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.

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.

The gradual subduction-collision evolution model of Proto-South China Sea and its control on oil and gas

This study involved outcrop,drilling,seismic,gravity,and magnetic data to systematically document the geological records of the subduction process of Proto-South China Sea(PSCS)and establish its evolution model.The results indicate that a series of arc-shaped ophiolite belts and calcalkaline magmatic rocks are developed in northern Borneo,both of which have the characteristics of gradually changing younger from west to east,and are direct signs of subduction and collision of PSCS.At the same time,the subduction of PSCS led to the formation of three accretion zones from the south to the north in Borneo,the Kuching belt,Sibu belt,and Miri belt.The sedimentary formation of northern Borneo is characterized by a three-layer structure,with the oceanic basement at the bottom,overlying the deep-sea flysch deposits of the Rajang–Crocker group,and the molasse sedimentary sequence that is dominated by river-delta and shallow marine facies at the top,recording the whole subduction–collision–orogeny process of PSCS.Further,seismic reflection and tomography also confirmed the subduction and collision of PSCS.Based on the geological records of the subduction and collision of PSCS,combined with the comprehensive analysis of segmented expansion and key tectonic events in the South China Sea,we establish the“gradual”subduction-collision evolution model of PSCS.During the late Eocene to middle Miocene,the Zengmu,Nansha,and Liyue–Palawan blocks were separated by West Baram Line and Balabac Fault,which collided with the Borneo block and Kagayan Ridge successively from the west to the east,forming several foreland basin systems,and PSCS subducted and closed from the west to the east.The subduction and extinction of PSCS controlled the oil and gas distribution pattern of southern South China Sea(SSCS)mainly in three aspects.First,the“gradual”closure process of PSCS led to the continuous development of many large deltas in SSCS.Second,the deltas formed during the subduction–collision of PSCS controlled the development of source rocks in the basins of SSCS.Macroscopically,the distribution and scale of deltas controlled the distribution and scale of source rocks,forming two types of source rocks,namely,coal measures and terrestrial marine facies.Microscopically,the difference of terrestrial higher plants carried by the delta controlled the proportion of macerals of source rocks.Third,the difference of source rocks mainly controlled the distribution pattern of oil and gas in SSCS.Meanwhile,the difference in the scale of source rocks mainly controlled the difference in the amount of oil and gas discoveries,resulting in a huge amount of oil and gas discoveries in the basin of SSCS.Meanwhile,the difference of macerals of source rocks mainly controlled the difference of oil and gas generation,forming the oil and gas distribution pattern of“nearshore oil and far-shore gas”.

Formation and distribution characteristics of Proterozoic–Lower Paleozoic marine giant oil and gas fields worldwide

There are rich oil and gas resources in marine carbonate strata worldwide.Although most of the oil and gas reserves discovered so far are mainly distributed in Mesozoic,Cenozoic,and upper Paleozoic strata,oil and gas exploration in the Proterozoic–Lower Paleozoic（PLP）strata—the oldest marine strata—has been very limited.To more clearly understand the oil and gas formation conditions and distributions in the PLP marine carbonate strata,we analyzed and characterized the petroleum geological conditions,oil and gas reservoir types,and their distributions in thirteen giant oil and gas fields worldwide.This study reveals the main factors controlling their formation and distribution.Our analyses show that the source rocks for these giant oil and gas fields are mainly shale with a great abundance of type I–II organic matter and a high thermal evolution extent.The reservoirs are mainly gas reservoirs,and the reservoir rocks are dominated by dolomite.The reservoir types are mainly karst and reef–shoal bodies with well-developed dissolved pores and cavities,intercrystalline pores,and fractures.These reservoirs arehighly heterogeneous.The burial depth of the reservoirs is highly variable and somewhat negatively correlated to the porosity.The cap rocks are mainly thick evaporites and shales,with the thickness of the cap rocks positively correlated to the oil and gas reserves.The development of high-quality evaporite cap rock is highly favorable for oil and gas preservation.We identified four hydrocarbon generation models,and that the major source rocks have undergone a long period of burial and thermal evolution and are characterized by early and long periods of hydrocarbon generation.These giant oil and gas fields have diverse types of reservoirs and are mainly distributed in paleo-uplifts,slope zones,and platform margin reef-shoal bodies.The main factors that control their formation and distribution were identified,enabling the prediction of new favorable areas for oil and gas exploration.

