Coal quality controls of the Danville Coal in Indiana (Illinois Basin, central USA)

The Danville Coal Member (Dugger Formation, upper Desmoinesian, Pennsylvanian) is a significant economic coal resource in the Illinois Basin, central USA. Deposition of the Danville Coal (peat) was in coastal environments, varying distances from the coastline and, in turn, variable influences from saline waters. The purpose of this study is to examine the coal quality and petrography of the Danville Coal; and to discuss their relationship with depositional environment as it relates to the final coal product. A medium sulfur (1.0–1.5 wt.%) Danville Coal reserve area (northern Indiana coalfield) was compared to a low sulfur (<1.0 wt.%) Danville Coal (central Indiana coalfield) reserve area, the two being approximately 70 km apart. The medium sulfur coal resulted from the peat being deposited in a near-marine environment less protected from the influence of saline waters, whereas the low sulfur coal resulted from fine-grained, clay-dominated sediment protecting the peat from the direct influence of saline waters. Within both areas, the coal quality, coal composition, and trace element concentrations vary as a function of the proximity of the coal to the overlying Busseron Sandstone Member (Pennsylvanian). Where the Busseron Sandstone rests near or directly on the coal, the sulfur content is significantly higher in the top third of the seam. Conversely, where there is a thick section (>3 m) of finer-grained clastic sediments atop the Danville, the sulfur and trace elements contents are significantly lower.     

青海聚乎更矿区三露天井田中侏罗统沉积环境

青海聚乎更矿区是全球陆域中纬度地区天然气水合物的首要发现地,水合物储存层位主要为该矿区三露天井田的中侏罗世含煤岩系。依据钻孔岩心及测井曲线,对该矿区三露天井田含煤岩系进行沉 积环境分析,在单孔沉积相及沉积相断面图分析的基础上,重建研究区的岩相古地理格局。木里组下段岩性主要为细砾岩、含砾粗砂岩及粗砂岩等粗粒岩石,以辫状河为主的沉积环境;木里 组上段岩性以厚层砂岩与厚层煤层互层为特征,反映了水体逐渐加深的过程中发育三角洲为主的沉积环境;江仓组下段以细粒砂岩及泥岩互层夹薄煤层为特征,反映水体进一步加深过程中的三角洲前缘和滨浅湖环境;江仓组上段以油页岩、暗色泥岩为主,含有瓣鳃类化石,反映湖泊为主的沉积环境。     

柴北缘鱼卡地区侏罗纪含煤地层层序地层学研究

运用钻井岩心、测井及层序地层学有关理论、方法,对青海柴北缘鱼卡地区侏罗纪含煤地层进行了层序地层学研究。共识别出4个层序界面,将侏罗系含煤地层划分为3个三级层序,分别对应于中侏罗统大煤沟组、石门沟组下段和石门沟组上段;研究区层序界面主要包括区域不整合面(古风化壳)、三角洲平原分流河道下切谷、河道间古土壤和盆地内基准面下降—暴露—上升旋回的转折点;与海相含煤盆地不同,厚煤层在层序格架内的发育具有多样性。在古隆起和盆地内部,厚煤层常靠近初始湖泛面发育(煤7);在盆地边缘河流—三角洲平原,厚煤层常靠近最大湖泛面发育(煤5)。总体来看,陆相含煤盆地三级层序中,湖侵体系域聚煤最好。      

Facies architecture of alluvial floodbasin deposits: three-dimensional data from the Upper Triassic Callide Coal Measures of east-central Queensland, Australia

A detailed investigation of floodbasin facies architecture was undertaken in the Upper Triassic (Carnian-Rhaetian) Callide Coal Measures in east-central Queensland, Australia, using extensive highwall and exploration borehole data from ongoing mining activities. The composite Callide Seam Member varies up to 23 m in thickness and is locally split by a number of clastic partings up to several metres thick, ranging from claystone to coarse sandstone. A subset of the nine lithofacies recognized in surface exposures was identified from geologists' logs of cored and uncored drillholes through the Callide Seam Member. Facies mapping of each clastic parting (split) was then undertaken using all available highwall and drilling data. Sequential maps of facies and interval thickness for each coal body and clastic parting over the mine area (6000 × 2500 m) record sediment accumulation in alluvial channel and floodbasin environments (including levees, splays and splay complexes, and mires). The maps indicate that the numerous splays have dominantly elongate plan geometry (up to 4 km long), with lesser irregular and rare lobate shapes. Small, elongate splays were evidently formed during single flood events, whereas larger, elongate bodies and more irregularly shaped complexes were the product of longer-term splay construction over several flood cycles. Quantitative summaries of splay dimensions indicate a wide variety of shape and size. The distribution of splay orientations is similar to the palaeocurrent distribution in major alluvial channel deposits as established from cross-bedding. Alluvial channels that sourced the splays and other clastic sediments within seam splits were of low sinuosity, braided planform, constructed sediment bodies up to 2800 m wide and were dominantly loaded rather than incised into underlying peat-rich substrates.     

