Source identification of methane in groundwater in shale gas development areas: A critical review of the state of the art,prospects, and future challenges

Shale gas exploration and development carry the risk of causing groundwater contamination and enhancing the greenhouse effect through methane leakage. Identifying the source of abnormal methane in groundwater of shale gas development areas is becoming a research hotspot in the fields of groundwater and climate change. This paper reviews the traditional methodology in identifying sources of methane and its deficiency in groundwater application. Then potential and advantages of using noble gases were discussed on how to overcome these limitations of the traditional method. Finally, based on noble gas, the current application status and future challenges of methane source identification in groundwater were analyzed. It can be summarized as:(1) due to chemical and/or microbial processes in the aquifer system, the traditional methodology for methane source identification, which utilizes molecular and isotopic compositions of hydrocarbon gas, has multiple interpretationsand large uncertainties;(2) the non-reactive nature and well-characterized isotopic compositions of noble gases in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and crust, make noble gases ideal indicators of the sources of methane in groundwater. Moreover, the mechanism of formation and release of crustal noble gas prevent shale gas signatures from being interfered with by natural gas;(3) the key scientific tasks surrounding the use of noble gases for methane source identification include quantitatively separating the components of atmosphere-derived, mantle-derived, and crust-derived noble gases from the bulk noble gases in groundwater. It quantifies the solubility fractionation of noble gases induced by water-gas interaction during methane migration to the aquifer. The application of noble gases can bring a new perspective to tracing the source of methane in groundwater and is of great significance to the protection of groundwater quality in shale gas development areas and mitigation of climate change.     

Installation of a vertical slurry wall around an Italian quarry lake: complications arising and simulation of the effects on groundwater flow

Slurry walls are non-structural barriers that are constructed underground to impede groundwater flow or manage groundwater control problems. The study area is in the Piemonte plain (Italy), close to the River Po. Quarrying works carried out below the piezometric surface created two big quarry lakes. The local groundwater system is characterized by a lower semi-confined aquifer, which is overlain by a semi-permeable bed of clayey peat (aquitard) and an upper unconfined aquifer. Locally, the peat fades away and the granulometry of this horizon becomes silty sandy. A planned enlargement of the quarry will increase the size and depth of the quarry lakes. So the aquitard bed between the two aquifers will be damaged, creating a mixing rate of groundwater. Such a procedure would not be compatible with the presence of two municipal wells upstream from the quarries. Consequently, the installation of a vertical diaphragm (slurry wall) is recommended to separate the aquifers and to act as a filter for the groundwater flowing from the unconfined to the semi-confined aquifer. To predict the consequences caused by the installation of the vertical diaphragm separating the unconfined aquifer and the semi-confined one, a specifically adjusted finite-difference model was used. The model showed a maximum rising of the water table equal to 12 cm, just upstream of the diaphragm and for a distance of about 100 m, and a maximum lowering of 2 cm just downstream of the diaphragm. However, the slurry wall would not cause any change in the piezometric head in the area where there are municipal wells and, hence, will not have any negative effect on the functionality of the municipal wells. Moreover, the migration of water from the unconfined aquifer through the vertical diaphragm will stimulate a series of attenuation and auto-depuration processes of eventual contaminants. These processes are due to the higher crossing time that the groundwater flow takes to go through the vertical barrier (t _a = 96.5 days, whereas for the horizontal semi-permeable layer t _a = 9.6 days). So, the vertical diaphragm can be a resolutive element, representing a mediation and separation factor between the unconfined and the semi-confined aquifers along the border of the quarrying areas, and a protective barrier for the water quality of the quarry lake and the semi-confined aquifer.     

