Distribution characteristics, exploration and development, geological theories research progress and exploration directions of shale gas in China

The shale gas resources in China have great potential and the geological resources of shale gas is over 100×10^(12)m^(3),which includes about 20×10^(12)m^(3) of recoverable resources.Organic-rich shales can be divided into three types according to their sedimentary environments,namely marine,marine-continental transitional,and continental shales,which are distributed in 13 stratigraphic systems from the Mesoproterozoic to the Cenozoic.The Sichuan Basin and its surrounding areas have the highest geological resources of shale gas,and the commercial development of shale gas has been achieved in the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in these areas,with a shale gas production of up to 20×10^(9)m^(3) in 2020.China has seen rapid shale gas exploration and development over the last five years,successively achieving breakthroughs and important findings in many areas and strata.The details are as follows.(1)Large-scale development of middle-shallow shale gas(burial depth:less than 3500 m)has been realized,with the productivity having rapidly increased;(2)breakthroughs have been constantly made in the development of deep shale gas(burial depth:3500-4500 m),and the ultradeep shale gas(burial depth:greater than 4500 m)is under testing;(3)breakthroughs have been made in the development of normal-pressure shale gas,and the assessment of the shale gas in complex tectonic areas is being accelerated;(4)shale gas has been frequently discovered in new areas and new strata,exhibiting a great prospect.Based on the exploration and development practice,three aspects of consensus have been gradually reached on the research progress in the geological theories of shale gas achieved in China.(1)in terms of deep-water fine-grained sediments,organic-rich shales are the base for the formation of shale gas;(2)in terms of high-quality reservoirs,the development of micro-nano organic matter-hosted pores serves as the core of shale gas accumulation;(3)in terms of preservation conditions,weak structural transformation,a moderate degree of thermal evolution,and a high pressure coefficient are the key to shale gas enrichment.As a type of important low-carbon fossil energy,shale gas will play an increasingly important role in achieving the strategic goals of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality.Based on the in-depth study of shale gas geological conditions and current exploration progress,three important directions for shale gas exploration in China in the next five years are put forward.

Depositional model of the Member Deng-2 marginal microbial mound-bank complex of the Dengying Formation in the southwestern Sichuan Basin, SW China: Implications for the Ediacaran microbial mound construction and hydrocarbon exploration

Recent advances in hydrocarbon exploration have been made in the Member Deng-2 marginal microbial mound-bank complex reservoirs of the Dengying Formation in the western Sichuan Basin, SW China,where the depositional process is regarded confusing. The microfacies, construction types, and depositional model of the Member Deng-2 marginal microbial mound-bank complex have been investigated using unmanned aerial vehicle photography, outcrop section investigation, thin section identification,and seismic reflections in the southwestern Sichuan Basin. The microbialite lithologic textures in this region include thrombolite, dendrolite, stromatolite, fenestral stromatolite, spongiostromata stone,oncolite, aggregated grainstone, and botryoidal grapestone. Based on the comprehensive analysis of“depositional fabrics-lithology-microfacies”, an association between a fore mound, mound framework,and back mound subfacies has been proposed based on water depth, current direction, energy level and lithologic assemblages. The microfacies of the mound base, mound core, mound flank, mound cap, and mound flat could be recognized among the mound framework subfacies. Two construction types of marginal microbial mound-bank complex have been determined based on deposition location, mound scale, migration direction, and sedimentary facies association. Type Jinkouhe microbial mound constructions(TJMMCs) develop along the windward margin owing to their proximity to the seaward subfacies fore mound, with a northeastwardly migrated microbial mound on top of the mud mound,exhibiting the characteristics of large-sized mounds and small-sized banks in the surrounding area. Type E'bian microbial mound constructions(TEMMCs) primarily occur on the leeward margin, resulting from the presence of onshore back mound subfacies, with the smaller southwestward migrated microbial mounds existing on a thicker microbial flat. The platform margin microbial mound depositional model can be correlated with certain lateral comparison profile and seismic reflection structures in the 2D seismic section, which can provide references for future worldwide exploration. Microbial mounds with larger buildups and thicker vertical reservoirs are typically targeted on the windward margin, while small-sized microbial mounds and flats with better lateral connections are typically focused on the leeward margin.

