“Rigid-elastic chimera” pore skeleton model and overpressure porosity measurement method for shale: A case study of the deep overpressure siliceous shale of Silurian Longmaxi Formation in southern Sichuan Basin, SW China

Based on analysis of pore features and pore skeleton composition of shale,a“rigid elastic chimeric”pore skeleton model of shale gas reservoir was built.Pore deformation mechanisms leading to increase of shale porosity due to the pore skeleton deformation under overpressure were sorted out through analysis of stress on the shale pore and skeleton.After reviewing the difficulties and defects of existent porosity measurement methods,a dynamic deformed porosity measurement method was worked out and used to measure the porosity of overpressure Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale under real formation conditions in southern Sichuan Basin.The results show:(1)The shale reservoir is a mixture of inorganic rock particles and organic matter,which contains inorganic pores supported by rigid skeleton particles and organic pores supported by elastic-plastic particles,and thus has a special“rigid elastic chimeric”pore structure.(2)Under the action of formation overpressure,the inorganic pores have tiny changes that can be assumed that they don’t change in porosity,while the organic pores may have large deformation due to skeleton compression,leading to the increase of radius,connectivity and ultimately porosity of these pores.(3)The“dynamic”deformation porosity measurement method combining high injection pressure helium porosity measurement and kerosene porosity measurement method under ultra-high variable pressure can accurately measure porosity of unconnected micro-pores under normal pressure conditions,and also the porosity increment caused by plastic skeleton compression deformation.(4)The pore deformation mechanism of shale may result in the"abnormal"phenomenon that the shale under formation conditions has higher porosity than that under normal pressure,so the overpressure shale reservoir is not necessarily“ultra-low in porosity”,and can have porosity over 10%.Application of this method in Well L210 in southern Sichuan has confirmed its practicality and reliability.

Enlightenment of calcite veins in deep Ordovician Wufeng-Silurian Longmaxi shales fractures to migration and enrichment of shale gas in southern Sichuan Basin, SW China

The relationship between fracture calcite veins and shale gas enrichment in the deep Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Silurian Longmaxi Formation (Wufeng-Longmaxi) shales in southern Sichuan Basin was investigated through core and thin section observations, cathodoluminescence analysis, isotopic geochemistry analysis, fluid inclusion testing, and basin simulation. Tectonic fracture calcite veins mainly in the undulating part of the structure and non-tectonic fracture calcite veins are mainly formed in the gentle part of the structure. The latter, mainly induced by hydrocarbon generation, occurred at the stage of peak oil and gas generation, while the former turned up with the formation of Luzhou paleouplift during the Indosinian. Under the influence of hydrocarbon generation pressurization process, fractures were opened and closed frequently, and oil and gas episodic activities are recorded by veins. The formation pressure coefficient at the maximum paleodepth exceeds 2.0. The formation uplift stage after the Late Yanshanian is the key period for shale gas migration. Shale gas migrates along the bedding to the high part of the structure. The greater the structural fluctuation is, the more intense the shale gas migration activity is, and the loss is more. The gentler the formation is, the weaker the shale gas migration activity is, and the loss is less. The shale gas enrichment in the core of gentle anticlines and gentle synclines is relatively higher.

Porosity, permeability and rock mechanics of Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation deep shale under temperature-pressure coupling in the Sichuan Basin, SW China

