The Influence of Extractable Organic Matter on Pore Development in the Late Triassic Chang 7 Lacustrine Shales, Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, China

To investigate the influence of extractable organic matter （EOM） on pore evolution of lacustrine shales, Soxhlet extraction, using dichloromethane, was performed on a series of Chang 7 shale samples （Ordos Basin, China） with vitrinite reflectance of 0.64% to 1.34%. Low-pressure gas adsorption experiments were conducted on the samples before and after extraction. The pore structure parameters were calculated from the gas adsorption data. The results show complex changes to the pore volumes and surface areas after extraction. The pore development of both the initial and extracted samples is strongly controlled by total organic carbon （TOC） content. Micropores developed mainly in organic matter （OM）, while mesopores and macropores predominantly developed in fractions other than OM. The influence of EOM on micropores is stronger than on mesopores and macropores. Organic solvents with a higher boiling point should be used to explore the effect of EOM on pore structure in the future.

Research into magnetic guidance technology for directional drilling in SAGD horizontal wells

SAGD horizontal wells are used to enhance oil recovery from heavy oil reservoirs.This technology requires precise separation between the production well and the injection well to ensure the efficient drainage of the reservoir.By studying the attitude of the downhole probe tube and the production well trajectory,an algorithm is proposed for eliminating ferromagnetic interference while drilling injection wells.A high accuracy filter circuit has been designed to correct the detected magnetic signals,which are ultra-weak,frequency-instable,and narrow-band.The directional drilling magnetic guidance system（DD-MGS） has been developed by integrating these advanced techniques.It contains a sub-system for the ranging calculation software,a magnetic source,a downhole probe tube and a sub-system for collecting ＆ processing the detected signals.The DD-MGS has succeeded in oilfield applications.It can guide the directional drilling trajectory not only in the horizontal section but also in the build section of horizontal injection wells.This new technology has broad potential applications.

Correlation of burial organic carbon and paleoproductivity in the Mesoproterozoic Hongshuizhuang Formation, northern North China

In general, total organic carbon (TOC) is directly used as a proxy for paleoproductivity, however, it is not only affected by paleoproductivity, but also controlled by redox conditions and terrigenous detrital matter influx. Major and trace elements were analysed with the purpose of investigating the redox potential and paleoproductivity during deposition of the Hongshuizhuang Formation. In the present study, C-S relationship, V/Cr ratio and Mo concentration indicate that the dolomites were deposited in oxic environments, however, most of the black shales were accumulated in euxinic environments. P/Ti values in the Hongshuizhuang samples can be compared with those in the Japanese Ubara Permian-Triassic section which were regarded to be deposited under a moderate to high paleoproductivity. Ba/Al values are slightly lower than that of the laminated sediments from the continental margins of Central California (CCAL) which were thought to be accumulated under a high paleoproductivity. These results indicate that the paleoproductivity was moderate to high during deposition of the Hongshuizhuang Formation. Burial organic carbon shows positive correlations with V/Cr and Mo, but shows only weakly or no correlation with P/Ti and Ba/Al, respectively, suggesting that although the paleoproductivity was moderate to high during deposition of the Hongshuizhuang Formation, its organic-rich sediments were predominantly controlled by redox conditions and had no direct relationship with paleoproductivity.

Definition and sturcture characteristics of pores in mylonitized organic-rich shales

Gas shales with a high gas content were drilled in the Lower Cambrian Lujiaping Formation in the northeastern Sichuan Basin,close to the Chengkou Fault in the Dabashan arc-like thrust fold belt.The equivalent vitrinite reflectance values of organic matters are over 4.0%Ro.The pore structures of the shales were investigated based on microscopy,field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM)observations,and low temperature N2 adsorption analysis.The study suggests that cleavages,comprising clay minerals mixed up with organic matter and other insoluble residues,were developed in the rock layers.The clay minerals are directionally arranged,displaying a mylonitized texture.Abundant nanometer-size organic matter and clay mineral particles are well mixed in the cleavage domains,which developed the mylonitized pore system that consists of nanometer-size intergranular pore spaces,aggregate pore spaces in clay mineral flakes and pore network.This mylonitized pore system has high specific surface area,high methane adsorption capacity,and high capillary pressure,which collectively contributes to the preservation of shale gas in such a complex tectonic area.The discovery of the mylonitized pore structure in organic-rich shales may reveal a new mechanism of shale gas enrichment in complex tectonic areas with over-mature organic matter in the northeastern part of Sichuan Basin.