Research progress and key issues of ultra-deep oil and gas exploration in China

Based on the recent oil and gas discoveries and geological understandings on the ultra-deep strata of sedimentary basins, the formation and occurrence of hydrocarbons in the ultra-deep strata were investigated with respect to the processes of basin formation, hydrocarbon generation, reservoir formation and hydrocarbon accumulation, and key issues in ultra-deep oil and gas exploration were discussed. The ultra-deep strata in China underwent two extensional-convergent cycles in the Meso-Neoproterozoic Era and the Early Paleozoic Era respectively, with the tectonic-sedimentary differentiation producing the spatially adjacent source-reservoir assemblages. There are diverse large-scale carbonate reservoirs such as mound-beach, dolomite, karst fracture-vug, fractured karst and faulted zone, as well as over-pressured clastic rock and fractured bedrock reservoirs. Hydrocarbons were accumulated in multiple stages, accompanied by adjusting and finalizing in the late stage. The distribution of hydrocarbons is controlled by high-energy beach zone, regional unconformity, paleo-high and large-scale fault zone. The ultra-deep strata endow oil and gas resources as 33% of the remaining total resources, suggesting an important successive domain for hydrocarbon development in China. The large-scale pool-forming geologic units and giant hydrocarbon enrichment zones in ultra-deep strata are key and promising prospects for delivering successive discoveries. The geological conditions and enrichment zone prediction of ultra-deep oil and gas are key issues of petroleum geology.

Control Factors and Diversities of Phase State of Oil and Gas Pools in the Kuqa Petroleum System

Based on the analysis of the hydrocarbon geochemical characteristics in the Kuqa petroleum system of the Tarim Basin, this study discusses the causes and controlling factors of the phase diversities and their differences in geochemical features. According to the characteristics and differences in oil and gas phase, the petroleum system can be divided into five categories： oil reservoir, wet gas reservoir, condensate gas-rich reservoir, condensate gas-poor reservoir and dry gas reservoir. The causes for the diversities in oil and gas phases include diversities of the sources of parent material, maturity of natural gas and the process of hydrocarbon accumulation of different hydrocarbon phases. On the whole, the Jurassic and Triassic terrestrial source rocks are the main sources for the hydrocarbon in the Kuqa Depression. The small differences in parent material may cause diversities in oil and gas amount, but the impact is small. The differences in oil and gas phase are mainly affected by maturity and the accumulation process, which closely relates with each other. Oil and gas at different thermal evolution stage can be captured in different accumulation process.

Efectiveness and petroleum geological signifcance of tectonic fractures in the ultra‑deep zone of the Kuqa foreland thrust belt:a case study of the Cretaceous Bashijiqike Formation in the Keshen gas feld

The buried depth of the gas-producing reservoir in the Kuqa foreland thrust belt of the Tarim Basin exceeds 6000 m.The average matrix porosity of the reservoir is 5.5%,and the average matrix permeability is 0.128×10^(−3)μm^(2).In order to reveal the characteristics and efectiveness of ultra-deep fractures and their efects on reservoir properties and natural gas production,outcrops,cores,thin section,image logs and production testing data are used to investigate the efectiveness of tectonic fractures in ultra-deep reservoirs in the Kuqa foreland thrust zone,and the corresponding geological signifcance for oil and gas exploration and development are discussed.Tectonic fractures in the thrust belt include EW-trending high-angle tensile fractures and NS-trending vertical shear fractures.The former has a relatively high flling rate,while the latter is mostly unflled.Micro-fractures are usually grain-piercing-through cracks with width of 10-100 microns.In the planar view,the efective fractures are concentrated in the high part and wing zones of the long axis of the anticline,and along the vertical direction,they are mainly found in the tensile fracture zone above the neutral plane.The adjustment fracture zone has the strongest vertical extension abilities and high efectiveness,followed by the nearly EW longitudinal tensile fracture zone,and the netted fracture zone with multiple dip angles.The efectiveness of fracture is mainly controlled by fracture aperture and flling degrees.Efective fractures can increase reservoir permeability by 1-2 orders of magnitude.The higher part of the anticline is associated with high tectonic fracture permeability,which control enrichment and high production of natural gas.The netted vertical open fractures efectively communicate with pores and throats of the reservoir matrix,which forms an apparent-homogenous to medium-heterogeneous body that is seen with high production of natural gas sustained for a long term.

