Distribution Characteristics and Accumulation Model for the Coal‐formed Gas Generated from Permo‐Carboniferous Coal Measures in Bohai Bay Basin,China: A Review

Coal-formed gas generated from the Permo-Carboniferous coal measures has become one of the most important targets for deep hydrocarbon exploration in the Bohai Bay Basin, offshore eastern China. However, the proven gas reserves from this source rock remain low to date, and the distribution characteristics and accumulation model for the coal-formed gas are not clear. Here we review the coal-formed gas deposits formed from the Permo-Carboniferous coal measures in the Bohai Bay Basin. The accumulations are scattered, and dominated by middle-small sized gas fields, of which the proven reserves ranging from 0.002 to 149.4×108 m3 with an average of 44.30×108 m3 and a mid-point of 8.16×108 m3. The commercially valuable gas fields are mainly found in the central and southern parts of the basin. Vertically, the coal-formed gas is accumulated at multiple stratigraphic levels from Paleogene to Archaeozoic, among which the Paleogene and PermoCarboniferous are the main reservoir strata. According to the transporting pathway, filling mechanism and the relationship between source rocks and reservoir, the coal-formed gas accumulation model can be defined into three types: "Upward migrated, fault transported gas" accumulation model, "Laterally migrated, sandbody transported gas" accumulation model, and "Downward migrated, sub-source, fracture transported gas" accumulation model. Source rock distribution, thermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation capacity are the fundamental controlling factors for the macro distribution and enrichment of the coal-formed gas. The fault activity and the configuration of fault and caprock control the vertical enrichment pattern.     

The Relationship between Jurassic Coal Measures and Sandstone-type Uranium Deposits in the Northeastern Ordos Basin, China

Outcrop and drill hole data show that the Jurassic coal measures in the northeastern Ordos Basin are composed mainly of the Yan'an Formation and the lowstand system tract of the Zhiluo Formation,and there is a regional unconformity between them. The Dongsheng uranium deposit is associated with the Jurassic coal measures. Research data indicate that the Jurassic coal measures in the study area have a certain hydrocarbon-generating capacity,although the metamorphic grade is low(Ro=0.40%–0.58%). In the Dongsheng region alone,the accumulative amount of generated coalbed methane(CBM) is about 2028.29 × 108 –2218.72 × 108 m~3; the residual amount is about 50.92 × 108 m~3,and the lost amount is about 1977 × 108 m~3. Analysis of the burial history of the host rocks and the evolutionary history of the Dongsheng uranium deposit suggests that the Jurassic coal measures generated hydrocarbon mainly from Middle Jurassic to Early Crataceous,which is the main mineralization phase of the Dongsheng uranium deposit. By the Late Cretaceous,a mass of CBM dissipated due to the strong tectonic uplift,and the Dongsheng uranium deposit stepped into the preservation phase. Therefore,the low-mature hydrocarbon-containing fluid in the Jurassic coal measures not only served as a reducing agent for the formation of sandstone-type uranium deposits,but also rendered the second reduction of paleo-interlayer oxidation zone and become the primary reducing agent for ore conservation. Regional strata correlation reveals that the sandstone-type uranium reservoir at the bottom of the Zhiluo Formation is in contact with the underlying industrial coal seams in the Yan'an Formation through incision or in the form of an unconformity surface. In the Dongsheng region with poorly developed fault systems,the unconformity surface and scour surface served as the main migration pathways for low-mature hydrocarbon-containing fluid migrating to the uranium reservoir.     