涟邵煤田北段测水煤系岩相古地理与聚煤作用

测水组是湘中早石炭世主要的含煤地层。该区早石炭世的海侵主要来自西南侧,物源主要来自东北方向的雪峰古隆起。测水早期沉积物有煤、泥岩、砂质泥岩及细砂岩,沉积环境为潟湖相、泥炭沼泽相、潮坪相及滨海相;晚期主要沉积了细-粗粒石英砂岩、砂质泥岩、泥岩及石灰岩,沉积环境有滨外泥质陆棚、滨外碳酸盐陆棚及滨海相。煤层主要形成于潟湖淤浅而成的泥炭沼泽环境,含煤性与煤系厚度、砂岩含量及砂泥比值等有一定相关性,富煤带只存在于一定厚度的含煤地层分布区。本区于早石炭世时期形成了西部金竹山和东部太平寺二个聚煤中心,其中西部含煤性及煤层稳定程度比东部好,是勘查找煤的重要地区。     

黄河流域陕北煤炭开采区厚砂岩对覆岩采动裂隙发育的影响及采煤保水建议

煤炭开采活动导致的煤层顶板覆岩地质条件变化及采动裂隙发育是损害地下关键含水层的直接原因,也是造成矿区生态环境退化的根源。煤层顶板覆岩结构中发育的厚砂岩作为一种典型的地质条件,其对覆岩采动裂隙的发育规律具有重要的影响。为此,在分析研究区主采煤层赋存地质条件及其分布规律的基础上,选择陕北煤炭开采区曹家滩煤矿主采2?2煤层顶板覆岩为地质原型,采用FLAC3D数值模拟平台模拟分析了厚砂岩不同厚度和位置对覆岩采动裂隙发育形态和发育高度的影响,并以此提出了相应的“采煤保水”建议。结果表明:研究区2?2煤层顶板覆岩中厚砂岩平均厚度25 m,距2?2煤层平均间距76 m;厚砂岩距煤层30 m时,覆岩采动裂隙表现为“矩形—L形—马鞍形”的动态变化特征,距煤层70 m时表现为“L形—倒梯形—马鞍形”变化特征,距煤层大于95 m时全程表现为“马鞍形”特征;覆岩采动裂隙最大发育高度随厚砂岩层位的升高而先减小后增大;厚砂岩厚度H≥30 m、距煤层间距L>95 m,或H≥60 m、L>60 m时,可有效阻挡采动裂隙向上发育贯穿厚砂岩;在充分考虑厚砂岩对覆岩采动裂隙发育规律的影响,选择合适的空间位置和开采阶段进行合理的覆岩减损和保水防治,实现“边采边治、边采边护”的绿色开采模式。该研究成果可为黄河流域中游陕北煤矿区煤炭开采与生态环境保护协调发展提供理论指导。      

Permo-Carboniferous coal measures in the Qinshui basin: Lithofacies paleogeography and its control on coal accumulation