To investigate the porosity, permeability and rock mechanics of deep shale under temperature-pressure coupling, we selected the core samples of deep shale from the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the Weirong and Yongchuan areas of the Sichuan Basin for porosity and permeability experiments and a triaxial compression and sound wave integration experiment at the maximum temperature and pressure of 120 ℃ and 70 MPa. The results show that the microscopic porosity and permeability change and the macroscopic rock deformation are mutually constrained, both showing the trend of steep and then gentle variation. At the maximum temperature and pressure, the porosity reduces by 34%–71%, and the permeability decreases by 85%–97%. With the rising temperature and pressure, deep shale undergoes plastic deformation in which organic pores and clay mineral pores are compressed and microfractures are closed, and elastic deformation in which brittle mineral pores and rock skeleton particles are compacted. Compared with previous experiments under high confining pressure and normal temperature,the experiment under high temperature and high pressure coupling reveals the effect of high temperature on stress sensitivity of porosity and permeability. High temperature can increase the plasticity of the rock, intensify the compression of pores due to high confining pressure, and induce thermal stress between the rock skeleton particles, allowing the reopening of shale bedding or the creation of new fractures along weak planes such as bedding, which inhibits the decrease of permeability with the increase of temperature and confining pressure. Compared with the triaxial mechanical experiment at normal temperature, the triaxial compression experiment at high temperature and high pressure demonstrates that the compressive strength and peak strain of deep shale increase significantly due to the coupling of temperature and pressure. The compressive strength is up to 435 MPa and the peak strain exceeds 2%, indicating that high temperature is not conducive to fracture initiation and expansion by increasing rock plasticity. Lithofacies and mineral composition have great impacts on the porosity, permeability and rock mechanics of deep shale. Shales with different lithologies are different in the difficulty and extent of brittle failure. The stress-strain characteristics of rocks under actual geological conditions are key support to the optimization of reservoir stimulation program.

Heterogeneity and differential hydrocarbon accumulation model of deep reservoirs in foreland thrust belts: A case study of deep Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation clastic reservoirs in southern Junggar Basin, NW China

Using the data of drilling, logging, core, experiments and production, the heterogeneity and differential hydrocarbon accumulation model of deep reservoirs in Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation(K1q) in the western section of the foreland thrust belt in southern Junggar Basin are investigated. The target reservoirs are characterized by superimposition of conglomerates, sandy conglomerates and sandstones, with high content of plastic clasts. The reservoir space is mainly composed of intergranular pores. The reservoirs are overall tight, and the sandy conglomerate has the best physical properties. The coupling of short deep burial period with low paleotemperature gradient and formation overpressure led to the relatively weak diagenetic strength of the reservoirs. Specifically, the sandy conglomerates show relatively low carbonate cementation, low compaction rate and high dissolution porosity. The special stress-strain mechanism of the anticline makes the reservoirs at the top of the anticline turning point more reformed by fractures than those at the limbs, and the formation overpressure makes the fractures in open state. Moreover, the sandy conglomerates have the highest oil saturation. Typical anticline reservoirs are developed in deep part of the thrust belt, but characterized by "big trap with small reservoir". Significantly, the sandy conglomerates at the top of anticline turning point have better quality, lower in-situ stress and higher structural position than those at the limbs,with the internal hydrocarbons most enriched, making them high-yield oil/gas layers. The exponential decline of fractures makes hydrocarbon accumulation difficult in the reservoirs at the limbs. Nonetheless, plane hydrocarbon distribution is more extensive at the gentle limb than the steep limb.

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.

Action mechanisms of abnormal fluid pressure on physical properties of deep reservoirs: A case study on Jurassic Toutunhe Formation in the southern margin of Junggar Basin, NW China

Considering the action mechanisms of overpressure on physical changes in skeleton particles of deep reservoir rocks and the differences in physical changes of skeleton particles under overpressure and hydrostatic pressure, the sandstone of the Jurassic Toutunhe Formation in the southern margin of Junggar Basin was taken as an example for physical modeling experiment to analyze the action mechanisms of overpressure on the physical properties of deep reservoirs. (1) In the simulated ultra-deep layer with a burial depth of 6000-8000 m, the mechanical compaction under overpressure reduces the remaining primary pores by about a half that under hydrostatic pressure. Overpressure can effectively suppress the mechanical compaction to allow the preservation of intergranular primary pores. (2) The linear contact length ratio under overpressure is always smaller than the linear contact length ratio under hydrostatic pressure at the same depth. In deep reservoirs, the difference between the mechanical compaction degree under overpressure and hydrostatic pressure shows a decreasing trend, the effect of abnormally high pressure to resist the increase of effective stress is weakened, and the degree of mechanical compaction is gradually close to that under hydrostatic pressure. (3) The microfractures in skeleton particles of deep reservoirs under overpressure are thin and long, while the microfractures in skeleton particles of deep reservoirs under hydrostatic pressure are short and wide. This difference is attributed to the probable presence of tension fractures in the rocks containing abnormally high pressure fluid. (4) The microfractures in skeleton particles under overpressure were mainly formed later than that under hydrostatic pressure, and the development degree and length of microfractures both extend deeper. (5) The development stages of microfractures under overpressure are mainly controlled by the development stages of abnormally high pressure and the magnitude of effective stress acting on the skeleton particles. Moreover, the development stages of microfractures in skeleton particles are more than those under hydrostatic pressure in deep reservoir. The multi-stage abnormally high pressure plays an important role in improving the physical properties of deep reservoirs.

