A unified model for the formation and distribution of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs

The discovery and large-scale exploration of unconventional oil/gas resources since 1980s have been considered as the most important advancement in the history of petroleum geology;that has not only changed the balance of supply and demand in the global energy market,but also improved our understanding of the formation mechanisms and distribution characteristics of oil/gas reservoirs.However,what is the difference of conventional and unconventional resources and why they always related to each other in petroliferous basins is not clear.As the differences and correlations between unconventional and conventional resources are complex challenging issues and very critical for resources assessment and hydrocarbon exploration,this paper focused on studying the relationship of formations and distributions among different oil/gas reservoirs.Drilling results of 12,237 exploratory wells in 6 representative petroliferous basins of China and distribution characteristics for 52,926 oil/gas accumulations over the world were applied to clarify the formation conditions and genetic relations of different oil/gas reservoirs in a petroliferous basin,and then to establish a unified model to address the differences and correlations of conventional and unconventional reservoirs.In this model,conventional reservoirs formed in free hydrocarbon dynamic field with high porosity and permeability located above the boundary of hydrocarbon buoyancy-driven accumulation depth limit.Unconventional tight reservoirs formed in confined hydrocarbon dynamic field with low porosity and permeability located between hydrocarbon buoyancy-driven accumulation depth limit and hydrocarbon accumulation depth limit.Shale oil/gas reservoirs formed in the bound hydrocarbon dynamic field with low porosity and ultra-low permeability within the source rock layers.More than 75%of proved reserves around the world are discovered in the free hydrocarbon dynamic field,which is estimated to contain only 10%of originally generated hydrocarbons.Most of undiscovered resources distributed in the confined hydrocarbon dynamic field and the bound hydrocarbon dynamic field,which contains 90%of original generated hydrocarbons,implying a reasonable and promising area for future hydrocarbon explorations.The buried depths of hydrocarbon dynamic fields become shallow with the increase of heat flow,and the remaining oil/gas resources mainly exist in the deep area of“cold basin”with low geothermal gradient.Lithology changing in the hydrocarbon dynamic field causes local anomalies in the oil/gas dynamic mechanism,leading to the local formation of unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs in the free hydrocarbon dynamic field or the occurrence of oil/gas enrichment sweet points with high porosity and permeability in the confined hydrocarbon dynamic field.The tectonic movements destroy the medium conditions and oil/gas components,which leads to the transformation of conventional oil/gas reservoirs formed in free hydrocarbon dynamic field to unconventional ones or unconventional ones formed in confined and bound hydrocarbon dynamic fields to conventional ones.

Porosity and Rock-Typing in Hydrocarbon Reservoirs Case Study in Upper Member of Dalan Formation in Kish Gas Field, South of Zagros, Iran

To estimate the volume of oil and gas in the hydrocarbon reservoirs, the rock-typing must be considered. The volume and type of available space in the reservoir rocks (porosity) and the ease of hydrocarbons flow (permeability) are important in the classification of rock-types. In the field study, touching-vug Porosities (intergranular, intercrystalline and brecciate) increase the total porosity and form high quality rock-types, on the other side, separated-vug porosities (such as moldic, intraparticle and vuggy) increase the total porosity but do not play a large role in the production of hydrocarbon. In this paper, based on the SCAL data (Special Core Analysis) and according to amount of irreducible water saturation (Swir) and capillary pressure, the reservoir rocks are divided into 4 classes including Reservoir Rock-Types 1 to Reservoir Rock-Types 4 (RRTs-1 to RRTs-4). By study of the prepared thin sections, we investigated the role of porosity in the rock-typing. Among the rock-types, category 1 is the best type-reservoir and category 4 is non-reservoir. Probably, the latest diagenetic process determines the quality rocks, not sedimentary environments.