Unconventional Natural Gas Accumulations in Stacked Deposits:A Discussion of Upper Paleozoic Coal-Bearing Strata in the East Margin of the Ordos Basin,China

The Upper Paleozoic(Carboniferous to Permian) succession in the east margin of the Ordos Basin in the North China Craton has a potential to contain significant hydrocarbon resources, though attention have been mainly attracted for its successful development of coalbed methane(CBM). To improve the previous resource estimates and evaluate the hydrocarbon play possibilities, this study incorporated new discoveries of hydrocarbon units and their stratigraphic relation with source rocks, hydrocarbon migration and trapping configurations. Continuous hydrocarbon accumulation units were identified within the Upper Paleozoic, including the Taiyuan, Shanxi and Xiashihezi formations with great tight gas potential, and the Taiyuan and Shanxi formations also containing shale gas and CBM. Different strata combinations are identified with coal deposition and favour for continuous gas accumulations, including the tidal flat, deltaic and fluvial systems distributed in most of the study areas. Methane was not only generated from the thick coal seams in the Taiyuan and Shanxi formations, but also from shale and dark mudstones. The coal, shale and tight sandstones are proved of remarkable gas content and hydrocarbon indications, and the gas saturation of tight sandstones decreases upward. The stacked deposit combinations vary isochronally in different areas, while the coal seams were developed stably showing good gas sources. Two key stages control the hydrocarbon enrichment, the continuous subsidence from coal forming to Late Triassic and the anomalous paleo-geothermal event happened in Early Cretaceous, as indicated by the fluid inclusions evidence. Extensive areas show good hydrocarbon development potential presently, and more works should be focused on the evaluation and selection of good reservoir combinations.     

Evidence of the Near-Source Accumulation of the Tight Sandstone Gas in Northern Ordos Basin, North-Central China

The tight sandstone gas in Upper Paleozoic Formation of the northern Ordos Basin is a typical giant unconventional tight gas province. Evidences from geochemistry, reservoir geology and paleo-tectonic setting all verify that the present-day tight sandstone gas accumulation in the Ordos Basin is the result of near-source accumulation. The evidences are listed as following: tight sandstone gas is mainly distributed in the area with high gas-generating strength; gas composition was not subjected to fractionation; gas saturation significantly decreases with the distance away from the source rocks; gas isotopes suggest their origin is the same and maturity is consistent with in-place source rocks; reservoirs have experienced three types of densification digenesis, including intense compaction, siliceous cementation and calcareous cementation, which took place before the formation of a large amount of tight sandstone gas, forming tight reservoirs with low porosity and permeability, fine pore throat and great capillary resistance; the paleo-structural gradient ratio is small from the main hydrocarbon generation period to present. It is indicated the present distribution of tight sandstone gas in the northern Ordos Basin is the result of near-source and short-distance migration and accumulation.     

Coupled accumulation characteristics of Carboniferous-Permian coal measure gases in the Northern Ordos Basin,China

The northern Ordos Basin provides a favorable geological environment for the accumulation and development of coal measure gases (CMG). The hydrocarbon generation potential and reservoir systems of the coal measures have been studied based on data from experimental tests and production and exploration wells, respectively. Further, the coupled accumulation characteristics were determined. The results show that the source rocks are characterized by favorable hydrocarbon generation potential, high thermal evolution (Ro%?=?1.3–2.3%), and mainly type III kerogen. Coals, typically aggregated organic matter, with a huge hydrocarbon generation potential (avg. 89.11 mg/g) and total organic content (TOC) (avg. 65.52%), are predominantly involved in gaseous hydrocarbon generation. Shales with good TOC contents (avg. 2.36%) and large cumulative thicknesses have an important role in gaseous hydrocarbon generation. Coal seams, shale layers, and sandstone layers occur as variably interbedded deposits, which form a favorable environment for CMG coupled accumulation. The porosity and permeability are ranked as follows: sandstone?>?coal?>?shale, with significant stress sensitivity and anisotropy. Two continuous gas generation peaks occurred in the Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous, with an abundant amount of coal-derived and thermogenic gas generation, respectively. Potential gas-bearing sandstone layers can be formed by gas migration via short distances from nearby coal seams and shale layers. Coupled accumulation of CMG occurred in three stages: (1) stacked and interbedded reservoirs formation stage; (2) gas generating and charging stage; and (3) coupled accumulation adjustment stage. Coalbed methane (CBM)–tight sandstone gas (TSG) assemblage is a favorable target for CMG accumulation and development.     