The Qinshui basin in southeastern Shanxi Province is an important base for coalbed methane exploration and production in China. The methane reservoirs in this basin are the Carboniferous and Permian coals. Their thickness is strongly controlled by the depositional environments and the paleogeography. In this paper, sedimentological research was undertaken on the outcrop and borehole sections of the Taiyuan and Shanxi formations in the Qinshui basin and the basin-wide lithofacies paleogeography maps for these two formations have been reconstructed. The Taiyuan Formation is composed of limestones, aluminous mudstones, siltstones, silty mudstones, sandstones, and mineable coal seams, with a total thickness varying from 44.9 m to 193.48 m. The coal seams have a thickness ranging between 0.10 and 16.89 m, averaging 7.19 m. During the deposition of the Taiyuan Formation, the northern part of the basin was dominated by a lower deltaic depositional system, the central and southern parts were dominated by a lagoon environment, and the southeastern corner was occupied by a carbonate platform setting. Coal is relatively thick in the northern part and the southeastern corner. The Shanxi Formation consists of sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, and coals, with the limestones being locally developed. The thickness of the Shanxi Formation is from 18.6 m to 213.25 m, with the thickness of coal seams from 0.10 to 10 m and averaging 4.2 m. During the deposition of the Shanxi Formation, the northern part of the Qinshui basin was mainly dominated by a lower deltaic plain distributary channel environment, the central and southern parts were mainly an interdistributary bay environment, and the southeastern part was occupied by a delta front mouth bar environment. The thick coals are distributed in the central and southern parts where an interdistributary bay dominates. It is evident that the thick coal zones of the Taiyuan Formation are consistent with the sandstone-rich belts, mainly located in the areas of the northern lower deltaic plain and southeastern barrier bar environments, whereas the thick coal zones of the Shanxi Formation coincide with the mudstone-rich belts, located in the areas of the central and southern interdistributary bay environments. Translated from Journal of Palaeogeography, 2006, 8(1): 43–52 [译自: 古地理学报]     

Evaluation of coalbed gas potential of the Seelyville Coal Member, Indiana, USA

The Seelyville Coal Member of the Linton Formation in Indiana potentially contains 0.03 trillion m³ (1.1 TCF) of coalbed gas. The gas content determined by canister desorption technique ranges from 0.5 to 5.7 cm³/g on dry ash free basis (15.4 to 182.2 scf/ton). The controls on gas content distribution are complex, and cannot be explained by the coal rank alone. Ash content and the lithology of the overlying strata, among other factors, may influence this distribution.     

Earlier sediment differential compaction in Gibson County, Indiana

A thick wedge of nonmarine gray shale extends from the Galatia Channel and overlies the Springfield Coal Member of the Petersburg Formation (Pennsylvania) in western Gibson Country, but mainly marine black shales overlie the Springfield in the eastern part of the county. The sulfur content of the Springfield coal is lower beneath this wedge of nonmarine gray shale than beneath the marine shales. Fine-grained, compacted bay and overbank deposits form the western delta platform of the coal. Less compacted deposits of fluvial channel sandstone make up the eastern delta platform. Differential compaction of the delta platform of the Springfield coal controlled gray-shale distribution and determined the sulfur content of the coal.     

From in-situ coal to fly ash: a study of coal mines and power plants from Indiana

This paper presents data on the properties of coal and fly ash from two coal mines and two power plants that burn single-source coal from two mines in Indiana. One mine is in the low-sulfur (<1%) Danville Coal Member of the Dugger Formation (Pennsylvanian) and the other mines the high-sulfur (>5%) Springfield Coal Member of the Petersburg Formation (Pennsylvanian). Both seams have comparable ash contents (11%). Coals sampled at the mines (both raw and washed fractions) were analyzed for proximate/ultimate/sulfur forms/heating value, major oxides, trace elements and petrographic composition. The properties of fly ash from these coals reflect the properties of the feed coal, as well as local combustion and post-combustion conditions. Sulfur and spinel content, and As, Pb and Zn concentrations of the fly ash are the parameters that most closely reflect the properties of the source coal.     