Whole petroleum system and ordered distribution pattern of conventional and unconventional oil and gas reservoirs

The classical source-to-trap petroleum system concept only considers the migration and accumulation of conventional oil and gas in traps driven dominantly by buoyance in a basin,although revised and improved,even some new concepts as composite petroleum system,total petroleum system,total composite petroleum system,were proposed,but they do not account for the vast unconventional oil and gas reservoirs within the system,which is not formed and distributed in traps dominantly by buoyancedriven.Therefore,the petroleum system concept is no longer adequate in dealing with all the oil and gas accumulations in a basin where significant amount of the unconventional oil and gas resources are present in addition to the conventional oil and gas accumulations.This paper looked into and analyzed the distribution characteristics of conventional and unconventional oil/gas reservoirs and their differences and correlations in petroliferous basins in China and North America,and then proposed whole petroleum system(WPS)concept,the WPS is defined as a natural system that encompasses all the conventional and unconventional oil and gas,reservoirs and resources originated from organic matter in source rocks,the geological elements and processes involving the formation,evolution,and distribution of these oil and gas,reservoirs and resources.It is found in the WPS that there are three kinds of hydrocarbons dynamic fields,three kinds of original hydrocarbons,three kinds of reservoir rocks,and the coupling of these three essential elements lead to the basic ordered distribution model of shale oil/gas reservoirs contacting or interbeded with tight oil/gas reservoirs and separated conventional oil/gas reservoirs from source rocks upward,which is expressed as“S\T-C”.Abnormal conditions lead to other three special ordered distribution models:The first is that with shale oil/gas reservoirs separated from tight oil/gas reservoirs.The second is that with two direction ordered distributions from source upward and downward.The third is with lateral distribution from source outside.

Controlling Factors and Accumulation Model of Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Upper Cretaceous Yogou Formation, Koulele Area, Termit Basin, Niger

Based on the sedimentary and tectonic background of the Termit Basin, this paper focuses on the Upper Cretaceous Yogou Formation and uses organic geochemistry, logging, oil testing and seismic data to analyze the primary control factors of the hydrocarbon accumulation and establish corresponding model in order to predict favorable exploration target zones of hydrocarbon reservoirs. This study demonstrates that the Upper Cretaceous Yogou Formation is a self-generation and self-accumulation type reservoir. The Yogou Formation hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Koulele area are controlled by four factors:(1) the source rock is controlled by a wide range of YS1-YS2 marine shale,(2) the sandstone reservoir is controlled by the YS3 underwater distributary channel and storm dunes,(3) migration of hydrocarbons is controlled by faults and the regional monocline structure, and(4) the accumulation of hydrocarbons is controlled by lateral seal. The structures in the western Koulele area are primarily reverse fault-blocks with large throws, and the structures in the east are dominantly fault-blocks with small throws(co-rotating and reverse) and a fault-nose. In the western Koulele area, where the facies are dominated by storm dunes on a larger scale, it is easier to form lithologic reservoirs of sandstone lens. In the eastern Koulele area, high-quality channel sandstone reservoirs, fault-blocks with small throws, and the monocline structure benefit for the formation of updip pinch out lithologic traps, fault lithologic reservoirs and fault-nose structural reservoirs. Future exploration targets should be focused in the western storm dunes zone and eastern distributary channel sand zone with small fault-blocks.

Strike-Slip Faults and Their Control on Differential Hydrocarbon Enrichment in Carbonate Karst Reservoirs: A Case Study of Yingshan Formation on Northern Slope of Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin

Objective Oil and gas are abundant in the Ordovician Yingshan Formation carbonate karst reservoirs on the northern slope of Tazhong uplift in the Tarim Basin,and have extremely complicated oil-gas-water distribution,however.

Formation and characteristics of large-medium buried-hill hydrocarbon reservoirs in Bohai Sea