水力联系系数法定量评价含水层之间水力联系

为了定量研究与评价含水层之间地下水水力联系程度,首次提出了水力联系系数C（hydraulic connection coefficient）的概念。将水力联系系数C定义为观测孔目的含水层水位降深与该观测孔位置抽水含水层水位降深的比值。通过水力联系系数,可定量评价某含水层水平上同层之间和垂向上不同含水层之间的水力联系程度。依据鄂尔多斯盆地白垩系洛河组各含水层段的水力联系系数C值,将含水层之间水力联系分为5个等级。其中,0.000 0 ≤ C<0.062 5,0.062 5 ≤ C<0.125 0,0.125 0 ≤ C<0.250 0,0.250 0 ≤ C<0.500 0,C ≥ 0.500 0,分别代表水力联系等级为极弱、弱、中等、强、极强。以高家堡井田钻孔抽（放）水试验数据为例,采用水力联系系数和观测孔水位响应时间两个指标定量评价了区内巨厚层状非均质洛河组含水层内部水力联系。结果表明：洛河组中上段水平同层之间的水力联系系数分别为0.373 0、0.413 8,观测孔水位响应时间较短（约为5 min）,水力联系强;洛河组下段水平同层之间水力联系系数分别为0.440 1、0.491 1,观测孔水位响应时间较短（为9~20 min）,水力联系强;洛河组中上段与下段垂向水力联系系数分别为0.000 2、0.007 2、0.089 7,观测孔水位响应时间较长（大于60 min）,水力联系极弱至弱。     

鄂尔多斯盆地东部上古生界煤系页岩气藏特征及勘探方向

煤系页岩气是未来非常规天然气的勘探方向。以鄂尔多斯盆地东部为例,对区内上古生界煤系太原组和山西组页岩气成藏的构造条件、储层特征和资源潜力进行了分析。研究认为,区内构造简单,泥页岩储层埋藏浅,厚度大,泥页岩有机质演化程度较高,有机碳含量较高,页岩气含量较高,页岩气成藏条件较优越,页岩气勘探开发的有利区位于府谷-神木-临县一带。鄂尔多斯盆地东部上古生界煤层发育,煤层气含量较高,局部层段存在砂岩气,页岩气可与煤层气、煤系砂岩气等综合勘查、共同开发。      

云应盆地东北部含水层结构特征及地下水转化模式

云应盆地东北部属鄂北贫水地区,赋存于古近系—第四系含水层中的地下水是当地生产、生活用水的主要来源,亟需查明含水层的结构、含水层间地下水的转化关系等基本条件,为研究区内合理开发利用地下水提供依据。本研究通过野外水文地质调查、水文地质钻探工作,将研究区划分为单层含水层与双层含水层结构两个亚区（6个小区）。并通过地下水水位动态长期监测,获取了区内不同含水层的水位动态变化特征,分析各含水层之间的水力联系,建立了区域地下水转化的概念模式,即:研究区地下水以接受山前降雨入渗及风化裂隙水侧向径流补给为主,主要以水平径流的形式经古近系孔隙-裂隙含水层及第四系孔隙承压含水层往澴水方向运移,而后进入第四系孔隙潜水含水层。地下水和地表水在不同季节补排模式不同,雨季地表水（澴水）补给地下水,旱季地下水向地表水（澴水）排泄。古近系孔隙-裂隙水与上覆第四系孔隙水联系密切互为补给,共同构成具有统一水力联系的垂向多层结构的含水系统。独特的含水层结构决定了区内地下水接受降水补给的条件较差,地下水可开采资源量总体较贫乏,建议重点利用区域地表水资源,适度开发地下水资源,推进农业节水灌溉工程,实现水资源可持续利用。     

基于岩相的鄂尔多斯白垩系盆地含水层系统的结构研究

依据岩性岩相研究、孔隙度研究、物探测井解译等成果,对鄂尔多斯白垩系盆地含水层系统的结构进行了划分与研究。结果表明：盆地北部沙漠高原区为单一结构,表现为强富水与中等富水含水层在垂向上叠置与组合,无区域性连续稳定的隔水层,由下到上构成含水统一体;南部黄土高原区为多层结构,表现为含水层与隔水层上下叠置,垂向水文地质分层明显;盆地南、北含水层结构的结构类型明显不同。利用孔隙度、渗透系数、单位涌水量3个参数,对含水层的富水性级别进行了划分,盆地中共划分出7个强富水含水层、7个中等富水含水层和2个弱富水含水层。盆地南、北比较,北部含水层孔隙度大,富水性强,地下水主要富集于盆地北部地区。垂向上比较,盆地北部由上到下,孔隙度由大变小,富水性由强变弱,地下水主要富集于浅层和中层;南部上部罗汉洞组和下部洛河组孔隙度较大,富水性好,中部环河组相对较差,地下水主要富集于罗汉洞组和洛河组。     

