Prediction of hydrocarbons in sedimentary basins

To estimate the undiscovered hydrocarbon potential of sedimentary basins, quantitative play assessments specific for each location in a region may be obtained using geostatistical methods combined with the theory of classification of geological objects, a methodology referred to as regionalization. The technique relies on process modeling and measured borehole data as well as probabilistic methods to exploit the relationship between geology (the predictor) and known hydrocarbon productivity (the target) to define prospective stratigraphic intervals within a basin. It is demonstrated in case studies from the oil-producing region of the western Kansas Pennsylvanian Shelf and the gas-bearing Rotliegend sediments of the Northeast German Basin.     

Modeling subsurface flow in sedimentary basins

Groundwater flows that arise in sedimentary basins from the effects of topographic relief, buoyant convection, sediment compaction, erosional unloading, and combinations of these driving forces can be described using quantitative modeling techniques. Models can be constructed to consider the effects of heat and solute transport, petroleum migration, and the chemical interaction of water and rocks. The accuracy of model predictions, however, is limited by the difficulty of predicting hydrologic properties of sediments on regional dimensions, estimating past conditions such as topographic relief, and knowledge of how physical and chemical processes interact over gelogic time scales. Progress in basin modeling will accelerate as hydrologic research efforts are better integrated with those of other specialities such as sedimentology, rock mechanics, and geochemistry.

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Zusammenfassung Grundwasserbewegungen in sedimentären Becken, die von dem topographischen Relief, konvektionsbedingtem Auftrieb, Sedimentkompaktion, isostatischen Ausgleichsbewegungen in Folge von Erosion und von Kombinationen dieser Kräfte gesteuert werden, können mit Hilfe quantitativ modellierender Techniken beschrieben werden. In diesen Modellen kann man die Auswirkungen des Transports von Wärme und gelösten Stoffen, Petroleum-Migration und die chemische Interaktion zwischen Wasser und dem grundwasserleitenden Gestein berücksichtigen.Die Genauigkeit der Modell-Voraussagen ist allerdings begrenzt wegen der Schwierigkeit, hydrologische Eigenschaften von Sedimenten in einem regionalen Rahmen vorauszusagen, dem Schätzen vergangener Bedingungen und dem Problem der Abschätzung von Wechselwirkungen physikalischer und chemischer Prozesse in geologischen Zeiträumen. Fortschritte für das Modellieren von Becken werden mit der Integration hydrologischer Forschungsanstrengungen in benachbarte Fachebiete wie Sedimentologie, Gesteinsmechanik und Geochemie zunehmen.

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Résumé Il est possible, par l'utilisation de techniques quantitatives de modélisation, de décrire les mouvements des eaux souterraines qui se manifestem dans les bassins sédimentaires, et qui résultent du relief topographique, de la convection, de la compaction des sédiments, de la décharge due à l'érosion et de la combinaison de ces divers facteurs. Dans ces modèles, on peut prendre en considération les effets des transferts de chaleur et de matières dissoutes lors de la migration du pétrole et ceux de l'interaction chimique de l'eau avec les roches. Toutefois la précision des prévisions que l'on peut en déduire est limitée par la difficulté d'estimer à l'echelle régionale les propriétés hydrologiques des sédiments, de reconstituer les conditions anciennes, et de connaître de quelle manière les processus physiques et chimiques interfèrent à l'échelle des temps géologiques. La modélisation des bassins progressera dans la mesure où la recherche hydrogéologique ser mieux intégrée à celles d'autres disciplines telles que la sédimentologie, la mécanique des roches et la géochimie.

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沉积盆地中超压力的形成机理

下列作用可引起超压力:①挤压应力的增大;②孔隙流体或岩石基质体积的改变;③流体的运移或浮力。由于压实作用不均衡,埋藏期间特别是低渗性沉积物迅速沉降期间的负荷能产生相当大的超压力。在构造活动地区,水平应力的改变能迅速产生和耗散大量超压力。与体积变化有关的超压力的形成机理要求必须具备良好的有效的封闭系统。与热液膨胀和粘土脱水有关的流体体积的增加太少,不能产生大的超压,除非有理想的密封体系存在。烃类的形成和裂解为天然气可以产生超压,这主要取决于干酪根的类型、有机质的丰度、温度和岩石的渗透率。然而,由于压力的形成阻碍有机质的进一步变质,所以在封闭系统中这些作用可能受限。由烃类的形成和裂解产生超压的可能性在目前还未被证实。水压头造成的流体运动在浅埋藏的“铅垂”盆地内可能会形成超压。经计算表明,烃的浮力和渗透性所产生的局部超压力很小。在不可压缩的流体中,气体的向上运移也能产生一定的超压力,但需要进一步研究。在许多沉积盆地中与应力相关的机理是产生超压力的最主要原因。     