Petrophysical properties of deep Longmaxi Formation shales in the southern Sichuan Basin, SW China

Deep shale layer in the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation,southern Sichuan Basin is the major replacement target of shale gas exploration in China.However,the prediction of"sweet-spots"in deep shale gas reservoirs lacks physical basis due to the short of systematic experimental research on the physical properties of the deep shale.Based on petrological,acoustic and hardness measurements,variation law and control factors of dynamic and static elastic properties of the deep shale samples are investigated.The study results show that the deep shale samples are similar to the middle-shallow shale in terms of mineral composition and pore type.Geochemical characteristics of organic-rich shale samples(TOC>2%)indicate that these shale samples have a framework of microcrystalline quartz grains;the intergranular pores in these shale samples are between rigid quartz grains and have mechanical property of hard pore.The lean-organic shale samples(TOC<2%),with quartz primarily coming from terrigenous debris,feature plastic clay mineral particles as the support frame in rock texture.Intergranular pores in these samples are between clay particles,and show features of soft pores in mechanical property.The difference in microtexture of the deep shale samples results in an asymmetrical inverted V-type change in velocity with quartz content,and the organic-rich shale samples have a smaller variation rate in velocity-porosity and velocity-organic matter content.Also due to the difference in microtexture,the organic-rich shale and organic-lean shale can be clearly discriminated in the cross plots of P-wave impedance versus Poisson’s ratio as well as elasticity modulus versus Poisson’s ratio.The shale samples with quartz mainly coming from biogenic silica show higher hardness and brittleness,while the shale samples with quartz from terrigenous debris have hardness and brittleness less affected by quartz content.The study results can provide a basis for well-logging interpretation and"sweet spot"prediction of Longmaxi Formation shale gas reservoirs.

Microfacies types and distribution of epicontinental shale: A case study of the Wufeng–Longmaxi shale in southern Sichuan Basin, China

For black shales,laminae and bedding are hard to identify,grain size is difficult to measure,and trace fossils do not exist.Taking the Ordovician Wufeng–Silurian Longmaxi shale in southern Sichuan Basin,China,as an example,the types,characteristics and models of microfacies in epicontinental shale are analyzed by means of full-scale observation of large thin sections,argon-ion polishing field emission-scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM),and kerogen microscopy.The epicontinental sea develops delta,tidal flat and shelf facies,with black shale found in microfacies such as the underwater distributary channel and interdistributary bay under delta front facies,the calcareous and clayey flats under intertidal flat facies,the calcareous and clayey shelfs under shallow shelf facies,the deep slope,deep plain and deep depression under deep shelf facies,and the overflow under gravity flow facies.Basinward,silty lamina decreases and clayey lamina increases,the grain size changes from coarse silt to fine mud,the silica content increases from about 20%to above 55%,the carbonate and clay minerals content decreases from above 40%to around 10%,and the kerogen type changes from type II2 to type II1 and type I.Provenance and topography dominate the types and distribution of shale microfacies.The underwater distributary channel,interdistributary bay,clayey flat,clayey shelf,and overflow microfacies are developed in areas with sufficient sediment supply.The calcareous flat and calcareous shelf are developed in areas with insufficient sediment supply.The deep shelf shale area is divided into deep slope,deep plain,and deep depression microfacies as a result of three breaks.The formation of epicontinental shale with different microfacies is closely related to the tectonic setting,paleoclimate,and sea level rise.The relatively active tectonic setting increases the supply of terrigenous clasts,forming muddy water fine-grained sediment.The warm and humid paleoclimate is conducive to the enrichment of organic matter.The rapid sea level rise is helpful to the widespread black shale.

