scholarly journals Climate-Provenance Effect on the Organic Matter Enrichment of the Chang 9 Source Rocks in the Central Ordos Basin, China

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ling Ma ◽  
Zhihuan Zhang ◽  
Weiqiu Meng

The Upper Triassic Chang 9 organic-rich sediments have been considered as effective hydrocarbon source rocks for the Mesozoic petroleum system in the Ordos Basin. Previous studies on the Chang 9 member mostly focused on the influence of their paleoproductivity and paleoredox conditions on the organic matter (OM) enrichment, whereas there are few studies on the influence of the paleoclimate condition and sediment provenance on the OM enrichment. In this study, a series of geochemical analyses was performed on the Chang 9 core samples, and their hydrocarbon generation potential, paleoclimate condition, and sediment provenance were assessed to analyze the effect of paleoclimate-provenance on OM enrichment. The Chang 9 source rocks are characterized by high OM abundance, type I−II OM type, and suitable thermal maturity, implying good hydrocarbon generation potential. Based on the C-values and Sr/Cu ratios, the paleoclimate condition of the Chang 9 member was mainly semihumid. In addition, the Th/Co vs. La/Sc diagram and negative δEuN indicate that the Chang 9 sediments were mainly derived from felsic source rocks. Meanwhile, the paleoweathering intensity of the Chang 9 member is moderate based on moderate values of CIA, PIA, and CIW, which corresponds to the semihumid paleoclimate. The relatively humid paleoclimate not only enhances photosynthesis of the primary producer, but also promotes chemical weathering intensity, leading to suitable terrestrial clastic influx to the lacustrine basin, which is beneficial for OM enrichment.

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. SF225-SF242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xun Sun ◽  
Quansheng Liang ◽  
Chengfu Jiang ◽  
Daniel Enriquez ◽  
Tongwei Zhang ◽  
...  

Source-rock samples from the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin of China were geochemically characterized to determine variations in depositional environments, organic-matter (OM) source, and thermal maturity. Total organic carbon (TOC) content varies from 4 wt% to 10 wt% in the Chang 7, Chang 8, and Chang 9 members — the three OM-rich shale intervals. The Chang 7 has the highest TOC and hydrogen index values, and it is considered the best source rock in the formation. Geochemical evidence indicates that the main sources of OM in the Yanchang Formation are freshwater lacustrine phytoplanktons, aquatic macrophytes, aquatic organisms, and land plants deposited under a weakly reducing to suboxic depositional environment. The elevated [Formula: see text] sterane concentration and depleted [Formula: see text] values of OM in the middle of the Chang 7 may indicate the presence of freshwater cyanobacteria blooms that corresponds to a period of maximum lake expansion. The OM deposited in deeper parts of the lake is dominated by oil-prone type I or type II kerogen or a mixture of both. The OM deposited in shallower settings is characterized by increased terrestrial input with a mixture of types II and III kerogen. These source rocks are in the oil window, with maturity increasing with burial depth. The measured solid-bitumen reflectance and calculated vitrinite reflectance from the temperature at maximum release of hydrocarbons occurs during Rock-Eval pyrolysis ([Formula: see text]) and the methylphenanthrene index (MPI-1) chemical maturity parameters range from 0.8 to [Formula: see text]. Because the thermal labilities of OM are associated with the kerogen type, the required thermal stress for oil generation from types I and II mixed kerogen has a higher and narrower range of temperature for hydrocarbon generation than that of OM dominated by type II kerogen or types II and III mixed kerogen deposited in the prodelta and delta front.


Author(s):  
Nasar Khan ◽  
Wasif Ullah ◽  
Syed M. Siyar ◽  
Bilal Wadood ◽  
Tariq Ayyub ◽  
...  

