The oldest shale gas reservoirs in southern margin of Huangling uplift,Yichang, Hubei,China

1.Objective Large-scale commercial production of shale gas started in Fuling,Changning and Weiyuan areas of the Sichuan Basin (Zou et al.,2016)since 2010.The most notable shale gas success is the Longmaxi organic rich Shale in Jiaoshiba field, Sichuan Basin.The Yichang slope is located in the north of middle Yangtze region.This eastward dipping slope is a new prospective area for shale gas exploration in recent 5 years.

Mineralogy and fracture development characteristics of marine shale-gas reservoirs: A case study of Lower Silurian strata in southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin, China

Mineral contents and fractures of shale from well Yuye-1 and outcrops were examined mainly based on systematic description of the cores and outcrops, and data from experimental analyses. The data enabled us to thoroughly explore the mineralogy and developmental features of shale of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the study area. The results show that,the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Shale(SLS) in the southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin, China, is primarily characterized by a high content of brittle minerals and a relatively low content of clay minerals. The total content of brittle minerals is approximately 57%,including 27% quartz, 12.2% feldspar, 11.2% carbonate and 2.4% pyrite. The total content of clay minerals reaches 41.6%,composed of illite(23.8%), mixed-layer of illite and smectite(I/S)(10.8%) and chlorite(7.0%). The SLS accommodates the widespread development of various types of fractures, including tectonic fractures, diagenetic fractures, inter-layer fractures and slip fractures. The developmental level of the fracture in the SLS is mainly influenced by faults, lithology, mineral contents and total organic carbon content(TOC) in study area.

Geothermal investigation of the thickness of gas hydrate stability zone in the north continental margin of the South China Sea

The exploration of unconventional and/or new energy resources has become the focus of energy research worldwide,given the shortage of fossil fuels.As a potential energy resource,gas hydrate exists only in the environment of high pressure and low temperature,mainly distributing in the sediments of the seafloor in the continental margins and the permafrost zones in land.The accurate determination of the thickness of gas hydrate stability zone is essential yet challenging in the assessment of the exploitation potential.The majority of previous studies obtain this thickness by detecting the bottom simulating reflectors（BSRs） layer on the seismic profiles.The phase equilibrium between gas hydrate stable state with its temperature and pressure provides an opportunity to derive the thickness with the geothermal method.Based on the latest geothermal dataset,we calculated the thickness of the gas hydrate stability zone（GHSZ） in the north continental margin of the South China Sea.Our results indicate that the thicknesses of gas hydrate stability zone vary greatly in different areas of the northern margin of the South China Sea.The thickness mainly concentrates on 200–300 m and distributes in the southwestern and eastern areas with belt-like shape.We further confirmed a certain relationship between the GHSZ thickness and factors such as heat flow and water depth.The thickness of gas hydrate stability zone is found to be large where the heat flow is relatively low.The GHSZ thickness increases with the increase of the water depth,but it tends to stay steady when the water depth deeper than 3 000 m.The findings would improve the assessment of gas hydrate resource potential in the South China Sea.

Quantitative identification of coal-type gas and oil-type gas in source-mixed gas at the northern margin of Qaidam Basin

The current study tested the gas component and carbon isotopic composition of gas samples from 6 oilgas fields at the northern margin of Qaidam Basin, and established a chart to quantitatively identify the mixing ratio of source-mixed gas. Besides, this research quantitatively investigated the natural gas generated by different types of organic matter. The results show that different ratios of source-mixed gas exist in the 6 oil-gas fields at the northern margin of Qaidam Basin. Among them, Mabei has the highest mixing ratio of coal-type gas, followed by Nanbaxian, Mahai, Lenghu-4, Lenghu-3 and Lenghu-5, with the ratios of coal-type gas 91%, 87%, 83%, 66%, 55% and 36%, respectively. Lenghu-3 and Lenghu-4 oil-gas fields were mainly filled by coal-type gas earlier. For Lenghu-3, the gas was mainly generated from low matured source rocks in lower Jurassic Series of Lengxi sub-sag. For Lenghu-4, the gas was mainly generated from humus-mature source rocks in lower Jurassic Series of the northern slope of Kunteyi sub-sag. Gas in Lenghu-5 was mainly later filled oil-type gas, which was generated from high matured sapropelics in lower Jurassic Series of Kunteyi sub-sag. Earlier filled coal-type gas was the main part of Mahai, Nanbaxian and Mabei oil-gas fields. Gas source of Mahai was mainly generated from high mature humics in lower Jurassic Series of Yibei sub-sag; for Nanbaxian, the gas was mainly generated from high matured humics in middle-lower Jurassic Series of Saishiteng sub-sag; for Mabei, the gas was mainly generated from humus-mature source rocks in middle Jurassic Series of Yuqia sub-sag.