Geological characteristics and high production control factors of shale gas reservoirs in Silurian Longmaxi Formation, southern Sichuan Basin, SW China

Marine shale gas resources have great potential in the south of the Sichuan Basin in China.At present,the high-quality shale gas resources at depth of 2000–3500 m are under effective development,and strategic breakthroughs have been made in deeper shale gas resources at depth of 3500–4500 m.To promote the effective production of shale gas in this area,this study examines key factors controlling high shale gas production and presents the next exploration direction in the southern Sichuan Basin based on summarizing the geological understandings from the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale gas exploration combined with the latest results of geological evaluation.The results show that:(1)The relative sea depth in marine shelf sedimentary environment controls the development and distribution of reservoirs.In the relatively deep water area in deep-water shelf,grade-I reservoirs with a larger continuous thickness develop.The relative depth of sea in marine shelf sedimentary environment can be determined by redox conditions.The research shows that the uranium to thorium mass ratio greater than 1.25 indicates relatively deep water in anoxic reduction environment,and the uranium to thorium mass ratio of 0.75–1.25 indicates semi-deep water in weak reduction and weak oxidation environment,and the uranium to thorium mass ratio less than 0.75 indicates relatively shallow water in strong oxidation environment.(2)The propped fractures in shale reservoirs subject to fracturing treatment are generally 10–12 m high,if grade-I reservoirs are more than 10 m in continuous thickness,then all the propped section would be high-quality reserves;in this case,the longer the continuous thickness of penetrated grade-I reservoirs,the higher the production will be.(3)The shale gas reservoirs at 3500–4500 m depth in southern Sichuan are characterized by high formation pressure,high pressure coefficient,well preserved pores,good pore structure and high proportion of free gas,making them the most favorable new field for shale gas exploration;and the pressure coefficient greater than 1.2 is a necessary condition for shale gas wells to obtain high production.(4)High production wells in the deep shale gas reservoirs are those in areas where Long11-Long13 sub-beds are more than 10 m thick,with 1500 m long horizontal section,grade-I reservoirs penetration rate of over 90%,and fractured by dense cutting+high intensity sand injection+large displacement+large liquid volume.(5)The relatively deep-water area in the deep-water shelf and the area at depth of 3500–4500 m well overlap in the southern Sichuan,and the overlapping area is the most favorable shale gas exploration and development zones in the southern Sichuan in the future.With advancement in theory and technology,annual shale gas production in the southern Sichuan is expected to reach 450×108 m3.

Type and distribution of Mid-Permian Maokou Formation karst reservoirs in southern Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on the analysis of the responses of conventional logs such as natural gamma(GR), density(DEN), acoustic interval transit time(AC), compensated neutron(CNL), dual lateral resistivity(Rlld, Rlls), and caliper log(CAL), combined with drilling data,cores, thin section and productivity of 65 wells, the reservoirs in the Mid-Permian Maokou Formation of southern Sichuan Basin were divided into four types, fractured-vuggy, pore-vuggy, fractured and fractured-cavity. The main reservoirs in high productivity wells are fractured-vuggy and pore-vuggy. The reservoirs of Maokou Formation are generally thin, and can be divided into the upper reservoir segment(layer a of the second member to the third member of Maokou Formation, P_2 m^2 a-P_2 m^3) and the lower segment(layer b of the second member of Maokou Formation, P_2 m^2 b). The two reservoir segments are mainly controlled by two grain beaches during the sedimentation of P_2 m^2 a-P_2 m^3 and P_2 m^2 b, the vertical zonation of karst, and the fractures. The upper reservoir segment is generally better than the lower one in development degree and single well productivity, and is much thicker than the lower one. It is thicker in the Yibin-Zigong-Weiyuan-Dazu area, the southwestern area of Chongqing and the southeastern area of Luzhou, while the lower segment is thicker in the Neijiang-Zigong-Luzhou area and the Dazu-Luzhou area. The areas with big reservoir thickness at tectonic slope or syncline parts are the favorable exploration areas.

