Quantitative research of the liquid film characteristics in upward vertical gas, oil and water flows

The study of liquid film characteristics in multiphase flow is a very important research topic, however,the characteristics of the liquid film around Taylor bubble structure in gas, oil and water three-phase flow are not clear. In the present study, a novel liquid film sensor is applied to measure the distributed signals of the liquid film in three-phase flow. Based on the liquid film signals, the liquid film characteristics including the structural characteristics and the nonlinear dynamics characteristics in three-phase flows are investigated for the first time. The structural characteristics including the proportion, the appearance frequency and the thickness of the liquid film are obtained and the influences of the liquid and gas superficial velocities and the oil content on them are investigated. To investigate the nonlinear dynamics characteristics of the liquid film with the changing flow conditions, the entropy analysis is introduced to successfully uncover and quantify the dynamic complexity of the liquid film behavior.

Impact of Reservoir Heterogeneity on Bitumen Content in the Mackay River Oil Sands,Athabasca(Canada)

The Lower Cretaceous Manville Group of Upper Mc Murray Formation is one of the main bitumen reservoirs in Athabasca.In this study,the relationship between reservoirs heterogeneity and bitumen geochemical characteristics were analyzed through core and microscopic observation,lab analysis,petrophysics and logging data.Based on the sedimentology framework,the formation environment of high-quality oil sand reservoirs and their significance for development were discussed.The results indicate that four types lithofacies were recognized in the Upper Mc Murray Formation based on their depositional characteristics.Each lithofacies reservoirs has unique physical properties,and is subject to varying degrees of degradation,resulting in diversity of bitumen content and geochemical composition.The tidal bar(TB)or tidal channel(TC)facies reservoir have excellent physical properties,which are evaluated as gas or water intervals due to strong degradation.The reservoir of sand bar(SB)facies was evaluated as oil intervals,due to its poor physical properties and weak degradation.The reservoir of mixed flat(MF)facies is composed of sand intercalated with laminated shale,which is evaluated as poor oil intervals due to its poor connectivity.The shale content in oil sand reservoir is very important for the reservoir physical properties and bitumen degradation degree.In the context of regional biodegradation,oil sand reservoirs with good physical properties will suffer from strong degradation,while oil sand reservoirs with relatively poor physical properties are more conducive to the bitumen preservation.

Prediction and quantification of effective gas source rocks in a lacustrine basin:Western Depression in the Liaohe Subbasin,China

Due to limited data on the geochemical properties of natural gas,estimations are needed for the effective gas source rock in evaluating gas potential.However,the pronounced heterogeneity of mudstones in lacustrine successions complicates the prediction of the presence and geochemical characteristics of gas source rocks.In this paper,the Liaohe Subbasin of Northeast China is used as an example to construct a practical methodology for locating effective gas source rocks in typical lacustrine basins.Three types of gas source rocks,microbial,oil-type,and coal-type,were distinguished according to the different genetic types of their natural gas.A practical three-dimensional geological model was developed,refined,and applied to determine the spatial distribution of the mudstones in the Western Depression of the Liaohe Subbasin and to describe the geochemical characteristics(the abundance,type,and maturation levels of the organic matter).Application of the model in the subbasin indicates that the sedimentary facies have led to heterogeneity in the mudstones,particularly with respect to organic matter types.The effective gas source rock model constructed for the Western Depression shows that the upper sequence(SQ2)of the Fourth member(Mbr 4)of the Eocene Shahejie Formation(Fm)and the lower and middle sequences(SQ3 and SQ4)of the Third member(Mbr 3)form the principal gas-generating interval.The total volume of effective gas source rocks is estimated to be 586 km^(3).The effective microbial,oil-type,and coal-type gas source rocks are primarily found in the shallow western slope,the central sags,and the eastern slope of the Western Depression,respectively.This study provides a practical approach for more accurately identifying the occurrence and geochemical characteristics of effective natural gas source rocks,enabling a precise quantitative estimation of natural gas reserves.