AbstractThe present study aims to investigate the origin, type, thermal maturity and hydrocarbon generation potential of organic matter and paleo-depositional environment of the Early Paleocene (Danian) Hangu Formation outcropped in the Kala-Chitta Range of Northwest Pakistan, Eastern Tethys. Organic-rich shale and coal intervals were utilized for geochemical analyses including TOC (total organic carbon) and Rock–Eval pyrolysis coupled with carbon (δ13Corg) and nitrogen (δ15Norg) stable isotopes. The organic geochemical results showed that the kerogen Type II (oil/gas prone) and Type III (gas prone) dominate the investigated rock units. The TOC (wt%) and S2 yield indicate that the rock unit quantifies sufficient organic matter (OM) to act as potential source rock. However, the thermal maturity Tmax°C marks the over maturation of the OM, which may be possibly linked with the effect attained from nearby tectonically active Himalayan Foreland Fold-and-Thrust Belt system and associated metamorphosed sequences. The organic geochemical analyses deciphered indigenous nature of the OM and resultant hydrocarbons. The δ13Corg and δ15Norg stable isotopic signatures illustrated enrichment of the OM from both marine and terrestrial sources accumulated into the Hangu Formation. The Paleo-depositional model established using organic geochemical and stable isotopic data for the formation supports its deposition in a shallow marine proximal inner shelf environment with prevalence of sub-oxic to anoxic conditions, a scenario that could enhance the OM preservation. Overall, the formation holds promising coal and shale intervals in terms of organic richness, but due to relatively over thermal maturation, it cannot act as an effective source rock for liquid hydrocarbon generation and only minor amount of dry gas can be expected. In implication, the results of this study suggest least prospects of liquid hydrocarbon generation potential within Hangu Formation at studied sections.


Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Lei Xiao ◽  
Zhuo Li ◽  
Yufei Hou ◽  
Liang Xu ◽  
Liwei Wang ◽  
...  

Organic macerals are the basic components of organic matter and play an important role in determining the hydrocarbon generation capacity of source rock. In this paper, organic geochemical analysis of shale in the Chang 7 member of the Yanchang Formation was carried out to evaluate the availability of source rock. The different organic macerals were effectively identified, and the differences in hydrocarbon generation and pore-forming capacities were discussed from two perspectives: microscopic pore development and macroscopic hydrocarbon generation through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive spectrum (EDS) analyses, methane isotherm adsorption, and on-site analysis of gas-bearing properties. The results show that the source rock of the Chang 7 member has a high abundance of organic matter and moderate thermal evolution and that the organic matter type is mainly type I. Based on the morphology of the organic matter and the element and pore development, four types of hydrogen-rich macerals, including sapropelite and exinite, and hydrogen-poor macerals, including vitrinite and inertinite, as well as the submacerals, algae, mineral asphalt matrix, sporophyte, resin, semifusinite, inertodetrinite, provitrinite, euvitrinite, and vitrodetrinite, can be identified through FE-SEM and EDS. A large number of honeycomb-shaped pores develop in sapropelite, and round-elliptical stomata develop in exinite, while vitrinite and inertinite do not develop organic matter pores. The hydrogen-rich maceral is the main component of organic macerals in the Chang 7 member of the Yanchang Formation. The weight percentage of carbon is low, so it has good hydrocarbon generation capacity, and the organic matter pores are developed and contribute 97% of the organic matter porosity, which is conducive to hydrocarbon generation and storage. The amount of hydrogen-poor maceral is low, and the weight percentage of carbon is low, and the organic matter pores are not developed, which is not conducive to hydrocarbon generation and storage.


2021 ◽  
pp. 014459872110393
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Li ◽  
Jincai Tuo ◽  
Chenjun Wu ◽  
Honggang Xin ◽  
Mingfeng Zhang ◽  
...  

Organic matter heterogeneity exerts an important impact on the generation, evaluation, and exploitation of shale oil resources. In the past, only a limited number of analytical samples that represented the contribution or influence of high or low organic matter abundance intervals were used to represent an entire set of thick source rocks, and based on this limitation, occasionally researchers have reached incorrect conclusions. Here, the heterogeneity of organic matter and its significance to shale oil in the Triassic Zhangjiatan shale of the Ordos Basin were discussed based on sedimentary and geochemical analyses. Our results indicate that (1) the Chang 73 shale within the study area is characterized by high abundance, good quality, strong heterogeneity, and segmented enrichment in the vertical profile. The primary organic matter type was type II1, and this was followed by types I, II2, and III that exhibited three changing trends in the vertical profile. Organic matter maturity is primarily at the immature stage. (2) Additionally, we observed that the organic matter heterogeneity of Chang 73 shale was related to changes in lithology, sedimentary environment, paleoproductivity, terrigenous influence, and event action (such as volcanism and hydrothermal processes). The abundance of organic matter is the result of the coupling control of these processes. In the process of organic matter deposition, if volcano or hydrothermal activities occurred, the organic matter was abnormally enriched, and the total organic carbon content exceeded 20% and could even be as high as 40%. (3) Finally, we observed at least nine enrichment layers that were controlled by the coupling of different geological factors, and there were four potential target resource layers corresponding to the hydrothermal sedimentary area.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 644
Author(s):  
Yong Tang ◽  
Wenjun He ◽  
Yubin Bai ◽  
Xiang Zhang ◽  
Jingzhou Zhao ◽  
...  