Impact of groundwater withdrawals on the interaction of multi-layered aquifers in the Viterbo geothermal area (central Italy)

The impact of groundwater withdrawals on the interaction between multi-layered aquifers with different water qualities in the Viterbo geothermal area (central Italy) was studied. In this area, deep thermal waters are used to supply thermal spas and public pools. A shallow overlying aquifer carries cold and fresh water, used for irrigation and the local drinking-water supply. Starting with a conceptual hydrogeological model, two simplified numerical models were implemented: a steady-state flow model of the entire groundwater system, and a steady-state flow and heat transport model of a representative area, which included complex interactions between the aquifers. The impact of increased withdrawals associated with potential future development of the thermal aquifer must be considered in terms of the water temperature of the existing thermal sources. However, withdrawals from the shallow aquifer might also influence the discharge of thermal sources and quality of the water withdrawn from the shallow wells. The exploitation of the two aquifers is dependent on the hydraulic conductivity and thickness of the intervening aquitard, which maintains the delicate hydrogeological equilibrium. Effective methods to control this equilibrium include monitoring the vertical gradient between the two aquifers and the residual discharge of natural thermal springs.     

川西含油气拗陷上三叠统含水系统和水文地质期的划分和定位

本文通过沉积环境、岩性组合、水化学、碳同位素等的论证,将川西拗陷上三叠统划分为须家河组须二段、四段、六段3个主要含水系统,须一段、三段、五段3个相对隔水系统;通过地壳运动、水动力条件、地球物理场等论证了各含水系统经历的水文地质期的次数和型式."统序"和"期序"的建立,从宏观上构建了深层水形成演化的模式,为深层水及其与聚气成藏之间规律性联系指示了研究的思路、途径和方向.     

Geological Features and Reservoiring Mode of Shale Gas Reservoirs in Longmaxi Formation of the Jiaoshiba Area

Abstract: This study is based on the sedimentation conditions, organic geochemistry, storage spaces, physical properties, lithology and gas content of the shale gas reservoirs in Longmaxi Formation of the Jiaoshiba area and the gas accumulation mode is summarized and then compared with that in northern America. The shale gas reservoirs in the Longmaxi Formation in Jiaoshiba have good geological conditions, great thickness of quality shales, high organic content, high gas content, good physical properties, suitable depth, good preservation conditions and good reservoir types. The quality shales at the bottom of the deep shelf are the main target interval for shale gas exploration and development. Shale gas in the Longmaxi Formation has undergone three main reservoiring stages: the early stage of hydrocarbon generation and compaction when shale gas reservoirs were first formed; the middle stage of deep burial and large-scale hydrocarbon generation, which caused the enrichment of reservoirs with shale gas; the late stage of uplift, erosion and fracture development when shale gas reservoirs were finally formed.     

页岩裂缝发育主控因素及其对含气性的影响

依据国内外页岩气大量资料和测试数据,对影响页岩裂缝发育的岩性和矿物组成、有机碳含量、岩石力学性质、异常高压等非构造因素和构造因素进行了定性或半定量分析,初步探讨了页岩裂缝发育与含气量之间关系。结果表明:页岩中石英、长石和碳酸盐岩含量高,岩石的泊松比低、杨氏模量高,脆性大,容易在外力作用下形成天然裂缝和诱导裂缝,其发育程度一般与页岩中脆性矿物的含量呈正相关关系。高有机碳含量或异常高压页岩裂缝发育。裂缝发育程度与有机碳含量关系可以划分为4类。页岩裂缝发育程度与总含气量和游离气量呈正相关关系,页岩裂缝越发育,其含气量越大,产气量也越高。裂缝对页岩气藏的形成具有双重作用,一是裂缝可以作为天然气和地层水的有效储集空间和快速运移通道,有利于页岩层系中游离态天然气体积的增加和吸附态天然气的解吸,裂缝密度越大,走向越分散,产气量越高;二是裂缝规模过大,可能导致天然气散失。北美地区页岩裂缝发育带内的页岩气勘探成功率高,产气量高,中国四川盆地下古生界海相富有机质脆性页岩层中天然气有良好显示或高产气井均与裂缝发育密切相关。     