The source and formation characteristics of the Zhujiadun gas reservoirs in the Yancheng Sag, Subei Basin

The Yancheng Sag is a favorable exploration area in the Subei Basin. However, the key geological understanding of the natural gas source and reservoir formation characteristics of the sag is still controversial. Based on a set of organic geochemical experiments conducted on natural gas and associated condensate oil of the first member of the Funing Formation (E1f1) in well YCh5 and well data analysis, the oil-gas resources and reservoir formation model in the Zhujiadun gas reservoir in the Yancheng Sag, Subei Basin, were investigated. The results of this study are as follows. (1) The natural gas in the Zhujiadun gas reservoir is dry gas with high methane content, low heavy hydrocarbon content, and high maturity. The characteristics of carbon and hydrogen isotopes in the natural gas indicate that the natural gas is oil-cracked gas, which mainly originates from the source rocks of the Permian Qixia Formation. (2) The condensate oil from well YCh5 with a high degree of maturity has a high pristane/phytane ratio, low gamma-paraffin abundance, and low tricyclic terpene abundance, indicating a mixture of the Upper Paleozoic condensate oil and Cenozoic crude oil. The saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons have similar δ13C values to the Cenozoic continental crude oil. These features suggest two sources of condensate oil. (3) Oils generated from the source rocks of the Qixia Formation were cracked into highly mature gas after deep burial, which migrated along large faults into the sandstones of the E1f1 and K1t1 members. This type of reservoir was effectively preserved beneath the overlying mudstone cap rocks. Therefore, it can be inferred that a play fairway might occur in the eastern zone of the faults connected to the Paleozoic source rocks in the Yancheng Sag since this zone has similar petroleum geological conditions to well YCh5. Therefore, this zone is a favorable area for further exploration.

Geochemical Characteristics and Genetic Types of Natural Gas in the Xinchang Gas Field, Sichuan Basin, SW China

The molecular compositions and stable carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions of natural gas from the Xinchang gas field in the Sichuan Basin were investigated to determine the genetic types. The natural gas is mainly composed of methane （88.99%-98.01%）, and the dryness coefficient varies between 0.908 and 0.997. The gas generally displays positive alkane carbon and hydrogen isotopic series. The geochemical characteristics and gas-source correlation indicate that the gases stored in the 5th member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation are coal-type gases which are derived from source rocks in the stratum itself. The gases reservoired in the 4th member of the Xujiahe Formation and Jurassic strata in the Xinchang gas field are also coal-type gases that are derived from source rocks in the 3rd and 4th members of the Xujiahe Formation. The gases reservoired in the 2nd member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation are mainly coal-type gases with small amounts of oil-type gas that is derived from source rocks in the stratum itself. This is accompanied by a small amount of contribution brought by source rocks in the Upper Triassic Ma＇antang and Xiaotangzi formations. The gases reservoired in the 4th member of the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation are oil-type gases and are believed to be derived from the secondary cracking of oil which is most likely to be generated from the Upper Permian source rocks.

Geochemical Characteristics and Origin of Natural Gases in the Qaidam Basin,China

