Conventional and Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resource Potential Evaluation of Source Rocks and Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Upper Xiaganchaigou Formation,Western Qaidam Basin,Northwest China

The Paleogene upper Xiaganchaigou Formation (E₃²) is the most important source rock and reservoir in the Qaidam Basin. However, there are few studies on the processes of hydrocarbon accumulation in this formation; therefore, its hydrocarbon resource potential has not been estimated reasonably. This paper evaluates the hydrocarbon generation properties in light of an improved hydrocarbon generation and expulsion potential model. According to the geochemical characteristics of source rocks and the petrological features of reservoirs, the potentials of different resource types, including conventional oil, tight oil and shale oil, are quantified by combining the buoyancy-driven hydrocarbon accumulation depth (BHAD) and the lower limit for movable resource abundance. The results show that the source rocks are characterized by a large thickness (more than 1000 m), moderate organic matter content, high marginal maturity and a high conversion rate (50% hydrocarbons have been discharged before R_o?=?1%), which provide sufficient oil sources for reservoir formation. Moreover, the reservoirs in the Qaidam Basin consist mainly of low-porosity and low-permeability tight carbonates (porosity of 4.7% and permeability less than 1 mD). The maximum hydrocarbon generation, expulsion, retention and movable retention intensities at present are 350?×?10⁴ t/km², 250?×?10⁴ t/km², 130?×?10⁴ t/km² and 125?×?10⁴ t/km², respectively. The thresholds of hydrocarbon generation, expulsion and BHAD were 0.46% R_o, 0.67% R_o and 0.7% R_o, respectively. Moreover, the dynamic evolution process of hydrocarbon accumulation was divided into three evolution stages, namely, (a) initial hydrocarbon accumulation, (b) conventional hydrocarbon reservoir and shale oil accumulation and (c) unconventional tight oil accumulation. The conventional oil, tight oil and movable shale oil resource potentials were 10.44?×?10⁸ t, 51.9?×?10⁸ t and 390?×?10⁸ t, respectively. This study demonstrates the good resource prospects of E₃² in the Qaidam Basin. A comprehensive workflow for unconventional petroleum resource potential evaluation is provided, and it has certain reference significance for other petroliferous basins, especially those in the early unconventional hydrocarbon exploration stage.

     

Occurrence State of Soluble Organic Matter in Shale Oil Reservoirs from the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin,China: Insights from Multipolarity Sequential Extraction

Natural Resources Research - Quantitative characterization of different occurrence states of soluble organic matter is the basis and key for shale oil resource evaluation and movable oil and...     

Anthraxolite Evolution and Vanadium Enrichment Mechanism in the Tanjianshan Group,Upper Ordovician in the Northern Qaidam Basin

Natural Resources Research - Earlier researchers have examined the interaction between organic matter (OM) and metals, but the paragenesis of anthraxolite and mechanism enrichment of vanadium (V)...     

Deep-Lacustrine Shale Heterogeneity and Its Impact on Hydrocarbon Generation,Expulsion, and Retention: A Case Study from the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation,Ordos Basin,China

The Chang-7 shale of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation was deposited in a deep-lacustrine environment in the southwest part of the Ordos Basin. It is characterized by a strong lithological heterogeneity, consisting primarily of pure shale and sandy laminated shale. This study explored the impact of sandy laminae in the thick pure shale on hydrocarbon generation, retention, and expulsion, which were rarely considered in previous studies. Based on core observation, thin section, and geochemical analysis, the hydrocarbon generation, retention, and expulsion characteristics were obtained for both pure shale and sandy laminated shale. In general, the Chang-7 shale stays at low mature to mature thermal evolution stage and has good hydrocarbon generation potential. It contains mainly Type II kerogen with an average total organic carbon (TOC) of 2.9% and average (S₁?+?S₂) of 8.2 mg/g. Compared with sandy laminated shale, pure shale contains more retained liquid hydrocarbon and has a higher amount of asphaltene and nitrogen–sulfur–oxygen (NSO) polarized components, indicating a relatively weak hydrocarbon expulsion process. The middle part of a thick pure shale retains more liquid hydrocarbon and has higher percentages of asphaltene and NSO polarized components than that of the top and basal part of the shale where sandy laminae occur. The difference in hydrocarbon retention capacity is interpreted to have been primarily caused by the comparatively higher reservoir quality of the sandy laminated shale, having higher amount of brittle minerals and larger pores than the pure shale. Polymer dissolution and nanopore adsorption are also key factors in hydrocarbon retention and component partition. Based on this study, we suggest that sandy laminated shale, which receives most of the hydrocarbon from adjacent pure shale, should be the current favorable shale oil exploration targets. Even though pure shale contains high hydrocarbon potential, its development is still pending improved technologies, which could solve the challenges caused by complicated geological conditions.