Geologic framework for the coal-bearing rocks of the Central Appalachian Basin

Coal production has been an important economic factor in the Central Appalachian Basin. However, regional stratigraphic and structural relationships of the coal-bearing rocks of the basin have been poorly understood due to numerous separate nomenclatural schemes employed by various states. In order to estimate coal resources and understand mechanisms controlling the distribution of coal within the basin, a reliable geologic framework is necessary. Seven detailed cross sections across the Central Appalachian Basin were constructed in order to examine the stratigraphic and structural framework of the coal-bearing rocks in the basin. The cross sections were based on more than 1000 oil and gas well logs, measured sections, and borehole information from Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.The cross sections revealed three main points discussed here: southeast thickening of the Pennsylvanian strata, uncomfortable northwestward onlapping relationship of Lower Pennsylvanian strata over underlying Lower Pennsylvanian and Mississippian strata and regional continuity of beds. The cross sections, geologic mapping, coal-resource studies, extensive new highway exposures and the occurrence of tonstein beds indicate that many coal beds and marine strata are laterally extensive, albeit locally variable across the basin. Certain quartzose sandstone bodies are also extensive over large areas of the basin.Existing stratigraphic nomenclature schemes obscured the geologic framework of the basin, so a new unified nomenclature scheme was devised to better describe stratigraphic features of the basin. The new stratigraphic nomenclature, now only formalized for Kentucky, was based on key stratigraphic units that proved to be extensive across the basin. Lower and Middle Pennsylvanian rocks are now recognized as the Breathitt Group (the Breathitt Formation was elevated to group rank). The Breathitt Group was subdivided into eight coal-bearing formations by relatively thick marine strata, and, in the lower part of the Breathitt Group, by quartzose sandstone formations. The new coal-bearing units are formally ranked as formations and, in ascending order, are the Pocahontas, Bottom Creek, Alvy Creek, Grundy, Pikeville, Hyden, Four Corners and Princess Formations. The quartzose sandstone units are also formally ranked as formations and are, in ascending order, the Warren Point, Sewanee, Bee Rock and Corbin Sandstones. The sandstone formations were previously recognized units in some states, but have been extended (formally in Kentucky) across the basin. The key stratigraphic marine units are formally ranked as members, and are, in ascending order, the Betsie Shale Member, the Kendrick Shale Member, Magoffin Member and Stoney Fork Member.     

贵州洞湾煤矿地质灾害及其治理

洞湾煤矿位于贵州省晴隆县城以西,含煤地层为龙潭组砂泥岩层,主采煤层为10、22、24、25、26五层,目前开采深度为175m,已形成大寨滑坡及五个塌陷区,通过分析计算,本区煤层的安全开采深度为3 363m。煤层开采会引起滑坡、地面塌陷等地质灾害,为此提出了设置禁采区,拟建污水处理厂,综合利用煤矸石,建立地面移动变形观测站等矿山环境保护与综合治理的技术方法。     

Stratigraphic and depositional framework of the Walloon Subgroup,eastern Surat Basin,Queensland

The Middle Jurassic Walloon Subgroup is a prolific coal seam gas (CSG) resource in the Surat Basin, Queensland. Sedimentary framework models constrain stochastic reservoir models of the geological heterogeneity, but there is limited basin analysis information in the public domain. Here we present a regionally consistent stratigraphic framework model for the Walloon CSG play in the eastern Surat Basin. Lithostratigraphic correlation of open-file industry and government wireline logs supports the interpretation of six subunits in the eastern Surat Basin (oldest–youngest: Durabilla Formation; Taroom Coal Measures; Tangalooma Sandstone; and Juandah Coal Measures, informally divided into three members named the lower Juandah Coal Measures, Juandah sandstone and upper Juandah Coal Measures). Important findings are that subunits within the Walloon Subgroup do not correlate along the entire CSG play area; in many places, the overlying Springbok Sandstone (Upper Jurassic) has incised to the lower Juandah Coal Measures level, removing the upper coal seam groups. The Walloon Subgroup thins to the south through a combination of depositional thinning and truncation. Lithofacies analysis and isopach maps support deposition in a southerly prograding fluvial system or clastic wedge. This stratigraphic and depositional interpretation informs models for hydrogeological studies of the Walloon Subgroup and underpins a regional assessment of controls on microbial methane distribution.     

新密煤田翟沟井田山西组煤层特征及聚煤环境分析

以新密煤田翟沟井田勘探资料为基础,对井田区域特征、山西组煤层特征和沉积环境进行分析。研究表明：山西组下段为以泥坪＋泥炭沼泽＋泥坪沉积序列为主的潮坪沉积,山西组上段为以弱还原环境河流作用为主的三角洲沉积体系,山西组聚煤环境为滨岸潮坪环境;山西组二。煤层层位稳定,煤层结构简单,煤层厚度为0．82-12．20m,一般3—5m,平均厚度3．84m,煤层厚度的变化是受沉积环境、后期冲刷作用及构造作用综合作用的结果。     

