Comparison of the Surface and Underground Natural Gas Occurrences in the Tazhong Uplift of the Tarim Basin

The oil, gas and water volumes revealed by the productivity of exploratory wells do not reflect the actual underground situations. Under the geologic conditions, a certain amount of dissolved natural gas is stored in oil or water. Based on the production test data of exploratory wells in the Tazhong uplift of the Tarim basin, this paper discusses in detail the differences in occurrence and distribution featrues between the surface and underground natural gases; presents a restoration of the surface gas occurrence to actual underground geologic conditions according to the dissolubility of natural gas under different temperature, pressure and medium conditions; and classifies the natural gas into three states, i.e. the oversaturated, saturated and undersaturated, according to its relative content underground. Through a comparative analysis of the differences in surface and underground occurrences of natural gas, it discusses the hydrocarbon reservoir formation mechanism and distribution rules, thereby providing guidances as new methods and technologies for the prediction of potential natural gas reservoir distribution in the study area.

North-south Differentiation of the Hydrocarbon Accumulation Pattern of Carbonate Reservoirs in the Yingmaili Low Uplift,Tarim Basin,Northwest China

By analyzing the characteristics of development, structural evolution and reservoir beds of the residual carbonate strata, this study shows that the residual carbonate strata in the Yingmaili low uplift are favorable oil and gas accumulation series in the Tabei （northern Tarim uplift） uplift. There are different patterns of hydrocarbon accumulation on the northern and southern slopes of the Yingmaili low uplift. The north-south differentiation of oil reservoirs were caused by different lithologies of the residual carbonate strata and the key constraints on the development of the reservoir beds. The Mesozoic terrestrial organic matter in the Kuqa depression and the Palaeozoic marine organic matter in the Manjiaer sag of the Northern depression are the major hydrocarbon source rocks for the northern slope and southern slope respectively. The hydrocarbon accumulation on the northern and southern slopes is controlled by differences in maturity and thermal evolution history of these two kinds of organic matter. On the southern slope, the oil accumulation formed in the early stage was destroyed completely, and the period from the late Hercynian to the Himalayian is the most important time for hydrocarbon accumulation. However, the time of hydrocarbon accumulation on the northern slope began 5 Ma B.P. Carbonate inner buried anticlines reservoirs are present on the southern slope, while weathered crust and paleo-buried hill karst carbonate reservoirs are present on the northern slope. The northern and southern slopes had different controlling factors of hydrocarbon accumulation respectively. Fracture growth in the reservoir beds is the most important controlling factor on the southern slope; while hydrocarbon accumulation on the northern slope is controlled by weathered crust and cap rock.

Post-Triassic thermal history of the Tazhong Uplift Zone in the Tarim Basin, Northwest China: Evidence from apatite fssion-track thermochronology

The Tarim Basin is a representative example of the basins developed in the northwest China that are characterized by multiple stages of heating and cooling.In order to better understand its complex thermal history,apatite fission track （AFT） thermochronology was applied to borehole samples from the Tazhong Uplift Zone （TUZ）.Twelve sedimentary samples of Silurian to Triassic depositional ages were analyzed from depths coinciding with the apatite partial annealing zone （～60-120 ℃）.The AFT ages,ranging from 132 ± 7 Ma （from a Triassic sample） to 25 ± 2 Ma （from a Carboniferous sample）,are clearly younger than their depositional ages and demonstrate a total resetting of the AFT thermometer after deposition.The AFT ages vary among different tectonic belts and decrease from the No.Ten Faulted Zone （133-105 Ma） in the northwest,the Central Horst Zone in the middle （108-37 Ma）,to the East Buried Hill Zone in the south （51 25 Ma）.Given the low magnitude of post-Triassic burial heating evidenced by low vitrinite reflectance values （Ro ＜ 0.7％）,the total resetting of the AFT system is speculated to result from the hot fluid flow along the faults.Thermal effects along the faults are well documented by younger AFT ages and unimodal single grain age distributions in the vicinity of the faults.Permian-early Triassic basaltic volcanism may be responsible for the early Triassic total annealing of those samples lacking connectivity with the fault.The above arguments are supported by thermal modeling results.

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. The difference in burial depth of the reservoirs between east and west sides is up to 1000 m. Water-bearing formations exist between oil- and gas-bearing formations vertically and water-producing wells are drilled between oil- and gas-producing wells. Macroscopically, oil and gas occur at low positions, while water occurs at high positiona on the northern slope of Tazhong uplift. The mechanism of differential hydrocarbon enrichment in heterogeneous reservoirs is by far not clarified, which has affected the efficient exploration and development of oil and gas fields in this area.