The alkaline lake source rocks of the Fengcheng Formation are developed in the Mahu Sag of the Junggar Basin. Different from traditional continental fresh water and saltwater lake source rocks, alkaline lake source rocks lack targeted evaluation criteria, and it is unknown whether their hydrocarbon generation models are consistent with traditional models. Therefore, in the present study, evaluation standards and hydrocarbon generation models of alkaline lake source rocks are discussed based on geological and organic geochemical data and a systematic summary of the geochemical characteristics of the Fengcheng Formation source rocks. The Fengcheng Formation source rocks are mainly diamictite with mixed argillaceous rock and dolomite; most total organic carbon (TOC) values range from 0.2–1.4%; and the kerogen is primarily oil-prone type II, reaching low- to high-maturity stages. Based on the types of organic matter in source rocks and the relationships between organic matter abundance parameters, the evaluation standard of alkaline lake source rocks is proposed. The Fengcheng Formation is mainly composed of good to excellent source rocks (55.5%) with high hydrocarbon generation potential. The single-peak hydrocarbon generation model of the Fengcheng Formation is similar to that of traditional freshwater or saltwater lakes, with a high hydrocarbon generation rate, two to five times that of the traditional model; its main particularity is in the formation of naphthenic crude oil from the kerogen of bacteria and algae. A new understanding of the hydrocarbon generation potential and model of alkaline lake source rocks in the Fengcheng Formation can provide support for tight oil and shale oil exploration in the Mahu Sag.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pingping Li ◽  
Dawei Lv ◽  
Huiyong Wang ◽  
Changyong Lu

This paper studied the residual strata distribution of Carboniferous-Permian in Jiyang Depression, the organic geochemical characteristics of shale and the correlation of hydrocarbon-generating potential of shale by applying geochemistry, petroleum geology and coal geology, for study hydrocarbon generation potential of Permo-Carboniferous coal shale in Jiyang Depression. The results show that the thickness of Carboniferous-Permian residual strata in Jiyang Depression is generally 200-800 m, the thickest can reach 900 m; coal shale has good organic matter abundance and is type III kerogen, which is conducive to gas generation, and organic matter maturity reaches maturity-higher maturity stage; Benxi Formation and Taiyuan Formation have better hydrocarbon generation potential; medium to good hydrocarbon source rocks can be found in every sag of Shanxi Formation hydrocarbon source rocks, but the scope is limited, and the overall evaluation is still medium. Compared with other areas in China, it is found that the hydrocarbon-generating capacity of coal-bearing shale of Carboniferous-Permian in Jiyang Depression is generally at a medium level, which has a certain shale gas exploration potential.


Author(s):  
David M. Katithi ◽  
David O. Opar

ABSTRACT The work reports an in-depth review of bulk and molecular geochemical data to determine the organic richness, kerogen type and thermal maturity of the Lokhone and the stratigraphically deeper Loperot shales of the Lokichar basin encountered in the Loperot-1 well. Oil-source rock correlation was also done to determine the source rocks’ likelihood as the source of oil samples obtained from the well. A combination of literature and geochemical data analyses show that both shales have good to excellent potential in terms of organic and hydrogen richness to act as conventional petroleum source rocks. The Lokhone shales have TOC values of 1.2% to 17.0% (average 5.16%) and are predominantly type I/II organic matter with HI values in the range of 116.3 – 897.2 mg/g TOC. The Lokhone source rocks were deposited in a lacustrine depositional environment in episodically oxic-dysoxic bottom waters with periodic anoxic conditions and have Tmax values in addition to biomarker signatures typical of organic matter in the mid-mature to mature stage with respect to hydrocarbon generation and immature for gas generation with Ro values of 0.51 – 0.64%. The Loperot shales were shown to be possibly highly mature type II/III source rocks with TOC values of 0.98% – 3.18% (average 2.4%), HI of 87 – 115 mg/g TOC and Ro of 1.16 – 1.33%. The Lokhone shale correlate well with the Loperot-1 well oils and hence is proposed as the principal source rock for the oils in the Lokichar basin. Although both source rocks have good organic richness to act as shale gas plays, they are insufficiently mature to act as shale gas targets but this does not preclude their potential deeper in the basin where sufficient gas window maturities might have been attained. The Lokhone shales provide a prospective shale oil play if the reservoir suitability to hydraulic fracturing can be defined. A basin wide study of the source rocks thickness, potential, maturation and expulsion histories in the Lokichar basin is recommended to better understand the present-day distribution of petroleum in the basin.


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