Estimation of the Shale Oil/Gas Potential of a Paleocene–Eocene Succession: A Case Study from the Meyal Area, Potwar Basin, Pakistan

The successful exploration and production of shale-gas resources in the United States and Canada sets a new possible solution towards the energy crisis presently affecting most countries of Asia. This study focuses on the use of well log and 2D seismic data for the characterization of the shale oil/gas potential of a Paleocene–Eocene succession — the Meyal area in the Potwar Basin of Pakistan. Two shaly plays are identified in Paleocene–Eocene strata in well logs using ΔLogR and modified ΔLogR cross-plot techniques. The results indicate that Paleocene shale(the Patala Formation) and the lower shaly part of Eocene limestone(Sakesar Formation) can be potentially mature source rocks. However, the thermal maturity modelling proves that only the Paleocene shale is mature. Our results also suggest that the maturity responses on ΔLogR models for the lower shaly part of the Eocene limestone are due to trapped hydrocarbons in the intra-formational fractures. Petroelastic/petrophysical analysis of the Patala Formation reveals two potential shale oil/gas zones on the basis of Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, Brittleness index and Total Organic Content at an exploitation depth of 3980–3988 m. This work can provide valuable insight for estimating shale oil/gas potential in highly deformed basins not only in Asia but in other parts of the world.     

Low-temperature thermochronological record of exhumation of the Bitterroot metamorphic core complex, northern Cordilleran Orogen

The Bitterroot metamorphic core complex is an exhumed, mid-crustal, plutonic–metamorphic complex that formed during crustal thickening and subsequent extension in the hinterland of the North American Cordilleran Orogen, in the northern Idaho batholith region. Extension was accommodated mainly on the Bitterroot mylonite zone, a 500–1500-m-thick shear zone that deforms granitic intrusive rocks as young as 53–52 Ma, as well as older high-grade metamorphic rocks and plutons. Exhumation of the core complex, in Eocene time, is marked in the shear zone by the transition from amphibolite-facies mylonitization, to greenschist-facies mylonitization, chloritic brecciation, to brittle faulting that progressed from shallower crustal levels in the west to deeper crustal levels in the east from ca. 53 –30 Ma based on U–Pb, Ar–Ar, and fission-track data. Apatite and zircon fission-track data record the lower-temperature part of the exhumation history and help define when the shear zone became inactive, as well as the transition from rapid, core complex-style extension to slower basin-and-range-style extension. They indicate that the western part of the complex was exhumed to within 1–2 km of the surface by 48–45 Ma, while the eastern part of the complex was still at amphibolite-facies conditions and that the eastern part of the complex was not exhumed below 60 °C until after 30 Ma. Younger apatite fission-track ages (≤26 Ma) on the eastern range front of the Bitterroot Mountains suggest that the present topographic expression of the mylonite front was due to Miocene high-angle faulting and widening of the Bitterroot Valley.     

一次新疆伊犁河谷特大暴雨过程的环境场及不稳定条件分析

伊犁河谷是新疆地区暴雨多发且暴雨强度最强的地区。本文以该地区的一次特大暴雨过程为例,利用观测资料以及WRF高分辨率数值模拟结果对该次暴雨过程的环流背景及不稳定条件进行了分析。结果表明:（1）此次降水过程发生在对流层高层南亚高压“双体型”,中层中高纬度“两脊一槽”以及两个中亚低涡发展移动的环流形势下。在伊犁河谷特殊的向西开口的喇叭口地形作用下,中心位于哈萨克斯坦的中亚低涡导致伊犁河谷低层为偏西风,中心位于塔里木盆地的中亚低涡使得伊犁河谷中层为偏东风,导致伊犁河谷内中低层水平风的垂直切变增强;伊犁河谷内,地形及哈萨克斯坦中亚低涡环流的共同作用形成了低空辐合线,辐合线附近形成的辐合区正好与高空急流辐散区垂直叠加,引发河谷内的上升运动增强。低层西风将水汽输送进河谷,并在河谷内迎风坡附近堆积,上升运动增强后导致河谷内堆积的水汽得以抬升。（2）WRF模拟结果分析显示,散度分布、垂直风切变、水汽及热力层结分布等对降水产生均有重要贡献。通过对湿位涡垂直及水平分量的分析得出热力层结影响的对流不稳定对前期降水的产生有影响,同时,垂直风切变影响的对称不稳定对降水增强维持有重要作用。位势散度分析进一步指示出整个降水区低层的对流不稳定主要是由于位势散度的垂直切变部分造成,而位势散度的散度部分能加强河谷内小地形背风坡处的对流不稳定,说明整个降水演变过程中,动热力因子的相互作用共同影响了降水强度和落区。     

Groundwater resource development in Jamui District,Bihar, India: an overview

Because agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the bulk of the population in Jamui District, the importance of developing irrigation facilities in any programme of economic regeneration can hardly be over emphasized. It is, therefore, imperative that groundwater development be considered as an important step to drought mitigation in the Jamui district. The present study was carried out in such a way that technical and economic viability of any groundwater development plan can be thoroughly scrutinized. In this paper the hydrogeological framework of the district was established based on aquifer disposition, orientation of potential fracture systems and their hydraulic characteristics. Considering the aquifer geometry and yield potential of different structures, a blueprint for a groundwater development plan was prepared. An economic analysis of the development plan also was attempted. The analysis yielded results that made it possible to evaluate parameters such as cost–benefit ratio, incremental benefits and internal rate of return used to assess the economic viability of the groundwater development plan. Electronic Publication     