Vertical Differential Structural Deformation of the Main Strike-slip Fault Zones in the Shunbei Area,Central Tarim Basin:Structural Characteristics,Deformation Mechanisms,and Hydrocarbon Accumulation Significance

Vertical differential structural deformation(VDSD),one of the most significant structural characteristics of strike-slip fault zones(SSFZs)in the Shunbei area,is crucial for understanding deformation in the SSFZ and its hydrocarbon accumulation significance.Based on drilling data and high-precision 3-D seismic data,we analyzed the geometric and kinematic characteristics of the SSFZs in the Shunbei area.Coupled with the stratification of the rock mechanism,the structural deformations of these SSFZs in different formations were differentiated and divided into four deformation layers.According to comprehensive structural interpretations and comparisons,three integrated 3-D structural models could describe the VDSD of these SSFZs.The time-space coupling of the material basis(rock mechanism stratification),changing dynamic conditions(e.g.,changing stress-strain states),and special deformation mechanism of the en echelon normal fault array uniformly controlled the formation of the VDSD in the SSFZs of the Shunbei area.The VDSD of the SSFZs in this area controlled the entire hydrocarbon accumulation process.Multi-stage structural superimposing deformation influenced the hydrocarbon migration,accumulation,distribution,preservation,and secondary adjustments.

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.

Distribution and Significance of Carbazole Compounds in Palaeozoic Oils from the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim

Carbazole compounds in crude oils from the Tazhong uplift of the Tarim basin have been fractionated and detected and successfully used to study petroleum migration and trace source rocks in the study area. Alkylcarbazoles have been found in large amounts in the oil samples analyzed and alkylbenzocarbazoles detected in a small concentration only in part of the samples, but alkyldibenzocarbazoles have not been found in oils. Based on the distribution of G1, G2 and G3 of C2-alkylcarbazoles, the ratio of C3-carbazoles to C2-carbazoles and the relative amounts of alkylcarbazoles and alkylbenzocarbazoles, one can know that the vertical oil migration in the Tazhong uplift is generally from below upward, i.e. from the Ordovician through the Silurian to the Carboniferous. Evidently, source rocks in the uplift should be lower Palaeozoic strata (Ordovician and Cambrian). This study shows that carbazoles are of great importance in the study of petroleum migration and source rocks.

Strain data recorded in Xinjiang and their bearing on Tianshan’s uplift/shortening and Tarim basin’s rotation

Based on the continuous strain data recorded in Xinjiang since 1985, we discuss the mechanisms of Tianshan＇ s uplift and Tarim basin＇ s clockwise rotation. The results indicate ： 1 ） The principal - compression directions in Tianshan are nearly NS, and their intersection angles with regional structures and mountains are nearly perpendicular, which is in accordance with Tianshan＇ s uplift and crustal shortening. 2）The principal compressions around Tarim basin tend to facilitate the regional faults＇ left-lateral strike-slip movements and the basin＇ s clockwise rotation. These phenomena of uplift/shortening and rotation are fundamentally the re- suits of India plate＇ s northward push on Euro-Asia plate, and the associated Pamir arc ＇ s rapid northward movement and regional blocks＇ interaction.

Silurian hydrocarbon exploration breakthrough and its implications in the Shajingzi structural belt of Tarim Basin,NW China

The Silurian hydrocarbon exploration in the northwest Tarim Basin had long been fruitless, till Well XSD1 drilled in 2018 in the Shajingzi structural belt, northwest Tarim Basin tapped industrial gas flow from the Silurian for the first time. The reservoir-forming model and resource extent need to be made clear urgently. Based on the comprehensive research of drilling,formation testing, geochemical data, and sedimentary and accumulation history, in combination with field surveys, experiments, structure interpretation and reconstruction of structure evolution, it is found that:(1) The northwest Tarim Basin had widespread tidal deltaic deposits in the Silurian period, which contain good reservoir-cap combinations;(2) the Shajingzi fault and associated faults connected the Cambrian-Ordovician source rocks in the Awati sag, and controlled the formation of Silurian structural traps, hence, the traps turned up along the structural belt in an orderly pattern and came together into contiguous tracts;(3) the Silurian petroleum in Shajingzi structural belt was dominated by gas, and the major accumulation period was the Himalayan period when the traps fixed in shape;(4) the Silurian gas resources in the Shajingzi belt were estimated at around 2.018×10^(11)m^(3), and Silurian gas resources of the northwest Tarim Basin were estimated at 2.03×10^(12)m^(3), implying huge exploration potential, so this area will become a major area for reserve and production increase from clastic strata in the basin;(5) with the Shajingzi fault of large scale and long active time connecting deep source rock layers, multiple formations in Lower Paleozoic of Shajingzi structural belt may have breakthroughs in hydrocarbon exploration.