Critical conditions for natural gas charging and delineation of effective gas source rocks for tight sandstone reservoirs

Although it has been shown that the potential of tight‐sand gas resources is large, the research into the mechanisms of hydrocarbon charging of tight sandstone reservoirs has been relatively sparse. Researchers have found that there is a force balance during hydrocarbon charging, but discriminant models still have not been established. Based on the force balance conditions observed during gas migration from source rocks to tight sandstone reservoirs, a calculation formula was established. A formula for identifying effective source rocks was developed with the gas expulsion intensity as the discrimination parameter. The critical gas expulsion intensity under conditions of various burial depths, temperatures, and pressures can be obtained using the calculation formula. This method was applied in the Jurassic tight sandstone reservoirs of the eastern Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, and it was calculated that the critical expulsion intensity range from 6.05 × 10⁸ m³/km² to 10.07 × 10⁸ m³/km². The critical gas charging force first increases with depth and later decreases with greater depths. The distribution range of effective gas source rocks and total expelled gas volume can be determined based on this threshold. This method provides new insight into and method for predicting favourable tight‐sand gas‐bearing regions and estimating their resource potentials. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrocarbon generation and expulsion characteristics of Lower Permian P1f source rocks in the Fengcheng area,northwest margin,Junggar Basin,NW China: implications for tight oil accumulation potential assessment

Combined with the actual geological settings, tight oil is the oil that occurs in shale or tight reservoirs, which has permeability less than 1 mD and is interbedded with or close to shale, including tight dolomitic oil and shale oil. The Fengcheng area (FA), at the northwest margin of the Junggar Basin, northwest China, has made significant progress in the tight oil exploration of the Fengcheng (P₁f) Formation recently, which indicates that the tight oil resources have good exploration prospects. Whereas the lack of recognition of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion characteristics of Permian P₁f source rocks results in the misunderstanding of tight oil resource potential. Based on the comprehensive analysis of geological and geochemical characteristics of wells, seismic inversion, sedimentary facies, tectonic burial depth, etc., the characteristics of P₁f source rocks were investigated, and the horizontal distributions of the following aspects were predicted: the thickness of source rocks, abundance and type of organic matter. And on this basis, an improved hydrocarbon generation potential methodology together with basin simulation techniques was applied to unravel the petroleum generation and expulsion characteristics of P₁f source rocks in FA. Results show that the P₁f source rocks distribute widely (up to 2039 km²), are thick (up to 260 m), have high total organic content (TOC, ranging from 0.15 to 4 wt%), are dominated by type II kerogen and have entered into low mature–mature stage. The modeling results indicate that the source rocks reached hydrocarbon generation threshold and hydrocarbon expulsion threshold at 0.5% Ro and 0.85% Ro and the comprehensive hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency was about 46%. The amount of generation and expulsion from the P₁f source rocks was 31.85 × 10⁸ and 15.31 × 10⁸ t, respectively, with a residual amount of 16.54 × 10⁸ t within the source rocks. Volumetrically, the geological resource of shale oil is up to 15.65 × 10⁸ t. Small differences between the amounts calculated by the volumetric method compared with that by hydrocarbon generation potential methodology may be due to other oil accumulations present within interbedded sands associated with the oil shales. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

鄂尔多斯盆地东部深层煤层气成藏地质条件分析

       鄂尔多斯盆地东部目前的煤层气开发深度浅于1200 m,丰富的深部煤层气资源有待勘探开发。鉴于此,本文分析了 区内深部煤层赋存特征、热演化程度、煤层含气量及其分布规律。认为上古生界埋深的总体分布格局与两个向西凸出浅埋 带的叠加,可能导致煤层含气性和渗透性区域分布格局的进一步复杂化。发现上古生界煤阶区域分布格局与煤层埋深类似, 指示深成变质作用对区域煤阶分布起着主要控制作用。预测了深部煤层含气量的分布格局,认为煤层埋藏一旦超过临界深 度时煤层含气量随深度的加大反而有所降低。建立了自生自储、内生外储两类煤成气藏模式,认为吸附型煤层气藏与游离 型煤成气藏的共生为合采提供了丰厚的资源条件。     