Sixty-five natural gas samples were collected from 19 oil-gasfields in theQaidam basin, China. The chemical composition and carbon isotope values of the samples weremeasured, and the geochemical characteristics and origin of the natural gases were studied. Thegases can be divided into biogenic gases, sapropelic oil-type gases, mixed type oil-type gases,coal-type gases and mixed gas. The delta^(13)C_1 values of the biogenic gases are very small and theC_2^+ contents of them are very low, ranging from -68.2 per thousand to -61 .8 per thousand and0.06 percent to 0.20 percent respectively. They have heavy delta D and delta^(13)C_(CO_2), showing aCO_2 reduction pathway. They ,are distributed in the East depression region and derived from theQuaternary source rocks. The sapropelic oil-type gases have small delta^(13)C_2 values and highC_2^+ ranging from -36.6 per thousand to -28.6 per thousand and from 33.01 percent to 47.15 percentrespectively. The mixed type oil-type gases have delta^(13)C_2 values and C_2^+ contents varyingfrom -28.6 per thousand to -24.8 per thousand and from 4.81 percent to 26.06 percent respectively.Both sapropelic oil-type gases and mixed type oil-type gases are associated with oil-type oils,distributed in the West depression region and derived from the Tertiary saltwater lacustrinesapropelic source rocks and humic source rocks respectively. The delta^(13)C_2 values of thecoal-type gases are extremely high and the C_2^+ contents are very low, changing from -23.3 perthousand to -12.5 per thousand and from 0.06 percent to 18.07 percent respectively. The coal-typegases in the Nanbaxian gasfield and the Lenghu oil-gasfields in the North fault block belt arederived from the Middle Jurassic coal-measures source rocks, whereas those in the West depressionregion are derived from the Tertiary saltwater lacustrine humic source rocks. Compared with someother basins in China, the natural gases there have obviously heavier delta^(13)C due to the heavierdelta^(13)C of different types of kerogens of the Tertiary saltwater lacustrine source rocks in theWest depression region of the basin. The mixing of natural gases is common in the West depressionregion, but the mixed gases are formed by sapropelic oil-type gases, mixed type oil-type gases orcoal-type gases, respectively, of different levels of maturity. Most of the sapropelic oil-typegases and mixed type oil-type gases in the west part are thermally immature and low-mature, but thecoal-type gases in the West depression region and the North fault block belt are mature and high- toover-mature.

Geochemical Characteristics and Gas-to-Gas Correlation of Two Leakage-type Gas Hydrate Accumulations in the Western Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea

In recent years,a series of highly saturated leakage-type gas hydrates have been discovered in the western Qiongdongnan Basin(QDNB),South China Sea.Based on the molecular compositional and isotopic characteristics of the gas samples relevant to the gas hydrates collected from the two leakage-type gas hydrate accumulations in the GMGS5 and GMGS6 drilling zones,a detailed geochemical gas-to-gas correlation was conducted in this study,in order to further understand the geochemical characteristics and possible hydrocarbon sources of these gas hydrates.The natural gas relevant to the gas hydrates in the GMGS5 block is characterized by wet gas(67.96%<%C_(1)<98.58%,C_(1)/C_(1+)<0.9)and significant molecular and carbon isotope fractionation within the depth profile,whereas the gas samples from the GMGS6 block exhibit the characteristics of dry gas(99.25%<%C_(1)<99.81%,C_(1)/C_(1+)>0.9)and lack molecular and carbon isotope fractionation.Approximately 40%‒60%of the methane within the gas hydrate is of microbial origin,while the C^(2+)gas components are typical coal-type gas that are derived from thermogenic source rocks or deeply-buried natural gas fields.In addition,typical in situ primary microbial methane(−80.6‰<δ^(13)C-C_(1)<−67.7‰)was discovered in well W b,which was applied to estimate the contribution of the microbial gas to the gas hydrates.The gas-to-gas correlation results show that the hydrate gases within the two leakage-type gas hydrate accumulations in the GMGS5 and GMGS6 blocks are geochemically different,suggesting that they may have been derived from different source kitchens.Our results further indicate that the deeply-buried thermogenic gas significantly contributed to the shallowly-buried gas hydrates in the western QDNB and multiple effective thermogenic source kitchens provided the hydrocarbon gas in the gas hydrate accumulations.

Geochemical Characteristics and Migration Pathways of Ordovician Carbonate Oil Reservoirs in the Tuoputai Area,Tarim Basin,Northwestern China