中国沉积盆地型地热资源特征

地热资源作为一种可再生清洁能源,对可持续发展有着重要的意义。本文通过分析中国沉积盆地型地热资源特点,对主要热储层分布进行了论述,并在此基础上对不同热储的水化学特征进行了总结,评价了我国主要沉积盆地型地热资源潜力。沉积盆地型地热资源主要为中低温地热资源,是中国水热型地热资源的主要类型,约占水热型地热资源总量的89%,具有储集空间广、厚度大,地热资源热储类型多、储量大,赋存中低温地热水,资源可利用程度高等特点。沉积盆地型地下热水水化学类型一般由补给区HCO_3-Na型、HCO_3·Cl-Na型等低矿化水,逐渐过渡为Cl·HCO_3-Na型,最终到排泄区或封闭状态下变为Cl-Na型等高矿化水。沉积盆地中热盆地热资源储存量较大,占到主要沉积盆地总储存量的54%,地热资源可开采量占到主要沉积盆地总可开采量的59%,温盆地热资源储存量占到42%,可开采量占到40%,冷盆地热资源储存量仅占到4%,可开采量占到1%。应进一步加强地热资源勘查工作;积极开展地热资源回灌,保证可持续开发利用;推进地热资源梯级综合利用;建立地热资源监测网。     

Geothermal energy

The Earth's heat may be concentrated under particular structural and hydrogeological conditions, when it can represent a valuable alternative source of energy. Thermal groundwater can be used directly for heating, and natural steam reservoirs can be tapped to drive turbines for electricity generation.     

Graben generation of major sedimentary basins

Regional isostatic adjustment to the load that fills the trough of a large graben will produce a surface depression that extends far beyond the boundaries of the load. Sediment infilling of this depression can lead to the development of a major sedimentary basin as the regional adjustment mechanism approaches isostatic equilibrium.     

Helium isotope compositions in sedimentary basins in China

The abundance and isotopic composition of He have been determined for a variety of natural gases (oil-field gases) in sedimentary basins in the continent of China. The³He/⁴He and⁴He/²⁰Ne ratios range from 0.004 to 4.99 Ra (where Ra denotes atmospheric³He/⁴He ratio = 1.4 × 10⁻⁶), and from 100-39,000, respectively. Helium in the gas sample is composed of mantle-derived He and crustal radiogenic He.The high³He/⁴He ratios were observed in the sedimentary basins which underwent Cenozoic extension in the eastern domain, such as the Songliao, Liaohe, North China, Subei, Sanshui and South China Sea basins. The basins where mantle-derived He is recognized are characterized by the presence of surface and subsurface volcanic rocks, high terrestrial heat flow, deep faults and thinned crust. On the other hand, regions which underwent pre-Tertiary extension such as the Jungar, Tarim, Tuba, Caidam and Yumen basins in the NW and tectonic loading such as the Ordos and Sichuan basins in the central domain are marked by almost pure radiogenic⁴He of crustal origin and thus by an apparent absence of mantle-derived He, which coincides with complete lack of Cenozoic volcanics, low terrestrial heat flow and thickened crust. Such a³He/⁴He distribution pattern clearly indicates that tectonic environment control the distribution of He isotopes in the continent of China.     

陆相盆地主要沉积微相的测井特征

通过研究自然电位和视电阻率曲线的响应特征,将我国陆相盆地的3个陆相组：冲积相组、过渡相组、湖泊相组,进一步划分出27个沉积微相。并论述了它们的测井曲线特征,建立了测井沉积微相模式。它们具有在自然电位曲线和视电阻率曲线上的可识别特征。测井沉积微相模式为陆相盆地沉积学和定量测井沉积学的深入研究可提供一个参考模式。     

