anomalous Body Located in the NW Portion of the Douala Sedimentary Sub-Basin, Cameroon (Central Africa)

Gravity studies have been carried out in the Douala sub-basin which is a sedimentary basin located both onshore and offshore on the South coast of Cameroon between latitudes 3°03'N and 4°06'N and longitudes 9°00' and 10°00'E, covering a total surface area of 12,805 km2. On its onshore portion, the Douala sub-basin has a trapezoic shape and covers a total surface area of about 6955 km2 while the offshore part covers an area of about 5850 km2. Gravity data used in this study are constituted of 912 gravity data points located between longitudes 8°10.2' to 10°59.4'E and latitudes 2°30.6' to 4°59.4'N and the study area is located to the NW section of the onshore portion of the Douala sub-basin. This study area is characterised by considerably high positive anomalies attaining peak values of about 104.1 mGals at longitude 9°9.9' and latitude 4°1.1' with contour lines which are mostly oriented in the NNE direction. Residual anomalies were extracted by upward continuation of the Bouguer anomaly field at an optimum height of 30 km. This residual field and those obtained by the separation of polynomial of order 4 had a very high correlation coefficient factor of 0.979. The multi-scale horizontal derivative of the vertical derivative (MSHDVD) method was applied on the extracted residual anomalies for the delimitation of possible contacts in the source while the amplitude spectrum was used to estimate the depth to the top of the potential field source. The MSHDVD method did not delimite any clear cut contacts in the source but the amplitude spectrum estimated the potential field source at a depth of about 4.8 km. The ideal body theory was used to determine the density contrast along a 65 km NW-SE profile yielding a value of 0.266 g/cm3. 2.5D modelling aimed at bringing out the underlying structural layout of this study area presents a source body which is very probably an intrusive igneous block surrounded by sedimentary formations and having a density of 2.77 g/cm3 at a depth of about 5.88 km below the surface and an average thickness of about 26.95 km.

Evidence of Some Major Structures Underlying the Douala Sedimentary Sub-Basin: West African Coastal Basin

Gravity data have been processed in the Douala sedimentary sub-basin in a section consisting of a set of 116 gravity data points located between latitudes 3°03'N and 4°06'N and longitudes 9°00'E and 10°00'E. The established Bouguer anomaly fields and the Residual anomaly fields, extracted by upward continuation at an optimum height of 30 km, were both characterized by considerably high positive anomalies. These anomalies showed many ring-like positive gravity anomaly contour lines in the study region. Gravity gradients were analysed using the multi-scale horizontal derivative of the vertical derivative (MSHDVD) method, and this excluded the existence of fault lines across this region. Amplitude spectrum was used to estimate the potential field source at a depth of about 4.8 km. The ideal body theory capable of handling sparse data contaminated with noise was applied along a 50.2 km WWS-EEN profile to determine a density contrast of 0.266 g/cm3. Using these results as constraints, 2.5 D modelling carried out along this profile presented two major blocks with density contrast of 0.266 g/cm3. The first block is probably an intrusive igneous body with a density of about 2.77 g/cm3 , having an average thickness of about 26 km with its top and base lying at depths of about 4.25 km and 30.25 km respectively. The second block is likely a pillar of igneous material, located at a depth of about 10.77 km with a density of about 2.77 g/cm3 whose base goes deep down beyond the crust-mantle boundary. These results support previous findings that there are similarities between the Douala sedimentary sub-basin and the coastal sedimentary basin of Mauritania-Senegal and thus foster the suggestions of a more extensive movement that would have affected the whole of the West African coast.

非洲Muglad盆地Fula凹陷白垩系AG组岩性油气藏勘探潜力

借鉴国内断陷盆地岩性油气藏勘探理论与技术,运用层序地层学分析方法,对中非裂谷系Muglad盆地Fula凹陷开展多级次层序地层划分、烃源岩地化分析、油气成藏规律研究和有利区带划分与潜力评价。研究结果表明:①受基准面旋回发育控制,Fula凹陷AG组可划分为5个三级层序,湖泛面附近是岩性油气藏最有利分布位置。②研究区AG组主要发育三大物源体系,福西陡坡带为短轴近物源快速沉积,相带平面展布较窄;东北部发育辫状河三角洲沉积,展布范围较大,沉积持续时间长;AG组沉积晚期在东南部发育一套展布范围较小的辫状河三角洲沉积;三角洲前缘和滨浅湖滩坝是岩性油气藏发育的有利相带。③AG组AG2段(SQ4)暗色泥岩主要沉积于浅湖—半深湖环境,干酪根类型为Ⅰ—Ⅱ1型,TOC平均为3.41%,生烃潜量(S1+S2)多大于8 mg/g,为好—极好烃源岩,可为构造-岩性油气藏的形成提供充足的油气来源。④AG组可划分出7个岩性油气区带,其中Fula-Moga斜坡带北部成藏条件优越,勘探潜力大。