Exploration potential is huge and the oil resources are rich in the Ordovician reservoirs of the Tarim Basin.However,the mechanism of hydrocarbon accumulation is complex and not yet fully understood.In the Tuoputai area,the hydrocarbon migration pathways and characteristics of deep hydrocarbon accumulation are revealed through analyses of the physical data of rich oil and gas,the geochemical parameters of oil,and fluid inclusions.The results show that the Ordovician oils in the Tuoputai area have the same geochemical characteristics as the mixed oil from the Lower Cambrian source rock and the Middle–Upper Ordovician source rock.The Ordovician reservoirs have been charged three times:in the late Caledonian,late Hercynian,and Himalayan stages.Oil charging occurred in the Hercynian stage,in particular,as it is the main filling period of hydrocarbon.The north-northeast(NNE)-trending TP12 CX major fault,active in in these times and is dominant migration channel of hydrocarbon,but there is segmentation affected by the difference of activities.Oil maturity is higher in the south than in the north and is abnormally high near the major fault.Parameters related to migration indicate that oil migrated northeastward along the NNE-trending TP12 CX major fault and adjusted laterally along the secondary faults and weathering crust,forming the present characteristics of oil and gas distribution.

Molecular Organic Geochemical Characteristics and Coal Gas Potential Evaluation of Mesozoic Coal Seams in the Western Great Khingan Mountains

Coal-bearing strata are widespread in the western Great Khingan Mountains. Abundant coal resources have been found in the Jurassic Alatanheli Groups, the Cretaceous Bayanhua Groups, the Damoguaihe Formation and the Yimin Formation. The organic geochemical characteristics were analyzed in combination with hydrocarbon source rock evaluation and molecular organic geochemistry experiments, and the coal gas potential of coal seams was evaluated. The source rock evaluation results indicated that the Mesozoic coal samples have the characteristics of high organic matter abundance(TOC>30%), low maturity(Ro values of approximately 0.6%), and type Ⅲ composition. The hydrocarbon generation potentials of the Alatanheli Groups and Bayanhua Groups are high, while the generation potentials of the Damoguaihe Formation and the Yimin Formation are low. The results of geochemistry show that the depositional environment of the coal seam was a lacustrine, oxidizing environment with a low salinity, and the source of the organic matter was mainly higher plants. Affected by weak degradation, the coal seams mainly formed low-maturity gas of thermal catalytic origin. The Cretaceous coal seams contain a large amount of phytoplankton groups deposited in a low-stability environment affected by a transgression event, and the potential range varied widely. For the Jurassic coal seams, the depositional environment was more stable, and the coal seams feature a higher coal-forming gas potential.

Geochemical characteristics and genetic types of crude oils from the Tertiary system in the southern part of western Qaidam Basin,Northwest China

Crude oil samples taken from the southern part of western Qaidam Basin were analyzed with GC/MS in order to understand the geochemical characteristics of crude oils.The results reveal that most crude oils are characterized by high abundance of gammacerane and C35 homohopane,which are the representative characteristics of saline lacustrine crude oils.Based on the variation of the ratios of gammacerane/C30 hopane(G/H) and C35 homoho-pane/C34 homohopane(C35/C34H),two crude oil groups,A and B,are identified.Group-A crude oils mainly occurr in the north of the study area,with higher ratios of G/H(>0.8) and C35/C34H(>1.2),whereas group-B crude oils,selected from the south of the study area,show lower ratios of G/H(<0.8) and C35/C34H(<1.0).In addition,group-A crude oils are distinguished into three subgroups in accordance with their different ratios of G/H and C35/C34H and different distribution characteristics of n-alkanes,isoprenoids and steranes.These may be helpful for understanding the distribution characteristics of crude oils in the southern part of western Qaidam Basin and providing clues to the forthcoming exploration of crude oils and gas.

Compositional characteristics and geochemical significance of light hydrocarbons for crude oils in Tarim Basin, China

Light hydrocarbons, especially C-7 isoalkanes, cyclopentanes, cyclohexanes and n-heptane in 540 oils from the Tarim Basin were studied systematically. The results suggested the K-1 values [(2-MH+2,3-DMP)/(3-MH+2,4-DMP)] of crude oils vary from a lowest value of {0.78}, to a highest value of {1.54}, but the K-1 values of the majority of oil samples (80%) range from {0.90} to {1.20}. However, the absolute contents of (2-methylhexane+ 2,3-dimethylpentane) and (3-methylhexane+2,4-dimethylpentane) in the total light hydrocarbons (C-4-C-7) show a similar variation trend. The variation of K-1 values of crude oils can suggest a typical sedimentary environment for source rocks. Therefore, according to the compositional characteristics of C-7 light hydrocarbons in light of the steady-state catalytic hypothesis, non-marine oils from the Yingmaili area and marine oils from the Tazhong uplift in the Tarim Basin were genetically classified.

