Groundwater Systems and Resources in the Ordos Basin,China

The Ordos Basin is a large-scale sedimentary basin in northwestern China. The hydrostratigraphic units from bottom to top are pre-Cambrian metamorphic rocks, Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks, Upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic clastic rocks and Cenozoic deposits. The total thickness is up to 6000 m. Three groundwater systems are present in the Ordos Basin, based on the geological settings, i.e. the karst groundwater system, the Cretaceous clastic groundwater system and the Quaternary groundwater system. This paper describes systematically the groundwater flow patterns of each system and overall assessment of groundwater resources.     

Groundwater Systems and Resources in the Ordos Basin, China

The Ordos Basin is a large-scale sedimentary basin in northwestern China.The hydrostratigraphic units from bottom to top are pre-Cambrian metamorphic rocks,Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks,Upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic clastic rocks and Cenozoic deposits.The total thickness is up to 6000 m.Three groundwater systems are present in the Ordos Basin,based on the geological settings,i.e.the karst groundwater system,the Cretaceous clastic groundwater system and the Quaternary groundwater system.This paper describes systematically the groundwater flow patterns of each system and overall assessment of groundwater resources.     

SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY

<正>20102307 Chen Denghui(Department of Geology,Northeastern University,Shenyang 110004,China);Gong Enpu The Lacustrine Carbonates and their Sedimentary Environment of Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Western Liaoning Province(Geological Review,ISSN0371-5736,CN11-1952/P,55(6),2009,p.897-904,5 illus.,1 table,31 refs.)Key words:carbonate rocks,sedimentary environment,Liaoning ProvinceThe Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation is the basal formation of the Jehol biota where the abundant and exceptionally well-preserved fossils were discovered.The recent systematic field study of the depositional environment indicates that there were several lacustrine carbonate intervals in the four sedimentary beds of the Yixian Formation.The authors systematically studied the distribution and the lithotypes of lacustrine carbonates both in the field and with laboratory analysis.Finally,the authors propose a lacustrine carbonate sedimentary facies model for the Yi-xian Formation.20102308 Chen Yang(State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation,Chengdu University of Technology,Chengdu 610059,China);Zhao Xiafei Transition from Marine Clastic Rocks to Nonmarine Clastic Rocks in the West of Sichuan Basin,China(Journal of Chengdu University of Technology,ISSN1671-9727,CN51-1634/N,36(6),2009,p.697-705,7 illus.,22 refs.)Key words:clastic rocks,sedimentary facies model,Sichuan BasinBased on the study of three outcrop sections(the Guangyuan Gongnong section,the Chongzhou Wanjia section and the Dayi Tiangongmiao section),this paper illustrates the differences from the north to the south in front of the Longmen Mountains in the aspects of facies,depth and the distribution of conglomerate.The result indicates that the transition hap     

A study on the environmental conditions of the microsparite （Molar-tooth） carbonates

Along with the progress in research on the Precambrian, Molar-tooth carbonates (simplified as MT, or microsparite carbonates or MT structure) which were formed in the Middle-Late Proterozoic have become a hot subject recently. The Proterozoic Molar-tooth (MT) carbonate rocks refer to those Meso- to Neoproterozoic (1600-650 Ma) carbonates with MT structure, i.e., a series of peculiar, ptygmatically folded and spar-filled cracks in fine-grained carbonates of Precambrian age, located in the environment of mid- to inner ramp and shallow platform. MTS, like a bridge connecting the inorganic world with the organic one, are closely related to the evolution of paleo-oceans, atmosphere and biosphere. Their development and/or recession are/is related to the origin of life and the abruption of sedimentary geochemistry events of marine carbonates. By using modern instruments and testing methods adequately, the contents of oxides in sandstones were measured and the REE distribution pattern curves were established; an accurate value of isotopic ratio of 87Sr/86Sr was obtained, that is, the age of MT formation is about 750-900 Ma; C and O isotopes of some fresh micrite limestone samples were analyzed; the energy spectrum analysis revealed that the MT consists mainly of microspar calcite, while as for its chemical composition, the matrix shows outstanding peaks of Ca, Mg, Al, Si, and K. The geochemical indicators proved that Neoproterozoic MT carbonates in the Jilin-Liaoning region were developed at the margin of a stable continent, in the torrid zone where the paleo-temperature was about 50℃, the seawater had normal salinity when MT was formed during the Wanlong period in southern Jilin and during the Yingchengzi and Xingmincun periods in eastern Liaoning. The sedimentary environment was located in the inner ramp. In summary, it is of great importance to understand the origin of MT, ascertain the paleo-climate and paleo-environment characteristics, constrain the age and the stratigraphic division and comparison of the Proterozoic so as to study the geochemical characteristics of MT carbonates and their formation environment.     