There had been a long history of the buried-hill hydrocarbon reservoirs exploration operation in Bohai Sea.Between 1970s and 1990s,based on the onshore exploration experiences in eastern China,many boreholes were drilled in order to detect large-scale carbonate buried-hill hydrocarbon reservoirs in Bohai Sea,but no prominent discoveries was achieved.In-depth re-evaluation and examination were conducted upon these exploration failures,a new understanding that Bohai Sea had unique geological characteristics of buried hills was concluded.Bedrocks on the uplifts of Bohai oil province were mainly granites and migmatitic granites of Archean,Proterozoic and Mesozoic,as well as minor Lower Paleozoic carbonates.Proterozoic algae dolomite was most favorable for buried-hill hydrocarbon reservoirs however which were not developed in Bohai Sea.A large number of faults in Bohai oil province were developed and faults activities were intense in the late period.Thus,conventionally,reservoirs and preservation conditions of the buried hills were believed to be poor in Bohai Sea,and were not favourable for formation of large-scale buried-hill hydrocarbon reservoirs.Through the long-term practices and deep analyses,the coupling between granites,migmatitic granites and intense bedrock faults was favorable for buried-hill reservoirs with high test production and relatively low core recovery rate.Geophysical data could be used for accurate predictions of bedrock lithology and faults.The monadnock buried hills on the low uplifts adjacent to hydrocarbon-rich sags were covered by shallow to semi-deep lacustrine shale,which was favorable for buried-hill hydrocarbon reservoirs.Under the guidance of a series of innovative understandings,the re-exploration of buried hills in Bohai Sea achieved two largest granite buried-hill oil and gas fields with 100 million tons of reserves.The understanding and practice processes might also inspire exploration of other areas.

Roles of gypsum/salt-bearing sequence in hydrocarbon accumulation and storage

Gypsum/salt beds are widely developed in petroliferous basins across the world.Most basins with gypsum/salt beds have been proven to host abundant hydrocarbon resources.Previous studies on the effects of gypsum/salt beds on hydrocarbon reservoirs primarily focused on their excellent sealing property as cap rocks.However,an increasing number of exploration discoveries have shown that gypsum/salt beds have the potential to promote the formation of high-quality source rocks and hydrocarbon reservoirs.Gypsum/salt beds influence the generation,preservation and accumulation of hydrocarbons.Based on the systematic analysis of the generation of hydrocarbons in global gypsum/saltbearing sequences,the study discussed the control of gypsum/salt beds on play elements,and explore the relationship between the development of gypsum/salt beds and global large-and medium-scale hydrocarbon reservoirs.Furthermore,we analyzed the correlation between typical gypsum/saltbearing sequences and their hydrocarbon generation potentials in China.In-depth analysis shows three patterns in terms of the spatial superimposition of gypsum/salt beds and source rocks,that is,postsalt pattern,inter-salt pattern and pre-salt pattern.Among others,the source rocks of the inter-salt pattern are widely developed in salt basins and of great potential for hydrocarbon exploration.

Buoyance-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depth and its implication for unconventional resource prediction

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.

The mechanism of unconventional hydrocarbon formation: Hydrocarbon self-sealing and intermolecular forces

The successful development of unconventional hydrocarbons has significantly increased global hydrocarbon resources, promoted the growth of global hydrocarbon production and made a great breakthrough in classical oil and gas geology. The core mechanism of conventional hydrocarbon accumulation is the preservation of hydrocarbons by trap enrichment and buoyancy, while unconventional hydrocarbons are characterized by continuous accumulation and non-buoyancy accumulation. It is revealed that the key of formation mechanism of the unconventional reservoirs is the self-sealing of hydrocarbons driven by intermolecular forces. Based on the behavior of intermolecular forces and the corresponding self-sealing, the formation mechanisms of unconventional oil and gas can be classified into three categories:(1) thick oil and bitumen, which are dominated by large molecular viscous force and condensation force;(2) tight oil and gas, shale oil and gas and coal-bed methane, which are dominated by capillary forces and molecular adsorption;and(3) gas hydrate, which is dominated by intermolecular clathration. This study discusses in detail the characteristics, boundary conditions and geological examples of self-sealing of the five types of unconventional resources, and the basic principles and mathematical characterization of intermolecular forces. This research will deepen the understanding of formation mechanisms of unconventional hydrocarbons, improve the ability to predict and evaluate unconventional oil and gas resources, and promote the development and production techniques and potential production capacity of unconventional oil and gas.

