New technologies are in urgent need of unconventional hydrocarbon exploration and development in China.This paper provides a brief introduction and analysis of a new three-dimensional(3D)geomechanical restoration meth...New technologies are in urgent need of unconventional hydrocarbon exploration and development in China.This paper provides a brief introduction and analysis of a new three-dimensional(3D)geomechanical restoration method developed in recent years.After an in-depth discussion on the technical principle and specific characteristics of the fields,we designed a feasible workflow for two oil-gas fields with great unconventional oil-gas resource potentials in China(Weiyuan and Jiulongshan oil-gas fields of Sichuan).After discussing the major challenges and limitations of the new technology,we also suggest its research efforts and future application prospect It is shown that the new technology will be an effective method to facilitate the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas resources in China.展开更多
The discovery of unconventional hydrocarbon resources since the late 20th century changed geologists’understanding of hydrocarbon migration and accumulations and provides a solution to energy shortage.In 2016,unconve...The discovery of unconventional hydrocarbon resources since the late 20th century changed geologists’understanding of hydrocarbon migration and accumulations and provides a solution to energy shortage.In 2016,unconventional oil production in the USA accounted for 41%of the total oil production;and unconventional natural gas production in China accounted for 35%of total gas production,showing strong growth momentum of unconventional hydrocarbons explorations.Unconventional hydrocarbons generally coexist with conventional petroleum resources;they sometimes distribute in a separate system,not coexisting with a conventional system.Identification and prediction of unconventional resources and their potentials are prominent challenges for geologists.This study analyzed the results of 12,237 drilling wells in six representative petroliferous basins in China and studied the correlations and differences between conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons by comparing their geological features.Migration and accumulation of conventional hydrocarbon are caused dominantly by buoyance.Wepropose a concept of buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depth to describe the deepest hydrocarbon accumulation depth driven dominantly by buoyance;beyond this depth the buoyance becomes unimportant for hydrocarbon accumulation.We found that the buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depth in petroliferous basins controls the different oil/gas reservoirs distribution and resource potentials.Hydrocarbon migration and accumulations above this depth is dominated by buoyancy,forming conventional reservoirs in traps with high porosity and permeability,while hydrocarbon migration and accumulation below this depth is dominated by non-buoyancy forces(mainly refers to capillary force,hydrocarbon volumeexpansion force,etc.),forming unconventional reservoirs in tight layers.The buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depths in six basins in China range from 1200mto 4200 m,which become shallowerwith increasing geothermal gradient,decreasing particle size of sandstone reservoir layers,or an uplift in the whole petroliferous basin.The predicted unconventional resource potential belowthe buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depth in six basins in China is more than 15.71×10^(9) t oil equivalent,among them 4.71×10^(9) t reserves have been proved.Worldwide,94%of 52,926 oil and gas reservoirs in 1186 basins are conventional reservoirs and only 6%of them are unconventional reservoirs.These 94%conventional reservoirs show promising exploration prospects in the deep area below buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depth.展开更多
Using conventional and unconventional oil and gas resource evaluation methods with play as a unit, this study evaluates the oil and gas geology and resource potential of conventional oil and gas resources and seven ty...Using conventional and unconventional oil and gas resource evaluation methods with play as a unit, this study evaluates the oil and gas geology and resource potential of conventional oil and gas resources and seven types of unconventional resources in the global major oil and gas basins(excluding China). For the first time, resource evaluation data with independent intellectual property rights has been obtained. According to evaluation and calculation, the global recoverable conventional oil resources are 5 350.0×108 t, the recoverable condensate oil resources are 496.2×108 t, and the recoverable natural gas resources are 588.4×1012 m3. The remaining oil and gas 2 P recoverable reserves are 4 212.6×108 t, the reserve growth of oil and gas fields are 1 531.7×108 t. The undiscovered oil and gas recoverable resources are 3 065.5×108 t. The global unconventional oil recoverable resources are 4 209.4×108 t and the unconventional natural gas recoverable resources are 195.4×1012 m3. The evaluation results show that the global conventional and unconventional oil and gas resources are still abundant.展开更多
China is a top world producer of coal resources with numerous coal-rich basins country-wide that also contain coalbed methane(CBM),an unconventional natural gas resource.Recent exploration of coal and CBM resources ha...China is a top world producer of coal resources with numerous coal-rich basins country-wide that also contain coalbed methane(CBM),an unconventional natural gas resource.Recent exploration of coal and CBM resources has also led to the discovery of rare,precious,and scattered metal minerals,including sandstone-type U and Ga–Ge–Li.High-grade and industrial-value deposits have been discovered in the Ordos,Junggar,and other basins across China during exploration for coal resources.Application of coordinated exploration theories and techniques in multiple energy and coal-associated ore deposits,such as coal and unconventional natural gas in coal,achieves efficient and practical exploration of natural resources.Based on the systematic study of accumulation and occurrence of coal and coal-associated mineral resources in coal basins,the basic idea of coordinated exploration for coal and coal-associated deposits is proposed,and multi-targets