Geology and C-O isotope geochemistry of carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposits, NW Guizhou Province, SW China

The Pb-Zn metallogenic district in NW Guizhou Province is an important part of the Yun-nan-Sichuan-Guizhou Pb-Zn metallogenic province, and also is one of the most important Pb-Zn producers in China. The hosting rocks of the Pb-Zn deposits are Devonian to Permian carbonate rocks, and the basement rocks are meta-sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Proterozoic Kunyang and Huili groups. The ore minerals are composed of sphalerite, galena and pyrite, and the gangue minerals are include calcite and dolomite. Geology and C-O isotope of these deposits were studied in this paper. The results show that δ13C and δ18O values of hydrothermal calcite, altered wall rocks-dolostone, sedimentary calcite and hosting carbonate rocks range from -5.3‰ to -0.6 ‰ (mean -3.4‰) and +11.3‰ to +20.9 ‰ (mean +17.2‰), -3.0‰ to +0.9 ‰ (mean -1.3‰) and +17.0‰ to +20.8‰ (mean +19.7‰), +0.6‰ to +2.5 ‰ (mean +1.4‰) and +23.4‰ to +26.5 ‰ (mean +24.6‰), and -1.8‰ to +3.9‰ (mean +0.7‰) and +21.0‰ to +26.8‰ (mean +22.9‰), respectively, implying that CO2 in the ore-forming fluids was mainly a result of dissolution of Devonian and Carboniferous carbonate rocks. However, it is difficult to evaluate the contribution of sediment de-hydroxylation. Based on the integrated analysis of geology, C and O isotopes, it is believed that the ore-forming fluids of these carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposits in this area were derived from multiple sources, including hosting carbonate rocks, Devonian to Permian sedimentary rocks and basement rocks (the Kun-yang and Huili groups). Therefore, the fluids mixing is the main precipitation mechanism of the Pb-Zn deposit in this province.     

Sedimentary and Geochemical Characteristics of Sinian Cap Carbonates in the Upper Yangtze Region

A global-scale glaciation occurred at about 600 Ma ago. As a result, the Earth became the “Snowball Earth“. The glaciation came to the end abruptly when atmospheric carbon dioxide increased to such an extent as to be about 350 times the modem level because of subaerial volcanic degassing. The rapid termination of glaciation would have led to warming of the Snowball Earth and extreme greenhouse conditions would have been created. The transfer of atmospheric carbon dioxide to oceans would give rise to the rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate in warm surface seawaters, thus forming the cap carbonate rocks as observed worldwide today. Regionally persisting, thin layers of carbonate rocks directly and ubiquitously overlie Proterozoic glacial deposits almost on every continent, and are commonly referred to as cap carbonates. Their unusual litho- fabrics, stratigraphically abrupt basal and upper-level contacts and strongly negative carbonate isotopic signatures ( δ ^13Cearb. values range from -7.0‰ —0‰) suggest a chemical oceanographic origin, the details of which remain unknown. It is proposed that these enigmatic deposits are related to the destabilization of gaseous hydrate in terrestrial permafrost following rapid postglacial warming and flooding of widely exposed continental shelves and internal basins. The authors carried out studies on the geochemistry, sedimentology and palacontology of the Sinian cap carbonates in Guizhou and Hunan provinces, including the occurrence of cap carbonates of unusual fabrics, strongly negative carbon isotopic signatures, and a lot of bitumen nodules.From the results it is suggested that the cap carbonates were formed from solid methane seepage, and it is in agreement with Kennedy‘‘ s viewpoint (2001) that the cap carbonates resulted from the rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate in response to solid methane seepage.     