Geochemical significances of 8,14-secohopanes in marine crude oils from the Tazhong area in the Tarim Basin,NW China

8,14-secohopanes in the marine oils from the Tazhong area in the Tarim Basin are detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry(GC-MS-MS),and their distributions and compositions are compared in order to study their potential significances in oil-source correlation.C35+extended hopane series and three series of extended 8,14-secohopanes can be detected in two kinds of end-member oils in the Tazhong area in the Tarim Basin,and they are different in distribution,suggesting that they may have some special geochemical significance.The presence of 8,14-secohopanes in two kinds of end-member oils in the Tarim Basin suggests that these biomarkers are primary,and not related to biodegradation.The relative abundance of 8,14-secohopanes in the type-A oil is much less than that in the type-B oil,and the 8,14-secohopanes content in end-member oils is much less than that in the corresponding mixed oils.Based on the relative contents of 8,14-secohopanes and the compositions of common steranes and triterpanes,it is very effective to distinguish different crude oils from the Tazhong area.The great difference in the relative abundance of 8,14-secohopanes between the type-A oil and type-B oil suggests that their formation may require some specific geological-geochemical conditions.

East central Uplift Belt of Junggar Basin

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Thermochemical Sulfate Reduction in the Tazhong District,Tarim Basin,Northeast China:Evidence from Formation Water and Natural Gas Geochemistry

Systematic analyses of the formation water and natural gas geochemistry in the Central Uplift of the Tarim Basin （CUTB） show that gas invasion at the late stage is accompanied by an increase of the contents of HeS and CO2 in natural gas, by the forming of the high total dissolved solids formation water, by an increase of the content of HCO3^-, relative to Cl^-, by an increase of the 2nd family ions （Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, Sr^2＋ and Ba^2＋） and by a decrease of the content of SO4^2-, relative to Cl^-. The above phenomena can be explained only by way of thermochemicai sulfate reduction （TSR）. TSR often occurs in the transition zone of oil and water and is often described in the following reaction formula： ∑CH＋CaSO4＋H-2O→H2S＋CO2＋CaCO3. （1） Dissolved SO4^2- in the formation water is consumed in the above reaction, when HeS and CO2 are generated, resulting in a decrease of SO4^2- in the formation water and an increase of both HeS and CO2 in the natural gas. If formation water exists, the generated CO2 will go on reacting with the carbonate to form bicarbonate, which can be dissolved in the formation water, thus resulting in the enrichment of Ca^2＋ and HCO3^-. The above reaction can be described by the following equation： CO2＋HeO＋CaCO3→Ca^2＋＋2HCO3^-. The stratigraphic temperatures of the Cambrian and lower Ordovician in CUTB exceeded 120℃, which is the minimum for TSR to occur. At the same time, dolomitization, which might be a direct result of TSR, has been found in both the Cambrian and the lower Ordovician. The above evidence indicates that TSR is in an active reaction, providing a novel way to reevaluate the exploration potentials of natural gas in this district.

Apatite U–Pb dating and geochemistry of the Kyrgyz South Tian Shan(Central Asia): Establishing an apatite fingerprint for provenance studies

This paper presents an apatite U-Pb and geochemistry archive for exposed plutons and metamorphic rocks of the Kyrgyz South Tian Shan(STS)within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.Apatite U-Pb dates and trace-element geochemistry are provided for 17 samples from late Carboniferous-early Permian I-type granites in the Terktinsky complex and A-type granites in the Kokshaal Range;early Devonian granites in the Kembel complex;Cryogenian granitoids and tuffs from the Middle Tian Shan and gneisses from the Atbashi metamorphic complex.These samples form a comprehensive selection of igneous and metamorphic rocks within the cores of Mesozoic basement highs that supplied detritus to adjacent basins such as the Tarim,Ferghana and Yarkand-Ferghana Basins.Generally,the granitoid samples preserve primary igneous apatite U-Pb ages that are within uncertainty of previously published zircon U-Pb dates.The apatites from the Atbashi metamorphic complex record anomalous Ordovician dates with large uncertainties that are interpreted as mixing ages between Cryogenian protolith formation and Carboniferous metamorphism.Principal component analysis discriminates apatite samples from the different bedrock terranes in the Kyrgyz STS based on their geochemical fingerprint and categorizes the samples with respect to an extensive apatite geochemical archive.The combined apatite-zircon archive provides a novel framework for provenance studies on the Meso-Cenozoic sedimentary history of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.