Distribution Patterns of Remaining Hydrocarbons Controlled by Reservoir Architecture of Distributary Channel with Different Channel Style: S2 Formation of Songliao Basin, China

1 Introduction Reservoir architecture analysis of distributary channel of Daqing oilfield has drawn consistent interest among development geologists and petroleum engineers over the last decade(Lv et al.,1999;Zhou et al.,2008;Zhang

Characterization of Sandstone Reservoir at Bokor Formation, Kampot Province, Kampong Som Basin, Onshore Cambodia

Kampong Som Basin is a Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary basin located in southern Cambodia. While the sandstone of the Bokor Formation is expected to be the reservoir for hydrocarbon accumulation. Hence, this study aims to define the properties, quality, and factors that control reservoir rock quality. Sandstones of the Bokor Formation are sampled and analyzed using a helium porosimeter, nitrogen permeameter, polarized light microscope, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to check the porosity, permeability, minerals, pore geometry, and clay minerals that influence the reservoir quality. According to the result of petrography analysis described by thin section, the sandstone samples from Bokor formation are classified as quartz arenite that composes mainly of quartz, rock fragment, mica-flake, and sericite with connected and unconnected pores of 50 μm to 500 μm with interparticle pore type. Sandstones in this formation have porosity values ranging from 6.55% to 13.19%, and permeability values ranging from 10 mD to 60 mD. The statistics of porosity and permeability of sandstone reservoirs indicate low porosity and permeability that are suggested to be fair reservoir rock for hydrocarbon accumulation. SEM results indicate that there are three types of authigenic clay minerals involving such as kaolinite, illite, and chlorite. In addition, the pore geometry, quartz overgrowth, dissolution of quartz and felspar grain filling in pore space, compaction, replacement diagenesis processes, and cementation presence of clay minerals are the main controlling factors of the sandstone reservoir from the Bokor Formation. Furthermore, this area exhibits sedimentary structures such as planar cross-bedding, cross-bedding, parallel lamination, normal grading, massive, wavy, and reverse graded bedding, which indicates these lithofacies may be deposited in shallow marine environments.

渤中坳陷及其邻区第三系沉积特征和油气勘探潜力分析

渤中坳陷及其邻区第三纪构造-沉积演化经历了裂陷和裂后拗陷两大阶段,形成了下断、上拗的双层结构.早第三纪的多幕裂陷沉降使区内沉积了沙三段、沙一段和东三段-东二段下部(东下段)3套优质湖相烃源岩,裂陷-拗陷阶段的3次主要构造沉降导致了3套区域盖层的沉积,短源沉积-内源沉积一远源沉积的沉积充填演化造就了多种类型的储集体,所发育的深层、中深层和浅层3套储盖组合为渤中坳陷及其邻区油气的聚集成藏创造了得天独厚的有利条件.

Reservoir Quality Assessment of the Upper Permian Chhidru Formation, Salt and Surghar Ranges, Pakistan

The Late Permian succession of the Upper Indus Basin in northeastern Pakistan is represented by the carbonatedominated Zaluch Group, which consists of the Amb, Wargal and Chhidru formations, which accumulated on the southwestern shelf of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, north of the hydrocarbon-producing Permian strata of the Arabian Peninsula. The reservoir properties of the mixed clastic-carbonate Chhidru Formation(CFm) are evaluated based on petrography, using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy(EDX) and x-ray diffraction(XRD) techniques. The diagenetic features are recognized, ranging from marine(isopachous fibrous calcite, micrite), through meteoric(blocky calcite-I, neomorphism and dissolution) to burial(poikilotopic cement, blocky calcite-II-III, fractures, fracture-filling, and stylolites). Major porosity types include fracture and moldic, while inter-and intra-particle porosities also exist. Observed visual porosity ranges from 1.5%–7.14% with an average of 5.15%. The sandstone facies(CMF-4) has the highest average porosity of 10.7%, whereas the siliciclastic grainstone microfacies(CMF-3) shows an average porosity of 5.3%. The siliciclastic mudstone microfacies(CMF-1) and siliciclastic wacke-packestone microfacies(CMF-2) show the lowest porosities of 4.8% and 5.0%, respectively. Diagenetic processes like cementation, neomorphism, stylolitization and compaction have reduced the primary porosities;however, processes of dissolution and fracturing have produced secondary porosity. On average, the CFm in the Nammal Gorge, Salt Range shows promise and at Gula Khel Gorge, Trans-Indus, the lowest porosity.