and multi-methods based on a coordinated exploration model of coal-associated deposits is developed.Coordinated exploration expands the main exploration objective from coal seams to coal-associated series,extending the exploration target from targeting coal only to coal-associated deposits.Entrance times for exploration are decreased to realize coordinated exploration for coal,unconventional natural gas and syngenetic/associated mineral resources in coal by implementing a’one-time approach’―one time in and out of a coal seam to minimize disturbance and time needed for extraction.According to the differences of geological background in China’s coal basins,four coordinated exploration model types,including co-exploration of coal and coal-associated unconventional natural gas,coal and solid minerals,coal and metal minerals,and coal with water resources are established.Other models discussed include a multi-target coordinated exploration model for the combination of coal,coal-associated gas,solid minerals,and metal minerals accordingly.The exploration techniques of coal and coal-associated resources include regional geological investigation and research and synthetic application of other techniques including seismic surveys,drilling,logging,and geochemical exploration.Particularly,applying the’multi-purpose drill hole’or reworking coalfield drill holes into parameter wells,adding sample testing and logging wells,determining gas-bearing layers by logging and gas content measurement,jointly measuring multiple logging parameters,sampling,and testing of coal-strata help in the exploration and evaluation of coal resources,coal-associated unconventional natural gas resources,and coal-associated element minerals.Accordingly,a system of integrated Space–Air–Ground exploration techniques for coordinated exploration of coal and coal-associated minerals is established.This includes high-resolution,hyperspectral remote-sensing technique,high-precision geophysical exploration and fast,precise drilling,testing of experimental samples,as well as coordinated exploration and determination methods of multi-target factors,multi-exploration means,multi-parameter configuration and optimization,big data fusions and interpretation techniques.In recent years,the application of this integrated system has brought significant breakthroughs in coal exploration in Inner Mongolia,Xinjiang and other provinces,discovering several large,ten-billionton coalfields,such as the Eastern Junggar and Tuha basins,and also in exploration and development of CBM from lowrank coals in Fukang,Xinjiang,discovery the Daying U Deposit in Inner Mongolia,the Junggar Ultralarge Ga Deposit,Lincang,Yunnan,and the Wulantuga,Inner Mongolia,Ge-bearing coal deposits,and the Pingshuo Ultralarge Li–Ge Deposit.展开更多
文摘New technologies are in urgent need of unconventional hydrocarbon exploration and development in China.This paper provides a brief introduction and analysis of a new three-dimensional(3D)geomechanical restoration method developed in recent years.After an in-depth discussion on the technical principle and specific characteristics of the fields,we designed a feasible workflow for two oil-gas fields with great unconventional oil-gas resource potentials in China(Weiyuan and Jiulongshan oil-gas fields of Sichuan).After discussing the major challenges and limitations of the new technology,we also suggest its research efforts and future application prospect It is shown that the new technology will be an effective method to facilitate the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas resources in China.
基金by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U19B6003-02)the National Basic Research Program(973)of China(No.2011CB201100).
文摘The discovery of unconventional hydrocarbon resources since the late 20th century changed geologists’understanding of hydrocarbon migration and accumulations and provides a solution to energy shortage.In 2016,unconventional oil production in the USA accounted for 41%of the total oil production;and unconventional natural gas production in China accounted for 35%of total gas production,showing strong growth momentum of unconventional hydrocarbons explorations.Unconventional hydrocarbons generally coexist with conventional petroleum resources;they sometimes distribute in a separate system,not coexisting with a conventional system.Identification and prediction of unconventional resources and their potentials are prominent challenges for geologists.This study analyzed the results of 12,237 drilling wells in six representative petroliferous basins in China and studied the correlations and differences between conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons by comparing their geological features.Migration and accumulation of conventional hydrocarbon are caused dominantly by buoyance.Wepropose a concept of buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depth to describe the deepest hydrocarbon accumulation depth driven dominantly by buoyance;beyond this depth the buoyance becomes unimportant for hydrocarbon accumulation.We found that the buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depth in petroliferous basins controls the different oil/gas reservoirs distribution and resource potentials.Hydrocarbon migration and accumulations above this depth is dominated by buoyancy,forming conventional reservoirs in traps with high porosity and permeability,while hydrocarbon migration and accumulation below this depth is dominated by non-buoyancy forces(mainly refers to capillary force,hydrocarbon volumeexpansion force,etc.),forming unconventional reservoirs in tight layers.The buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depths in six basins in China range from 1200mto 4200 m,which become shallowerwith increasing geothermal gradient,decreasing particle size of sandstone reservoir layers,or an uplift in the whole petroliferous basin.The predicted unconventional resource potential belowthe buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depth in six basins in China is more than 15.71×10^(9) t oil equivalent,among them 4.71×10^(9) t reserves have been proved.Worldwide,94%of 52,926 oil and gas reservoirs in 1186 basins are conventional reservoirs and only 6%of them are unconventional reservoirs.These 94%conventional reservoirs show promising exploration prospects in the deep area below buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depth.