Sequence boundaries and regularities in the oil-gas distribution of the low swelling slope belt in the continental rift basin

Where are the zones more enriched in sand deposits in the down slope and deep depression of the low swelling slope belt? Are there any screening conditions for oil and gas there? These are the chief geological problems to be solved during exploration of a region. Taking the Paleogene system developed along the east slope belt of Chengdao as an example the concepts of sequence stratigraphy and sedimentary sequenc are applied. A new research method likened to a way ''to get a melon by following the vine'' is proposed to determine the direction for exploring within un-drilled or less-drilled areas. This is the process: ''the characteristics of the sequence boundary ? the forming mechanism of the stratigraphic sequence ? the conditions of oil and gas accumulation ? the distribution zones of oil and gas''. The relationship between the dynamic mechanism of stratigraphic sequence and the forming conditions for oil and gas accumulation establishes that the tectonic disturbance of the slope belt has significant responses as denudation and deposition. Above the stratigraphic sequence boundary there are large scale sand bodies of the low stand system tract (LST) that have developed in the low swelling slope belt and its deep depression. Below the sequence boundary there are the remaining sand bodies of the high stand system tract (HST). On the slope there is a convergence of mudstone layers of the extended system tract (EST) with the mudstone of the underlying strata, which constitutes the screening conditions for the reservoir of the down slope and deep depression. The distribution regularities in preferred sand bodies on the surface of the sequence boundary, and in the system tract, indicate the ordering of oil-gas deposits. From the higher stand down to the depth of the slope there are, in order, areas where exploration was unfavorable, major areas of stratigraphic overlap of oil-gas reservoirs, unconformity screened oil-gas reservoirs, and, finally, sandstone lens oil-gas reservoirs. The low swelling slope belt of Chengdao was tectonically active, which is typical for a continental rift basin. The methodology and results of the present paper are significant for the theory and practice of predicting subtle reservoir and selecting strategic areas for exploration.

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.

Phytosterols in edible oil:Distribution,analysis and variation during processing

Phytosterols,which are naturally occurring in plants,have excellent nutritional and health values on lowering both the blood cholesterol level and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.Edible oils are the main source of daily intake of phytosterols,whereas the properties of phytosterols may vary a lot depending on their sources.During the processing of edible oil including refining and frying,phytosterol's content fluctuates,which influences the properties of the final product.Phytosterols and their derivatives undergo physical migration between different phases and chemical conversion during the processing,which reduces the quality and the commercial value of edible oils.Therein,the loss of phytosterols is the major concern in the process of neutralization and deodorization.In addition,oxidation and thermal degradation of phytosterols occur simultaneously during frying,which also reduces the content of phytosterols.Nevertheless,the oil matrix has a promoting or an inhibitory effect on the thermal oxidation of phytosterols.Therefore,various efforts have been devoted to analyzing and improving the remaining contents of phytosterols in edible oil.Regardless of the processing method,temperature plays an important role in the loss of phytosterols.At present,themain analysismethods of phytosterols include gas chromatography and liquid chromatography,inwhich the pretreatment of different types of phytosterols is also a crucial step.This review focused on the following topics comprehensively:(i)the distribution of phytosterols in the oil-containing plants and edible oils during the refining processing;(ii)the pretreatment and analysis methods of various phytosterols(free phytosterols,phytosteryl fatty acid esters,phytosteryl glycosides and acylated phytosteryl glycosides);(iii)the variation of phytosterols in process of esterification and oxidation,storage and so on.The study also proposed that the investigation in the loss and safety of phytosterols during processing of the vegetable oils should be proceeded further in combination with efficient and accurate chromatography methods.