豫西荥巩——新密煤田太原组、山西组的沉积环境和聚煤规律

荥巩和新密煤田是豫西北部的两个相邻煤田。主要含煤地层为晚古生代晚石炭世太原组和早二叠世山西组,总厚100—150m;下石盒子组及晚二叠世的上石盒子组在本区仅偶含薄煤层。太原组位于含煤岩系最底部,为碳酸盐岩和碎屑岩交替沉积,灰岩形成于清澈、温暖、浅水的陆表海潮下环境,碎屑岩则为潮道和潮间带为主的潮道、潮坪沉积。太原组含有6—7层薄煤层,形成于咸水或半咸水的泥炭沼泽中。山西组几乎全由碎屑岩组成,下部发育本区的主要可采煤层二1煤。二1煤以下层位为潮坪和横向与之共生的潮道、潮沟及河口潮汐砂脊沉积,二1煤以上为河流作用为主的三角洲沉积,三角洲由北向南进积到半咸水的海湾中。二1煤形成于海退时期,它们堆积在滨海平原的淡水泥炭沼泽中,其厚度变化及发育程度主要受成煤前沉积环境控制,但在本区西部构造较复杂处,煤层厚度受后期构造影响较大。沉积环境对煤层原生厚度的影响主要表现在潮坪和废弃的潮道、潮沟、河口潮汐砂背沉积物之上,煤层发育好,而在二1煤之下有活动的潮道及河口潮汐砂脊发育时,煤层较薄或不发育。     

黄陇煤田煤层顶板水害特征及其防控技术

陕西黄陇煤田是我国主要产煤基地之一,煤层开采主要受顶板巨厚洛河组砂岩水威胁,水害防控形势严峻,分析顶板涌水特征、研究水害防控关键技术对于煤矿安全生产具有重大意义。在收集该区域典型煤矿工作面涌水量资料的基础上,分析顶板水害类型及其主控因素,总结工作面涌水量变化规律,并研究顶板巨厚砂岩含水层水害形成机理,进而提出顶板水害防控关键技术。结果表明:(1)黄陇煤田顶板含水层充水可分为持续涌水式、非持续涌水式和泥砂溃涌式3类,持续涌水式包括可控持续型和高强度持续型,非持续涌水式分为离层涌水型(包括偶发离层涌水型和频发离层涌水型)和脉冲式涌水型,以及泥砂溃涌型共6型。(2)关键隔水层厚度、煤层与洛河组砂岩间距、洛河组砂岩的富水性共同决定顶板涌水形式:当关键隔水层厚度较小甚至缺失,洛河组砂岩富水性弱且与煤层间距较小时,发生脉冲式涌水;当关键隔水层厚度较大且分布稳定,洛河组砂岩富水性中等至强且与煤层间距较小时发生持续涌水;当关键隔水层巨厚,洛河组砂岩富水性弱且与煤层间距巨大时发生离层涌水;当煤层顶板导水裂隙带范围内的侏罗系地层发育胶结不良地质体或煤层出现冒顶现象,容易形成水砂溃涌灾害。(3)地下水位监测预警技术、地面钻孔疏放离层积水技术、井下泄水巷集中排水技术、排水系统建设与维护技术、减水开采技术等是黄陇煤田水害防治的关键技术;工作面精细管理制度、工作面水情日分析制度、专家会诊及对标学习制度等是做好水害防治工作的配套管理对策。      

Palaeomagnetic data for Permian and Triassic rocks from drill holes in the Southern Sydney Basin, New South Wales

A section 300 m thick across the Permian—Triassic boundary has been sampled in the Southern Coalfield of the Sydney Basin, New South Wales. 55 samples, mainly grey to drab sandstones, were collected from 9 diamond drill holes which penetrated the entire Narrabeen Group and the upper part of the conformably underlying Illawarra Coal Measures, as well as a sill emplaced into the coal measures. The samples included fully oriented cores. Additional reconnaissance samples from two further drill holes were also studied.Partial alternating field demagnetization and petrography indicate the magnetic remanence to be a stable DRM. Partial thermal demagnetization above 300°C or 400°C caused large increases in magnetic susceptibility. Partial chemical demagnetization did not cause significant changes in remanence directions.For the Coal Cliff Sandstone (basal Narrabeen Group, Triassic) the palaeomagnetic pole position (Normal) was calculated to be at 59°N 322°E (dp = 27°, dm = 29°), which agrees with previously published data. For the uppermost coal measures (Permian) the pole position was calculated as 58°N 340°E (dp = 09°, dm = 10°). Data for samples from the lower to middle coal measures yield a pole position which is between the new Permian—Triassic pole position and that for the underlying Middle Permian igneous rocks. The top of the Reversed “Kiaman Magnetic Interval” (Permian) may be near the Tongarra coal and Appin Formation boundary — (early) Late Permian.     

