Sedimentary Patterns and Stratigraphic Trap Models of Deeply Buried Intervals in the Baxian Depression, North China

The Baxian depression is a typical half-graben located in the Jizhong sub-basin, north China. Commercial petroleum traps have been discovered in the Jizhong sub-basin. However, the 3rd and 4th members of the Shahejie Formation in this sub-basin have been poorly explored. These two members, belonging to the Lower Paleogene age, are buried deeply in the depression. Favorable petroleum reservoir conditions exist in such deep intervals of the half-graben due to the presence of different types and extent of deltas and turbidity fans in various areas. In fact, three types of turbidite fans are developed in the sag below the transitional belt on the eastern gentle slope. This work summarized three stratigraphic trap belts, i.e., the steep slope, gentle slope, and sag. On the steep slope, structural- stratigraphic traps with small-scale delta fronts and turbidite sandbodies are well developed. On the gentle slope, hydrocarbons generally accumulate in the large-scale delta front, onlapping beds and those sandbodies adjacent to unconformities. In the sag, petroleum trap models are typically characterized by pinched-out turbidite sandbodies. Stratigraphic traps were easily formed in turbidite fans below the eastern transitional belt. The petroleum traps that have already been discovered or predicted in the study area indicate that stratigraphic traps have favorable petroleum exploration potential in deeply buried areas （depth 〉5000 m） in a half-graben basin or depression.

Seismic geomorphology and stratigraphic trap analyses of the Lower Cretaceous siliciclastic reservoir in the Kopeh Dagh-Amu Darya Basin

Lower Cretaceous Shurijeh–Shatlyk Formations host some of the main reservoirs in the Kopeh Dagh-Amu Darya Basin.Exploration in this area so far has focused on the development of structural traps, but recognition of stratigraphic traps in this area is of increasing importance. Integration of 3D seismic data with borehole data from thirteen wells and five outcrop sections was used to identify potential reservoir intervals and survey the hydrocarbon trap types in the East Kopeh Dagh Foldbelt(NE Iran). Analyses of horizontal slices indicated that the lower Shurijeh was deposited in a braided fluvial system.Generally, three types of channel were identified in the lower Shurijeh Formation: type 1, which is low-sinuosity channels interpreted to be filled with non-reservoir fine-grained facies;type 2, which is a moderately sinuous sand-filled channel with good prospectively;and type 3, which is narrow, high sinuosity channel filled with fine-grained sediments. Results indicate that upper Shurijeh–Shatlyk Formations were deposited in fluvial to delta and shallow marine environments. The identified delta forms the second reservoir zone in the Khangiran Field. Study of the stratigraphic aspects of the Shurijeh succession indicates that both lower and upper Shurijeh reservoirs are stratigraphic reservoir traps that improved during folding.

Outcrops as windows to petroleum systems:Insights from the southern Bida Basin,Nigeria

The study assessed petroleum systems in the southern Bida Basin,Nigeria,focusing on the Cretaceous sediments.Reservoirs comprise Lokoja and Patti Formation sandstones,while shales,claystone,and siltstone serve as source rocks and stratigraphic traps/seals.Detailed studies delineating the key elements of the petroleum systems in the basin have not been conducted due to a lack of subsurface data.The goal of the current study was to use field observations,Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),and geochemical and geomechanical data to evaluate key components of petroleum systems in the southern Bida Basin.The results presented in this investigation are intended to attain specific objectives,especially those lacking in the basin's study sections.Petrophysical analysis revealed that the Lokoja Sandstone has porosity of 37%-39.5%and moderate permeability of 23.22-42.29 mD.The Patti Formation sandstone reservoirs exhibited high porosity(38%-42%)and moderate to good permeability(31.54-66.48 mD),suggesting good potential reservoirs.SEM results revealed intragranular pores and micro-fractures in the Patti Shale,whereas the sandstone reservoirs in the Lokoja and Patti formations displayed fractures,facilitating hydrocarbon migration.Quartz was the dominant mineral in the sandstone units of both formations.XRD analysis revealed that brittle and clay minerals influenced the microstructure of Patti Shale.Geochemical analysis indicated promising petroleum potential in the Patti Shale,with a total organic carbon(TOC)content of 1.87 wt%,free hydrocarbon from kerogen(S1)of 0.41 mg/g,hydrogen index(HI)of 0.75 mg HC/g TOC,and production index(PI)of 0.17.The Patti and Lokoja formations'shale,claystone,and siltstone exhibited sealing potential,with a plasticity index of 24-35 and coefficient permeability of 2.8×10^(-4)-3.6×10^(-4)cm/s.Field studies,XRD,geochemical data,and geomechanical index values have confirmed the key components of the petroleum system,which in turn facilitate hydrocarbon generation,migration,accumulation,and entrapment in the basin.

Exploration Experience and Problem concerning Deep Basin Gas in the Ordos Basin

Deep basin gas (DBG) reservoirs, in view of the characteristics of their main parts containing gas, are a type of subtle stratigraphic lithologic traps. But they have different reservoir-forming principles, especially in the distribution of oil, gas and water. DBG is characterized by gas-water invertion, namely the water located above the gas; however, normal non-anticline subtle reservoirs have normal distribution of gas and water, namely the water located under the gas. The theory of DBG broke the conventional exploration idea that gas is usually found in the high part of reservoir and water is under the gas. So, it provided a wide field and a new idea for the exploration of natural gas. Recently Ben E. Law (2002), in his article entitled "Basin-centered Gas Systems", discussed global DBG systemically. He listed 72 basins or areas containing known or suspected DBG, covering North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South Asia, Middle East and Africa. Ordos basin, the Sichuan basin and the Jungar basin in China are presented and assumed to be of very high possibility. In China more attention has been paid to the research and exploration of DBG in the past years. The symposiums on DBG were held twice, in Guangzhou in 1998 and in Xi'an in 2000 respectively. In 2002 in particular, the publication of the book named Deep Basin Gas in China by Professor Wangtao indicated that China has entered a new stage in the research on DBG Meanwhile, it is more cheering that the exploration of DBG in the Ordos Basin has achieved remarkable success. Therefore, analyzing the exploration experiences and problems regarding the Ordos basin will promote the exploration and research of DBG in China.