沉积盆地成岩作用系统及其时空属性

含油气盆地的勘探开发对认识沉积成岩作用和储层发育规律提出了很高的要求。然而,迄今为止沉积学家和石油工程师还很难如认识沉积过程及其结构那样认识盆地尺度或宏观尺度上成岩作用的时空分带。为此,本文探讨了成岩作用类型的时空属性和主控因素等理论问题,提出了成岩系统分级（类）的有关准则,试图以此探索成岩作用时空分布与演变研究的新思路。结合中国东、西部有关中-新生代沉积盆地实例分析,阐述了盆地域（尺度）、层序域、亚层序域、层内域等成岩作用系统的客观存在,并对盆地域、层序域成岩作用系统动力学研究的思路和方法作了进一步阐释。在盆地尺度上成岩作用的时空分布主要与盆地大地构造位置及其控制的温压场、物源、剥蚀-搬运气候背景、埋藏历史、水文体制叠置方式密切关联：层序域成岩作用系统的时空分异则主要取决于埋藏深度、层序结构与宏观物理-化学障、沉积体系（配置）、水文体制。研究认为,成岩系统的层次分析是认识不同类型沉积盆地成岩结构的重要基础,而对于确定的盆地类型而言,盆地尺度水文体制与流体-岩石相互作用研究是解析成岩作用时空属性的关键。成岩系统研究目前还面临许多关键问题亟待解决,如成岩系统及其边界奈件的划分;成岩作用系统关键要素及其制约机制的厘定;盆地尺度上精细构造演化和温压历史恢复;盆地流体属性和活动期次的准确鉴别;盆地尺度上成岩作用数值模拟和动力学过程研究。     

沉积盆地碎屑岩地层孔隙度演化模型分析——以鄂尔多斯盆地延长组为例

碎屑岩地层孔隙度演化特征的研究已经从定性分析向定量化方向发展,掌握了地层孔隙度在地史过程中的演化规律有助于深化油气成藏机理的认识。本文分别以鄂尔多斯盆地镇泾地区延长组8段砂岩和姬塬地区延长组7段泥岩为研究对象,以现今孔隙度特征为切入点,以地史时间为主线,分别建立了适用于砂岩孔隙度和泥岩孔隙度演化的数学模型。砂岩孔隙度演化模型是总体减孔效应和局部增孔效应数学模型的叠加,前者主要受机械压实和化学压实作用的影响,而后者以溶蚀作用为主。泥岩孔隙度是正常压实趋势下孔隙度演化模型与欠压实段孔隙度增量模型的叠加。     

造山带沉积盆地构造原型恢复

沉积盆地是造山带中最为重要的构造单元之一,其中分布有丰富的矿产资源.这些盆地的构造原型恢复可为造山带的构造演化、板块构造重建和区域找矿提供重要依据.盆地充填物的组成(包括矿床)、时代、物源区及充填序列是进行造山带古沉积盆地构造原型恢复的基础.通过沉积相、砂岩/砾岩碎屑组成、碎屑时代、构造环境、碎屑重矿物、细碎屑岩的地球化学组成、古水流、生物组合等方面对盆地充填物形成的沉积环境、沉积物源区、形成时代和盆地基底属性进行综合研究,借助对现代沉积盆地的研究结果和沉积盆地的构造分类原则,恢复造山带内古沉积盆地的构造原型.     

Burial and thermal history of the West Bashkirian sedimentary basins

The GALO system is applied to the numerical reconstruction of burial and thermal histories of the West Bashkirian lithosphere from the Riphean to the present. An analysis of the variation in tectonic subsidence of the basin during its development is utilized to estimate approximately the mantle heat flow variations. Our variant of basin evolution suggests that after cooling in the Early Riphean, the rather weak thermal reactivations have not led to considerable heating of the lithosphere in the study region. Surface heat flow decreased from relatively high values in the Early Riphean (60–70 mW/m² in the eastern area and 40–50 mW/m² in the western part) to present-day values of 32–40 mW/m². In spite of the relatively low temperature regime of the basin as a whole, a syn-rifting deposition of more than 10 km of limestone, shale and sandstone in the Riphean resulted in rather high temperatures (180–190 °C) at the base of present-day sedimentary blanket in the eastern area. In agreement with the observed data, computed present-day heat flow through the sediment surface increases slightly from 32 to 34 mW/m² near the west boundary of the region to 42 mW/m² near the boundary of the Ural Foldbelt, whereas the heat flow through the basement surface decreases slightly from 28–32 to 24–26 mW/m² in the same direction. The mantle heat flow is only 11.3–12.7 mW/m², which is considerable lower than mean heat flow of the Russian Platform (16–18 mW/m²) and comparable with the low heat flow of Precambrian shields.     