鄂尔多斯盆地侏罗系低煤阶煤层气系统演化

低煤阶煤层气作为一种非常规天然气资源,具有良好的勘探开发前景。我国低煤阶煤层气资源丰富,进行低煤阶煤层气系统演化分析,对其富集成藏及开发具有重要的理论意义。鄂尔多斯盆地煤层甲烷的碳同位素δ13C₁为–33.1‰~–80.0‰,氢同位素δ_CH4为–235‰~–268‰。该盆地侏罗系煤层气藏主要有次生生物气与热成因气构成的混合型煤层气藏和热成因气藏两种类型。据构造热事件、煤层气组分及成因,结合不同阶段的煤层埋深、变质程度和生气特征等,将鄂尔多斯盆地侏罗系低煤阶煤层气系统演化划分为4个阶段:煤系浅埋–原生生物气阶段﹑煤系深埋–热成因气阶段﹑煤系抬升–吸附气逃逸散失阶段﹑煤系局部沉降–次生生物气补充阶段。其中,煤系深埋–热成因气阶段和局部沉降–次生生物气阶段是低煤阶煤层气资源的主要形成阶段。次生生物气的补充是鄂尔多斯盆地侏罗系低煤阶煤层气成功开发的重要气源。鄂尔多斯盆地侏罗系煤层气藏应属于单斜式富气成藏模式。      

鄂尔多斯盆地上古生界煤层气与致密气联合优选区评价

鄂尔多斯盆地上古生界具有煤层气和致密砂岩气成藏的有利条件。上古生界煤层气与致密砂岩气具有相同的烃源岩,且煤层与致密储层垂向上相互叠置,为二者联合勘探开发奠定了地质基础。在综合考虑煤层气与致密砂岩气成藏地质条件的基础上,建立了鄂尔多斯盆地煤层气与致密砂岩气共同勘探选区的评价指标体系,包括煤层厚度、烃源岩热演化程度、生气强度以及致密储层厚度4个指标。依据建立的评价指标体系,对鄂尔多斯盆地内5个区块进行煤层气与致密砂岩气共同选区评价,评价结果为区块Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅴ为勘探目标区,主要分布在盆地的东西缘,煤层厚度大、烃源岩生气强度大,勘探前景好;区块Ⅰ和Ⅳ为勘探有利区,呈条带状分布在盆地的东北部和西北部,煤层气与致密砂岩气协同勘探潜力较大。     

Stable carbon isotopes of alkane gases from the Xujiahe coal measures and implication for gas-source correlation in the Sichuan Basin,SW China

The Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin, SW China consists of a series of coal measures. The first, third and fifth members of this formation are dominated by gas prone dark mudstones and coals. The mudstones contain Type II and III kerogens with average organic carbon contents around 1.96%. These source rocks are mature in the central Sichuan and highly mature in the western Sichuan Basin, characterized by gas generation with subordinate amounts of light oil or condensate oils. The source rocks are intercalated with the sandstone dominated second, fourth and sixth members of the Xujiahe Formation, thus leading to three separate self contained petroleum systems in the region. The proven gas reserves in the Xujiahe Formation are only less than that of the Triassic Feixianguan Formation and the Xujiahe Formation has the second largest gas field (Guang’an gas field) in the basin. Gases derived from the Xujiahe Formation coals generally show a normal stable carbon isotopic trend for C₁–C₄ n-alkanes, with the highest δ¹³C₂ values among the nine gas pay zones in the basin (?20.7‰ to ?28.3‰), and δ¹³C₁ values as low as ?43.0‰ in the central Sichuan. Gas accumulations with an oil leg have also been found in the eastern and southern Sichuan where the thickness of the Xujiahe Formation is significantly reduced. Gases in these accumulations tend to show low δ¹³C₂ values (?30.0‰ to ?36.3‰), characteristic of oil prone source rocks.     