Controlling Factors of Organic Nanopore Development: A Case Study on Marine Shale in the Middle and Upper Yangtze Region, South China

The Upper Ordovician Wufeng-Lower Silurian Longmaxi and the Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi shales are the major targets for shale gas exploration and development in China.Although the two organic-rich shales share similar distribution ranges and thicknesses,they exhibit substantially different exploration and development results.This work analyzed the nanopore structures of the shale reservoirs in this region.Pore development of 51 shale samples collected from various formations and locations was compared using the petromineralogical,geochemical,structural geological and reservoir geological methods.The results indicate that the reservoir space in these shales is dominated by organic pores and the total pore volume of micropores,mesopores,macropores in different tectonic areas and formations show different trends with the increase of TOC.It is suggested that organic pores of shale can be well preserved in areas with simple structure and suitable preservation conditions,and the shale with smaller maximum ancient burial depth and later hydrocarbongeneration-end-time is also more conducive to pore preservation.Organic pore evolution models are established,and they are as follows:①Organic matter pore development stage,②Early stage of organic matter pore destruction,and③late stage of organic matter pore destruction.The areas conducive to pore development are favorable for shale gas development.Research results can effectively guide the optimization and evaluation of favorable areas of shale gas.

Whole petroleum system in Jurassic coal measures of Taibei Sag in Tuha Basin,NW China

Based on the latest results of near-source exploration in the Middle and Lower Jurassic of the Tuha Basin,a new understanding of the source rocks,reservoir conditions,and source-reservoir-cap rock combinations of the Jurassic Shuixigou Group in the Taibei Sag is established using the concept of the whole petroleum system,and the coal-measure whole petroleum system is analyzed thoroughly.The results are obtained in three aspects.First,the coal-measure source rocks of the Badaowan Formation and Xishanyao Formation and the argillaceous source rocks of the Sangonghe Formation in the Shuixigou Group exhibit the characteristics of long-term hydrocarbon generation,multiple hydrocarbon generation peaks,and simultaneous oil and gas generation,providing sufficient oil and gas sources for the whole petroleum system in the Jurassic coal-bearing basin.Second,multi-phase shallow braided river delta–shallow lacustrine deposits contribute multiple types of reservoirs,e.g.sandstone,tight sandstone,shale and coal rock,in slope and depression areas,providing effective storage space for the petroleum reservoir formation in coal-measure strata.Third,three phases of hydrocarbon charging and structural evolution,as well as effective configuration of multiple types of reservoirs,result in the sequential accumulation of conventional-unconventional hydrocarbons.From high structural positions to depression,there are conventional structural and structural-lithological reservoirs far from the source,low-saturation structural-lithological reservoirs near the source,and tight sandstone gas,coal rock gas and shale oil accumulations within the source.Typically,the tight sandstone gas and coal rock gas are the key options for further exploration,and the shale oil and gas in the depression area is worth of more attention.The new understanding of the whole petroleum system in the coal measures could further enrich and improve the geological theory of the whole petroleum system,and provide new ideas for the overall exploration of oil and gas resources in the Tuha Basin.

