Bicyclic alkanes in source rocks of the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin and their inconsistency in oil-source correlation

The Triassic Yanchang Formation is the main source rocks for Mesozoic oil in Ordos Basin. The formation includes 10 oil-bearing beds (Ch 1–Ch 10), that each can be further divided into two to three intervals. Abundant C₁₂–C₁₄ and C₁₅–C₁₆ bicyclic alkanes have been detected in the formation in the Xifeng oilfield, Ordos Basin. The C₁₂–C₁₄ group is dominated by C₁₂ and C₁₃, and the C₁₅–C₁₆ group contains abundant C₁₅. The groups show three distribution patterns: A) the C₁₂–C₁₄ group is the major component in the non-source rocks of the Ch 7-1 and Ch 8-1 intervals; B) both groups are abundant and are common in source rocks of the Ch 7-3 interval; and C) the C₁₅–C₁₆ group is the major component in source rocks of the Ch 7-3 interval and also in sediments that contain type Ⅰ or partial sapropel type Ⅱ₁ organic matter (OM) in the Ch 7-2 and Ch 8-1 intervals. Although thermal maturities of the source rocks in the Ch 7 section are similar, they show significant differences with respect to the drimane isomerisation index, which indicates that the drimane rearrangement is controlled by thermal evolution of the sediments, but may also be closely related to the depositional environment. This study determined that reducing environments are more conducive to preservation of drimane than oxic environments. The drimane isomerisation index and the value of the hopane parameter Tm/Ts are positively correlated. The parameter Tm/Ts varies over a wide range within the sequence, and the large variations may be a result of terrigenous OM input by turbidity currents and/or gravity flows, mixed with the autochthonous sediments. Abundant homodrimane in both source rocks may reflect reducing environments in deep lakes and major input of higher plant OM. Organic-rich shale and oil shale in the Ch 7-3 interval of the Yanchang Formation are the primary sources of oil in reservoirs in the Xifeng area. The crude oil is rich in bicyclic alkanes that are dominated by C₁₅–C₁₆ as source rocks with pattern C for bicyclic alkanes, which indicates an origin mainly from the Ch 7-3 interval. The main peaks in all of the crude oils are associated with 8β(H)-drimane and lower abundance of rearranged drimane. However, most of the source rocks have a main peak associated with 8β(H)-homodrimane or rearranged drimane. Weak microbial action, selective degradation and water washing may be the cause of the significant difference in bicyclic sesquiterpane composition between the crude oil and the source rocks. The result suggests that oil-source correlations based on the bicyclic sesquiterpanes are questionable.     

Formation of low permeability reservoirs and gas accumulation process in the Daniudi Gas Field,Northeast Ordos Basin,China

The Daniudi Gas Field is a typical large-scale coal-generated wet gas field located in the northeastern Ordos Basin that contains multiple Upper Paleozoic gas-bearing layers and considerable reserves of gas. Based on integrated analysis of reservoir petrology, carbonate cement C–O isotope, geochemistry of source rocks and HC gas and numerical basin modeling, a comprehensive study focusing on the formation of low permeability reservoirs and gas generation process uncovers a different gas accumulation scene in Daniudi Gas Field. The gas accumulation discovered was controlled by the reservoir permeability reduction and gas generation process, and can be divided into two distinct stages by the low permeability reservoir formation time: before the low permeability reservoir formation, the less matured gas was driven by buoyancy, migrated laterally towards NE and then accumulated in NE favorable traps during Late Triassic to early Early Cretaceous; after the low permeability reservoir formation, highly matured gas was driven by excessive pressure, migrated vertically and accumulated in-situ or near the gas-generating centers during early to late Early Cretaceous. The coupling relationship between reservoir diagenetic evolution and gas generation process controlled on gas accumulation of the Daniudi Gas Field. This study will aid in understanding the gas accumulation process and planning further E&D of the Upper Paleozoic super-imposed gas layers in the whole Ordos Basin and other similar super-imposed low permeability gas layer basins.     

Controls on reservoir heterogeneity of tight sand oil reservoirs in Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in Longdong Area,southwest Ordos Basin,China: Implications for reservoir quality prediction and oil accumulation