Depositional environment,hydrocarbon generation and expulsion potential of the middle Permian Pingdiquan source rocks based on geochemical analyses in the eastern Junggar Basin,NW China

As the most important source rocks in the eastern Junggar Basin, the middle Permian Pingdiquan (P₂p) source rocks have attracted increasing attention after the discovery of tight oil in the Shazhang uplift. The P₂p source rocks are widely distributed (up to 7546 km²) and have an elevated thickness in the eastern Junggar Basin. To explore the P₂p tight oil resource in the eastern Junggar Basin, 113 core samples from 34 exploration wells were analysed geochemically and re-examined for their organic matter abundance, type and thermal maturity, hydrocarbon potential and sedimentary environment. Geochemical analysis results indicate that the P₂p source rocks are fair to good source rocks dominated by Type II kerogen, presently in a low mature–mature stage, and biomarkers and trace elements indicate deposition in a terrestrial to coastal environment under oxic to dysoxic, and fresh to brackish conditions, with possible intermittent seawater influence, implying proximity to the open sea. Based on hydrocarbon expulsion modelling, hydrocarbon expulsion began at 0.87% R_o, and the peak expulsion occurred at 1.1% R_o. Hydrocarbon generation intensities in the Shazhang uplift and the Wucaiwan sag are relatively large, with values centred at 4–6.5 million t/km² and 4–6 million t/km², respectively, with total hydrocarbon generation and expulsion from the P₂p source rocks approximately 4.56 × 10⁹ t and 1.44 × 10⁹ t, respectively, indicating significant tight oil exploration potential in the eastern Junggar Basin. The Shazhang uplift and the Wucaiwan sag are two hydrocarbon expulsion centres in the study area with the largest hydrocarbon expulsion intensity centred around the Shazhang uplift, exceeding 3 × 10⁶ t/km². We suggest that the area with high hydrocarbon expulsion intensities is a favourable target for tight oil accumulation and exploration.     

Geological and Geochemical Characteristics and Exploration Prospect of Coal‐Derived Tight Sandstone Gas in China: Case Study of the Ordos,Sichuan, and Tarim Basins

This work extensively investigated global tight sandstone gas, and geologically and geochemically analyzed the tight sandstone gas in China's Ordos, Sichuan, and Tarim basins. We compared typical tight sandstone gas in China with that in North America. We proposed six conditions for the formation of China's tight sandstone gas, and illustrated the geological characteristics of tight sandstone gas. In China, gas-bearing tight sandstones were mainly deposited in continental lake deltas and marine-terrigenous facies basin environments, associated with coal-measure strata, and were mostly buried deeper than 2000 m under a formation pressure of 20–30 MPa, with pressure coefficients varying from overpressure to negative pressure. In other countries, tight gas bearing sandstones were dominantly deposited in marine to marine-terrigenous facies environments, occurred in coal-measure strata, and were mostly buried shallower than 2000 m in low-pressure systems. We systematically analyzed tight sandstone gas in the Ordos, Sichuan, and Tarim basins in terms of chemical compositions, geochemical characteristics of carbon isotopes, origins, and sources. Tight sandstone gas in China usually has a hydrocarbon content of 95%, with CH4 content 90%, and a generally higher dry coefficient. In the three above-mentioned large tight sandstone gas regions, δ13 C1 and δ13 C2 mainly ranges from-42‰ to-28‰ and from-28‰ to-21‰, respectively. Type III coal-measure source rocks that closely coexist with tight reservoirs are developed extensively in these gas regions. The organic petrology of source rocks and the carbon isotope compositions of gas indicate that tight sandstone gas in China is dominantly coal-derived gas generated by coal-measure strata. Our analysis of carbon isotope series shows that local isotope reversals are mainly caused by the mixing of gases of different maturities and that were generated at different stages. With increasing maturity, the reversal tendency becomes more apparent. Moreover, natural gas with medium-low maturity(e.g., Xujiahe Formation natural gas in the Sichuan Basin) presents an apparent reversal at a low-maturity stage, a normal series at a medium-maturity stage, and a reversal tendency again at a high-maturity stage. Finally, we proposed four conditions for preferred tight sandstone gas "sweep spots," and illustrated the recoverable reserves, proven reserves, production, and exploration prospects of tight sandstone gas. The geological and geochemical characteristics, origins, sources, and exploration potential of tight sandstone gas in China from our research will be instructive for the future evaluation, prediction, and exploration of tight sandstone gas in China and abroad.     