     

Evaluation of Upper Triassic T3x5 Source Rocks (Western Sichuan Depression, Sichuan Basin) and their Hydrocarbon Generation and Expulsion Characteristics: Implication for Tight-Sand Gas and Shale Gas Accumulation Potential Assessment

An unconventional, continuous petroleum system consists of an accumulation of hydrocarbons that is found in low-matrix-permeability rocks and contain large amounts of hydrocarbons. Tight-sand gas in the Jurassic and shale gas within the fifth member of Xujiahe Formation (T₃x⁵) are currently regarded as the most prolific emerging unconventional gas plays in China. The conventional and systematical evaluation of T₃x⁵ source rocks was carried out for the first time in the western Sichuan basin (WSD). Hydrocarbon generation and expulsion characteristics (including intensity, efficiency, and amount) of T₃x⁵ source rocks were investigated. Results show that T₃x⁵ source rocks are thick (generally >200 m), have high total organic content (TOC, ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 wt%), and dominated by III-type kerogen. These favorable characteristics result in a great hydrocarbon generating potential under the high thermal evolution history (R _o > 1.2%) of the area. An improved hydrocarbon generation potential methodology was applied to well data from the area to unravel the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion characteristics of T₃x⁵ source rocks in the WSD. Results indicate that the source rocks reached hydrocarbon expulsion threshold at 1.06% R _o and the comprehensive hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency was about 60%. The amount of generation and expulsion from T₃x⁵ source rocks was 3.14 × 10¹⁰ and 1.86 × 10¹⁰ t, respectively, with a residual amount of 1.28 × 10¹⁰ t within the source rocks. Continuous-type tight-sand gas was predicted to develop in the Jurassic in the Chengdu Sag of the WSD because of the good source-reservoir configuration (i.e., the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion center was located in Chengdu Sag), the Jurassic sandstone reservoirs were tight, and the gas expelled from the T₃x⁵ source rocks migrated 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. The T₃x⁵ gas shale has good accumulation potential compared with several active US shale-gas plays. Volumetrically, the geological resource of shale gas is up to 1.05 × 10¹⁰ t. Small differences between the amounts calculated by volumetric method compared with that by hydrocarbon generation potential methodology may be due to other gas accumulations present within interbedded sands associated with the gas shales.     

Opposite Contributions of Types I and II Organic Matter to Nanoporosity in Lacustrine Shale

Natural Resources Research - Nanoporosity is a key factor for evaluating shale oil/gas potential and recovery. Organic matter (OM) can be a primary host of nanopores in shale. The Triassic Yanchang...     

Petrochemical and Mineralogical Constraints on the Source and Processes of Uranium Mineralisation in the Granitoids of Zing-Monkin Area,Adamawa Massif,NE Nigeria

Zing-Monkin area, located in the northern part of Adamawa Massif, is underlain by extensive exposures of moderately radioactive granodiorites, anatectic migmatites, equigranular granites, porphyritic granites and highly radioactive fine-grained granites with minor pegmatites. Selected major and trace element petrochemical investigations of the rocks show that a progression from granodiorite through migmatite to granites is characterised by depletion of MgO, CaO, Fe₂O_3, Sr, Ba, and Zr, and enrichment of SiO₂ and Rb. This trend is associated with uranium enrichment and shows a chemical gradation from the more primitive granodiorite to the more evolved granites. Electron microprobe analysis shows that the uranium is content in uranothorite and in accessories, such as monazite, titanite, apatite, epidote and zircon. Based on petrochemical and mineralogical data, the more differentiated granitoids (e.g., fine-grained granite) bordering the Benue Trough are the immediate source of the uranium prospect in Bima Sandstone within the Trough. Uranium was derived from the granitoids by weathering and erosion. Transportation and subsequent interaction with organic matter within the Bima Sandstone led to precipitation of insoluble secondary uranium minerals in the Benue Trough.     

Changes in Shale Rock Properties and Wave Velocity Anisotropy Induced by Increasing Temperature

Natural Resources Research - Water saturation, organic matter content, and fractures are important factors influencing the physical properties of shale. In this study, shale samples were subjected...     