Soft Sediment Deformation Structures in the Sediment Deposits of Ganga River and Its Oxbow Lakes in Parts of Indo-Gangetic Plain: Implications for Quake Proxies and Paleoseismicity Tracking

The Late Quaternary thick sedimentary fills of the Ganga basin predominantly consist of unconsolidated fluvial sandy deposits which are often intercalated with mud. These deposits at various places record the evidence of earthquakes, which occurred in the recent geological past. The evidence is contained and manifested in the form of Soft Sediment Deformation Structures (SSDSs). Saturated sediments/muds/soils are liquefied by earthquake tremors which either generate SSDS or produce structural discordance in the pre-existing sedimentary structures. The present study reports the occurrence of SSDS, e.g. load and associated flame structures, clastic dikes and sill structures, slump structures and sedimentary breccias, etc. from the Ganga River and adjacent oxbow lake sediment deposits. An attempt has been made to establish the origin of soft sediment structures of this region in accordance with its neotectonic history and in turn, identification of seismic structural proxies to delineate paleoseismic events in this region with futuristic implications. The preservation of soft sediment deformation structures in large numbers with multiple geomorphology and scale, in the river and adjoining lake sediments, is indicative of frequent earthquakes of high magnitude consequent to tectonic activism in the Himalayan region.

Extended hopanes and 8,14-secohopanes up to C_(40)in unbiodegraded marine oils from the Tarim Basin,NW China

Extended 17α(H),21β(H)-hopanes and three series of 8,14-secohopanes up to C_(40),including 8α(H),14α(H),17α(H),21β(H)-,8α(H),14α(H),17β(H),21α(H)-and 8α(H),14β(H),17β(H),21α(H)-,were detected by GC-MS-MS method in the branched/cyclic hydrocarbon fractions of some unbiodegraded marine oils from the Tazhong uplift in the Tarim Basin,NW China.The coexistence of extended hopanes and 8,14-secohopanes up to C_(40)in unbiodegraded oils suggests that they are primary and independent on biodegradation.The similarity of distribution and composition for extended hopanes and 8,14-secohopanes up to C_(40)in unbiodegraded oils proposes that they could be derived from a similar biological precursor.However,an abrupt decrease up to 3-5 times in the relative abundance from C_(35)to C_(36)in C_(31-40)extended hopanes and extended 8,14-secohopanes suggests that C_(31-35)and C_(36-40)extended hopanes and extended 8,14-secohopanes should have their own biological precursor.The known C35bacteriohopanetetrol should be biological precursor of C_(31-35)extended hopanes and 8,14-secohopanes,but an unknown C_(40)functionalized hopanoid could be biological precursor of C_(36-40)extended hopanes and 8,14-secohopanes.More attention should be paid to their potential roles in oil-source correlation for severely biodegraded oils based on their widespread occurrence in various source rocks,unbiodegraded and severely biodegraded oils.

Paleostructural geomorphology of the Paleozoic central uplift belt and its constraint on the development of depositional facies in the Tarim Basin

Inclined eastward and consisting of the Hetianhe, Hetianhedong, Tazhong paleouplifts and Bachu paleoslope, the central paleouplift belt in the Tarim Basin was a large composite paleouplift and paleoslope belt with complicated palaeogeomorphic features during the Middle to early Late Ordovician. A number of paleostructural geomorphic elements have been identified in the paleouplift belt and surrounding areas, such as the high uplift belts, the faulted uplift platforms, the marginal slopes and slope break zones flanking the paleouplift belt, the surrounding shelf slopes or low relief ramps, the shelf slope break zones and deep basin plains. They exerted great influence on the development of paleogeography of the basin. The marginal slopes and slope break zones flanking the uplift belt constrained the formation and deposition of the high-energy facies including reefal and shoal deposits during the Late Ordovician, which comprise the major reservoirs of the Lower Paleozoic in the basin. Toward the end of the Ordovician, the Tazhong paleouplift hinged westward and became a westward-dipped nose as the southeastern margin of the basin was strongly compressed and uplifted. The tectono-paleogeomorphic framework of the central northern basin during the Early Silurian and the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous changed remarkably in topography from the initial low in east and high in west to high in northeast and low in southwest. The major paleogeomorphic elements developed in these periods included the strong eroded uplift high, the uplift marginal slope, the gentle ramp of the depression margin and the depression belt. The sandstones of the lowstand and the early transgressive systems tracts were deposited along the uplift marginal slopes and the gentle ramps of the depressions comprise the prolific reservoirs in the basin. The study indicates that the distribution patterns of the unconformities within the basin are closely related to the paleogeomorphic features and evolution of the paleouplift belt. From the high uplift belt to the depression, we found the composed unconformity belts at the high uplift, the truncated and onlap triangular unconformity belts along the uplift marginal slopes, the minor angular unconformity or discontinuity belts along the transitional zones from the uplift marginal slopes to depression and the conformity belt in the central depression. The truncated and the onlap triangular unconformity belts are the favorable zones for the formation of stratigraphic trap reservoirs.