Hydrocarbon generation and storage mechanisms of deepwater shelf shales of Ordovician Wufeng Formation–Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin, China

As the hydrocarbon generation and storage mechanisms of high quality shales of Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation– Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation remain unclear, based on geological conditions and experimental modelling of shale gas formation, the shale gas generation and accumulation mechanisms as well as their coupling relationships of deep-water shelf shales in Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation of Sichuan Basin were analyzed from petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry. The high quality shales of Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin are characterized by high thermal evolution, high hydrocarbon generation intensity, good material base, and good roof and floor conditions;the high quality deep-water shelf shale not only has high biogenic silicon content and organic carbon content, but also high porosity coupling. It is concluded that:(1) The shales had good preservation conditions and high retainment of crude oil in the early times, and the shale gas was mainly from cracking of crude oil.(2) The biogenic silicon(opal A) turned into crystal quartz in early times of burial diagenesis, lots of micro-size intergranular pores were produced in the same time;moreover, the biogenic silicon frame had high resistance to compaction, thus it provided the conditions not only for oil charge in the early stage, but also for formation and preservation of nanometer cellular-like pores, and was the key factor enabling the preservation of organic pores.(3) The high quality shale of Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation had high brittleness, strong homogeneity, siliceous intergranular micro-pores and nanometer organic pores, which were conducive to the formation of complicated fissure network connecting the siliceous intergranular nano-pores, and thus high and stable production of shale gas.

Quantitative characterization of the brittleness of deep shales by integrating mineral content,elastic parameters,in situ stress conditions and logging analysis

Deep shale reservoirs(3500–4500 m)exhibit significantly different stress states than moderately deep shale reservoirs(2000–3500 m).As a result,the brittleness response mechanisms of deep shales are also different.It is urgent to investigate methods to evaluate the brittleness of deep shales to meet the increasingly urgent needs of deep shale gas development.In this paper,the quotient of Young’s modulus divided by Poisson’s ratio based on triaxial compression tests under in situ stress conditions is taken as SSBV(Static Standard Brittleness Value).A new and pragmatic technique is developed to determine the static brittleness index that considers elastic parameters,the mineral content,and the in situ stress conditions(BIEMS).The coefficient of determination between BIEMS and SSBV reaches 0.555 for experimental data and 0.805 for field data.This coefficient is higher than that of other brittleness indices when compared to SSBV.BIEMS can offer detailed insights into shale brittleness under various conditions,including different mineral compositions,depths,and stress states.This technique can provide a solid data-based foundation for the selection of‘sweet spots’for single-well engineering and the comparison of the brittleness of shale gas production layers in different areas.

Enrichment characteristics and exploration directions of deep shale gas of Ordovician-Silurian in the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas,China

The enrichment characteristics of deep shale gas in the Ordovician Wufeng-Silurian Longmaxi formations in the Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas are investigated through experiments under high temperature and high pressure,including petrophysical properties analyses,triaxial stress test and isothermal adsorption of methane experiment.(1)The deep shale reservoirs drop significantly in porosity and permeability compared with shallower shale reservoirs,and contain mainly free gas.(2)With higher deviatoric stress and axial strain,the deep shale reservoirs have higher difficulty fracturing.(3)Affected by structural location and morphology,fracture characteristics,geofluid activity stages and intensity,deep shale gas reservoirs have more complicated preservation conditions.(4)To achieve the commercial development of deep shale gas reservoirs,deepening geological understanding is the basis,and exploring reservoir simulation technology befitting the geological features is the key.(5)The siliceous shale and limestone-bearing siliceous shale in the Metabolograptus persculptus-Parakidograptus acuminatus zones(LM1-LM3 graptolite zones)are the high-production intervals for deep shale gas and the most favorable landing targets for horizontal drilling.Deeps water areas such as Jiaoshiba,Wulong,Luzhou and Changning with deep shale reservoirs over 10 m thickness are the most favorable areas for deep shale gas enrichment.It is recommended to carry out exploration and development practice in deep-water shale gas areas deposited deep with burial depth no more than 5000 m where the geological structure is simple and the shale thickness in the LM1-LM3 graptolite zone is greater than 10 m.It is better to increase the lateral length of horizontal wells,and apply techniques including high intensity of perforations,large volume of proppant,far-field and near-wellbore diversions to maximize the stimulated deep reservoir volume.