西昌盆地白果湾组致密砂岩油气形成关键指标评价与有利区优选

综合钻井、大量实测剖面、样品测试分析和区域地质资料,对西昌盆地白果湾组烃源岩生烃强度、镜质体反射率、砂岩储层物性等关键指标进行了系统评价.西昌盆地上三叠统白果湾组主要油气储层类型为中-粗砂岩,有利层段主要发育在白果湾组一段、三段和四段,砂岩具有中孔低渗、区域分布广、厚度大等特征,ZD-1井揭示砂岩含油气性好.西昌盆地白...     

Geological characteristics and co-exploration and co-production methods of Upper Permian Longtan coal measure gas in Yangmeishu Syncline,Western Guizhou Province,China

Coal measure gas (also known as coal-bearing unconventional gas) is the key field and development direction of unconventional natural gas in recent years. The exploration and evaluation of coal measure gas (coalbed methane, coal shale gas and coal measure tight sandstone gas) from single coalbed methane has greatly expanded the field and space of resource evaluation, which is of positive significance for realizing the comprehensive utilization of coal resources, maximizing the benefits and promoting the innovation of oil and gas geological theory and technological advances in exploration and development. For the first time, in Yangmeishu Syncline of Western Guizhou Province, the public welfare coalbed methane geological survey project of China Geological Survey has been carried out a systematic geological survey of coal measure gas for the Upper Permian Longtan Formation, identified the geological conditions of coal measure gas and found high quality resources. The total geological resource quantity of coalbed methane and coal shale gas is 51.423×10⁹ m³ and the geological resource abundance is up to 566×10⁹ m³/km². In this area, the coal measures are characterized by many layers of minable coal seams, large total thickness, thin to the medium thickness of the single layer, good gas-bearing property of coal seams and coal measure mudstone and sandstone, good reservoir physical property and high-pressure coefficient. According to the principle of combination of high quality and similarity of key parameters of the coal reservoir, the most favorable intervals are No.5⁻², No.7 and No.13⁻² coal seam in Well YMC1. And the pilot tests are carried out on coal seams and roof silty mudstone, such as staged perforation, increasing hydraulic fracturing scale and “three gas” production. The high and stable industrial gas flow with a daily gas output of more than 4000 m³ has been obtained, which has realized the breakthrough in the geological survey of coal measure gas in Southwest China. Based on the above investigation results, the geological characteristics of coal measure gas in the multi-thin-coal-seam-developed area and the co-exploration and co-production methods, such as the optimization method of favorable intervals, the high-efficiency fracturing and reservoir reconstruction method of coal measures, and the “three gas” drainage and production system, are systematically summarized in this paper. It will provide a reference for efficient exploration and development of coal measure gas in similar geological conditions in China.     

Stable carbon isotope compositions and source rock geochemistry of the giant gas accumulations in the Ordos Basin, China