苏北盆地高邮凹陷古近系戴南组沉积相及其与隐蔽油气藏的关系

苏北盆地高邮凹陷是江苏油田的主要油气勘探开发区，是一个南断北超的典型箕状断陷湖盆，其中的古近系戴南组为一套厚度近2 000 m的河湖相砂泥岩地层，从下到上分为一段和二段。通过沉积充填分析和沉积相编图，戴南组一段沉积时，苏北盆地断陷构造活动相对强烈，地形高差大，水体相对较深，水体范围相对较小，从南向北分别发育近岸水下扇、湖底扇、三角洲等沉积相类型。戴南组二段沉积时，构造活动有所减弱，地形高差变小，水体相对较浅，水体范围扩大至整个凹陷，从南向北分别发育扇三角洲、湖底扇、三角洲等沉积相类型。利用砂岩等厚图等资料，确定了戴南组的沉积相图。沉积相在平面上分布范围明确，纵向上既有差异性又有继承性。高邮凹陷边缘和内部的同沉积断层对沉积相和砂体的发育分布起着重要的控制作用，沉积相控制了油气分布，特别是对隐蔽油气藏形成起重要作用。高邮凹陷戴南组的隐蔽圈闭类型主要有地层超覆、断层-岩性、砂岩上倾尖灭及透镜体圈闭等。湖底扇、三角洲前缘、扇三角洲前缘、近岸水下扇中扇等为有利的储集岩相带。结合石油地质条件的分析，确定了联18-马18井区等几个有利的隐蔽油藏勘探区。     

呼吉尔特矿区矿井涌水特征及其沉积控制

鄂尔多斯盆地呼吉尔特矿区属于“水压高、水量大、富水性不均一”的深埋侏罗纪煤田区,各矿井面临较严重的水害防治压力,为了弄清该地区矿井涌水特征及其沉积控制条件,开展了沉积相与顶板钻孔出水层位、钻孔涌水量、工作面涌水量等方面的相关性研究,结果表明:呼吉尔特矿区导水裂缝带范围内,主要发育曲流河沉积相的延安组真武洞砂岩段和直罗组七里镇砂岩段,岩性为细粒-中粗粒砂岩。直罗组早期发育了一套河流相沉积,对延安组顶部的强烈冲刷侵蚀,导致矿区中部的门克庆、母杜柴登井田范围内2-1煤层缺失,并形成了较厚的七里镇砂岩段;矿区两侧的2-1煤层较完整,其上覆七里镇砂岩较薄。七里镇砂岩含水层是工作面回采过程中的最主要充水含水层,各矿井的工作面顶板疏放水钻孔涌水量差异显著,古河床冲刷带中部的矿井钻孔涌水量普遍大于古河床冲刷带两侧,与顶板地质沉积相有较好的对应关系。煤层顶板地质条件（沉积相）的差异性,控制了各矿井工作面回采过程中涌水量大小;直罗组古河流冲刷带两侧广泛发育的富水条带,则影响工作面涌水量的变化规律。      

晋东南沁水盆地石炭纪和二叠纪岩相古地理及聚煤作用研究

晋东南沁水盆地是目前我国进行煤层气勘探开发的主要地区之一，煤层气储层主要分布在石炭系和二叠系，其厚度明显受沉积古地理控制。本文通过对露头及钻井剖面的岩石学和沉积相研究,对该区主要含煤岩系-山西组和太原组进行了岩相古地理和煤储层聚集控制因素分析。太原组以石灰岩、铝土质泥岩、粉砂岩、粉砂质泥岩及砂岩为主，厚度44.90～193.48 m，含多层可采煤层，总厚度0～16.89 m，平均7.19 m。在太原组沉积期，研究区北部发育下三角洲平原相，煤层相对较厚，中部和南部为泻湖相，煤层相对较薄，东南角主要为滨外碳酸盐陆棚相，在晋城一带障壁砂坝相分布区，煤层亦较厚；山西组以砂岩、粉砂岩、泥岩为主，石灰岩仅在局部地区见到，该组厚18.60～213.25 m，含可采煤层1～2层，总厚度0～10.0 m，平均4.20 m，在山西组沉积期，北部以下三角洲平原分流河道相为主，中部和南部以分流间湾相为主，东南部则以河口砂坝相为主，厚煤带都位于中部和南部的三角洲分流间湾地区。总之，太原组富煤地带多与砂岩富集带相吻合，位于北部下三角洲平原和南部障壁砂坝地区，而山西组厚煤带大都位于南部三角洲分流间湾地区。