青藏高原三叠纪沉积盆地与古生物特征

青藏高原三叠纪沉积盆地形成演化可划分为早印支期和晚印支期两个阶段。按沉积盆地演化及古生物特征可划分为西藏型、巴颜喀拉型和西秦岭型3个组成部分;生物古地理区划相应归属于华夏特提斯区南方省西藏-滇西生态区、巴颜喀拉生态区和西秦岭生态区。     

Source rocks in sedimentary basins of continental margins in the early paleozoic

During the Paleozoic, epochs with the relatively cold climate alternated with epochs marked by significant warming. Moreover, cooling epochs were characterized by the substantial sea level fall, while warming was accompanied by its rapid rise. In many basins located at margins of Laurentia, Baltica, and the North China continental block, such an alternation is reflected in the structure of sedimentary sequences and the lateral/vertical distribution of reservoirs, confining beds, and source rocks. Despite the fact that sediments with high concentrations of sapropelic OM accumulated in different periods, their distribution areas on continents and their margins became highly reduced during cold epochs, when these sediments filled mostly rift troughs and foreland basins. After the colonization of land by higher plant communities in the Carboniferous and Permian sediments deposited during cold epochs, the humic material became an important constituent of OM in the source rock sequences.     

Formulation of reference solutions for compaction process in sedimentary basins

This paper is devoted to the development of semianalytical solutions for the deformation induced by gravitational compaction in sedimentary basins. Formulated within the framework of coupled plasticity–viscoplasticity at large strains, the modeling dedicates special emphasis to the effects of material densification associated with large irreversible porosity changes on the stiffness and hardening of the sediment material. At material level, the purely mechanical compaction taking place in the upper layers of the basin is handled in the context of finite elastoplasticity, whereas the viscoplastic component of behavior is intended to address creep-like deformation resulting from chemo-mechanical that prevails at deeper layers. Semianalytical solutions describing the evolution of mechanical state of the sedimentary basin along both the accretion and postaccretion periods are presented in the simplified oedometric setting. These solutions can be viewed as reference solutions for verification and benchmarks of basin simulators. The proposed approach may reveal suitable for parametric analyses because it requires only standard mathematics-based software for PDE system resolution. The numerical illustrations provide a quantitative comparison between the derived solutions and finite element predictions from an appropriate basin simulator, thus showing the ability of the approach to accurately capture essential features of basin deformation.     

沉积盆地波动过程分析方法在中国的应用

沉积盆地波动过程分析方法是一种较新的盆地分析方法。该方法以物理学中有关波的理论为基础，以波动的观点来分析地壳运动，从地层资料入手，通过恢复地层原始厚度，计算沉积速率，建立反映盆地沉积—剥蚀过程的波动方程。据此进行波动过程分析，借助方程的参数，得到波动周期；通过波动方程对时间积分，可以定量分析剥蚀量；对波动方程进行分析，得到波动过程。在综合分析的基础上，预测有利的油气聚集区和成藏旋回。此方法在国内的一些盆地已得到应用，并取得了较好的效果。     

The potential for free and mixed convection in sedimentary basins

 Free thermal convection and mixed convection are considered as potential mechanisms for mass and heat transport in sedimentary basins. Mixed convection occurs when horizontal flows (forced convection) are superimposed on thermally driven flows. In cross section, mixed convection is characterized by convection cells that migrate laterally in the direction of forced convective flow. Two-dimensional finite-element simulations of variable-density groundwater flow and heat transport in a horizontal porous layer were performed to determine critical mean Rayleigh numbers for the onset of free convection, using both isothermal and semi-conductive boundaries. Additional simulations imposed a varying lateral fluid flux on the free-convection pattern. Results from these experiments indicate that forced convection becomes dominant, completely eliminating buoyancy-driven circulation, when the total forced-convection fluid flux exceeds the total flux possible due to free convection. Calculations of the thermal rock alteration index (RAI=q·∇T) delineate the patterns of potential diagenesis produced by fluid movement through temperature gradients. Free convection produces a distinct pattern of alternating positive and negative RAIs, whereas mixed convection produces a simpler layering of positive and negative values and in general less diagenetic alteration. Received, January 1999/Revised, June 1999/Accepted, July 1999