Ordos Basin, the second largest sedimentary basin in China, contains enormous natural gas resources. Each of the four giant gas fields discovered so far in this basin (i.e., Sulige, Yulin, Wushenqi and Jingbian) has over 100 billion cubic meters (bcm) or 3.53 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of proven gas reserves. This study examines the stable carbon isotope data of 125 gas samples collected from the four giant gas fields in the Ordos Basin. Source rocks in the Upper Paleozoic coal measures are suggested by the generally high δ¹³C values of C₁–C₄ gaseous hydrocarbons in the gases from the Sulige, Yulin and Wushenqi gas fields. While the δ¹³C_iC4 value is higher than that of the δ¹³C_nC4, the dominant ranges for the δ¹³C₁, δ¹³C₂, and δ¹³C₃ values in these Upper Paleozoic reservoired gases are −34 to −32‰, −27 to −23‰, and −25 to −24‰, respectively. The δ¹³C values of methane, benzene and toluene in gases from the Lower Paleozoic reservoirs of the Jingbian field indicate a significant contribution from humic source rocks, as they are similar to those in the Upper Paleozoic reservoirs of the Sulige, Yulin and Wushenqi gas fields. However, the wide variation and reversal in the δ¹³C₁, δ¹³C₂ and δ¹³C₃ values in the Jinbian gases cannot be explained using a single source scenario, thus the gases were likely derived dominantly from the Carboniferous-Permian coal measures with some contribution from the carbonates in the Lower Permian Taiyuan Formation. The gas isotope data and extremely low total organic carbon contents (<0.2% TOC) suggest that the Ordovician Majiagou Formation carbonates are unlikely to be a significant gas source rock, thus almost all of the economic gas accumulations in the Ordos Basin were derived from Upper Paleozoic source rocks.     

Hydrocarbon Generation and Expulsion of the Upper Triassic T3x5 Source Rocks in the Western Sichuan Depression: Assessment for Unconventional Natural Gas

Tight-sand gas in the Jurassic and shale gas within the fifth member of Xujiahe Formation(T3x5) in the Western Sichuan Basin(WSD) are currently regarded as the most prolific emerging unconventional gas plays in China. This study conducted a conventional evaluation of T3x5 source rocks in the WSD, and investigated their hydrocarbon generation and expulsion characteristics, including intensity, efficiency and amount. The results show that, the T3x5 source rocks are thick(generally 200 m), and have a high total organic content(TOC), ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 wt%. It is thus indivative of a great hydrocarbon generation potential when they underwent high thermal evolution(Ro1.2%) in the area. In addition, an improved method of hydrocarbon generation potential is applied, indicating that the source rocks reached a hydrocarbon expulsion threshold with vitrinite reflectance(Ro) reaching 1.06%, and that the comprehensive hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency is about 60%. The amount of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion from T3x5 source rocks is 3.14×1010 t and 1.86×1010 t, respectively, with a residual amount of 1.28×1010 t within them. Continuous-type tight-sand gas is predicted to have developed in the Jurassic in the Chengdu Sag of the WSD because of the good source-reservoir configuration; the Jurassic sandstone reservoirs are tight, and the gas expelled from the T3x5 source rocks migrates for very short distances vertically and horizontally. The amount of gas accumulation in the Jurassic reservoirs derived from T3x5 source rocks is up to 9.3×108 t. Geological resources of shale gas are up to 1.05×1010 t. Small differences between the amounts calculated by the volumetric method and those obtained by hydrocarbon generation potential method may be due to other gas accumulations present within interbedded sands associated with gas shales.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111000879

Multiple sets of thick coal beds characterized by simple structure and shallow burial depth were developed in the Early and Middle Jurassic strata of the Ordos Basin,northwestern China.The huge reserves of this high quality coal have a high commercial value.We studied the coal’s petrologic characteristics and its maceral distribution to determine the maceral’s contribution to generation of oil and gas.The results show that the Jurassic coals in the Ordos Basin have special penological features because of the Basin’s unique depositional environment which was mainly a series of high-stand swamps in the upper fluvial system.These petrographic features are a result of the development of typical inland lakes where some sand bodies were formed by migrating rivers.After burial,the peat continued to undergo oxidizing conditions,this process generated extensive higher inertinile contents in the coals and the vitrinite components were altered to semi-vitrinite.The macroscopic petrographic types of these Jurassic coals are mainly semi-dull coal,dull coal,semilustrous and lustrous coal.The proportions of semi-dull coal and dull coal are higher in the basin margins,especially in the area near the northern margin.The numbers of semilustrous and lustrous coals increase southwards and towards the central basin.This situation indicates that different coal-forming swamp environments have major controlling effects on the coal components.Another observation is that in the Ordos" coal sequences,especially in the lower part,some sandstone beds are thick,up to 20 m with a coarse grain size.The higher fusinite content in the macerals accompanies a higher semi-vitrinite content with more complete and regular plant cell structure.The fusinite structure is clear and well preserved.After burial,the lithology of the roof and floor rocks can continue to affect the evolution of coal petrology.The sand bodies in the roof and floor exhibit good physical conditions so that pore water can maintain a long-term state of oxidation,circulation and connection to the coal.So coal components remain in an oxidation environment for a long time.Conversely,in the basin center,lacustrine facies developed and peat was rapidly covered by mudstone after burial and subsequent coal beds rapidly entered a reducing environment.As a result,abundant gelatification occurred and the vitrinite content increased.Exinite often accumulated in a specific position in the coal bed.Although the average exinite content is not high on the whole,it does significantly contribute to the total hydrocarbon generation. The exinite content has been underestimated,especially the amorphous bituminous fluid and its importance is emphasized here.The reason is that the fluid flows easily into fusinite which has strong rigidity,or flows into some fissures,where it is commonly neglected.     