Episodes of subaerial Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) linked to late Turonian/late Maastrichtian deep incursion of sea on the Indian continental block

Late Cretaceous sea inundation of major continents,surprisingly did not affect Indian block except by two major subaerial events of Large Igneous Provinces( LIPs). Marion hotspot induced LIP of Mahajanga Flood Basalt( ca. 92 Ma) in Madagascar triggered high intensity earthquake along Narmada Lineament and permitted a short lived marine transgression during late Turonian with spectacular estuarine deposits of limited thickness,preserved as archive of "Greenhouse Climatic Record". Réunion hotspot induced LIP of Deccan Flood Basalt,stretching from western to eastern India around Rajahmundry area attracted worldwide attention for the unique fauna and flora preserved in the intertrappean beds straddling Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary. This massive subaerial LIP( ca. 66 Ma) permitted fairly deep penetration of sea along collision facing Subathu-Dogadda Lineament during late Maastrichtian-Danian,but due to thick vegetation cover,tectonic disturbance and scarce outcrops the evidence is less straightforward than along Narmada rift.

Muglad盆地Unity凹陷及邻区AG2段沉积相与沉积模式分析

通过研究沉积相与沉积模式,明确有利砂体展布特征对岩性—地层油气藏勘探具有重要意义。Muglad盆地Unity凹陷Abu Gabra组2段(简称AG2,下同)沉积特征及平面展布尚不明确,制约着岩性—地层油气藏的勘探工作。本文针对该问题,综合利用测井、录井、地震等资料,运用经典层序地层学理论以及构造演化分析,揭示了Unity凹陷AG2段沉积特征并建立了辫状河三角洲—湖泊沉积模式。研究结果表明:研究区AG2段的物源区为东部Toor凸起,凹陷内主要发育三角洲相及湖泊相,凹陷东部边缘发育冲积扇相;三角洲相、冲积扇相发育区均可成为有利的岩性地层油气藏勘探区。研究成果可为Unity凹陷岩性—地层油气藏有利区带优选提供科学依据。

Petroleum System of the Sufyan Depression at the Eastern Margin of a Huge Strike-slip Fault Zone in Central Africa

The present paper mainly studies the petroleum system of the Sufyan Depression in the Muglad Basin of central Africa and analyzes its control of hydrocarbon accumulation. On the basis of comprehensive analysis of effective source rock, reservoir bed types and source-reservoir-seal assemblages, petroleum system theory has been used to classify the petroleum system of the Sufyan Depression. Vertically, the Sufyan Depression consists of two subsystems. One is an Abu Gabra subsystem as a self generating, accumulating and sealing assemblage. The other subsystem is composed of an Abu Gabra source rock, Bentiu channel sandstone reservoir and Darfur group shale seal, which is a prolific assemblage in this area. Laterally, the Sufyan Depression is divided into eastern and western parts with separate hydrocarbon generation centers more than 10 000 m deep. The potential of the petroleum system is tremendous. Recently, there has been a great breakthrough in exploration. The Sufyan C-1 well drilled in the central structural belt obtained high-yielding oil flow exceeding 100 tons per day and controlled geologic reserves of tens of millions of tons. The total resource potential of the Sufyan Depression is considerable. The central structural belt is most favorable as an exploration and development prospect.

Characteristics of horizontal crustal movement in Weihe basin and adjacent zones by GPS observation

Based on the GPS data provided by CMONOC during 1999~2002 and observed by Seismological Bureau of Shaanxi Province during 2001~2002, we have obtained the crustal movement velocity field in Weihe basin and adjacent regions. The results show that the motion velocity in Weihe basin and adjacent zones is characterized by distinct NE-directional stripped variation. The south border of Ordos block seems to show an discontinuous anti-clockwise rotation on the whole with an average velocity of about 5.7 mma-1 relative to Yulin site on the Ordos block. There is a left-lateral shear belt on both sides of Binxian-Xi'an-Lantian zone in the central Weihe basin, and its northern area has a better corresponding relationship with the dense zone of small earthquakes in Tong-chuan-Jingyang-Lintong-Weinan.