Analysis of hydrogeolgical characteristics and water environmental impact pathway of typical shale gas exploration and development zones in Sichuan Basin,China

Studying the influence of shale gas exploration and development on groundwater environment is the basis of guiding water environment protection in the process of shale gas exploration and development.Groundwater environmental pollution is concealed,complex and persistent.Once it is difficult to control the pollution,the current commercial shale gas development zones in Sichuan Basin that are mostly located in karst areas and highly sensitive to groundwater will be vulnerable to the impact of shale gas exploration and development.Based on the hydrogeological conditions of shale gas exploration and development area and combined with engineering analysis of exploration and development,various risk pathways that may affect the groundwater environment during process of shale gas exploration,mining well construction,mining operations and other stages were identified in this paper.Some existing risk pathways were proved by verification of typical areas and should not be ignored.Based on the actual situation of typical areas,the countermeasures of groundwater environmental protection in the process of shale gas exploration and development in karst areas were discussed.It is believed that the groundwater environment can be better protected by strengthening administration,research and application of new technologies,precise design,hydrogeological conditions,and research and feedback of groundwater environmental protection.     

Mapping the hydraulic connection between a coalbed and adjacent aquifer: example of the coal-seam gas resource area,north Galilee Basin,Australia

Coal-seam gas production requires groundwater extraction from coal-bearing formations to reduce the hydraulic pressure and improve gas recovery. In layered sedimentary basins, the coalbeds are often separated from freshwater aquifers by low-permeability aquitards. However, hydraulic connection between the coalbed and aquifers is possible due to the heterogeneity in the aquitard such as the existence of conductive faults or sandy channel deposits. For coal-seam gas extraction operations, it is desirable to identify areas in a basin where the probability of hydraulic connection between the coalbed and aquifers is low in order to avoid unnecessary loss of groundwater from aquifers and gas production problems. A connection indicator, the groundwater age indictor (GAI), is proposed, to quantify the degree of hydraulic connection. The spatial distribution of GAI can indicate the optimum positions for gas/water extraction in the coalbed. Depressurizing the coalbed at locations with a low GAI would result in little or no interaction with the aquifer when compared to the other positions. The concept of GAI is validated on synthetic cases and is then applied to the north Galilee Basin, Australia, to assess the degree of hydraulic connection between the Aramac Coal Measure and the water-bearing formations in the Great Artesian Basin, which are separated by an aquitard, the Betts Creek Beds. It is found that the GAI is higher in the western part of the basin, indicating a higher risk to depressurization of the coalbed in this region due to the strong hydraulic connection between the coalbed and the overlying aquifer.     

Analysis of hydrogeolgical characteristics and water environmental impact pathway of typical shale gas exploration and development zones in Sichuan Basin,China

Studying the influence of shale gas exploration and development on groundwater environment is the basis of guiding water environment protection in the process of shale gas exploration and development. Groundwater environmental pollution is concealed, complex and persistent. Once it is difficult to control the pollution, the current commercial shale gas development zones in Sichuan Basin that are mostly located in karst areas and highly sensitive to groundwater will be vulnerable to the impact of shale gas exploration and development. Based on the hydrogeological conditions of shale gas exploration and development area and combined with engineering analysis of exploration and development, various risk pathways that may affect the groundwater environment during process of shale gas exploration, mining well construction, mining operations and other stages were identified in this paper. Some existing risk pathways were proved by verification of typical areas and should not be ignored. Based on the actual situation of typical areas, the countermeasures of groundwater environmental protection in the process of shale gas exploration and development in karst areas were discussed. It is believed that the ground-water environment can be better protected by strengthening administration, research and application of new technologies, precise design, hydrogeological conditions, and research and feedback of groundwater environmental protection.     