Geochemical characteristics of aromatic hydrocarbons in saline lacustrine crude oils and their significance as exemplified by the south area of western Qaidam Basin

Based on quantitative GC-MS analysis of 40 crude oil samples collected from the south area of western Qaidam Basin,one of the largest saline lacustrine basins in China,the geochemical characteristics of aromatic hydrocarbons in oils were studied systematically in this paper.Among those constitutes,naphthalene(43% 59%),phenanthrene(12% 21%) and taromatic-sterane series(6% 28%) were the main ones of aromatic hydrocarbons.The ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon maturity parameter vs.saturated hydrocarbon maturity parameter C 29 20S/(20S+20R) shows that some aromatic hydrocarbon maturity parameters are not suitable for low-mature oils,including MPI,MNR,DNR,etc.Meanwhile,maturity parameters for dibenzothiophene and taromatic-sterane series are more appropriate for low maturity saline lacustrine crude oils.Based on the ratio of 4,6-DMDBT/1,4-DMDBT,the R c values are within the range of 0.59% 0.72%.However,the abundance of dibenzothiophene(DBT) is low,and the dibenzofuran(DBF) content is even lower,suggesting that the crude oils were formed in a saline lacustrine anaerobic environment.The high abundance of C 26 triaromatic steroid also indicates that the source material is brackish water-saline water with strong reducibility.

Control Factors and Diversities of Phase State of Oil and Gas Pools in the Kuqa Petroleum System

Based on the analysis of the hydrocarbon geochemical characteristics in the Kuqa petroleum system of the Tarim Basin, this study discusses the causes and controlling factors of the phase diversities and their differences in geochemical features. According to the characteristics and differences in oil and gas phase, the petroleum system can be divided into five categories： oil reservoir, wet gas reservoir, condensate gas-rich reservoir, condensate gas-poor reservoir and dry gas reservoir. The causes for the diversities in oil and gas phases include diversities of the sources of parent material, maturity of natural gas and the process of hydrocarbon accumulation of different hydrocarbon phases. On the whole, the Jurassic and Triassic terrestrial source rocks are the main sources for the hydrocarbon in the Kuqa Depression. The small differences in parent material may cause diversities in oil and gas amount, but the impact is small. The differences in oil and gas phase are mainly affected by maturity and the accumulation process, which closely relates with each other. Oil and gas at different thermal evolution stage can be captured in different accumulation process.

Research and Application of New Methods to Oil-Gas Geochemical Exploration

Based on the results of researches and applications for many years, it has been discovered that new methods and techniques for geochemical exploration of oil and gas such as δC, altered carbonate, Hg in absorption phase, Ks, Fe2+, δ13C, fluorescence in two and three dimensions, and N2 and O2 in heat release can give full play in the following five fields: (1) optimization of the favourable target or hollow zones and structural zones in a region; (2) evaluation of oil traps and delineation of prospective oil and gas areas; (3) prediction of deep-seated oil-bearing horizons; (4) evaluation of the genesis of oil and gas geochemical anomalies and determination of the types of oil and gas accumulations; (5) forecast of the burial depths of oil and gas pools.