Microorganisms Linked to Neoproterozoic Microspar Carbonate Sedimentation in the Jilin-Liaoning Area

Molar-tooth carbonate refers to a sort of rock that has ptygmatical folded structure comparable to the ivory. This kind of carbonate exists in a special time range (from Middle to Neoproterozoic). Its origin and the possibility to use it in stratigraphic correlation of the paleocontinent is the key task of the IGCP447, a project on Proterozoic molar tooth carbonates and the evolution of the earth (2001-2005). The importance lies in that the molar-tooth structure is the key to solving problems related to Precambrian biological and global geochemical events. The molar-tooth structure is associated with microorganisms. Development and recession of such carbonates have relations with the evolution process of early lives and abrupt changes in sea carbonate geochemistry. In recent years, based on researches on petrology, geochemistry and Sr isotope of molar-tooth carbonate in the Jilin-Liaoning and Xuzhou-Huaiyang area, the authors hold that it can be used as a marker for stratigraphic sequence and sedimentary     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987110000125

<正>Carbonatites are commonly related to the accumulation of economically valuable substances such as REE.Cu,and P.The debate over the origin of carbonatites and their relationship to associated silicate rocks has been ongoing for about 45 years.Worldwide,the rocks characteristically display more geochemical enrichments in Ba,Sr and REE than sedimentary carbonate rocks.However,carbonatite's geochemical features are disputed because of secondary mineral effects.Rock-forming carbonates from carbonatites at Qinling.Panxi region,and Bayan Obo in China show REE distribution patterns ranging from LREE enrichment to flat patterns.They are characterized by a Sr content more than 10 times higher than that of secondary carbonates.The coarse- and fine-grained dolomites from Bayan Obo H8 dolomite marbles also show similar high Sr abundance,indicating that they are of igneous origin.Some carbonates in Chinese carbonatites show REE(especially HREE) contents and distribution patterns similar to those of the whole rocks.These intrusive carbonatites display lower platinum group elements and stronger fractionation between Pt and Ir relative to high-Si extrusive carbonatite.This indicates that most intrusive carbonatites may be carbonate cumulates.Maoniuping and Daluxiang in Panxi region are large REE deposits.Hydrothermal fluorite ore veins occur outside of the carbonatite bodies and are emplaced in wallrock syenite.The fiuorite in Maoniuping has Sr and Nd isotopes similar to carbonatite.The Daluxiang fiuorite shows Sr and REE compositions different from those in Maoniuping.The difference is reflected by both the carbonatites and rock-forming carbonates,indicating that REE mineralization is related to carbonatites.The cumulate processes of carbonate minerals make fractionated fluids rich in volatiles and LREE as a result of low partition coefficients for REE between carbonate and carbonatite melt and an increase from LREE to HREE.The carbonatite-derived fluid has interacted with wallrock to form REE ore veins.The amount of carbonatite dykes occurring near the Bayan Obo orebodies may support the same mineralization model,i.e.that fluids evolved from the carbonatite dykes reacted with H8 dolomite marble,and thus the different REE and isotope compositions of coarse- and fine-grained dolomite may be related to reaction processes.     