The progress and prospects of shale gas exploration and development in southern Sichuan Basin, SW China

The Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Silurian Longmaxi Formation organic-rich shales distributed widely and stably in Southern Sichuan Basin were investigated based on drilling data.Geological evaluation of wells show that the shale reservoirs have good properties in the Yibin,Weiyuan,Zigong,Changning,Luzhou,Dazu areas,with key parameters such as TOC,porosity,gas content similar to the core shale gas production zones.Moreover,these areas are stable in structure,good in preservation conditions and highly certain in resources.The shale reservoirs have a burial depth of 4 500 m or shallow,a total area of over 2×10~4 km^2 and estimated resource of over10×10^(12) m^3,so they are the most resource-rich and practical areas for shale gas exploitation in China.Through construction of the Changning-Weiyuan national demonstration region,the production and EUR of shale gas wells increased significantly,the cost of shale gas wells decreased remarkable,resulting in economic benefit better than expected.Moreover,the localized exploration and development technologies and methods are effective and repeatable,so it is the right time for accelerating shale gas exploitation.Based on the production decline pattern of horizontal wells at present and wells to be drilled in the near future,at the end of the 13th Five Year Plan,the production of shale gas in southern Sichuan Basin is expected to reach or exceed 10 billion cubic meters per year.The resources are sufficient for a stable production period at 30 billion cubic meters per year,which will make the South Sichuan basin become the largest production base of shale gas in China.

Sequence stratigraphy and lithofacies paleogeographic evolution of Katian Stage-Aeronian Stage in southern Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on the lithologies,sedimentary structures,graptolite zones,inorganic geochemical characteristics,electrical data of 110 shale gas wells in southern Sichuan Basin and the mineral quantitative analysis technology of scanning electron microscope,the stratigraphic sequences of the Upper Ordovician Katian Stage-Himantian Stage-Silurian Rhuddanian Stage-Aeronian Stage are divided,the sedimentary characteristics and fourth-order sequence evolution are analyzed.The target layer can be divided into two sequences,namely SQ1 and SQ2.According to Ordovician-Silurian sedimentary background,the gamma value of the target layer and U/Th,5 maximum flooding surfaces and 12 system tracts are identified.According to system tracts and their combinations,eight fourth-order sequences are identified,namely,Pss1-Pss8 from old to new.The development period and scale of dominant shale facies from Katian stage to Aeronian stage in southern Sichuan are restored.The best-quality dolomite/calcite-bearing siliceous shale facies,siliceous shale facies,clay-bearing siliceous shale facies and feldspar-bearing siliceous shale facies mainly occur in Pss3-Pss5 of Weiyuan,Western Chongqing and Luzhou,Pss6 of Western Changning-Northern Luzhou-Central Western Chongqing and Pss3-Pss4 of Changning.The siliceous clay shale facies second in quality mainly occurs in Pss6 of Southern Luzhou-Changning area(excluding Western Changning area),Pss7 of Eastern Weiyuan-Northern Western Chongqing-Southern Luzhou and Pss8 of Northern Luzhou-Weiyuan-Western Chongqing.The fourth-order sequence evolution model of Katian stage-Aeronian stage in southern Sichuan is established.During the depositional period of Pss1-Pss8,the sea level had six regressions and five transgressions,and the first transgression SQ2-MFS1 after glaciation was the largest flooding surface.