Sedimentary and geochemical characteristics of the Triassic Chang 7 Member shale in the Southeastern Ordos Basin,Central China

The Ordos Basin is the largest petroliferous basin in China, where the Chang 7 Member shale serves as the major source rock in the basin, with an area of more than 100,000 km^2 So far, sedimentary and geochemical characterizations have rarely been conducted on the shale in shallow(< 1000 m) areas in the southeastern part of the basin, but such characterizations can help identify the genesis of organic-rich shale and promote the prediction and recovery of shale oil. In this paper,several outcrop sections of the Chang 7 Member in the Tongchuan area were observed and sampled, and sedimentary and geochemical characterizations were conducted for the well-outcropped YSC section. The study results show that the Chang7 Member shale is widely distributed laterally with variable thickness. The organic-rich shale is 7-25 m thick in total and exhibits obvious horizontal variation in mineral composition. In the eastern sections, the shale contains organic matter of TypeⅡ_2-Ⅲ and is low in thermal maturity, with high clay mineral content, low K-feldspar content, and no pyrite. In the western sections, the shale contains Type Ⅱ_1 organic matter and is low in thermal maturity, with high clay mineral, K-feldspar, and pyrite contents. The YSC section reveals three obvious intervals in vertical mineral composition and organic abundance.The Chang 7 Member organic-rich shale(TOC > 10%) contains mainly sapropelite and liptinite, with Type Ⅱ kerogen. It is generally characterized by a hydrocarbon potential of more than 70 mg/g, low maturity, and shallow-semideep lacustrine facies. In the western sections, the shale, still in a low maturity stage, has a higher hydrocarbon potential and is optional for shale oil recovery. However, the Chang 7 Member shale in the study area is highly heterogeneous and its shale oil recovery is practical only in the organic-rich intervals.

Features of Sandy Debris Flows of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin and Its Oil and Gas Exploration Significance

Sandy debris flow is a new genetic type of sand bodies,which has gained much attention in recent years and its corresponding theory is proved to be a significant improvement and even partial denial to the 'Bouma Sequence' and 'turbidite fan' deep-water sedimentary theories to some point. Oil exploration researchers are highly concerned with sandy debris flows for its key role in controlling oil and gas accumulation processes.In this article,by applying sandy debris flows theory and combining a lot work of core,outcrop observation and analysis plus seismic profile interpretation,we recognized three types of sedimentary gravity flows that are sandy debris flows,classic turbidites and slumping rocks in chang-6 member of Yanchang Formation in the deep-water area of central Ordos Basin.Among the three types,the sandy debris flows are the most prominent and possesses the best oil bearing conditions.On the contrary,the classic turbidites formed by turbidity currents are limited in distribution;therefore,previous Yanchang Formation deep-water sedimentary studies have exaggerated the importance of turbidite currents deposition.Further study showed that the area distribution of deep water gravity flow sand bodies in Yanchang Formation were controlled by the slope of the deep-water deposits and the flows had vast distribution,huge depth and prevalent advantages for oil forming,which make it one of the most favorable new areas for Ordos Basin prospecting.

Migration and accumulation characteristics of natural gas hydrates in the uplifts and their slope zones in the Qiongdongnan Basin,China

Various factors controlling the accumulation of natural gas hydrates(NGHs)form various enrichment and accumulation modes through organic combination.This study mainly analyzes the geological and geophysical characteristics of the NGHs occurrence in the uplifts and their slope zones within the deep-water area in the Qiongdongnan(QDN)Basin(also referred to as the study area).Furthermore,it investigates the dominant governing factors and models of NGHs migration and accumulation in the study area.The results are as follows.(1)The uplifts and their slope zones in the study area lie in the dominant pressure-relief direction of fluids in central hydrocarbon-rich sags in the area,which provide sufficient gas sources for the NGHs accumulation and enrichment through pathways such as gas chimneys and faults.(2)The top and flanks of gas chimneys below the bottom simulating reflectors(BSRs)show high-amplitude seismic reflections and pronounced transverse charging of free gas,indicating the occurrence of a large amount of gas accumulation at the heights of the uplifts.(3)Chimneys,faults,and high-porosity and high-permeability strata,which connect the gas hydrate temperature-pressure stability zones(GHSZs)with thermogenic gas and biogenic gas,form the main hydrate migration system.(4)The reservoir system in the study area comprises sedimentary interlayers consisting of mass transport deposits(MTDs)and turbidites.In addition,the reservoir system has developed fissure-and pore-filling types of hydrates in the pathways.The above well-matched controlling factors of hydrate accumulation enable the uplifts and their slope zones in the study area to become the favorable targets of NGHs exploration.