Quick Evaluation of Present-Day Low-Total Organic Carbon Carbonate Source Rocks from Rock-Eval Data: Middle–Upper Ordovician in the Tabei Uplift, Tarim Basin

Previous studies have postulated the contribution of present-day low-total organic carbon(TOC) marine carbonate source rocks to oil accumulations in the Tabei Uplift, Tarim Basin, China. However, not all present-day low-TOC carbonates have generated and expelled hydrocarbons; therefore, to distinguish the source rocks that have already expelled sufficient hydrocarbons from those not expelled hydrocarbons, is crucial in source rock evaluation and resource assessment in the Tabei Uplift. Mass balance can be used to identify modern low-TOC carbonates resulting from hydrocarbon expulsion. However, the process is quite complicated, requiring many parameters and coefficients and thus also a massive data source. In this paper, we provide a quick and cost effective method for identifying carbonate source rock with present-day low TOC, using widely available Rock-Eval data. First, we identify present-day low-TOC carbonate source rocks in typical wells according to the mass balance approach. Second, we build an optimal model to evaluate source rocks from the analysis of the rocks' characteristics and their influencing factors, reported as positive or negative values of a dimensionless index of Rock-Eval data(IR). Positive IR corresponds to those samples which have expelled hydrocarbons. The optimal model optimizes complicated calculations and simulation processes; thus it could be widely applicable and competitive in the evaluation of present-day low TOC carbonates. By applying the model to the Rock-Eval dataset of the Tabei Uplift, we identify present-day low-TOC carbonate source rocks and primarily evaluate the contribution equivalent of 11.87×10~9 t oil.     

Micro area transportation of residues： A style forming the red weathering crusts of carbonate rocks

The red weathering crusts of carbonate rocks are usually characteristic of thick-bedded intensely weathered profiles and strongly undulate basement rock surface （i.e., alternative distribution of solution grooves and stone teeth）. In this work a typical red weathering crust of carbonate rock, whose parent rock is of homogeneity in composition, is selected in karst terrace, middle Guizhou Province, China. Via field geology, geochemistry, mineralogy, grain size analyses, and in comparison with two neighbouring limestone soils as well, the authors have discussed forming process of the red weathering crusts of carbonate rocks, and demonstrated that micro area transportation of acid-insoluble residues of carbonate rocks is a style of forming the red weathering crusts of carbonate rocks. The weathering front is a main place of geochemical reaction, and at this limited-thick interface, with quick dissolution of carbonates, acid-insoluble residues begin to obviously decompose.     

Study of the Factors Affecting the Abundance of Organic Matter in Jurassic Carbonate Rocks in Qiangtang Basin, Tibet

Field and laboratory analyses of carbonate rock samples from the Qiangtang Basin,Tibet, indicate that carbonate source rocks are mainly developed in the Middle Jurassic Xiali Formation and Upper Jurassic Suowa Formation. Comprehensive studies showed that the Suowa Formation carbonate source rocks have a favorable hydrocarbon-generating potential. The abundance of organic matter in the carbonate rocks is controlled mainly by sedimentary environment and inorganic compounds in the rocks, which is higher in the restricted platform facies than in the open platform facies. Organic carbon contents decrease with increasing CaO contents in the source rocks.     

Microbial Mats in the Mesoproterozoic Carbonates of the North China Platform and Their Potential for Hydrocarbon Generation