Formation conditions and exploration direction of large and medium gas reservoirs in the Junggar Basin, NW China

The Junggar Basin is rich in oil but lacks natural gas, which is inconsistent with its geological background of natural gas. Based on the analysis of main source kitchens, and the evaluation of geological setting and controlling factors of gas accumulation, it is proposed that three significant fields for gas exploration should be emphasized. The first field is the Carboniferous volcanic rocks. The Carboniferous residual sags and large-scale reservoirs were developed in three active continental margins, i.e., the southeastern, northeastern and northwestern active continental margins. Gas accumulation is controlled by the favorable reservoir-caprock combinations composed of volcanic rocks and their superimposed lacustrine mudstones in the Upper Wuerhe Formation. Dinan, Eastern and Zhongguai uplifts are three favorable directions for natural gas exploration. The second field is the Lower combinations in the southern margin of Junggar Basin. Rows of structural traps were developed in this area with ideal preservation conditions and space-time configuration for trap-source combinations. Sets of clastic reservoirs and overpressured mudstones formed perfect reservoir-caprock combinations which are the main exploration direction for Jurassic coal-type gas reservoirs in this area. The seven large structural traps in the middle-east section are recently the most significant targets. The last field is the Central Depression. Large hydrocarbon generating centers, i.e., Mahu, Fukang and Shawan sags, were developed in this area, their source rocks were deeply buried and at highly-mature stage. Thus the Central Depression is a favorable exploration direction for Permian high-over mature gas fields(reservoirs). Great attentions should be paid to two types of targets, the deeply–buried structures and structural-lithologic traps. Based on three main gas systems, gas exploration is suggested be strengthened within three fields and on three levels.

Geological Characteristics of Oil and Gas Reservoirs in the Songpan-Aba Area,SW China

The Songpan-Aba area, similar to those basins on the Yangtze block, following the rifting and separation of the Yangtze block, gradually developed into a passive marginal basin on a passive continent margin in Early Paleozoic, and later, with the Qinling-Qilian oceanic crust subduction and ocean closure, the Caledonides were formed and the foreland basin was superimposed upon. Being influenced by the Paleo-Tethyan extension, intra-continental rifting-margin basins were formed in Late Paleozoic. Following the formation of peripheral orogenic belt, the Upper Triassic again superimposed the foreland basin. The Mesozoic and Cenozoic overprinted the faulted basin, forming the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau domes. Hydrocarbon source rock in the Early Paleozoic passive basin, the Upper Paleozoic platform carbonates and the Triassic mudstones comprise the main source-reservoircap combination. Each layer of this area is at the advanced stage of diagenetic evolution, being entered the middle and late diagenetic stages, and anadiagenetic stage. Besides the highly matured Triassic and Permian in Zoige and Hongyuan, almost all the area is at the early stage of over maturatation, generating much methane. This area has the potential for oil and gas.

Effects of Xe Gas Content and Total Gas Pressure on the Discharge Characteristics of Colour Plasma Display Panels

The effects of the Xe gas content and total gas pressure on the discharge characteristics of colour plasma display panels including the sustaining voltage margin, white-field chromaticity, discharge time lag （DTL）, discharge current peak, and full-width-at-half-maximum （FWHM） of the discharge current pulse, are experimentally studied. The results indicate that as the Xe gas content in the He-Ne-Xe gas mixture or total pressure increases, the sustaining voltage margin increases, the white-field chromaticity improves, and the discharge current peak has a maximum value, while DTL and FWHM have a minimum value. The mean electron energy in the gas mixture discharge is also calculated through a numerical solution of Boltzmann equation. The experimental results are explained from a view of the mean electron energy variations with the Xe gas content and total gas pressure.