Microfacies and diagenetic alteration in a semi-deep to deep lacustrine shale: The Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin, China

The mineralogical development and diagenetic sequence of lacustrine shales in the Chang 7 Member of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin are detailed studied.A model of their depositional system and a diagenetic diagram are proposed in this study.Through detailed petrographic,mineralogical,and elemental analyses,four distinct shale types are identified:argillaceous shale,siliceous shale,calcareous shale,and carbonate,clay,and silt-bearing shale.The main diagenetic process in argillaceous shale is the transformation of illite to smectite,negatively impacting shale porosity.Siliceous shale undergoes carbonate cementation and quartz dissolution,contributing to increased porosity,particularly in mesopores.Calcareous shale experiences diagenesis characterised by carbonate formation and dissolution,with a prevalence of siderite.In carbonate,clay,and silt-bearing shale,the dissolution of K-feldspar contributes to illitization of kaolinite.Argillaceous shale,characterised by more clay minerals and lower mesopore volume,is identified as a potential hydrocarbon seal.Siliceous shale,with the highest pore volume and abundant inter-mineral pores,emerges as a promising shale oil reservoir.These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of shale properties,aiding in the prediction of shale oil exploration potential in the studied area.

A novel fracture-cavity reservoir outcrop geological knowledge base construction method considering parameter collection and processing,mutual transformation of data-knowledge,application and update

This study endeavors to formulate a comprehensive methodology for establishing a Geological Knowledge Base(GKB)tailored to fracture-cavity reservoir outcrops within the North Tarim Basin.The acquisition of quantitative geological parameters was accomplished through diverse means such as outcrop observations,thin section studies,unmanned aerial vehicle scanning,and high-resolution cameras.Subsequently,a three-dimensional digital outcrop model was generated,and the parameters were standardized.An assessment of traditional geological knowledge was conducted to delineate the knowledge framework,content,and system of the GKB.The basic parameter knowledge was extracted using multiscale fine characterization techniques,including core statistics,field observations,and microscopic thin section analysis.Key mechanism knowledge was identified by integrating trace elements from filling,isotope geochemical tests,and water-rock simulation experiments.Significant representational knowledge was then extracted by employing various methods such as multiple linear regression,neural network technology,and discriminant classification.Subsequently,an analogy study was performed on the karst fracture-cavity system(KFCS)in both outcrop and underground reservoir settings.The results underscored several key findings:(1)Utilization of a diverse range of techniques,including outcrop observations,core statistics,unmanned aerial vehicle scanning,high-resolution cameras,thin section analysis,and electron scanning imaging,enabled the acquisition and standardization of data.This facilitated effective management and integration of geological parameter data from multiple sources and scales.(2)The GKB for fracture-cavity reservoir outcrops,encompassing basic parameter knowledge,key mechanism knowledge,and significant representational knowledge,provides robust data support and systematic geological insights for the intricate and in-depth examination of the genetic mechanisms of fracture-cavity reservoirs.(3)The developmental characteristics of fracturecavities in karst outcrops offer effective,efficient,and accurate guidance for fracture-cavity research in underground karst reservoirs.The outlined construction method of the outcrop geological knowledge base is applicable to various fracture-cavity reservoirs in different layers and regions worldwide.

Major biological events and fossil energy formation: On the development of energy science under the earth system framework

In geological history, one major life explosion and five mass extinction events occurred. These major biological and environmental events affected the evolution of the Earth ecosystem and controlled the formation of organic-rich strata. The life explosion occurred in Cambrian and the five mass extinction events happened at the end of Ordovician, Late Devonian, end of Permian, end of Triassic, and end of Cretaceous, respectively. They are corresponded to the formation of multiple suites of organic-rich strata globally, which are crucial to the formation, evolution and distribution of the fossil energy on Earth. China’s energy is characterized by "unlimited new energy, rich in coal but insufficient in oil and gas ", and it is determined to rely on new energy sources to achieve " energy independence " and carbon neutrality. From the perspective of the Earth system evolution, we investigate the multiple relationships between energy and Earth, energy and environment, as well as energy and human beings, and carry out comprehensive research on energy. Energy science refers to the science of studying the various energy sources formation and distribution, evaluation and selection, production and utilization, orderly replacement, development prospects, etc. in temporal and spatial scales based on the evolution of the Earth system. The connotation of energy science includes three core contents:(1) The relationship between the Earth and energy, including the formation of energy in the Earth system and the feedback of energy consumption to the Earth’s climate and environment;(2) The relationship between the Earth environment and the human beings, including the Earth environment breeding human beings and human activities transforming the earth environment;(3) The relationship between the energy and the human beings, including the development of energy technology by human beings and the progress of human society driven by energy utilization. The energy science focuses on the formation and development of fossil energy, development and orderly replacement of new energy, exploration and utilization of energy in deep earth and deep space, and energy development strategy and planning. The proposal of energy science is of great significance for improving the discipline system, promoting energy development, clarifying the development direction of energy transition, driving the carbon neutral geology research and constructing a habitable Earth.

