scholarly journals Jurassic Terrestrial Shale Gas Potential of the Northern Kashi Sag in the Tarim Basin, Northwestern China

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Wei Wu ◽  
Zhiwei Liao ◽  
Honghan Chen ◽  
Shaohu Li ◽  
Ao Su ◽  
...  

Evaluation of terrestrial shale gas resource potential is a hot issue in unconventional oil and gas exploration. Organic-rich shales are widely developed in the Jurassic strata of Tarim Basin, but their shale gas potential has not been described well. In the study, the Lower-Middle Jurassic fine-grained sedimentary rocks (Kangsu and Yangye Formations) in northern Kashi Sag, northwestern Tarim Basin, were taken as the study object. The comprehensive studies include petrology, mineralogy, organic geochemistry, and physical properties, which were used to characterize the organic matter and reservoir characteristics. Results show that the Jurassic terrestrial shale in the northern Kashi Sag was mainly deposited in lakes, rivers, and deltas. The thickness of black lacustrine shale developed in the Early-Middle Jurassic in the study area is generally over 100 m. The total organic carbon (TOC) content is rich, averaging 2.77%. The vitrinite reflectance ( R o ) values indicate that the Lower Jurassic shale organic matter is in the early mature–mature stage, while the Middle Jurassic is in the mature stage. Besides, organic matter is primarily II and III in kerogen types. The whole shale contains a large number of clay minerals, especially illite. The average brittle minerals such as quartz and feldspar are 28.67%, and the average brittleness index is 38.63%. Nanoscale pores containing intergranular pores, dissolution pores, and organic pores, coupled with microcracks, are well developed in Jurassic shale. The sample’s average pore volume is 0.017 cm3/g, and the specific surface area is 9.36 m2/g. Mesoporous contribute the most to pore volume, while the number of microporous is the largest. Both of them provide most of the surface area for the shale. Combined with regional geologic settings, we propose that the Jurassic terrestrial shale has good-excellent shale gas exploration potential and development prospects.

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 635
Author(s):  
Shihu Zhao ◽  
Yanbin Wang ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
Honghui Li ◽  
Zhaohui Xu ◽  
...  

Tarim Basin is the largest Petroliferous basin in China, while its shale gas development potential has not been fully revealed. The organic-rich black shale in middle Ordovician Heituao Formation from Tadong low uplift of Tarim Basin has been considered as an important source rock and has the characteristic of large thickness, high organic matter content and high thermal maturity degree. To obtain its development potential, geochemical, mineralogical and mechanics research is conducted based on Rock-Eval pyrolysis, total organic carbon (TOC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and uniaxial compression experiments. The results show that: (1) the TOC content ranges between 0.63 and 2.51 wt% with an average value of 1.22 wt%, the Tmax values are 382–523 °C (average = 468.9 °C), and the S2 value is relatively low which ranges from 0.08 to 1.37 mg HC/g rock (averaging of 0.42 mg HC/g rock); (2) the organic matter of Heituao shale in Tadong low uplift show poor abundance as indicated by low S2 value, gas-prone property, and post mature stage (stage of dry gas). (3) Quartz is the main mineral component in Heituao shale samples, accounting for 26–94 wt% with an average of 72 wt%. Additionally, its Young’s modulus ranges from 20.0 to 23.1 GPa with an average of 21.2 GPa, Poisson’s ratio ranges between 0.11 and 0.21 (average = 0.15); (4) the fracability parameter of brittleness index (BI) ranges between 0.28 and 0.99 (averaging of 0.85), indicating good fracability potential of Heituao shale of Tadong low uplift and has the potential for shale gas development. This study reveals the shale gas accumulation potential in middle Ordovician of the Tarim Basin, and beneficial for future exploration and production practice.


Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Yanqi Zhang ◽  
Li Liu ◽  
Changxi Geng ◽  
Zhuang Cheng ◽  
Xinxin Fang

Investigating shale pore characteristics has deepened our understanding of shale reservoir, while that of postmature-overmature shales is yet to be revealed, which is especially critical for shale gas evaluation in southern China. Ten Middle-Upper Devonian organic-rich shale samples were collected from well GY-1 in the Guizhong Depression, and the paleoenvironment, geochemistry, and pore system were analyzed with a series of experiments, including trace element analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), low-pressure N2 adsorption, and source rock geochemistry. Results show that the Middle-Upper Devonian shales in the Guizhong Depression are organic-rich mudstones with TOC ranging from 0.14% to 6.21%, which is highest in the Nabiao Formation ( D 2 n ) and Lower Luofu Formation ( D 2 l ) that were deposited in the anoxic and weak hydrodynamic deep-water shelf. They are thermally postmature to overmature with equivalent vitrinite reflectance ( EqV R o ) of 3.40%~3.76% and type I kerogen. The lithofacies in D 2 n and D 2 l are primarily siliceous/argillaceous mixed shale as well as a few siliceous argillaceous shales and argillaceous siliceous shales as well. Organic matter- (OM-) hosted pores within bitumen are primary storage volume, rather than inorganic pores (interparticle and intraparticle) which are rare. The total helium porosity of samples varies between 1.20% and 4.49%, while total surface area and pore volume are 2.39-14.22 m2/g and 0.0036-0.0171 ml/g, respectively. Porosity, pore surface area, and pore volume are in accordance with increasing TOC, R o , and siliceous mineral contents. Considerable OM-macropores are found in shales with R o > 3.6 % in our study which demonstrates that the porosity at postmature to overmature stage ( R o = 3.5 − 4.0 % ) does not change fundamentally. The high level of maturity is not considered the main controlling factor that affects shale gas content, and more attention should be paid to preservation conditions in this area.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 483-486
Author(s):  
Constantin Sorin Ion ◽  
Mihaela Bombos ◽  
Gabriel Vasilievici ◽  
Dorin Bombos