Association of Sandstone-Type Uranium Mineralization in the Northern China with Tectonic Movements and Hydrocarbons

In the continental basins of Northern China(NC),a series of energy resources commonly co-exist in the same basin.As the three typical superimposed basins of different genesis in the NC,the Junggar,Ordos,and Songliao basins were chosen as the research objects.The favorable uraniumbearing structures are generally shown as a basin-margin slope or transition belt of uplifts with the development of faults,which are conducive to a fluid circulation system.The Hercynian,Indosinian,and Yanshanian movements resulted in the development of uranium-rich intrusions which acted as the significant uranium sources.The main hydrocarbon source rocks are developed in the Carboniferous,Permian,Jurassic and Cretaceous.The mature stage of source rocks is concentrated in the Jurassic–Cretaceous,followed by the multi-stage expulsion events.Influenced by the India-Eurasian collision and the subduction of the Pacific Plate,the tectonic transformation in the Late Yanshanian and Himalayan periods significantly influenced the sandstone-type uranium mineralization.The hydrocarbon reservoirs are spatially consistent with sandstone-type uranium deposits,while the hydrocarbon expulsion events occur in sequence with sandstone-type uranium mineralization.In the periphery of the faults or the uplifts,both fluids met and formed uranium concentration.The regional tectonic movements motivate the migration of hydrocarbon fluids and uranium mineralization,especially the Himalayan movement.

Theory, Technology and Practice of Unconventional Petroleum Geology

0 INTRODUCTION The breakthroughs in unconventional petroleum have a great impact on world petroleum industry and innovation in petroleum geology(Dou et al,2022;Jia,2017;Zou et al.,2015b,2014a;Yerkin,2012;Pollastro,2007;Schmoker,1995).The exploration and development evolution from conventional petroleum to unconventional petroleum and more and more frequent industrial activities of exploring petroleum inside sources kitchen have deepened theoretical understanding of unconventional petroleum geology and promoted technical research and development(Jia et al.,2021,2017;Jin et al.,2021;Zhao W Z et al.,2020;Ma Y S et al.,2018,2012;Zou et al.,2018b,2016,2009;Dai et al.,2012).We have introduced and extended the theory of continuous hydrocarbon accumulation since 2008 and published several papers/books(in Chinese and English)with respect to unconventional petroleum geology since 2009,basically forming the theoretical framework for this discipline(Yang et al.,2022a,2021a,2019a,,2015a;Zou et al.,2019c,2017b,2014a,,2013a).In this paper,we present the background of unconventional petroleum geology,review the latest theoretical and technological progress in unconventional petroleum geology,introduce relevant thinking and practices in China,and explore the pathway of unconventional petroleum revolution and multi-energy coordinated development in super energy basins,hopefully to promote the unconventional petroleum geology and industry development.

Tight oil accumulation of the redeposited carbonates in the continental rift basin:A case study from Member 3 of Shahejie Formation in Shulu sag of Jizhong depression,North China

Tight oil in the redeposited carbonates was mainly distributed in the Lower Submember of Member 3 of Shahejie Formation in Shulu sag of Jizhong depression,North China.Through high-resolution 3D seismic data,well logging data and drilling data,the Lower Submember of Member 3 of Shahejie Formation was divided into 5 third-order sequences and 15 parasequence sets.The redeposited marl and rudstone were major reserving horizons of tight oil,and ten reserving space types were developed and could be classified into two main categories,i.e.,pores and fractures.Two types of tight oil reservoirs were established,i.e.,the marl hydrocarbon reservoir of the source-reservoir integration and the rudstone hydrocarbon reservoirs of the source-reservoir paragenesis.The assemblage relationship among the high-quality source rocks,system tracts with the source-reservoir configuration was the major control factor for tight oil accumulation in the redeposited carbonates.The lacustrine transgressive system tracts and highstand systems tracts in SQ1 to SQ5 were the favorable horizons for development of the marl hydrocarbon reservoir,the lowstand system tracts in SQ1 to SQ3 were the favorable horizons for development of the rudstone hydrocarbon reservoir.