The well-preserved Mesoproterozoic succession in the North China platform consists mainly of three llthological associations including peritidal quartz sandstone, shallow marine and lagoonai dark to black shales, and shallow epeiric carbonates, with a total thickness of up to 8 000 m. In addition to well-documented microplants, macroalgae, and microbial buildups, abundant microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) and mat-related sediments have been recognized in these rocks. Intensive microbial mat layers and MISS are especially well preserved in the carbonates of the upper Gaoyuzhuang (高于庄) (ca. 1.5 Ga) and lower Wumishan (雾迷山) (ca. 1.45 Ga) formations, Indicating diversified microbial activities and a high organic production. In these petrified blomats, putative microbial fossils (both coccoidal and filamentous) and framboidal pyrites have been identified. The abundance of authigenic carbonate minerals in the host rocks, such as, acicular aragnnites, rosette barites, radial siderites, ankerites, and botryoidai carbonate cements, suggests authigenlc carbonate precipitation from anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) under anoxic/euxinic conditions. Warm climate and anoxic/euxinic conditions in the Mesoproterozoic oceans may have facilitated high microbial productivity and organic burial in sediments. Although authigenic carbonate cements may record carbonate precipitation from anaerobic methane oxidation, gas blister (or dome) structures may indicate gas release from active methanogenesls during shallow burial Bituminous fragments in mat-related carbonates also provide evidence for hydrocarbon generation. Under proper conditions, the Mesoproterozoic mat-rich carbonates will have the potential for hydrocarbon generation and serve as source rocks. On the basis of petrified biomats, a rough estimation suggests that the Mesoproterozoic carbonates of the North China platform might have a hydrocarbon production potential in theorder of 10×108t.     

REE Geochemical Study of the Permian—Triassic Marine Sedimentary Environment in Guizhou Province

This paper deals with the REE geochemical characteristics of Permian-Triassic marine carbonate rocks in Guizhou Province.It is found that there are two broad categories of strati-graphic units in the region studied in accordance with their ΣREE contents and REE distribu-tion patterns: one is characterized by LREE enrichment and slight Ce depletion,with the REE distribution patterns similar to those of North American shales,and the other featrures relative HREE enrichment and relatively remarkable Ce depletion,with the REE distribution patterns close to those of pelagic sediments.In terms of their different ΣREE contents,five types of stratigraphic units can be distinguished.Incorporation of detrital minerals,REE complexing ca-pability,oxidation-reduction conditions of the media are the main factors affecting the REE com-position and REE distribution patterns of marine carbonate rocks in the region studied.In the light of REE geochemical characteristics of carbonate rocks,coupled with sedimentary facies analysis,this paper discusses the characteristics of the Permian-Triassic marine sedimentary environment in Guizhou Province and its evolutional rules.     

From Basin Black Shales to Platform Carbonate Rocks： A Study on Sequence Stratigraphy for the Lower Cambrian of the Upper-Yangtze Region in South China

In the Upper-Yangtze region,especially in Guizhou Province and its adjacent areas,the Lower Cambrian is well developed and is marked by a succession from black shales of the basin facies to carbonate rocks of the platform facies.The drowning event of the platform occurring at the turn from Sinian to Cambrian resulted in a set of black shales,i.e.the Niutitang Formation,which makes up the bottom part of the Lower Cambrian.With the shoaling of the sedimentary environment,a set of carbonate rocks,i.e.the Qingxudong Formation,was formed in the top part of the Lower Cambrian.Thus,the Lower Cambrian in the study area makes up one second-order sequence that can be further subdivided into five third-order sequences,and forms a regularly cyclic succession of transgression-regression.There is a regularly vertical stacking pattern for the third-order sequences in the second-order sequence.From bottom to top,the succession of the"CS(condensed section) HST(high-stand system tract)"of the third-order sequences is changed into the succession of the"TST(transgressive system tract) CS HST".Correspondingly,the drowning-type sequence boundary is changed into the exposure-type one.Therefore,both the second-order and the third-order sequences have similar sedimentary-facies architectures.A concomitant with these temporal changes, the Lower Cambrian with a thickness of 1000m that contains five third-order sequences is changed into a condensed succession that cannot identify third-order sequences toward the southeast with the deepening of the sedimentary environment.According to the elementary features of the third-order sequences,i.e.the regularity o sedimentary-facies successions in space and the synchronism of sedimentary-environment changes in time,the detailed division of the third-order sequences at main logged sections in different paleogeographical background becomes the basis to establish the sequence-stratigraphic framework that can demonstrate two types of facies-changing surface and two types of diachronism in the stratigraphic records.This sequence-stratigraphic framework shows a growing process of the carbonate platform from the base of the condensed succession formed by black shales of basin facies.Resulting from the rapid transgression at the turn from Sinian to Cambrian the ecological space became open,which formed the antecedent condition of paleogeographical setting for"the Cambrian Biological Explosion".Ultimately,the genetic relationship between the depositional events and the biological-diversity events is very complex and there remain lots of problems that need further research in the future.     