Salt-related structure and deformation mechanism of the Middle-Lower Cambrian in the middle-west parts of the Central Uplift and adjacent areas of the Tarim Basin

The salt beds of the Middle-Lower Cambrian are widespread in the middle-west parts of the Central Uplift and adjacent areas, the Tarim Basin. This paper presents the results of seismic interpretation and drilling data analysis, which discovered that the salt beds were formed in an old geologic age, deeply buried, with relatively small scaled flowing and gathering and uneven distribution. As the regional detachment layers, the salt sequences considerably control the structural deformation of the up-salt Paleozoic, forming a series of hydrocarbon traps. In due course, the salt beds of the Middle-Lower Cambrian provide excellent cap rocks and trap conditions; thus the value of exploring hydrocabon reservoir in the target strata of the sub-salt Sinian- Cambrian is greatly increased. Research has shown that the salt-related structures of the Middle-Lower Cambrian in the area mainly exist in the form of salt pillow, salt roller, up-salt anticline, salt diapir, assemblage of the salt arch and up-salt fault-block, assemblage of basement fault and salt anticline, assemblage of the basement fault-block and salt dome, assemblage of salt detachment and fault-related fold, and assemblage of basement fault-block, salt arch and up-salt imbricated thrusts. The evolution and deformation mechanisms of the salt-related structures are controlled largely by basement faulting, compressional shortening, plastic flowing and gathering, superstratum gravitation, and up-salt faulting and detaching. They are distributed in rows or belts along basement faults or fault block belts.

Lost circulation material for abnormally high temperature and pressure fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs in Tazhong block, Tarim Basin, NW China

To effectively solve the problem of lost circulation and well kick frequently occurring during the drilling of abnormally high temperature and pressure fractured-vuggy reservoirs in the Tazhong block, a rigid particle material, GZD, with high temperature tolerance, high rigidity(> 8 MPa) and low abrasiveness has been selected based on geological characteristics of the theft zones in the reservoirs. Through static pressure sealing experiments, its dosage when used alone and when used in combination with lignin fiber, elastic material SQD-98 and calcium carbonate were optimized, and the formula of a new type(SXM-I) of compound lost circulation material with high temperature tolerance and high strength was formed. Its performance was evaluated by compatibility test, static sealing experiment and sand bed plugging experiment. The test results show that it has good compatibility with drilling fluid used commonly and is able to plug fractures and vugs, the sealed fractures are able to withstand the static pressure of more than 9 MPa and the cumulative leakage is 13.4 mL. The mud filtrate invasion depth is only 2.5 cm in 30 min when the sand bed is made of particles with sizes between 10 mesh and 20 mesh. Overall, with good sealing property and high temperature and high pressure tolerance, the lost circulation material provides strong technical support for the safety drilling in the block.

The Formation Mechanism and Geological Significance of Fluorite in Ordovician, Central Uplift of Tarim Basin

Based on analysisof karst fracture-vuggy filling mineralogy and geochemical fluorite in hercynian, this paper make further research about formation and significance of fluorite in central uplift of Tarim Basin. It is point out that the development of hercynian fracture-vuggy and filling succession of fracture-cave mineral was under the background of the mingling of low-temperature magma hydrotherm and the brine of upper strata. There are overlap or associate relations between generate of fluorite and buried dissolution or oil-gas migration. It was volume decreased 26.4% after calcite metasomatic by fluorite, this reaction made fluorite engender plentiful intergranular space. It’s created appreciable reservoir space. At same time, hydrotherm carried by fluorite generating could erode adjacent rock though fracture or fissure, forming irregular fracture-cave system, and also accompanied with hydrocarbon migration. The time of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation happened in late hercynian-indosinian is inosculates with the sedimentation time such as fluorite and several hydrothermal mineral.