Status-quo of proved oil/gas initially-in-place in China as of 2020 and its variation trend in the past decade

This study analyzes the status-quo of the proved oil/gas initially-in-place and its variation trend,the proved undeveloped oil/gas initially-in-place,and the remaining proved technically recoverable reserves(TRR)of oil/gas in China as of 2020 based on statistics.As shown by the results,the proved oil initially-in-place(OIIP),the proved undeveloped OIIP,and the remaining proved TRR of oil in China are mainly distributed in the Bohai Bay,Ordos and Songliao Basins,and those of free gas are mainly in the Ordos,Sichuan,and Tarim Basins.From 2011 to 2020,the largest increment in the proved OIIP,the proved undeveloped OIIP and the remaining proved TRR of oil occurred in the Ordos Basin,followed by the Bohai Bay Basin,while that in the proved gas initially-in-place(GIIP),the proved undeveloped GIIP,and the remaining proved TRR of gas occurred in the Ordos Basin,followed by the Sichuan Basin.In addition,a comprehensive analysis reveals that the petroliferous basins in China with the potential of reserve addition and production growth include the Ordos Basin,the Bohai Bay Basin,the Sichuan Basin,and the Tarim Basin.

Paleozoic Composite Petroleum System of North Africa:Hydrocarbon Distribution and Main Controlling Factors

North Africa, which is one of the main oil and gas producing regions in the world, is best known for its subsalt Paleozoic-Triassic reservoirs and Paleozoic source rocks. Hydrocarbon abundance varies greatly from one structural domain to another areally and from one stratigraphic interval to another vertically. Analyses of the essential elements and geological processes of the Paleozoic petroleum system indicate that the distribution of the Lower Silurian shale source rocks, the development of a thick Mesozoic overburden, the presence of the Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic evaporite seal are the most important factors goveming the distribution of the Paleozoic-sourced hydrocarbons in North Africa. The Mesozoic sequence plays a critical role for hydrocarbons to accumulate by enabling the maturation of the Paleozoic source rocks during the Mesozoic-Paleogene times and preserving the accumulated hydrocarbons. Basins and surrounding uplifts, particularly the latter, with a thick Mesozoic sequence and a regional evaporite seal generally have abundant hydrocarbons. Basins where only a thin Mesozoic overburden was developed tend to have a very poor to moderate hydrocarbon prospectivity.

The Feature of Sedimentary，Structure and the Laws of Hydrocarbon Distribution in Erlian Basin

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Evolution of lithofacies and paleogeography and hydrocarbon distribution worldwide(Ⅱ)

Based on the compilation and analysis of the lithofacies and paleogeography distribution maps at present and paleoplate locations during six key geological periods of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic,the lithofacies and paleogeography features and their development laws were expounded.Based on our previous research results on lithofacies and paleogeography from Precambrian to Paleozoic,we systematically studied the features and evolution laws of global lithofacies and paleogeography from the Precambrian and their effects on the formation of source rocks,reservoirs,cap rocks and the distribution of oil and gas worldwide.The results show that since Precambrian,the distribution areas of uplift erosion and terrestrial clastic deposition tended to increase gradually,and increased significantly during the period of continental growth.The scale of coastal and shallow marine facies area had three distinct cycles,namely,from Precambrian to Devonian,from Carboniferous to Triassic,and from Jurassic to Neogene.Correspondingly,the development of shallow carbonate platform also showed three cycles;the lacustrine facies onshore was relatively developed in Mesozoic and Cenozoic;the sabkha was mainly developed in the Devonian,Permian and Triassic.The Cretaceous is the most important source rock layers in the world,followed by the Jurassic and Paleogene source rocks;the clastic reservoirs have more oil and gas than the carbonate reservoirs;the basins with shale caprocks have the widest distribution,the most abundant reserves of oil and gas,and the evaporite caprocks have the strongest sealing capacity,which can seal some huge oil and gas fields.