A Study of Sedimentary Environment and Reservoir Quality of the Carboniferous Donghe Sandstonein the Tarim Basin

Very thick, fine-grained quartzose sandstone of the Lower Carboniferous (called the Donghe sandstone) was discovered in Donghe-1 well in the Tarim basin. Highly-productive commercial oil and gas flows were obtained when a well completion test was conducted. This important discovery proved that the quartzose sandstone is a prospecting target with good prospects. After that, other two paying oil and gas flows were found in the Lower Carboniferous in the Tazhong-4 and Tazhong-10 structures (Tazhong means central Tarim), equivalent to the Donghe sandstone. The Tazhong-4 structural oil field is the biggest oil field ever discovered. Therefore it is of guiding importance in oil and gas exploration to deepen the study of sedimentary and reservoir features and the sedimentary environment of the Donghe sandstone and to build a sedimentary model in order to understand the reservoir distribution pattern.     

Characteristics and Genetic Analysis of the Deep-buried Weathered-crust Karst Hydrocarbon Reservoirs of the Lower Paleozoic Group in the Tarim Basin

The genetic analysis of the deep-buried reservoirs of the Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks in the Tarim basin is a difficult task involving many factors. Firstly, the object of study is carbonate rocks, which have undergone a long term of modification. Secondly, the rocks are deeply buried with depths of 3800-7000 m in the Tarim basin. The primary reservoir properties formed in the deposition have been strongly modified during the deep burial process. Concurrently, the different burial depths in different areas result in diversities of burial temperature, pressure, underground water, hydrochemistry and various physicochemical changes, which further lead to differences in the diagenetic type, diagenetic property, diagenetic degree and their impacts on the reservoir properties. The Lower Paleozoic Cambrian and Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tarim basin can be grouped into four types, i.e., paleo-weathered-crust reservoirs, reef reservoirs, buried karst reservoirs and dolomite reservoirs. This paper     

The Original Organism Assemblages and Kerogen Carbon Isotopic Compositions of the Early Paleozoic Source Rocks in the Tarim Basin, China

Original organisms are the biological precursors of organic matter in source rocks. Original organisms in source rocks are informative for oil-source rock correlation and hydrocarbon potential evaluation, especially for source rocks which have high-over level of thermal maturity. Systematic identification of original organism assemblages of the Lower Paleozoic potential source rocks and detailed carbon isotopic composition of kerogen analyses were conducted for four outcrop sections in the Tarim basin. Results indicated that the original organism assemblages of the lower part of the Lower Cambrian were composed mainly of benthic algae, whereas those of the Upper Cambrian and the Ordovician were characterized by planktonic algae. Kerogen carbon isotopic data demonstrated that the δ13Ckerogen values of source rocks dominated by benthic algae are lower than ?34‰, whereas the δ13Ckerogen values of source rocks dominated by planktonic algae are higher than ?30‰ in general. We tentatively suggested that the carbon species those are utilized by algae and the carbon isotopic fractionation during photosynthesis are the major controls for the δ13Ckerogen values in the Lower Paleozoic source rocks in the Tarim basin. Correlating the δ13C values of oils exploited in the Tarim basin, the original organism assemblages, and δ13Ckerogen values of source rocks, it implied that the Lower Paleozoic oils exploited in the Tarim basin should be sourced from the source rocks with original organism assemblages dominated by planktonic algae, and the hydrocarbon sourced from the Cambrian benthic algae should be of great exploration potential in future. Original organism assemblages in source rocks can provide important clues for oil-source rocks correlation, especially for the source rocks with high thermal maturity.     