Structural Evolution and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Upper Paleozoic Northern Ordos Basin, North China

The hydrocarbon potential of the Hangjinqi area in the northern Ordos Basin is not well known, compared to the other areas of the basin, despite its substantial petroleum system.Restoration of a depth-converted seismic profile across the Hangjinqi Fault Zone(HFZ) in the eastern Hangjinqi area shows one compression that created anticlinal structures in the Late Triassic, and two extensions in ~Middle Jurassic and Late Early Cretaceous, which were interrupted by inversions in the Late Jurassic–Early Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous, respectively.Hydrocarbon generation at the well locations in the Central Ordos Basin(COB) began in the Late Triassic.Basin modeling of Well Zhao-4 suggests that hydrocarbon generation from the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian coal measures of the northern Shanbei Slope peaked in the Early Cretaceous, predating the inversion in the Late Cretaceous.Most source rocks in the Shanbei Slope passed the main gas-migration phase except for the Hangjinqi area source rocks(Well Jin-48).Hydrocarbons generated from the COB are likely to have migrated northward toward the anticlinal structures and traps along the HFZ because the basin-fill strata are dipping south.Faulting that continued during the extensional phase(Late Early Cretaceous) of the Hangjinqi area probably acted as conduits for the migration of hydrocarbons.Thus, the anticlinal structures and associated traps to the north of the HFZ might have trapped hydrocarbons that were charged from the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian coal measures in the COB since the Middle Jurassic.     

大宁–吉县区块深层煤层气成藏特征及有利区评价

鄂尔多斯盆地东缘大宁–吉县区块下二叠统太原组埋深大于2 000 m的8号煤是国内首个千亿方级别的深层煤层气田,但是深层煤层气成藏特征尚不明确。综合应用地质、测试、生产资料,开展深层煤层气成藏特征及有利区评价2方面研究。结果表明:研究区深层煤储层全区发育、厚度大、热演化程度高、两期成藏及古热流体侵入,使其具备大量生烃的条件;深层煤储层裂隙、微孔广泛发育,储层具备吸附气和游离气共同赋存的条件;顶底板以灰岩及泥岩为主,封盖能力强,具备游离气保存条件;深层煤层气具有“广覆式生烃、高含气、高饱和、高压束缚游离气与吸附气共存”的赋存特征。建立了深层煤层气“地质–工程”双甜点识别指标体系12项,划分了3类工程–地质甜点区,其中,地质–工程Ⅰ类甜点区位于研究区的西北部,地质–工程Ⅱ类甜点区位于研究的中部,地质Ⅱ类–工程Ⅰ类甜点区位于研究东北部和南部;在地质–工程Ⅰ类甜点区内实施的JS-01井自喷生产,最高日产气9.4~9.7万m3,展现了良好的上产潜力。研究成果有效指导了深层煤层气先导试验区的优选及国内首个千亿方级别的深层煤层气田探明。