Lower limit of thermal maturity for the carbonization of organic matter in marine shale and its exploration risk

Based on the drilling data of the Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin and periphery, SW China, the Ro lower limits and essential features of the carbonization of organic matter in over-high maturity marine shale were examined using laser Raman, electrical and physical property characterization techniques. Three preliminary conclusions are drawn:(1) The lower limit of Ro for the carbonization of Type I-II1 organic matter in marine shale is 3.5%; when the Ro is less than 3.4%, carbonization of organic matter won't happen in general; when the Ro ranges from 3.4% to 3.5%, non-carbonization and weak carbonization of organic matter may coexist; when the Ro is higher than 3.5%, the carbonization of organic matter is highly likely to take place.(2) Organic-rich shale entering carbonization phase have three basic characteristics: log resistivity curve showing a general "slender neck" with low-ultralow resistance response, Raman spectra showing a higher graphite peak, and poor physical property(with matrix porosity of only less than 1/2 of the normal level).(3) The quality damage of shale reservoir caused by the carbonization of organic matter is almost fatal, which primarily manifests in depletion of hydrocarbon generation capacity, reduction or disappearance of organic pores and intercrystalline pores of clay minerals, and drop of adsorption capacity to natural gas. Therefore, the lower limit of Ro for the carbonization of Type I-II1 organic matter should be regarded as the theoretically impassable red line of shale gas exploration in the ancient marine shale formations. The organic-rich shale with low-ultralow resistance should be evaluated effectively in area selection to exclude the high risk areas caused by the carbonization of organic matter. The target organic-rich shale layers with low-ultralow resistance drilled during exploration and development should be evaluated on carbonization level of organic matter, and the deployment plan should be adjusted according to the evaluation results in time.

Fine-grained gravity flow sedimentation and its influence on development of shale oil sweet sections in lacustrine basins in China

The geological conditions and processes of fine-grained gravity flow sedimentation in continental lacustrine basins in China are analyzed to construct the model of fine-grained gravity flow sedimentation in lacustrine basin,reveal the development laws of fine-grained deposits and source-reservoir,and identify the sweet sections of shale oil.The results show that fine-grained gravity flow is one of the important sedimentary processes in deep lake environment,and it can transport fine-grained clasts and organic matter in shallow water to deep lake,forming sweet sections and high-quality source rocks of shale oil.Fine-grained gravity flow deposits in deep waters of lacustrine basins in China are mainly fine-grained high-density flow,fine-grained turbidity flow(including surge-like turbidity flow and fine-grained hyperpycnal flow),fine-grained viscous flow(including fine-grained debris flow and mud flow),and fine-grained transitional flow deposits.The distribution of fine-grained gravity flow deposits in the warm and humid unbalanced lacustrine basins are controlled by lake-level fluctuation,flooding events,and lakebed paleogeomorphology.During the lake-level rise,fine-grained hyperpycnal flow caused by flooding formed fine-grained channel–levee–lobe system in the flat area of the deep lake.During the lake-level fall,the sublacustrine fan system represented by unconfined channel was developed in the flexural slope breaks and sedimentary slopes of depressed lacustrine basins,and in the steep slopes of faulted lacustrine basins;the sublacustrine fan system with confined or unconfined channel was developed on the gentle slopes and in axial direction of faulted lacustrine basins,with fine-grained gravity flow deposits possibly existing in the lower fan.Within the fourth-order sequences,transgression might lead to organic-rich shale and fine-grained hyperpycnal flow deposits,while regression might cause fine-grained high-density flow,surge-like turbidity flow,fine-grained debris flow,mud flow,and fine-grained transitional flow deposits.Since the Permian,in the shale strata of lacustrine basins in China,multiple transgression-regression cycles of fourth-order sequences have formed multiple source-reservoir assemblages.Diverse fine-grained gravity flow sedimentation processes have created sweet sections of thin siltstone consisting of fine-grained high-density flow,fine-grained hyperpycnal flow and surge-like turbidity flow deposits,sweet sections with interbeds of mudstone and siltstone formed by fine-grained transitional flows,and sweet sections of shale containing silty and muddy clasts and with horizontal bedding formed by fine-grained debris flow and mud flow.The model of fine-grained gravity flow sedimentation in lacustrine basin is significant for the scientific evaluation of sweet shale oil reservoir and organic-rich source rock.