Geological factors associated with unsuccessful exploration wells in the northern margin of the Qaidam basin

We investigated the geological factors associated with unsuccessful exploration wells in the northern margin of the Qaidam basin to better understand their cause.The structural situation,the hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism and unsuccessful well data collected from 1996 to 2005 were studied.The results show that the main geological factors associated with unsuccessful exploration wells are a lack of effective source rocks and a lack of effective traps,as well as the migration-accumulation conditions that exist in this area.The basin was reformed by Meso-Cenozoic tectonic evolution.Multi-stage tectonic activities have both positive and negative effects on hydrocarbon accumulation.Source rocks distribution,effective migration channels,effective traps and the tectonic evolution effects on hydrocarbons should be the key objects for further studies.

Hydrocarbon accumulation and orderly distribution of whole petroleum system in marine carbonate rocks of Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on the situation and progress of marine oil/gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin,SW China,the whole petroleum system is divided for marine carbonate rocks of the basin according to the combinations of hydrocarbon accumulation elements,especially the source rock.The hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics of each whole petroleum system are analyzed,the patterns of integrated conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon accumulation are summarized,and the favorable exploration targets are proposed.Under the control of multiple extensional-convergent tectonic cycles,the marine carbonate rocks of the Sichuan Basin contain three sets of regional source rocks and three sets of regional cap rocks,and can be divided into the Cambrian,Silurian and Permian whole petroleum systems.These whole petroleum systems present mainly independent hydrocarbon accumulation,containing natural gas of affinity individually.Locally,large fault zones run through multiple whole petroleum systems,forming a fault-controlled complex whole petroleum system.The hydrocarbon accumulation sequence of continental shelf facies shale gas accumulation,marginal platform facies-controlled gas reservoirs,and intra-platform fault-and facies-controlled gas reservoirs is common in the whole petroleum system,with a stereoscopic accumulation and orderly distribution pattern.High-quality source rock is fundamental to the formation of large gas fields,and natural gas in a whole petroleum system is generally enriched near and within the source rocks.The development and maintenance of large-scale reservoirs are essential for natural gas enrichment,multiple sources,oil and gas transformation,and dynamic adjustment are the characteristics of marine petroleum accumulation,and good preservation conditions are critical to natural gas accumulation.Large-scale marginal-platform reef-bank facies zones,deep shale gas,and large-scale lithological complexes related to source-connected faults are future marine hydrocarbon exploration targets in the Sichuan Basin.

Tectonic evolution of Tethyan tectonic field, formation of Northern Margin basin and explorative perspective of natural gas in Tarim Basin

Analyzing the characteristics of the Tethyantectonic field, the authors think that the Tethyan tectonicfield underwent three evolutional stages: closing of Pa-leo-Tethys and rifting of Neo-Tethys from early Permian tolate Triassic, subduction of Neo-Tethys and collision betweenthe Indian plate and the Eurasia plate from Jurassic to earlyof low Tertiary, and collision between the Arab plate and theEurasia plate and the A-type subduction of Indian plate fromlate of low Tertiary to the present. Combining the evolutionof the Tethyan orogenic belt with the characteristics of theNorthern Margin basin, it is suggested that the sedimentaryand tectonic characteristics and types of the Northern Mar-gin basin are controlled by the formation and evolution ofthe Tethyan orogenic belt and the ingression of Tethys. Theevolution of Northern Margin basin can be divided into threedevelopment stages: back-arc foreland basin from late Per-mian to Triassic, the back-arc fault subsidence and depres-sion from Jurassic to the early of low Tertiary, and the reac-tive foreland basin from the late of low Tertiary to the pre-sent. The Northern Margin basin in the Tethyan tectonicfield is an important region for natural gas accumulation,and the Tarim Basin is a part of this region.

Application of deep-towed multichannel seismic system for gas hydrate on mid-slope of northern Cascadia margin

The Deep-towed Acoustics and Geophysics System (DTAGS) is a high frequency (220-820 Hz) multichannel seismic system towed about 300 m above seafloor.Compared to the conventional surface-towed seismic system,the DTAGS system is characterized by its shorter wavelength (<6 m),smaller Fresnel zone,and greater sampling in wavenumber space,so it has unique advantages in distinguishing fine sedimentary layers and geological structures.Given the near-bottom configuration and wide high-frequency bandwidth,the precise source and hydrophone positioning is the basement of subsequent seismic imaging and velocity analysis,and thus the quality of array geometry inversion is the key of DTAGS data processing.In the application of exploration for marine gas hydrate on mid-slope of northern Cascadia margin,the DTAGS system has shown high vertical and lateral resolution images of the sedimentary and structural features of the Cucumber Ridge (a carbonate mound) and Bullseye Vent (a cold vent),and provided abundant information for the evaluation of gas hydrate concentration and the mechanism of fluid flow that controls the formation and distribution of gas hydrate.