Bartonian orthophragminids with new endemic species from the Pirkoh and Drazinda formations in the Sulaiman Range,Indus Basin,Pakistan

The Pirkoh and Drazinda formations in the Sulaiman Range, central Pakistan, yielded assemblages of (early) Bartonian orthophragminids, characterized predominantly by discocyclinids with a significant number of species probably endemic to Indian Subcontinent. The rarity of Asterocyclina and the absence of Orbitoclypeus and Nemkovella are noteworthy. Ten species of Discocyclina Gümbel and two species of Asterocyclina Gümbel, referable to the Shallow Benthics Zone (SBZ) 17 are described for the first time from Pakistan. The discocyclinids, i.e. Discocyclina praeomphalus, D. sulaimanensis, D. kutchensis, along with the new taxa established here, D. zindapirensis sp. nov., D. rakhinalaensis sp. nov., and D. pseudodispansa sp. nov., seem to be confined to the Indo-Pakistani region (Eastern Tethys). The Discocyclina dispansa, D. discus, D. nandori, and D. augustae lineages known from Western Tethys are also common in the Indian Subcontinent, as are asterocyclinids, such as Asterocyclina sireli and A. stellata. The upper part of the Drazinda Formation (‘Pellatispira beds’), referable to latest Bartonian and/or the early Priabonian, is poor in orthophragminids and is characterized by the occurrence of reticulate Nummulites, Heterostegina, Pellatispira and Silvestriella. The records of ‘Lepidocyclina of Caribbean affinity’ with large embryons from the Eocene of the Indian Subcontinent correspond to misidentified Discocyclina discus.     

Hydrocarbon source rock potential evaluation of the Late Paleocene Patala Formation,Salt Range,Pakistan: Organic geochemical and palynofacies approach

Organic geochemical and palynofacies analyses were carried out on shale intervals of the Late Paleocene Patala Formation at Nammal Gorge Section, western Salt Range, Pakistan. The total organic carbon content and Rock-Eval pyrolysis results indicated that the formation is dominated by type II and type III kerogens. Rock-Eval \({T}_{\mathrm{max}}\) vs. hydrogen index (HI) and thermal alteration index indicated that the analysed shale intervals present in the formation are thermally mature. \(S_{1}\) and \(S_{2}\) yields showed poor source rock potential for the formation. Three palynofacies assemblages including palynofacies-1, palynofacies-2 and palynofacies-3 were identified, which are prone to dry gas, wet gas and oil generation, respectively. The palynofacies assessment revealed the presence of oil/gas and gas prone type II and type III kerogens in the formation and their deposition on proximal shelf with suboxic to anoxic conditions. The kerogen macerals are dominated by vitrinite and amorphinite with minor inertinite and liptinite. The kerogen macerals are of both marine and terrestrial origin, deposited on a shallow shelf. Overall, the dark black carbonaceous shales present within the formation act as a source rock for hydrocarbons with poor-to-moderate source rock quality, while the grey shales act as a poor source rock for hydrocarbon generation.     

GIS技术在城市地下水重金属浓度识别与分级中的应用（英文）

Groundwater is the most appropriate and widely used source of drinking water,which is increasingly threatened by pollution from industrial and agricultural activities.To check the severity of the problem,156 groundwater samples were collected from various depths(60-110 ft) of 52 different localities in Faisalabad city,the third largest metropolis in Pakistan,and analyzed for the metals(Zn,Cu,Cd,Ni,Pb,Mn and Fe) concentration in 2009.Quantification was done by using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer technique and the results were compared with WHO standards for drinking water quality.Results showed that the levels of Cu,Mn and Fe were below the WHO standards while the concentrations of Zn,Cd,Ni and Pb were above the recommended levels of safe drinking water.Correlation analysis among the occurrence of these heavy metals revealed a highly significant and positive correlation of Mn with Zn and Fe.A significant and positive correlation of Cd was also found with Cu and groundwater depth showing that there is strong association between Cu-Cd pair and that the Cd concentration varies with depth of groundwater in the study area.Regional patterns of heavy metals occurrence were mapped using Geographical Information System(GIS) for the identification and demarcation of risk areas.The concentration maps may be used by policymakers of the city to mitigate groundwater pollution.     

Geophysical investigation of the Colônia structure,Brazil

The origin of the nearly circular Colônia structure, located at the southwestern edge of the city of São Paulo, Brazil, has been the subject of a long‐standing debate, ever since the 1960s when the structure was first investigated by geophysical methods. The structure still raises interest for geological research, as its sedimentary infill holds important paleoclimatic information about the evolution of the tropical rainforest, as well as the interplay between the South American summer monsoon, the Intertropical Convergence Zone, and the southern Westerly wind belt—for possibly as long as several million years. In addition, the search for evidence to conclusively establish the origin of this structure continues, and the answer most likely lies in the lower portions of the basin's sedimentary infill, which also holds a significant potential for underground water resources. Here, we present the results from recent seismic (reflection and HVSR), gravimetric, and geoelectrical surveys. They have provided a reliable image of the sedimentary infill, and the maximum depth to basement within the structure has been constrained consistently by the different methods to approximately ?400 m. The geophysical data have also allowed to map the lateral contact between the crystalline basement rocks and the sedimentary infill, which indicates a diameter of approximately 2.8 km for the sedimentary basin, with 3.6 km being the diameter of the outermost limit of the structure. A total of six seismic stratigraphic boundaries were identified within the sedimentary infill, providing a framework for the planning of a deep drilling campaign and subsequent sampling program aimed at geological and paleoclimatology studies.