Petroleum geology and sub-source hydrocarbon accumulation of Permian reservoirs in Jinan Sag,eastern Junggar Basin,NW China

According to the latest drilling and the analysis of the burial history,source rock evolution history and hydrocarbon accumulation history,the sub-source hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics of the Permian reservoirs in the Jinan Sag,eastern Junggar Basin,are clarified,and the hydrocarbon accumulation model of these reservoirs is established.The results are obtained in four aspects.First,the main body of the thick salified lake basin source rocks in the Lucaogou Formation has reached the mature stage with abundant resource base.Large-scale reservoirs are developed in the Jingjingzigou,Wutonggou and Lucaogou formations.Vertically,there are multiple sets of good regional seals,the source-reservoir-caprock assemblage is good,and there are three reservoir-forming assemblages:sub-source,intra-source and above-source.Second,dissolution,hydrocarbon charging and pore-preserving effect,and presence of chlorite film effectively increase the sub-source pore space.Oil charging is earlier than the time when the reservoir becomes densified,which improves the efficiency of hydrocarbon accumulation.Third,buoyancy and source-reservoir pressure difference together constitute the driving force of oil charging,and the micro-faults within the formation give the advantage of"source-reservoir lateral docking"under the source rock.Microfractures can be critical channels for efficient seepage and continuous charging of oil in different periods.Fourth,the Jingjingzigou Formation experienced three periods of oil accumulation in the Middle-Late Permian,Middle-Late Jurassic and Late Neogene,with the characteristics of long-distance migration and accumulation in early stage,mixed charging and accumulation in middle stage and short-distance migration and high-position accumulation in late stage.The discovery and theoretical understanding of the Permian reservoirs in the Jinan Sag reveal that the thrust belt has good conditions for forming large reservoirs,and it is promising for exploration.The study results are of guidance and reference significance for oil and gas exploration in the Jinan Sag and other geologically similar areas.

3D modeling of deepwater turbidite lobes:a review of the research status and progress

Deepwater turbidite lobe reservoirs have massive hydrocarbon potential and represent one of the most promising exploration targets for hydrocarbon industry.Key elements of turbidite lobes internal heterogeneity include the architectural hierarchy and complex amalgamations at each hierarchical level leading to the complex distribution of shale drapes.Due to limitation of data,to build models realistically honoring the reservoir architecture provides an effective way to reduce risk and improve hydrocarbon recovery.A variety of modeling techniques on turbidite lobes exist and can be broadly grouped into pixel-based,process-based,process-oriented,surface-based,object-based and a hybrid approach of two or more of these methods.The rationale and working process of methods is reviewed,along with their pros and cons.In terms of geological realism,object-based models can capture the most realistic architectures,including the multiple hierarchy and the amalgamations at different hierarchical levels.In terms of data conditioning,pixel-based and multiple-point statistics methods could honor the input data to the best degree.In practical,dif?ferent methods should be adopted depending on the goal of the project.Such a review could improve the understanding of existing modeling methods on turbidite lobes and could benefit the hydrocarbon exploration activities of such reservoirs in offshore China.

Current Status of Brazil’s New Energy and Green Low-carbon Practices in Deep-water Oil Fields

Brazil possesses abundant new energy resources such as solar energy,wind energy,and biomass energy,and is at the forefront of the world in the development and utilization of new energy,becoming a pioneer in energy transition and low-carbon development.Renewable energy accounts for nearly half of Brazil’s primary energy consumption,with the share in the power sector exceeding 75%.Brazil has achieved its carbon peak and is still actively promoting carbon and emission further reduction and the development of new energy.