Diatomaceous sedimentation in the Tertiary Lampang Basin, Northern Thailand

The Lampang Basin is the second largest Tertiary graben in northern Thailand and was formed in response to the Himalayan orogeny. Deposition started with Miocene sandstone, lignite, mudstone, shale and oil shale of the Mae Sot Formation, which gave way to Pliocene diatomite, diatomaceous clay and silty clay of the Ko Kha Formation, with coarse clastics being restricted to the basin margins. Secondary iron-staining and iron-rich nodules are also common in the latter formation.Diatoms only occur in the Ko Kha Formation, where they are abundant and well-preserved. Five assemblages, indicative of fresh to moderately alkaline water, are present. These floras are variously dominated by Aulacoseira granulata, A. granulata var. valida, A. agassizi, A goetzeana, A. ambigua, A. italica var. bacilligera and A. italica var. tenuissima. Pennate species are present, but infrequent.During the Pliocene, in the Ban Pa Muang area, non-diatomaceous lacustrine sediments were initially laid down. These gave way to the deposition of diatomaceous clays and diatomites dominated by A. granulata and A. agassizi, which flourished in the deeper and shallower sectors (respectively) of a fresh water body. The palaeolake then became mildly alkaline, with a flora dominated by A. granulata var. valida. Shallow, fresh conditions followed, characterised by varied Aulacoseira diatoms, before the lake again became deeper. This latter phase may be related to increased river recharge.     

柴达木盆地水—岩硼含量分布特征及其富集区域物源讨论

柴达木盆地盐湖是我国重要的硼资源富集区和成矿区。针对盆地内不同盐湖硼资源富集程度的差异性,采集柴达木盆地北缘河水和泉水样品,分析其硼和锂含量、矿化度和p H值,结合柴达木盆地不同流域补给水及蚀源区岩石已有的硼锂含量,总结盆地水—岩体系硼锂含量地球化学特征,并对柴达木盆地北缘富硼盐湖物源进行了探讨。结果表明,柴达木盆地北缘祁连山流域水体和岩石硼含量均较阿尔金山和昆仑山流域高,而其锂含量均较昆仑山那棱格勒河流域低,显示柴达木盆地北缘水—岩相对富硼贫锂的地球化学特征。综合对比柴达木盆地不同流域硼锂资源分布,显示出整个盆地硼锂含量的不均一性和不同步性特征。针对柴达木盆地北缘富硼盐湖的物源研究,主要归纳为祁连山系围岩(含电气石花岗岩)的风化淋滤、深部富硼地下水补给和含盐风成沉积溶滤输入成因,其中深部富硼地下水补给为最主要的来源。     

柴达木盆地马海盐湖储卤层渗透特征及卤水富集机制

通过野外抽水试验方法,确定了柴达木盆地马海盐湖储卤层渗透系数,并结合地下卤水赋存特征与沉积环境对其渗透性能进行分析。结果表明：本地区石盐层大多不纯,石盐晶体内包裹有泥、砂,且晶体间也有泥、砂充填。在石盐沉积期间,由于受到洪水与间歇性河流影响,导致地质环境演化过程中沉积形成的储卤层渗透性能在各处相差较大,区域地下卤水的连通性相对较弱。根据试验开采区27口开采井钻孔资料和地下卤水监测数据,进行了储卤层差异性分类,将钻孔所揭露储卤层划分为3种类型,不同类型储卤层卤水富集性能具有较大差异,表现为渗透系数和单井涌水量在平面分布上的较大数值差距。通过对钻孔岩心岩性、孔隙特征及补给条件等方面进行分析,得出卤水富集性能强的基本条件：储卤层具备天然良好的颗粒骨架和稳定的卤水补给来源与通道。依据储卤层渗透性能和卤水富集规律,将马海盐湖试验开采区划分出不同地下卤水富集区段。     

柴达木盆地水岩硼含量分布特征及其富集区域物源探讨

柴达木盆地盐湖是我国重要的硼资源富集区和成矿区。针对盆地内不同盐湖硼资源富集程度的差异性,本文采集柴达木盆地北缘河水和泉水样品,分析其硼和锂含量、矿化度和pH值,结合柴达木盆地不同流域补给水及蚀源区岩石已有的硼锂含量,总结盆地水岩体系硼锂含量地球化学特征,并对柴达木盆地北缘富硼盐湖物源进行了探讨。结果表明,柴达木盆地北缘祁连山流域水体和岩石硼含量均较阿尔金山和昆仑山流域高,而其锂含量均较昆仑山那棱格勒河流域低,显示柴达木盆地北缘水岩相对富硼贫锂的地球化学特征。综合对比柴达木盆地不同流域硼锂资源分布,显示出整个盆地硼锂含量的不均一性和不同步性特征。针对柴达木盆地北缘富硼盐湖的物源研究,主要归纳为祁连山系围岩（含电气石花岗岩）的风化淋滤、深部富硼地下水补给和含盐风成沉积溶滤输入成因,其中深部富硼地下水补给为最主要的来源。     