鄂尔多斯盆地都思兔河流域白垩系含水层特征及供水前景分析

在鄂尔多斯盆地都思兔河流域供水水文地质详查的基础上,通过水文地质钻探、抽水试验、样品分析等手段,查明了流域含水层的结构、埋深以及含水层和隔水层在水平和垂直方向上的变化规律,探讨了各含水层之间的水力联系,并求取了含水层的水文地质参数;对比圈定了包乐浩晓、巴彦布拉格、好勒包勒吉3处富水区;采用地下水流数值模拟方法对上述3处富水区地下水开采量进行计算,提出了27种地下水开采方案,并经过对比得到地下水开采推荐方案。结果表明：包乐浩晓、巴彦布拉格、好勒包勒吉3处富水区主要补给为侧向径流及大气降水入渗补给,排泄方式以潜水面蒸发及向河流排泄为主;在地下水浅埋区,结合含水层单井涌水量的大小,确定采用管井开采方式、中段悬挂式非完整井结构,平均布井,井深300m,单一开采白垩系环河组的地下水,最大限度夺取潜水蒸发排泄量;根据推荐方案,上述3个富水区总开采量达到123500m3／d,可为该地区地下水资源开发与利用提供技术保障。     

页岩油气储层纵向多重非均质性及其对开发的影响

页岩油气作为烃源岩层系内自生自储的油气资源,其可开发性受页岩储层特征的控制明显。由于不同类型富有机质页岩形成环境的差异性,页岩油气储层在纵向上具有多重非均质性,包括岩性的纵向非均质性、储层物性的纵向非均质性、岩石力学参数的纵向非均质性、地应力的纵向非均质性以及含气性特征的纵向非均质性等,这造成了页岩油气储层的纵向非均质性明显强于横向非均质性,有机质丰度、孔隙度、渗透率、储层的可压裂性、地应力、含气性及吸游比等参数在纵向上的变化均较大,且直接影响了后期页岩油气开发方案的设计与实施。优质开发目的层段的选择首先要考虑单段页岩油气储层的连续厚度在30~50 m左右、有机碳含量均值达到2.0%以上、有效孔隙度大于2.0%、岩石泊松比小于0.25、脆性较大、最小主应力相对上下邻层较小、含气性较高的层段。页岩油气开发井型的选择,水平井段的部署,压裂分段的长短、射孔簇的设计等均要充分考虑这种非均质性的影响。     

蜀南地区龙马溪组页岩气工业建产区游离气和孔隙度下限讨论

游离气作为页岩气重要赋存形式之一,决定了页岩气的开发潜力及经济效益。以蜀南地区龙马溪组页岩为例,结合X-射线衍射、岩石有机碳、储层物性、测井解释及生产测试等资料,对比分析了四川盆地及周缘页岩游离气含量与测试日产气量的关系,初步提出了工业建产区页岩游离气含量下限,并从烃源、储集及保存等方面对页岩游离气含量主控因素进行了系统研究,在此基础上探讨了工业建产区页岩孔隙度下限。结果表明:页岩游离气含量大于2.5 m³/t时,更易获得工业气流;蜀南地区龙马溪组页岩游离气含量与TOC、孔隙度、硅质矿物含量、地层压力系数、裂缝发育整体呈一定正相关,而与含水饱和度、碳酸盐矿物含量具有一定负相关;裂缝发育、含水饱和度以及硅质矿物、碳酸盐矿物等能通过关联孔隙度而间接影响游离气含量,均不作为页岩游离气含量主控因素,页岩游离气含量主控因素为TOC、孔隙度及地层压力系数;利用容积法对不同孔隙度下页岩游离气含量进行了蒙特卡罗模拟计算,发现当页岩孔隙度大于4%时,游离气含量大于下限值2.5 m³/t的概率超过50%,建议以4%作为工业建产区选择的孔隙度下限,以此控制页岩气开发的地质风险。页岩储层含气量评价建议以游离气评价为中心,重点从TOC、孔隙度、地层压力系数等3个方面开展系统评价。     