Overseas Oil and Gas Exploration of Chinese Oil Companies:Challenges and Solutions

Chinese Oil Companies(COCs)have made fruitful achievements in their overseas oil and gas activities in multiple key fields worldwide over the past 29 years.In 2021,the overseas equity production of oil and gas totaled 1.61×10^(8) tons of oil equivalent top three COCs(CNPC,Sinopec,and CNOOC).To achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality,as well as national energy security,it is vital to acquire all the more overseas oil and gas resources;meanwhile,there are plenty of challenges ahead,such as complex geopolitics,shrinking exploration blocks,limited remaining reserves,the fast natural decline of annual production,difficult asset optimization,and weakness in deep-water technologies.By benchmarking with the major international oil companies(IOCs),this paper puts forward a series of solutions,such as building large-scale production areas at a faster pace,stepping up efforts in acquiring new projects,particularly in countries along the Belt and Road,prudently evaluating and participating in unconventional projects,actively handling marginal assets,and synergizing efforts to tackle critical engineering technological problems.Looking ahead,COCs should follow the philosophy of high-quality development,safeguard national energy security and keep green and low-carbon development to progress in the“going global”activities and overseas oil and gas exploration.

Geochemical Characteristics of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Sichuan Basin, China and its Significance for Hydrocarbon Accumulation

The alternative development of coal-bearing hydrocarbon source rocks and low-porosity and low-permeability tight sandstone reservoirs of the Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin is favorable for near-source hydrocarbon accumulation. The natural gas composition of the Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin is dominated by hydrocarbon gases, of which the methane content is80.16%-98.67%. Typically, the C2^＋ content is larger than 5% in main wet gas. The dry gas is mainly distributed in the western and northern regions of the basin. The non-hydrocarbon gases mainly contain nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and helium, with a total content of 〈2%. The carbon isotope ranges of methane and its homologues in natural gas are： δ^13C1 of-43.8‰ to-29.6‰, δ^13C2 of-35.4‰ to-21.5‰, δ^13C3 of-27.6‰ to-19.8‰,and δ^13C4 of-27.7‰ to-18.8‰. δ^13C3〉δ^13C4 occurs in some natural gas with a low evolution degree; such gas is mainly coal-related gas from humic-type source rocks of the Xujiahe Formation. As for the natural gas, δ^2 HCH4 values ranged from-195‰ to-161‰,δ^2 HC2H6 values ranged from-154‰ to-120‰, and δ^2 HC2H8 values ranged from-151‰ to-108‰. The dry coefficient,δ^13C and δ^2 HC2H4 are all positively correlated with the maturity of source rocks. The higher the maturity of source rocks is, the larger the natural gas dry coefficient is and the larger the δ^13C and δ^2 HC2H4 values are, indicative of the characteristic of near-source accumulation. The δ^2 HC2H6 value of natural gas is influenced by paleosalinity to a relatively large extent; the higher the paleosalinity is, the larger the δ^2 HC2H4 value is. The Pr/Ph value of the condensate oil ranged from 1.60 to 3.43, illustrating light oxidization-light reduction and partial-oxidization characteristics of the depositional environment of coal-bearing source rocks of the Xujiahe Formation. The natural gas light hydrocarbon（C5-C7） from the Xujiahe Formation presented two characteristics： the first was the relatively high aromatic hydrocarbon content（19%-32.1%）, which reveals the characteristic of natural gas with humic substances of high-maturity; the second was the low content of aromatic hydrocarbon（0.4%-9.3%）,reflecting water-washing during the accumulation of the natural gas. The reported research outcomes indicate a potential mechanism for natural gas accumulation in the Xujiahe Formation, which will further guide natural gas exploration in this region.