Segmented evolution of Deyang-Anyue erosion rift trough in Sichuan Basin and its significance for oil and gas exploration, SW China

Based on analysis of field survey, drilling and seismic data, the formation and evolution process of Deyang-Anyue erosion rift trough in Sichuan Basin was reconstructed, and exploration areas were divided and evaluated. The results show that:(1) Dengying Formation in and around Deyang-Anyue erosion rift trough varies widely in sedimentary characteristics. The Dengying Formation in the northern part of the erosion rift trough developed deep-water sediments, the Dengying Formation in the northern part of the basin varied gradually from basin to slope, platform margin, and restricted platform, and the Dengying Formation in the middle and southern parts of the trough developed carbonate platform facies.(2) Deyang-Anyue erosion rift trough is formed by extensional rift and karst erosion jointly, the north section of the erosion rift trough is mainly the product of tensile rift, while the middle and south sections are formed by erosion in multi-episodes of Tongwan period.(3) Based on the segmented origins of the erosion rift trough, Dengying Formation in and around it is divided into three exploration fields: lithologic mound and beach bodies at the northern platform margin of the basin, karst mound and beach bodies in the central platform, and karst residual mounds in the central southern trough of the basin, among them, the karst residual mounds in the central southern trough of the basin are a new frontier for natural gas exploration in the basin, and the lithologic mound and beach bodies at the northern platform margin are a new position for increasing the reserves of trillions of cubic meters of natural gas resources in the basin.

Discovery and theoretical and technical innovations of Yuanba gas field in Sichuan Basin, SW China

To solve the difficulties in exploration and development in Yuanba ultra-deep gas field in Sichuan Basin,SW China,the article studies the mechanism of quality reef reservoirs development and gas accumulation and innovates techniques in ultra-deep seismic exploration,drilling,completion and testing.Through the reconstruction of dynamic depositional evolution process and regional depositional framework of homoclinal ramp-rimmed platform in Upper Permian,three theories are put forward:first,"early beach-late reef,multiple stacking,arrangement in rows and belts"is the sedimentary mode for the reservoirs in the Changxing Formation of Yuanba area;second,"dissolution in early exposure stage and dolomitization during shallow burial giving rise to the pores in matrix,overpressure caused by cracking of liquid hydrocarbon during deep burial inducing fractures"is the reservoirs development mechanisms;third,"coupling of pores and fractures"controls the development of high quality reservoirs in deep formations.From correlation of oil and source rock,it is concluded that the Wujiaping Formation and Dalong Formation of deep-water continental shelf are the major source rocks in the Permian of northern Sichuan Basin.The hydrocarbon accumulation mode in ultra-deep formations of low-deformation zones is characterized by"three-micro(micro-fault,micro-fracture interbed crack)migration,near-source enrichment,and persistent preservation".Through seismic inversion using the pore structure parameters of pore-fracture diadactic structure model,the high production gas enrichment area in Yuanba gas field is 98.5 km^2.Moreover,special well structure and unconventional well structure were used to deal with multiple pressure systems and sealing of complex formations.A kind of integral,high pressure resistant FF-level gas wellhead and ground safety linkage device was developed to accomplish safe and environmentally friendly gas production.

Gas-in-Place(GIP) Variation and Main Controlling Factors for the Deep Wufeng-Longmaxi Shales in the Luzhou Area of the Southern Sichuan Basin,China

The Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation shales with burial depths > 3 500 m in the southern Sichuan Basin are believed to have large shale gas potentials.However,the reservoir properties and gasin-place(GIP) contents of these shales exhibit variations across different sublayers.In this study,a set of Wufeng-Longmaxi shales with burial depths of 4 000–4 200 m was derived from the Well Y101H2 in the Luzhou area,and the differences in geological and geochemical characteristics,porosity,water saturation and GIP content of various sublayer shales were investigated.The results indicate that the TOC content and effective porosity of the upper(LMX1-4) and lower(LMX1-3) sublayer shales of the first member of the Longmaxi Formation are better than those of the Wufeng Formation(WF) shales,which results in the LMX1-4 and LMX1-3 shales having higher GIP contents than the WF shales.The GIP contents of the LMX1-3 shales are higher than those of the LMX1-4 shales,and this is likely because the organic matter of the LMX1-3 shales had more aquatic organisms and was preserved in a stronger reductive environment,which leads to a stronger gas generation potential.In contrast to the middle-shallow LMX1-4 shales in the Sichuan Basin,the deep LMX1-4 shales in the Luzhou area have advantageous reservoir properties and GIP contents,and thus it is promising to synchronously exploit the deep LMX1-4 and LMX1-3 shales in some regions of the southern Sichuan Basin.