Compared to conventional reservoirs, pore structure and diagenetic alterations of unconventional tight sand oil reservoirs are highly heterogeneous. The Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation is a major tight-oil-bearing formation in the Ordos Basin, providing an opportunity to study the factors that control reservoir heterogeneity and the heterogeneity of oil accumulation in tight oil sandstones.The Chang 8 tight oil sandstone in the study area is comprised of fine-to medium-grained, moderately to well-sorted lithic arkose and feldspathic litharenite. The reservoir quality is extremely heterogeneous due to large heterogeneities in the depositional facies, pore structures and diagenetic alterations. Small throat size is believed to be responsible for the ultra-low permeability in tight oil reservoirs. Most reservoirs with good reservoir quality, larger pore-throat size, lower pore-throat radius ratio and well pore connectivity were deposited in high-energy environments, such as distributary channels and mouth bars. For a given depositional facies, reservoir quality varies with the bedding structures. Massive- or parallel-bedded sandstones are more favorable for the development of porosity and permeability sweet zones for oil charging and accumulation than cross-bedded sandstones.Authigenic chlorite rim cementation and dissolution of unstable detrital grains are two major diagenetic processes that preserve porosity and permeability sweet zones in oil-bearing intervals. Nevertheless, chlorite rims cannot effectively preserve porosity-permeability when the chlorite content is greater than a threshold value of 7%, and compaction played a minor role in porosity destruction in the situation. Intensive cementation of pore-lining chlorites significantly reduces reservoir permeability by obstructing the pore-throats and reducing their connectivity. Stratigraphically, sandstones within 1 m from adjacent sandstone-mudstone contacts are usually tightly cemented (carbonate cement > 10%) with low porosity and permeability (lower than 10% and 0.1 mD, respectively). The carbonate cement most likely originates from external sources, probably derived from the surrounding mudstone. Most late carbonate cements filled the previously dissolved intra-feldspar pores and the residual intergranular pores, and finally formed the tight reservoirs.The petrophysical properties significantly control the fluid flow capability and the oil charging/accumulation capability of the Chang 8 tight sandstones. Oil layers usually have oil saturation greater than 40%. A pore-throat radius of less than 0.4 μm is not effective for producible oil to flow, and the cut off of porosity and permeability for the net pay are 7% and 0.1 mD, respectively.     

鄂尔多斯盆地马家沟组中组合马五_5亚段白云岩特征及成因机理

通过对鄂尔多斯盆地马家沟组五段5亚段白云岩的岩石学和地球化学研究表明,主要岩性有泥晶白云岩、泥粉晶白云岩和粉晶白云岩等三类。泥晶白云岩类为泥晶结构,阴极发光为暗红光,白云石有序度低;Na、K和Sr值较高;δ~(13)C平均-1.23‰,δ~(18)O平均-7.59‰,锶同位素平均值0.709 81,形成于闭塞局限、盐度相对较高的环境,由准同生白云石化作用所形成,并发育少量晶间微孔。泥粉晶白云岩类为泥晶—细粉晶结构,不发光或发极暗的红光,白云石有序度0.75;常量元素、微量元素大幅降低;δ~(13)C和δ~(18)O的平均值分别是-0.43‰和-7.29‰,锶同位素平均值0.709 36,由准同生后回流渗透白云石化作用所形成,并发育晶间孔。粉晶白云岩不发光或发极暗红光,白云石有序度0.81;常量元素、微量元素有明显的突变;δ~(13)C和δ~(18)O平均值分别为-0.65‰和-6.46‰,锶同位素平均值0.709 67,由埋藏白云石化作用所形成,并发育晶间扩溶孔或溶蚀孔。     

鄂尔多斯盆地南部地区延长组深水沉积构造特征及地质意义

鄂尔多斯盆地南部地区上三叠统延长组长7段发育有典型的重力流沉积。对野外露头剖面进行大量调查研究,发现研究区重力流沉积发育丰富的沉积构造,底层面构造、软沉积变形构造是主要的两种类型。这种深水沉积构造组合能够很好地揭示研究区广泛发育的一定坡度背景下深水重力流沉积体系。滑移-滑塌沉积、砂质碎屑流沉积、浊流沉积是研究区发育最为广泛的深水重力流沉积类型,滑移-滑塌及软沉积变形构造为触发机制沉积响应,底层面构造为砂质碎屑流沉积及浊流沉积响应。综合分析研究区地层发育的大量凝灰岩夹层、深水泥岩中发育的植物碎屑、深水砂岩中发育的大量浅黄色泥砾等沉积特征,认为地震、火山喷发及季节性洪水为研究区深水重力流沉积最有利的触发因素。     

西藏加查拉岗村巨型古滑坡发育特征与形成机理研究

青藏高原地质构造活跃,内外动力作用强烈,加之气候异常变化,区内大型滑坡发育。以雅鲁藏布江断裂附近新发现的拉岗村古滑坡为研究对象,在现场调查、槽探揭露、地质测年和工程地质分析等基础上,对其发育特征及成因机制进行了分析研究。研究表明,(1)拉岗村滑坡属巨型岩质滑坡,体积达3.6×107 m3,最大水平滑动距离约3050m,滑坡后壁与堆积体前缘高差达965m,最大运动速率达78.1m/s,具明显高速远程特征;(2)受冷冻风化和冰体"楔劈"作用影响,滑坡后部岩体崩裂,全新世以来气候变化冰川逐渐消退,融雪降水入渗加剧劣化岩体结构,降低岩体强度;(3)根据14 C和10Be测年结果,拉岗村古滑坡形成于距今4140~9675a,沿雅鲁藏布江断裂发生的强震可能是该滑坡的直接诱因,岩体受到地震抛掷力作用,原有节理裂隙和新生破裂面发生张剪-拉裂破坏迅速贯通,首先沿断裂附近碎裂结构岩体发生破坏,上部岩体随之失稳并高速下滑。该研究可为认识青藏高原断裂带内大型古滑坡的形成机理提供借鉴。     

