Lacustrine basin unconventional resource plays: Key differences

There has been a revival in hydrocarbon source rock characterization and development associated with growing interest in unconventional resources, where these fine-grained organic-rich rocks act as both source and reservoir. To-date, the exploration focus on shale reservoirs has been largely on marine systems. Lacustrine source rocks for conventional resources are geographically important, dominating regions such as China, Indonesia, and Brazil's resource-base. However, they have been generally untested for unconventional resources.There are a number of key differences in the nature of these hydrocarbon systems that should be considered when assessing whether lacustrine systems may represent future unconventional opportunities in areas where the conventional resource-base is dominated by lacustrine-sourced oil. Among the key differences between these depositional systems is the greater sensitivity to high frequency climatic variability within lacustrine systems. Lacustrine systems are highly sensitive to changes in the balance between precipitation and evaporation, which may lead to rapid changes in lake level, potentially exceeding 600 m. These changes in depositional conditions are geologically rapid and may occur over periods of thousands of years. Such changes can reduce the areal extent of potentially thick source rock intervals to only those portions of a basin where a permanent deep lake was present. Thus the core unconventional target area may be geographically limited compared with their marine counterpart. Although potentially areally limited, a review of many lacustrine source rocks suggests that their thicknesses are often significantly greater than marine source rocks. An examination of the more distal portions of lacustrine systems, where better source rock potential is present reveals that there is generally limited connectivity between source and conventional reservoir. In these settings, such as the Wind River basin (Waltman Shale), the hydrocarbons remain trapped within the shales, potentially leading to over-pressured hydrocarbon charged systems. Such conditions suggest that although areally limited, viable unconventional targets may exist, if suitable reservoir conditions are present. Finally, the character of the oils produced is different in these settings, with lacustrine oils being waxy and displaying different hydrocarbon generation and cracking kinetics. High wax oils display distinct flow characteristics, being more viscous, and may offer different production challenges than their non-waxy marine equivalents. Additionally, differences in their cracking kinetics may indicate that the timing of gas generation for shale gas plays may differ significantly from marine systems.     

Numerical simulation of groundwater flowing to horizontal seepage wells under a river

A horizontal seepage well, consisting of an interconnected vertical well, galleries, chambers and small-diameter radiating bores, is used to acquire relatively clean water that has been filtered through natural alluvial deposits in a riverbed. It has wide application, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. The lack of calculation formulae or models for horizontal seepage wells, up until now, has resulted in several false applications. Based on the analysis of groundwater flow characteristics, it has been concluded that several flow regimes coexist and hydraulic head loss exists in the horizontal seepage well. To avoid the difficulty of confirming the flux or head distribution in such a complex system, the model boundary of the whole horizontal seepage well has been moved to that of just the vertical well, and the well-aquifer system was treated as a heterogeneous medium, where the horizontal seepage well itself is a highly permeability medium. A mathematical model has been developed, based on the coupled seepage-pipe flow, by the introduction of equivalent hydraulic conductivity according to different flow regimes. Then a three-dimensional finite difference numerical model, based on the mathematical model, was developed and applied to a horizontal seepage well in China. The numerical model verified the groundwater flow characteristics of the horizontal seepage well. An erratum to this article can be found at     

渗流监测数据缺失处理与渗透稳定判断

由于地下岩体条件复杂,渗流监测数据缺失现象普遍存在。为了在时间和空间上对地下渗流场进行全面分析,需要对缺失数据进行补充。提出了三类缺失数据的插补方法,对时间序列、空间断面以及区域整体的缺失数据分别用监测统计模型、物理因子修正和反演进行了有效的补充,反映了缺失数据的规律和时间、空间因素对监测数据的影响,最终可得完整、全面的渗流场,并通过反演渗流场对渗透稳定进行判断,为工程评价提供了依据。将该方法用于天荒坪电站缺失数据的插补,结果有效地插补了缺失数据,最终的反演渗流场能够判断渗透破坏可能发生的部位,对工程加固措施具有指导意义。     

气体、泡沫等欠平衡钻井条件下感应测井应用分析

对气体、泡沫等欠平衡钻井条件下测井方式进行阐述,通过不同钻井液电阻率下对感应测井进行数字模拟,发现气体、泡沫等介质对感应测井影响较小。天然气介质和原油介质条件下感应测井现场实验的资料分析说明,感应测井在气体、泡沫等欠平衡钻井条件下可行。     

化学消油剂乳化效果影响因素研究

化学消油剂在溢油事故处理中起到重要的作用,而其使用效果受到多方面因素的影响。本文分别从原油、消油剂的不同配比(DOR)与环境因素(海水温度、盐度)方面,对4种消油剂(A,B,C,D)的乳化效果进行分析。结果表明,B类消油剂的乳化性能最好;为达到30s乳化率>60%、10min乳化率>20%的消油剂乳化标准,B类消油剂25℃时最佳DOR范围在0.30～0.35之间,20℃时DOR为0.45,15℃时DOR为0.5以上。消油剂的乳化效果受温度影响较大,而受盐度影响较小。本文为消油剂在海洋溢油中的合理使用,提供理论依据和技术支持。     

The wreck of the MV Rena: spatio-temporal analysis of ship-derived contaminants in the sediments and fauna of Astrolabe Reef