柴达木盆地西部油田水钾硼锂富集规律及影响因素研究

在对国家“十五”科技攻关2004BA602B-08项目实施的基础上,通过对柴达木盆地西部主要构造油田水的分布特点分析,研究了油田水中主要组分及钾、硼、锂的富集规律,并进一步指出,气候环境、构造演化是油田卤水中主要物质组分富集最主要的影响因素。     

资源丰度的物元分析

反映资源丰度的各个指标是不相容的 ,因而利用物元分析来对其进行研究是一条比较有效的途径 ,并且计算方法也简单易行。该文通过物元分析 ,全方位地了解各地区的资源丰度 ,对社会经济的可持续发展具有一定的现实意义。笔者所选用的 8种人均自然资源 ,在我国西部地区基本上都属于高丰度区 ,具有资源优势     

The enrichments of organic matter and total nitrogen in sediment as affected by relavant factors

Serious soil erosion has already resulted in degradation of the Loess Plateau of China. Soil erosion is commonly accompanied by extensive soil nutrient loss. Because of enrichment processes, sediment nutrient content is often higher than that of natural soil. The objective of this study is to determine the enrichments of organic matter and total nitrogen in sediment in hilly and gully loess areas on the Loess Plateau of China. Measurements of enrichment ratios (ER) of organic matter (EROM) and total nitrogen (ERTN) in sediment as affected by rainfall, slope gradient, tillage, and fertilization were made in the field under natural rainfall conditions. The results showed that the enrichment of clay in sediment resulted in the enrichment of organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (TN) in sediment. The averages of sediment clay ER, EROM and ERTN for the various slope gradients were 1.77, 2.09 and 1.61, respectively. The soil erosive module was negatively correlated with EROM and ERTN. Our results indicate that measures to reduce soil erosion, i.e. reducing rainfall erosivity, decreasing soil slope gradient, decreasing fertilizer use, and using level trenches, may increase EROM and ERTN. Both quantity and quality of sediment yield should be considered when implementing erosion control measures.     

侵蚀泥沙、有机质和全氮富集规律

Serious soil erosion has already resulted in degradation of the Loess Plateau of China. Soil erosion is commonly accompanied by extensive soil nutrient loss. Because of enrichment processes,sediment nutrient content is often higher than that of natural soil. The objective of this study is to determine the enrichments of organic matter and total nitrogen in sediment in hilly and gully loess areas on the Loess Plateau of China. Measurements of enrichment ratios (ER) of organic matter (EROM) and total nitrogen (ERTN) in sediment as affected by rainfall, slope gradient, tillage, and fertilization were made in the field under natural rainfall conditions. The results showed that the enrichment of clay in sediment resulted in the enrichment of organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen(TN) in sediment. The averages of sediment clay ER, EROM and ERTN for the various slope gradients were 1.77, 2.09 and 1.61, respectively. The soil erosive module was negatively correlated with EROM and ERTN. Our results indicate that measures to reduce soil erosion, i.e. reducing rainfall erosivity, decreasing soil slope gradient, decreasing fertilizer use, and using level trenches, may increase EROM and ERTN. Both quantity and quality of sediment yield should be considered when implementing erosion control measures.     

The enrichments of organic matter and total nitrogen in sediment as affected by relavant factors

1IntroductionResearch results have shown that overland flow firstly removes fine particles of topsoil because the fine soil particles can be easily transported in runoff (Burwell etal., 1975; Alberts etal., 1983; Gregory 1991). The component differences of fine soil particles between the sediment resulting from soil erosion and the original soil were studied (Meyer etal., 1975; Loch etal., 1982; Cogo, 1983). Sediment was normally composed of soil aggregates and particles of different diamet…     

Early Palaeozoic evolution of Libya: perspectives from Jabal Eghei with implications for hydrocarbon exploration in Al Kufrah Basin