Geochemical Characteristics of Crude Oils from Zao-V Oil Measures in Shenjiapu Oilfield

The geochemical characteristics of crude oils from Zao\|Ⅴ oil measures in the Shenjiapu oilfield are systematically described in terms of the fractional composition of crude oils, GC characteristics of saturated hydrocarbon fraction of crude oils and the characteristics of their biomarkers. The depositional environment, type and evolution of the biological source are also discussed. All pieces of evidence such as low saturated hydrocarbon fraction, high resin and asphalt, high isoprenoid alkane, weak odd\|carbon number predominance (CPI ranging from \{1.23\} to \{1.29\}, OEP ranging from \{1.14\} to \{1.16\}) and low sterane and terpane maturity parameters show these crude oils are immature oils. Low Pr/Ph ratios (\{0.66\}-\{0.88\}) and high gammacerance/C\-\{31\} hopane ratios (\{0.59\}-\{0.86\}) indicate the source rocks were formed in a slightly saline to brackish reducing lake depositional environment. Gas chromatographic characteristics of the saturated hydrocarbon fraction and the predominance of C\-\{30\} hopane in terpane series and C\-\{29\} sterane in sterane series indicate the biological source of the crude oils is composed mainly of bacterial and algal organic matter, and some algae are perhaps the main contributor of organic matter to the source rocks.

The effects of diagenesis on the petrophysical and geochemical attributes of the Asmari Formation,Marun oil field,southwest Iran

The distribution of good reservoir quality and its causes is the main challenges in carbonate reservoir characterization.This study investigates the effects of diagenetic processes on the reservoir quality of the carbonate successions of the Asmari Formation,in the Marun oil field,southwest Iran.The study applies an integrated approach including core petrography,petrophysical rock typing,stable carbon and oxygen isotopes as well as major and trace elements analyses.Petrographic studies and geochemical analyses express that the Asmari limestones have been affected mainly by compaction,dissolution,recrystallization,calcite and anhydrite cementation and dolomitization.Among those diagenetic overprints,dolomitization and dissolution played an important role to enhance the reservoir quality of the formation.Moreover,four types of dolomites were recognized and the rate of dolomitization increases toward the top of the Asmari carbonate successions.Possible models for dolomitization include mixing zone,brine reflux,seepage reflux and tidal pumping of seawater.Employing Flow Zone Index and Discrete Rock Type concepts led to classification of the Asmari reservoir into seven reservoir rock types.Integrating reservoir rock typing with petrographic studies and geochemical analyses also confirms that reservoir quality of the Asmari Fm.would have been mainly controlled by diagenetic processes.Moreover,stable isotopes,trace elements and facies analyses support the idea that carbonate intervals of the Asmari Formation were deposited in a warm,shallow-water environment under a saline condition.

Restoration of Eroded Thickness of the Neogene Strata in the Western Qaidam Basin and Its Significance for Oil and Gas Occurrence

During the Pleistocene, the western Qaidam Basin has largely experienced strong structural reconstruction and strong erosion. First, the eroded thickness of Neogene strata was restored approximately by the stratigraphic profile comparison method and plane trend surface restoring method; then, accurate calculation of erosion was recovered using vitrinite reflectance, and the erosion that was restored by the trend surface restoring method was corrected; finally, a distribution map of cumulative erosion was produced. This study marks an important achievement in that one of the most important parameters of basin tectonic evolution, sedimentary evolution, and oil and gas accumulation history has been obtained, and that a basic geological problem has been solved in the Qaidam Basin. The areas with high erosion and low erosion are shown in the map and a close relation between the distribution of oil and gas fields and erosion was recognized. Large and medium oil and gas fields are mainly distributed in areas with medium and low erosion. It is difficult to form large-scale oil and gas accumulation in areas in which erosion is more than 2000 m. The mechanism of the relation between oil and gas distribution and erosion is explained. This study will be of use in predicting the distribution of oil and gas.