渝东北田坝地区五峰-龙马溪组页岩矿物学特征及其油气地质意义

渝东北田坝地区五峰-龙马溪组泥页岩的矿物成分主要为石英和黏土矿物,其次为长石,此外还含有少量黄铁矿、硬石膏等含硫矿物,以及极少量的碳酸盐矿物。沉积学及矿物学研究表明,五峰-龙马溪组的沉积环境以浅海陆棚为主,而浅海陆棚属还原环境,有利于有机质富集和保存,可以更好地形成页岩气;页岩含石英量较多并且脆性指数较高,因此有利于形成裂缝以利于渗流。与相邻的涪陵地区相对比,两者可比性较高,并且渝东北田坝地区五峰-龙马溪组页岩的石英等脆性矿物含量大于涪陵地区,而黏土矿物含量、碳酸盐矿物含量远小于涪陵地区;渝东北田坝地区黏土矿物组合反映,五峰-龙马溪组已进入了晚期成岩作用阶段,该阶段所对应的有机质成熟度为高成熟-过成熟,表明其成熟度条件有利于形成页岩气藏;进一步研究还发现,五峰组及龙马溪组页岩具有较高的孔隙度和渗透性,能为页岩气储存提供较好的储集空间。     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111000892

Shale with high quartz,feldspar and carbonate,will have low Poisson’s ratio,high Young’s modulus and high brittleness.As a result,the shale is conducive to produce natural and induced fractures under external forces.In general,there is a good correlation between fracture development in shale and the volume of brittle minerals present.Shale with high TOC or abnormally high pressure has well-developed fractures.Shale fracture development also shows a positive correlation with total gas accumulation and free gas volume,i.e.,the better shale fractures are developed,the greater the gas accumulation and therefore the higher the gas production.Fractures provide migration conduits and accumulation spaces for natural gas and formation water,which are favorable for the volumetric increase of free natural gas.Wider fractures in shale result in gas loss.In North America,there is a high success ratio of shale gas exploration and high gas production from high-angle fracture zones in shale.Good natural gas shows or low yield producers in the Lower Paleozoic marine organic matter-rich rocks in the Sichuan Basin are closely related to the degree of fracture development in brittle shales.     

陆相页岩气资源评价初探:以延长直罗—下寺湾区中生界长7段为例

页岩气是一类非常规天然气聚集类型,在中国找页岩气的实践还处于初期阶段,如何合理评价其资源量目前还没有成熟的方法,尤其针对陆相页岩气评价更缺乏借鉴和参考。文中在分析海相、陆相页岩的差异和特点的基础上,明确陆相页岩资源评价的条件和标准。针对延长探区中生界三叠系延长组页岩开展研究,在样品测试、含气量初评的基础上,对陆相页岩气的资源进行初步评价。对不同勘探程度和地质条件采用不同的资源评价方法,综合不同方法获得的结果认为,延长直罗—下寺湾区中生界陆相页岩气资源量达到(626.4～6 037.2)×108 m3,具有很好的勘探开发价值。     

Influence of Hydraulic Conductivity and Wellbore Design in the Fate and Transport of Nitrate in Multi-aquifer Systems

Nitrate concentrations in multi-aquifer systems are heavily affected by the presence of wellbores (active or abandoned) that are screened in several aquifers. The spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity in the confining layers has also an important impact on the concentrations. A synthetic three-dimensional flow and transport exercise was carried in a multi-aquifer system consisting of two aquifers separated by an aquitard in which 100 vertical wellbores had been drilled. To model the wellbores and the flow and transport connection between aquifers that they may induce, we assign a high vertical hydraulic conductivity and a low effective porosity to the cell blocks including the wells. With these parameters, a solute will travel quickly from one aquifer to the other without being stored in the well itself. The wellbores will act as preferential pathways, and the solute will move quickly between aquifers according to the hydrodynamic conditions. Not considering these preferential pathways could induce erroneous interpretations of the solute distribution in an aquifer. We also noted that when there are vertical wellbores that connect aquifers in a multi-aquifer system, low conductivity in the aquitard enhances the flow of solute through the wellbores. Time-varying pumping rates induce important fluctuations in nitrate concentrations; therefore, any estimate of the water quality of the aquifer will depend on the moment when the data has been recorded. Consequently, concentration maps obtained by interpolation of point samples are seldom a good indicator of the chemical status of groundwater bodies; alternatively, we recommend complementing the usual interpolated maps with numerical models to gain a true understanding of the spatial distribution of the solute concentration.