This paper presents new stratigraphic and sedimentological data of the Ordovician, Silurian, and Mesozoic succession exposed on the western flank of Al Kufrah Basin. Field data (logged sections, photographs, palaeocurrent analyses) are presented from the Jabal Eghei region. This region lies ca. 200 km E of the closest stratigraphic tie point at Mourizidie on the eastern flank of the Murzuq Basin. The succession starts with the Hawaz Formation (Middle Ordovician) comprising >100 m of cross‐bedded and bioturbated sandstones that are interpreted as deposits of tidal currents in an open shelf setting. The contact between the Hawaz and Mamuniyat formations is an erosional unconformity, incised during advance of Late Ordovician ice sheets towards the NE. The Mamuniyat Formation comprises >150 m of massive and graded sandstones tentatively assigned to the Hirnantian, and contains an intraformational, soft‐sediment striated surface that is interpreted to record re‐advance of ice sheets over Jabal Eghei. The outcrop section suggests the sandstone would form an excellent reservoir in the subsurface. The Mamuniyat Formation is overlain by the Tanezzuft Formation (uppermost Ordovician–lowermost Silurian). This includes sandy limestone/calcareous sandstone, a Planolites horizon, and then 50 m of interbedded shale, silt and fine‐grained, graded and hummocky cross‐stratified sandstone recording deposition from both shallow marine turbidity currents and storm flows. A striated pavement in the lower part of this sequence is overlain by calcareous lonestone‐bearing intervals (interpreted as ice‐rafted debris). These features testify to late phases of glacial advance probably post‐dating the regional Hirnantian glacial maximum. The basal Silurian ‘hot shale’ facies is not developed in this area, probably because late glacial advance suppressed the preservation of organic matter. The upper part of the Tanezzuft Formation is truncated by an unconformity above which palaeosol‐bearing fluvial deposits (undifferentiated Mesozoic) occur.     

Modeling an Exhumed Basin: A Method for Estimating Eroded Overburden

The Alberta Deep Basin in western Canada has undergone a large amount of erosion following deep burial in the Eocene. Basin modeling and simulation of burial and temperature history require estimates of maximum overburden for each gridpoint in the basin model. Erosion can be estimated using shale compaction trends. For instance, the widely used Magara method attempts to establish a sonic log gradient for shales and uses the extrapolation to a theoretical uncompacted shale value as a first indication of overcompaction and estimation of the amount of erosion. Because such gradients are difficult to establish in many wells, an extension of this method was devised to help map erosion over a large area. Sonic t values of one suitable shale formation are calibrated with maximum depth of burial estimates from sonic log extrapolation for several wells. This resulting regression equation then can be used to estimate andmap maximum depth of burial or amount of erosion for all wells in which this formation has been logged. The example from the Alberta Deep Basin shows that the magnitude of erosion calculated by this method is conservative and comparable to independent estimates using vitrinite reflectance gradient methods.     

Sediment geochemical records of environmental change in Lake Wuliangsu, Yellow River Basin, north China

We present a paleolimnological record from shallow Lake Wuliangsu in the Yellow River Basin, north China, using a short (56 cm) sediment core. Our objective was to investigate environmental changes in this semi-arid region over the past ~150 years. The sediment core was dated using ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb. We examined stratigraphic trends in core lithology, nutrients, stable isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and trace element concentrations in the Lake Wuliangsu core to discern between natural sediments and those affected by human agency. A lithologic transition from yellow, coarse-grained sediment to grey, fined-grained sediment marked the lake’s formation about 1860. Until ~1950, sediments displayed relatively low and constant heavy metal concentrations, indicating little human influence. In the 1950s, enrichment factors (EFs) increased, reflecting greater impact of human activities. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in organic matter (OM), along with heavy metal concentrations, were used to infer past shifts in trophic state and identify pollutants that came from agriculture, industry and urbanization. In the late 1950s, the first evidence for environmental change is recorded by increases in total organic carbon (TOC), total organic nitrogen (TN), TOC/TN, EFs, δ¹³C and a decrease in δ¹⁵N. After about year 2000, a more rapid increase in trophic status occurred, as indicated by greater total phosphorus (TP), EFs, δ¹⁵N and lower δ¹³C values. Changes in isotope and TOC/TN values in the lake sediments may reflect a shift in lake ecology during this period. The first increase in trophic status during the late 1950s was mainly a result of agricultural development in the catchment. In contrast, the change after ca. AD 2000 was driven largely by urban and industrial development. Agreement between paleolimnologic data from Lake Wuliangsu, and both instrumental and written records, indicates that the lake sediments provide a reliable archive for investigating the formation and environmental history of the lake.