Evolution of lithofacies and paleogeography and hydrocarbon distribution worldwide(I)

By using a large amount of geological and geophysical data, the geological characteristics such as lithofacies and paleogeography of 4981 geological units at thirteen key geological periods or epoches since the Precambrian in the world have been figured out. The global lithofacies and paleogeography charts have been compiled by ArcGis mapping technology. Combined with the results of plate-paleogeography reconstruction, the lithofacies and paleogeography as well as the prototype basins of these global paleoplates have been restored with the Gplate software. Results show that there are 22 kinds of lithofacies combinations and 10 types of paleogeography units developed since Precambrian. These features of lithofacies and paleogeography as well as their evolution were mainly controlled by the divergent and convergent movements of those plates. Taking the results of the lithofacis and paleogeography at the present and paleoplate location during the seven key geological periods from the Precambrian to Paleozoic for example, during the Late Precambrian and Cambrian, the large-scale disintegration of the Rodinia supercontinent resulted in reduction of uplift denudation area and clastic terrestrial facies area, the expansion of coastal-shallow marine facies and shallow-water carbonate platform. In Devonian, uplift denudation area and clastic terrestrial facies area began to increase and littoral-shallow marine facies area and shallow-water carbonate platform shrank as a result of the formation of Larussia supercontinent. In the Permian, with the formation of the Pangea continent, the development of the global uplift denudation area and clastic terrestrial facies reached its peak, while the littoral and shallow marine facies were very limited in distribution. The lithofacies and paleogeography features and evolution patterns of different stages lay a solid foundation for analyzing the formation conditions of geological elements, such as source rocks, reservoirs and cap rocks for oil and gas accumulation, and revealing the distribution regularity of oil and gas around the world.

Reservoir Characteristics and Guidance for Exploration in the Beach Area of Shengli Oilfields

The beach area of Shengli Oilfield lies 1n the east and north of Zhanhua sag which is located in the southern end of Bohai Bay Basin(Fig.1).Its geological situation is generally similar to that in Zhanhua sag.Several decades of exploration shows that this area is the most enriched petroleum area in Bo-hai Bay Basin.Oil and gas distributed there in a same way as in Bohai Bay Basin,but also distributed in its own unique way.

Bohai crude oil identification by gas chromatogram fingerprinting quantitative analysis coupled with cluster analysis

By gas chromatogram, six crude oils fingerprinting distributed in four oilfields and four oil platforms were analyzed and the corre- sponding normal paraffin hydrocarbon （ including pristane and phytane） concentration was obtained by the internal standard methed. The normal paraffin hydrocarbon distribution patterns of six crude oils were built and compared. The cluster analysis on the normal paraffin hydrocarbon concentration was conducted for classification and some ratios of oils were used for oils comparison. The results indicated： there was a clear difference within different crude oils in different oil fields and a small difference between the crude oils in the same oil platform. The normal paraffin hydrocarbon distribution pattern and ratios, as well as the cluster analysis on the nomad paraffin hydrocarbon concentration can have a better differentiation result for the crude oils with small difference than the original gas chromatogram.

Differential structure of Ordovician karst zone and hydrocarbon enrichment in paleogeomorphic units in Tahe area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Based on a large number of drilling,logging,seismic and production data,the differential structures of karst zone and hydrocarbon distribution in different paleogeomorphic units of the Tahe area,Tarim Basin,are discussed by analyzing the karst drainages and flowing channels.The karst paleogeomorphy of Ordovician in Tahe area is composed of watershed,karst valley and karst basin.The watershed has epikarst zone of 57.8 m thick on average and vadose karst zone of 115.2 m thick on average with dense faults,fractures and medium-small fracture-caves,and 76.5%of wells in this area have cumulative production of more than 5×10^(4) t per well.The karst valleys have epikarst zone,vadose karst zone and runoff karst zone,with an average thickness of 14.6,26.4 and 132.6 m respectively.In the runoff karst zone,the caves of subsurface river are mostly filled by fine sediment,with a filling rate up to 86.8%,and 84.9%of wells in this area have cumulative production of less than 2×10^(4) t per well.The karst basin has no karst zone,but only fault-karst reservoirs in local fault zones,which are up to 600 m thick and closely developed within 1 km around faults.Different karst landforms have different water flowing pattern,forming different karst zone structures and resulting in differential distribution of oil and gas.The watershed has been on the direction of oil and gas migration,so medium-small sized connected fracture-caves in this area have high filling degree of oil and gas,and most wells in this area have high production.Most caves in subsurface river are filled due to strong sedimentation and transportation of the river,so the subsurface river sediment has low hydrocarbon abundance and more low production oil wells.The faults linking source rock are not only the water channels but also the oil-gas migration pathways,where the karst fractures and caves provide huge reservoir space for oil and gas accumulation.