Acoustic characteristics of cold-seep methane bubble behavior in the water column and its potential environmental impact

The amount of methane leaked from deep sea cold seeps is enormous and potentially affects the global warming,ocean acidification and global carbon cycle.It is of great significance to study the methane bubble movement and dissolution process in the water column and its output to the atmosphere.Methane bubbles produce strong acoustic impedance in water bodies,and bubble strings released from deep sea cold seeps are called"gas flares"which expressed as flame-like strong backscatter in the water column.We characterized the morphology and movement of methane bubbles released into the water using multibeam water column data at two cold seeps.The result shows that methane at site I reached 920 m water depth without passing through the top of the gas hydrate stability zone(GHSZ,850 m),while methane bubbles at site II passed through the top of the GHSZ(597 m)and entered the non-GHSZ(above 550 m).By applying two methods on the multibeam data,the bubble rising velocity in the water column at sites I and II were estimated to be 9.6 cm/s and 24 cm/s,respectively.Bubble velocity is positively associated with water depth which is inferred to be resulted from decrease of bubble size during methane ascending in the water.Combined with numerical simulation,we concluded that formation of gas hydrate shells plays an important role in helping methane bubbles entering the upper water bodies,while other factors,including water depth,bubble velocity,initial kinetic energy and bubble size,also influence the bubble residence time in the water and the possibility of methane entering the atmosphere.We estimate that methane gas flux at these two sites is 0.4×10~6–87.6×10~6 mol/a which is extremely small compared to the total amount of methane in the ocean body,however,methane leakage might exert significant impact on the ocean acidification considering the widespread distributed cold seeps.In addition,although methane entering the atmosphere is not observed,further research is still needed to understand its potential impact on increasing methane concentration in the surface seawater and gas-water interface methane exchange rate,which consequently increase the greenhouse effect.

A step parameters prediction model based on transfer process neural network for exhaust gas temperature estimation after washing aero-engines

The prediction of Exhaust Gas Temperature Margin(EGTM)after washing aeroengines can provide a theoretical basis for airlines not only to evaluate the energy-saving effect and emission reduction,but also to formulate reasonable maintenance plans.However,the EGTM encounters step changes after washing aeroengines,while,in the traditional models,a persistence tendency exists between the prediction results and the previous data,resulting in low accuracy in prediction.In order to solve the problem,this paper develops a step parameters prediction model based on Transfer Process Neural Networks(TPNN).Especially,“step parameters”represent the parameters that can reflect EGTM step changes.They are analyzed in this study,and thus the model concentrates on the prediction of step changes rather than the extension of data trends.Transfer learning is used to handle the problem that few cleaning records result in few step changes for model learning.In comparison with Long Short-Term Memory(LSTM)and Kernel Extreme Learning Machine(KELM)models,the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified on CFM56-5B engine data.

Improvement of part-load performance of gas turbine by adjusting compressor inlet air temperature and IGV opening

A novel adjusting method for improving gas turbine(GT)efficiency and surge margin(SM)under partload conditions is proposed.This method adopts the inlet air heating technology,which uses the waste heat of lowgrade heat source and the inlet guide vane(IGV)opening adjustment.Moreover,the regulation rules of the compressor inlet air temperature and the IGV opening are studied comprehensively to optimize GT performance.A model and calculation method for an equilibrium running line is adopted based on the characteristic curves of the compressor and turbine.The equilibrium running lines calculated through the calculation method involve three part-load conditions and three IGVopenings with different inlet air temperatures.The results show that there is an optimal matching relationship between IGV opening and inlet air temperature.For the best GT performance of a given load,the IGV could be adjusted according to inlet air temperature.In addition,inlet air heating has a considerable potential for the improvement of part-load performance of GT due to the increase in compressor efficiency,combustion efficiency,and turbine efficiency as well as turbine inlet temperature,when inlet air temperature is lower than the optimal value with different IGV openings.Further,when the IGV is in a full opening state and an optimal inlet air temperature is achieved by using the inlet air heating technology,GT efficiency and SM can be obviously higher than other IGVopenings.The IGV can be left unadjusted,even when the load is as low as 50%.These findings indicate that inlet air heating has a great potential to replace the IGV to regulate load because GT efficiency and SM can be remarkably improved,which is different from the traditional viewpoints.