Paleo-environment and reservoir evolution of the Middle Ordovician Kelimoli Formation in the northern Tianhuan area,Ordos Basin,China: implications for high-quality reservoir development

The Middle Ordovician Kelimoli Formation carbonate reservoirs in the northern Tianhuan area, Ordos Basin, China are main exploration targets. Subsurface core samples, logging, drilling and production data from the area were used to characterise the carbonate reservoir and to construct a genetic model for exploration. The sedimentary facies identified include trough–continental rise, upper–lower slope, platform margin reef-shoal, open platform and evaporation-restricted platform. The slope and platform margin facies are potential zones for high-quality reservoirs. Porosity in the study area comprises intergrain, intercrystal, intragrain and intracrystal pores, fractures and vughs. The Sr/Ba (0.40–4.87) and V/(V + Ni) (0.64–0.97) ratios indicate deposition in a brackish water-dominated environment under reducing conditions, associated with sea-level fluctuations during the deposition of the Kelimoli Formation. The Sr/Ba, V/(V + Ni), ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, δ¹⁸O values and crystal texture of dolomite samples suggest that meteoric water was involved in the diagenetic fluid in the near-surface depositional environment. Isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) and trace elements (Fe and Mn) allowed the identification of seepage-reflux and mixed-water dolomitisation. The crystal textures of the samples consist of micritic, bioclastic and reefal limestones, and dolomite with gypsum, which were easily dissolved during the early diagenetic stage. The epidiagenetic stage was the key period for the development of high-quality reservoirs because of large-scale bedding-parallel karstification from meteoric water. The reservoir zones, dominated by partially filled and unfilled vughs, and fractures, are favourable exploration targets in the northern Tianhuan area.     

Geochemistry of Khor Um-Safi ophiolitic serpentinites,central Eastern desert,Egypt: Implications for neoproterozoic arc-basin system in the Arabian-Nubian shield

Serpentinites in the Eastern Desert of Egypt are the most distinctive lithological unit in the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS) ophiolite sequence which associated with major suture zones. Khor Um-Safi (KUS) serpentinites represent dismembered fragments of ophiolitic rocks located in the central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt.KUS serpentinites exhibit affinity to the typical metamorphic peridotites with harzburgitic protolith compositions. Their opaque mineral assemblage (pentlandite, heazlewoodite and magnetite) is similar to that observed in oceanic serpentinites and implies serpentinization under highly reducing conditions. They have refractory major element compositions with Al₂O₃ contents comparable to oceanic and active margin peridotites as well as Pan-African serpentinites. The Cr and TiO₂ contents reflect evolution within a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) environment. This implication is confirmed by the Al₂O₃/SiO₂ and MgO/SiO₂ ratios which akin to ANS ophiolitic peridotites in fore-arc setting. Their enrichment in compatible trace elements (Cr, Ni and Co) reveals a depleted mantle peridotite protolith.Modelling trace elements indicates that they represent the mantle residues from 15 to 20 % melting of spinel peridotite at oxygen fugacity conditions of the QFM + 1 buffer. This range of melt extraction is consistent with the typical range of SSZ peridotite. Oxygen fugacity estimation suggests evolution under more oxidizing regime similar to modern fore-arc basin system. Moreover, this implication indicates that the KUS mantle represents arc lithosphere interacted with arc melt.     

浅水三角洲沉积体系与储层岩石学特征

浅水三角洲已经成为当前沉积学研究和油气勘探的重点领域,浅水三角洲常规和非常规砂岩储层中发现了丰富的油气资源。鄂尔多斯盆地中—古生界发育大型浅水三角洲沉积,结合岩芯、测井、分析化验等资料,对盆地西部地区山1—盒8段浅水三角洲的母岩特征、沉积充填、砂体展布与储层岩石学特征进行研究,为研究区常规砂岩储层和致密砂岩油气勘探提供地质依据。分析表明,研究区南部和北部砂岩重矿物组合相似,以锆石和白钛矿为主。综合La/Yb-REE与Dickinson三角图解、稀土元素配分模式和碎屑锆石定年分析认为,北部物源主要来自盆地西北部阿拉善古陆太古界和元古界花岗岩、片麻岩、石英砂岩,向南影响到陇东地区北部;南部物源主要来自盆地南部北秦岭地区太古界、元古界花岗岩、片麻岩和片岩,向北影响陇东地区中南部。山1段发育曲流河三角洲,盒8段发育辫状河三角洲,孤立型与垂向叠置型水下分支河道砂体是主要的砂体类型。盒8段沉积时期,古湖泊可能萎缩;南北物源形成的三角洲在研究区中部环县东南一带交汇混合。砂岩类型主要为岩屑质石英砂岩、石英砂岩和岩屑砂岩,结构成熟度中等—较差。砂岩成岩改造强烈,水—岩反应复杂,压实作用是储层致密化的主因,多期胶结作用使砂岩的孔喉结构变得十分复杂。孔隙类型以微米—纳米级的岩屑溶蚀孔、剩余粒间孔和高岭石晶间孔为主,整体上属于非常规致密砂岩储层。砂体分布与“甜点”预测是研究区致密油气勘探的关键。