Differences and controlling factors of composite hydrocarbon accumulations in the Tazhong uplift, Tarim Basin, NW China

Based on three-dimensional seismic interpretation, structural and sedimentary feature analysis, and examination of fluid properties and production dynamics, the regularity and main controlling factors of hydrocarbon accumulation in the Tazhong uplift, Tarim Basin are investigated. The results show that the oil and gas in the Tazhong uplift has the characteristics of complex accumulation mainly controlled by faults, and more than 80% of the oil and gas reserves are enriched along fault zones. There are large thrust and strike-slip faults in the Tazhong uplift, and the coupling relationship between the formation and evolution of the faults and accumulation determine the difference in complex oil and gas accumulations. The active scale and stage of faults determine the fullness of the traps and the balance of the phase, that is, the blocking of the transport system, the insufficient filling of oil and gas, and the unsteady state of fluid accumulation are dependent on the faults. The multi-period tectonic sedimentary evolution controls the differences of trap conditions in the fault zones, and the multi-phase hydrocarbon migration and accumulation causes the differences of fluid distribution in the fault zones. The theory of differential oil and gas accumulation controlled by fault is the key to the overall evaluation, three-dimensional development and discovery of new reserves in the Tazhong uplift.

Geographical Space Distribution of China's Oil and Gas Industry:Characteristics and Drivers

Here, the geographical space distribution of the oil and gas industry in China is comprehensively investigated using the overal Moran’s I index and local Moran’s I index. We found that China’s oil and gas industry development from 2000 to 2010 has a differentiated geographical space distribution upstream （extractive industry） but not downstream （reifning industry）. To analyze upstream and downstream states a spatial econometrics model （SEM） was used to identify inlfuential factors resulting from the spatial concentration of the oil and gas industry. An external effect is the key factor promoting the spatial concentration of the upstream industry in China;governmental economic policy is another important factor.

Reliability analysis of urban gas transmission and distribution system based on FMEA and correlation operator

In order to improve the safety management of urban gas transmission and distribution system, failure mode and effects analysis （FMEA） was used to construct the reliability analysis system of the pipeline network. To solve the problem of subjectivity and uncertainty of the multi-expert decision making, the correlation operator was introduced into the calculation of the risk priority number （RPN）. Using FMEA along with weight analysis and expert investigation approach, the FMEA evaluation table was given, including five failure modes, risk priority numbers, failure causes and effects, as well as corrective actions. The results show that correlation operator can directly process the linguistic terms and quantify the priority of the risks.

Formation Models and Distribution of Oil and Gas Pools in Tarim Basin, China

This article reports the main formation models and distribution of the oil and gas pools in Tarim basin, China, including （1） occurrence of the found oil and gas pools, （2） main formation models of oil and gas pools, and （3） distribution law of oil/gas pools. Petroleum is distributed widely in the strata of Tarim basin from the Sinian at the bottom to the Neogene at the top. However, the found oil and gas fields are mainly distributed in Shaya （沙雅） uplift, Tazhong （塔中） uplift, and Kuche （库车） depression. This article presents 4 main formation models, namely, early formation and long-term preservation, early formation and late reformation, middle-late multiphase-multisource formation, late single-stage formation. Tarim basin is very rich in petroleum resources. Long-term inherited intrabasinal paleohighs and slope zones are the most favorable areas for accumulation of hydrocarbons, but the types of oil and gas pools are different from area to area. The control of unconformities and faults on hydrocarbon accumulating is prominent in Tarim basin. Preservation conditions are of utmost importance. Formation of some oil and gas pools is the result of reforming and re-accumulating of early accumulated hydrocarbons.