基金Supported by the China National Science and Technology Major Project(2016ZX05029-001,2016ZX05029-002,2011ZX05028)
文摘Using conventional and unconventional oil and gas resource evaluation methods with play as a unit, this study evaluates the oil and gas geology and resource potential of conventional oil and gas resources and seven types of unconventional resources in the global major oil and gas basins(excluding China). For the first time, resource evaluation data with independent intellectual property rights has been obtained. According to evaluation and calculation, the global recoverable conventional oil resources are 5 350.0×108 t, the recoverable condensate oil resources are 496.2×108 t, and the recoverable natural gas resources are 588.4×1012 m3. The remaining oil and gas 2 P recoverable reserves are 4 212.6×108 t, the reserve growth of oil and gas fields are 1 531.7×108 t. The undiscovered oil and gas recoverable resources are 3 065.5×108 t. The global unconventional oil recoverable resources are 4 209.4×108 t and the unconventional natural gas recoverable resources are 195.4×1012 m3. The evaluation results show that the global conventional and unconventional oil and gas resources are still abundant.
文摘China is a top world producer of coal resources with numerous coal-rich basins country-wide that also contain coalbed methane(CBM),an unconventional natural gas resource.Recent exploration of coal and CBM resources has also led to the discovery of rare,precious,and scattered metal minerals,including sandstone-type U and Ga–Ge–Li.High-grade and industrial-value deposits have been discovered in the Ordos,Junggar,and other basins across China during exploration for coal resources.Application of coordinated exploration theories and techniques in multiple energy and coal-associated ore deposits,such as coal and unconventional natural gas in coal,achieves efficient and practical exploration of natural resources.Based on the systematic study of accumulation and occurrence of coal and coal-associated mineral resources in coal basins,the basic idea of coordinated exploration for coal and coal-associated deposits is proposed,and multi-targets and multi-methods based on a coordinated exploration model of coal-associated deposits is developed.Coordinated exploration expands the main exploration objective from coal seams to coal-associated series,extending the exploration target from targeting coal only to coal-associated deposits.Entrance times for exploration are decreased to realize coordinated exploration for coal,unconventional natural gas and syngenetic/associated mineral resources in coal by implementing a’one-time approach’―one time in and out of a coal seam to minimize disturbance and time needed for extraction.According to the differences of geological background in China’s coal basins,four coordinated exploration model types,including co-exploration of coal and coal-associated unconventional natural gas,coal and solid minerals,coal and metal minerals,and coal with water resources are established.Other models discussed include a multi-target coordinated exploration model for the combination of coal,coal-associated gas,solid minerals,and metal minerals accordingly.The exploration techniques of coal and coal-associated resources include regional geological investigation and research and synthetic application of other techniques including seismic surveys,drilling,logging,and geochemical exploration.Particularly,applying the’multi-purpose drill hole’or reworking coalfield drill holes into parameter wells,adding sample testing and logging wells,determining gas-bearing layers by logging and gas content measurement,jointly measuring multiple logging parameters,sampling,and testing of coal-strata help in the exploration and evaluation of coal resources,coal-associated unconventional natural gas resources,and coal-associated element minerals.Accordingly,a system of integrated Space–Air–Ground exploration techniques for coordinated exploration of coal and coal-associated minerals is established.This includes high-resolution,hyperspectral remote-sensing technique,high-precision geophysical exploration and fast,precise drilling,testing of experimental samples,as well as coordinated exploration and determination methods of multi-target factors,multi-exploration means,multi-parameter configuration and optimization,big data fusions and interpretation techniques.In recent years,the application of this integrated system has brought significant breakthroughs in coal exploration in Inner Mongolia,Xinjiang and other provinces,discovering several large,ten-billionton coalfields,such as the Eastern Junggar and Tuha basins,and also in exploration and development of CBM from lowrank coals in Fukang,Xinjiang,discovery the Daying U Deposit in Inner Mongolia,the Junggar Ultralarge Ga Deposit,Lincang,Yunnan,and the Wulantuga,Inner Mongolia,Ge-bearing coal deposits,and the Pingshuo Ultralarge Li–Ge Deposit.