四川盆地南部向斜区二叠系岩溶孔隙型石灰岩储层成因与天然气勘探新领域

随着油气勘探程度不断提高,勘探方向逐渐从构造高部位往向斜区拓展。但是,传统认识认为向斜区岩性一般较致密,寻找向斜区优质储层成为其油气获得勘探突破的关键因素之一。为此,以四川盆地南部向斜区中二叠统茅口组石灰岩为例,基于钻井岩心、薄片、测井以及地球化学等资料综合分析,开展了向斜区孔隙型石灰岩储层特征及成因研究,并建立了储层发育模式,指出了天然气勘探新方向。研究结果表明:(1)四川盆地南部向斜区茅口组发育岩溶孔隙型碳酸盐岩储层,储层岩性主要为泥晶—亮晶生屑石灰岩和亮晶生屑石灰岩,储集空间主要为生物体腔孔、生物铸模孔及粒内溶孔等组构选择性溶蚀形成的孔隙;(2)研究区茅口组储层平均孔隙度为4.07%,平均渗透率为0.273 mD,孔隙度与渗透率有明显的正相关关系,为典型的孔隙型储层;(3)茅口组储层段的铝、钪、锆及总稀土元素含量较低,锰和铁含量也较低,碳同位素值位于中二叠世海水沉淀方解石碳同位素值分布范围内,氧同位素呈现出一定的负偏;(4)茅口组岩溶孔隙型储层的形成与沉积期微地貌及高频层序控制的准同生期岩溶有关,溶蚀流体主要为大气淡水。结论认为,岩溶孔隙型储层在盆地内普遍发育,且该类储层远离不整合面,受沉积古地貌、沉积相带控制的准同生期岩溶改造,因此,天然气勘探思路需要向“有利沉积相带规模控储”方向转变,向斜区将是盆地内未来天然气勘探的重要新领域。

四川盆地南部下寒武统筇竹寺组页岩孔隙结构特征与页岩气赋存模式

近年来,四川盆地南部地区(以下简称川南地区)下寒武统筇竹寺组页岩气勘探开发取得了实质性的突破,但是,关于筇竹寺组页岩气储层孔隙结构特征及其对页岩气赋存模式影响的研究还较为薄弱。为此,以川南地区W207井筇竹寺组页岩为例,以总有机碳含量(TOC)不小于1.0%为界,将筇竹寺组页岩划分出4个高有机碳页岩层段(H1—H4层),并基于大视域扫描电镜、流体注入法孔隙定量表征、三维分子结构建模与分子模拟等方法,研究了不同富有机质层段页岩孔隙特征,并着重分析了H3层页岩孔隙发育特征与页岩气赋存模式。研究结果表明:(1)筇竹寺组页岩纵向上孔隙发育差异较大,其中H3层页岩孔隙系统最为有利,发育粒缘缝—有机质纳米连通孔隙—有机质基质分子内孔隙3级孔隙网络,其矿物粒缘缝与有机质纳米孔隙提供了较大的游离气储集空间,页岩有机质分子结构中普遍发育微孔,提供了较大的吸附空间;(2)微孔对总吸附量的贡献随压力增高而降低,但在30.0 MPa时仍贡献了56%以上的总吸附气量;(3)高温高压下(30.0 MPa、70℃),页岩中游离气甲烷含量占总含气量的57%,当压力由30.0 MPa降低至16.5 MPa,游离气贡献总开采气量超过80%;(4)粒缘缝、有机质纳米连通孔隙和有机质基质分子内孔隙良好的配置关系为页岩气富集及开发提供了良好的连通体系,远离风化壳的超压层段有利于页岩孔隙发育。结论认为,川南地区筇竹寺组H3层页岩孔隙系统发育,具备页岩气高产地质条件,是筇竹寺组下一步重点关注层段,在此基础上寻找远离风化壳、孔隙发育的超压页岩储层是筇竹寺组选区选层的关键。