Insights into the Tectonic Fractures in the Yanchang Formation Interbedded Sandstone-Mudstone of the Ordos Basin Based on Core Data and Geomechanical Models

The distribution and intensity of tectonic fractures within geologic units are important to hydrocarbon exploration and development. Taken the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation interbedded sandstone-mudstone in the Ordos Basin as an example, this study used the finite element method（FEM） based on geomechanical models to study the development of tectonic fractures. The results show that the sandstones tend to generate tectonic fractures more easily than mudstones with the same layer thickness, and the highest degree of tectonic fractures will be developed when the sandstone-mudstone thickness ratio is about 5.0. A possible explanation is proposed for the tectonic fracture development based on two important factors of rock brittleness and mechanical layer thickness. Generally, larger rock brittleness and thinner layer thickness will generate more tectonic fractures. In interbedded sandstone-mudstone formations, the rock brittleness increases with the increasing mechanical layer thickness, hence, these two factors will achieve a balance for the development of tectonic fractures when the sandstone-mudstone thickness ratio reaches a specific value, and the development degree of tectonic fractures is the highest at this value.

Accumulation and Reformation of Silurian Reservoir in the Northern Tarim Basin

Silurian sandstone in Tarim Basin has good reservoir properties and active oil and gas shows, especially thick widely-distributed bituminous sandstone. Currently, the Silurian was found containing both bitumen and conventional reservoirs, with petroleum originating from terrestrial and marine source rocks. The diversity of their distribution was the result of ＂three sources, three stages＂ accumulation and adjustment processes. ＂Three sources＂ refers to two sets of marine rocks in Cambrian and Middle-Upper Ordovician, and a set of terrestrial rock formed in Triassic in the Kuqa depression. ＂Three stages＂ represents three stages of accumulation, adjustment and reformation occurring in Late Caledonian, Late Hercynian and Late Himalayan, respectively. The study suggests that the Silurian bitumen is remnants of oil generated from Cambrian and Ordovician source rocks and accumulated in the sandstone reservoir during Late Caledonian-Early Hercynian and Late Hercynian stages, and then damaged by the subsequent two stages of tectonic uplift movements in Early Hercynian and Pre-Triassic. The authors presumed that the primary paleo-reservoirs formed during these two stages might he preserved in the Silurian in the southern deep part of the Tabei area. Except for the Yingmaili area where the Triassic terrestrial oil was from the Kuqa Depression during Late Himalayan Stage, all movable oil reservoirs originated from marine sources. They were secondary accumulations from underlying Ordovician after structure reverse during the Yanshan- Himalayan stage. Oil/gas shows mixed-source characteristics, and was mainly from Middle-Upper Ordovician. The complexity and diversity of the Silurian marine primary properties were just defined by these three stages of oil-gas charging and tectonic movements in the Tabei area.

Study of action mechanisms and properties of Cr^(3+) cross-linked polymer solution with high salinity

Performance characteristics of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide （HPAM） and cross- linked polymer （CLP, Cr^3＋ as the cross linker） solutions have been investigated. A Brookfield viscometer, rheometer, dynamic light scattering system, and core flow device have been used to measure the viscosity, viscoelasticity, polymer coil dimensions, molecular configuration, flow characteristics, and profile modification. The results show that, under conditions of high salinity and low HPAM and Cr^3＋ concentrations, cross-linking mainly occurred between different chains of the same HPAM molecule in the presence of Cr^3＋, and a cross-linked polymer （CLP） system with a local network structure was formed. Compared with an HPAM solution of the same concentration, the apparent viscosity of the CLP solution increased slightly or remained almost unchanged, but its viscoelasticity （namely storage modulus, loss modulus, and first normal stress difference） increased, and the resistance coefficient and residual resistance coefficient increased significantly. This indicates that the CLP solution exhibits a strong capability to divert the sequentially injected polymer flood from high-permeability zones to low- permeability zones in a reservoir. Under the same HPAM concentration conditions, the dimensions of polymer coils in the CLP solution increased slightly compared with the dimensions of polymer coils in HPAM solution, which were smaller than the rock pores, indicating that the cross-linked polymer solution was well adapted to reservoir rocks. Core flood experiments show that at the same cost of reagent, the oil recovery by CLP injection （HPAM-1, Cr^3＋ as the cross linker） is 3.1% to 5.2% higher than that by HPAM- 2 injection.