Oil Source and Entrapment Epoch of the Ordovician Oil Reservoir in the Kongxi Burial-Hill Zone, Huanghua Depression, North China

An oil flow obtained from the Middle Ordovician Fengfeng Formation carbonate reservoir in the well KG-3, Kongxi burial-hill zone in 1993 marked a breakthrough in petroleum exploration of the high-mature Lower Palaeozoic strata, North China. Both the Lower member of the Fengfeng Formation and the Second Member of the Upper Majiagou Formation in the Middle Ordovician are supposed to be the main source beds. Oil generation peaks range from 1.0% to 1.6% in Ro, showing a "lag effect" of oil generation in high-mature carbonate source rocks under multicyclic tectonic movement conditions. The Kongxi burial-hill zone adjoins a potential Ordovician source kitchen. The KG-3 Ordovician burial-hill reservoir has undergone two oil filling events, i.e., an early event in the Late Carboniferous-Permian and a more significant late event in the early Eogene.     

The Late Palaeozoic Rifting on Hainan Island, China

There occurred rifting on Hainan Island in the Late Palaeozoic. Bimodal volcanic rocks composed ofbasalt and rhyolite developed in the Carboniferous. Widespread in the Late Palaeozoic formations are severallayers of fluvial intermontane conglomerates whose distribution is controlled by rift faults. The Late Palaeozoicdeposits dominaled by clastic rocks are, for a major part, of marine facies and of continental facies in the lowerand upper parts. Lithological and lithochemical studies indicate that the detrital rocks were formed in atectonic setting of continental rifting. The evolution of the rifting terminated at the stage of transition form anintra continental rift to an intercontinental one and the rift basin was a bay opening westward to the sea.     

Reservoir Characteristics of Fine-grained Sedimentary Rocks in Saline Lakes in the Cenozoic Upper Ganchaigou Formation, Southwestern Qaidam Basin, NW China

Cenozoic fine-grained sedimentary rocks in the southwestern Qaidam Basin, as typical salinized lacustrine sediments, are significantly different from those in other freshwater lakes under the impact of the high salinity in the lake. Many fine-grained sedimentary rock samples were selected from the lower member of Neogene (N1) in the Gaskule Oilfield, Qaidam Basin, northwest China, with the aim to analyze and test their petrology, pore structure, and organic geochemical characteristics and determine its genesis and geological significance. Based on previous results, a new genesis of mixed sedimentary rocks is proposed. The Cenozoic lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks in SW Qaidam Basin belong to mixed sedimentary rocks, which can be divided into three types, including carbonate and terrigenous clastic-bearing mudstone, carbonate-bearing to terrigenous clastic mixed sedimentary rocks, and carbonate-terrigenous clastic mixed sedimentary rocks. The geneses of mixing are quite different from that of mixed marine rocks. According to the sedimentary characteristics of the salinized lakes, three new geneses of mixed deposits are proposed: syn-sedimentary mixing, varve interbedded mixing, and biogenic mixing. The reservoir spaces of the Cenozoic lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks in SW Qaidam Basin include residual intergranular pores, intercrystalline pores, microfractures, and minor dissolved pores. The reservoirs have super-low porosity and ultra-low permeability, with a porosity of 1.82%–21.04%, averaging 7.71%, and permeability of (0.0028–254.86) × 10?3 μm2, averaging 2.82 × 10?3 μm2. The test results of total organic carbon (TOC) content show that the highest content of organic carbon reached 1.41%, and those of vitrinite reflectance show that Ro ranges from 0.525%–0.824%, with an average of 0.806%. The organic geochemical characteristics show that the fine-grained mixed sedimentary rocks of SW Qaidam Basin have the potential for self-generation and self-storage. As an unconventional reservoir, it has potential industrial value. This is the first study of fine-grained sedimentary rocks in the Qaidam Basin, which offers certain theoretical and practical values.