ABSTRACT

The October 2011 sinking of the container ship MV Rena on Astrolabe Reef, New Zealand, provided a rare opportunity to examine the fate of shipwreck-derived contaminants on an offshore rocky reef and food chain. Analyses of trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organotins indicated significant but localised contamination of Astrolabe Reef but not of nearby Mōtītī Island. Three years after the grounding, PAH concentrations were greater in sediments at Astrolabe (up to 131?mg kg^?1) than at control locations, while organotins from the ship's antifouling hull paint were found exclusively in Astrolabe Reef sediments and biota. Over 80% of Astrolabe sediment samples contained tributyltin at concentrations above guideline sediment levels (>0.07?mg kg^?1). Tributyltin and its decomposition products were also recorded in sea urchins, gastropods, lobster and fishes at concentrations up to 0.2?mg kg^?1. Wreck and cargo-derived metals, particularly copper, tin and zinc, were present in some Astrolabe sediment samples above Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council guideline concentrations. However, there appeared to be only limited transmission of metals through the food chain. Copper, tin and zinc were recorded at greater concentrations in Astrolabe sea urchins and gastropods compared to control specimens, while metal concentrations in other biota were comparable across impact and control sites. Despite over 3 years having passed since the Rena grounding, the data series does not show any upward or downward trends in contaminant concentrations on Astrolabe Reef. Consequently, there is uncertainty about the long-term implications of the Rena grounding for the ecology of Astrolabe Reef.     

In situ sampling reveals rapid uptake and depuration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by surf clams (Paphies subtriangulata) affected by the Rena oil spill

ABSTRACT

To investigate the uptake and depuration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with the Rena oil spill we sampled the surf clam Paphies subtriangulata at two open coast locations (6?km apart) just prior to oil coming ashore (7 October 2011), then at 1–3 week intervals for the next 4 months. Total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (tPAH) increased at both sites from 1 to 96–124?µg?kg^?1 (wet weight) by 18 October before declining to low levels (<4?µg?kg^?1) by February 2012. Ongoing sampling throughout 2012–2014 included three additional sites to the north east (up to 30?km away) and a site 5?km to the south east revealing tPAH levels generally <10?µg?kg^?1 except in October 2013 where levels ranged between 39–45?µg?kg^?1 at all sites. A comparison of PAH component profiles with oil-contaminated beach sediment indicated that the high levels observed in surf clams between October–December 2011 were clearly associated with the Rena spill. However, the October 2013 peak had a PAH profile inconsistent with weathered Rena oil, suggesting an alternative source of contamination. Our results highlight the potential for P. subtriangulata as a PAH monitoring tool but recognise more study is needed to better quantify baseline levels and uptake and depuration dynamics.     

Oil dispersal modelling: reanalysis of the Rena oil spill using open-source modelling tools

ABSTRACT

Oil spill forecast modelling is typically used immediately after a spill to predict oil dispersal and promote mobilisation of more effective response operations. The aim of this work was to map oil dispersal after the grounding of the MV Rena on Astrolabe Reef and to verify the results against observations. Model predictions were broadly consistent with observed distribution of oil contamination. However, some hot spots of oil accumulation, likely due to surf-zone and rip current circulation, were not well represented. Additionally, the model was run with 81 differing wind conditions to show that the events occurring during the grounding represented the typical likely behaviour of an oil spill on Astrolabe Reef. Oil dispersal was highly dependent on prevailing wind patterns; more accurate prediction would require better observations of local wind patterns. However, comparison of predictions with observations indicated that the GNOME model was an effective low-cost approach.     

基于VOF方法的海底管道溢油扩散数值模拟研究

在海底输油管道运行过程中,管道渗漏、穿孔及破碎都会导致原油泄漏。对溢油运动的轨迹及其扩散范围作出预报可为溢油事故的处理提供及时、准确的信息,指导应急处理的正确实施。基于工程实际需求,采用有限体积法,结合k-ε紊流模型,建立了海流作用下海底输油管道溢油扩散数值模型。采用VOF方法(volume of fluid method)追踪多相流界面。首先,将数值模拟结果与Fan的实验值及Zheng和Yapa的数值结果进行了对比,验证数值模型的可靠性;其次,研究了不同原油溢出速度与环境水深对不同时刻溢油轨迹、到达海面时间、横向漂移距离与海面扩散范围的影响。研究表明:随原油溢出速度增大,溢油到达海面时间逐渐减小,溢油横向漂移距离与海面扩散范围则逐渐增大;随环境水深增大,溢油到达海面时间逐渐增大,且其变化接近线性分布。     

西湖凹陷孔雀亭气田成藏主控因素

综合运用地质、钻井、生物标志物、碳同位素、储层流体包裹体等资料,在油气分布特征和来源分析的基础上,探讨了控制西湖凹陷孔雀亭气田油气成藏及富集的主要因素。研究结果表明,孔雀亭气田油气主要分布在始新统平湖组储层内,具有"上油下气"的纵向分布特征,以断块型凝析气藏为主,原油及天然气来源于自身和西部次洼平湖组源岩联合供烃。孔雀亭气田油气成藏及富集主要受断层封堵性、砂体厚度和储层物性及流体充注历史的联合控制,断层封堵性控制了油气藏的含油气性,砂体厚度和储层物性制约了油气层厚度和含油气饱和度,流体充注历史决定了油气藏的现今赋存相态。