Desulfurisation of atmospheric distillation gasoline and gas oil was performed by adsorption process on Fe/ bentonite. The adsorbent was characterized by determining the adsorption isotherms, specific surface area, pore volume and average pore diameter. Adsorption experiments of atmospheric distillation gasoline and gas oil were performed in continuous system at 280�320oC, 5 atm and volume hourly space velocities of 1�2 h-1. The efficiency of adsorption on Fe / bentonite was better at desulphurisation of gasoline versus gas oil.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 298
Author(s):  
Chenlong Ding ◽  
Jinxian He ◽  
Hongchen Wu ◽  
Xiaoli Zhang

Ordos Basin is an important continental shale gas exploration site in China. The micropore structure of the shale reservoir is of great importance for shale gas evaluation. The Taiyuan Formation of the lower Permian is the main exploration interval for this area. To examine the nanometer pore structures in the Taiyuan Formation shale reservoirs in the Lin-Xing area, Northern Shaanxi, the microscopic pore structure characteristics were analyzed via nitrogen adsorption experiments. The pore structure parameters, such as specific surface area, pore volume, and aperture distribution, of shale were calculated; the significance of the pore structure for shale gas storage was analyzed; and the main controlling factors of pore development were assessed. The results indicated the surface area and hole volume of the shale sample to be 0.141–2.188 m2/g and 0.001398–0.008718 cm3/g, respectively. According to the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) classification, mesopores and macropores were dominant in the pore structure, with the presence of a certain number of micropores. The adsorption curves were similar to the standard IV (a)-type isotherm line, and the hysteresis loop type was mainly similar to H3 and H4 types, indicating that most pores are dominated by open type pores, such as parallel plate-shaped pores and wedge-shaped slit pores. The micropores and mesopores provide the vast majority of the specific surface area, functioning as the main area for the adsorption of gas in the shale. The mesopores and macropores provide the vast majority of the pore volume, functioning as the main storage areas for the gas in the shale. Total organic carbon had no notable linear correlation with the total pore volume and the specific surface area. Vitrinite reflectance (Ro) had no notable correlation with the specific surface area, but did have a low “U” curve correlation with the total pore volume. There was no relationship between the quartz content and specific surface area and total pore volume. In addition, there was no notable correlation between the clay mineral content and total specific surface area and total pore volume.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasar Khan ◽  
Rudy Swennen ◽  
Gert Jan Weltje ◽  
Irfan Ullah Jan

<p><span><strong>Abstract:</strong> Reservoir assessment of unconventional reservoirs poses numerous exploration challenges. These challenges relate to their fine-grained and heterogeneous nature, which are ultimately controlled by depositional and diagenetic processes. To illustrate such constraints on shale gas reservoirs, this study focuses on lithofacies analysis, paleo-depositional and diagenetic evolution of the Paleocene Patala Formation at Potwar Basin of Pakistan. Integrated sedimentologic, petrographic, X-ray diffraction and TOC (total organic carbon) analyses showed that the formation contained mostly fine-grained carbonaceous, siliceous, calcareous and argilaceous siliciclastic-lithofacies, whereas carbonate microfacies included mudstone, wackestone and packstone. The silicious and carbonaceous lithofacies are considered a potential shale-gas system. The clastic lithofacies are dominated by detrital and calcareous assemblage including quartz, feldspar, calcite, organic matter and clay minerals with auxiliary pyrites and siderites. Fluctuations in depositional and diagenetic conditions caused  lateral and vertical variability in lithofacies. Superimposed on the depositional heterogeneity are spatially variable diagenetic modifications such as dissolution, compaction, cementation and stylolitization. The δ</span><sup>13</sup><span>C and δ</span><sup>15</sup><span>N stable isotopes elucidated that the formation has been deposited under anoxic conditions, which relatively enhanced the preservation of mixed marine and terrigenous organic matter. Overall, the Patala Formation exemplifies deposition in a shallow marine (shelfal) environment with episodic anoxic conditions.</span></p><p><strong>Keywords</strong><strong>:</strong> Lithofacies, Organic Matter, Paleocene, Potwar Basin, Shale Gas, Shallow Marine.</p>


2013 ◽  
Vol 868 ◽  
pp. 121-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Yuan ◽  
Yan Bin Wang ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Jing Jing Fan ◽  
Pei Xue

The Shanxi and Taiyuan formations in Permo-Carboniferous of upper Paleozoic Erathem of Qinshui Basin, not only has abundant coal and CBM resources, also has a lot of shales. By analyzing the shale thickness, organic matter type, organic matter abundance, vitrinite reflectance, mineral composition of the Permo-Carboniferous coal-bearing strata, considered that the shale thickness of coal-bearing strata in the Qinshui Basin is larger, the organic matter abundance is general, but maturity is high and full of rich brittle mineral. It is in favor of late fracturing.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-90
Author(s):  
Justyna Smolarek ◽  
Leszek Marynowski

ABSTRACT Aromatic hydrocarbons are present in the fossil wood samples in relatively small amounts. In almost all of the tested samples the dominating aromatic hydrocarbon is perylene and its methyl and dimethyl derivatives. The most important biomarkers present in the aromatic fraction are dehydroabietane, siomonellite and retene, compounds characteristic for conifers. The distribution of discussed compounds is highly variable due to such early diagenetic processes affecting the wood as oxidation and the activity of microorganisms. MPI1 parameter values (methylphenanthrene index) for the majority of the samples are in the range of 0.1 to 0.5, which results in the highly variable values of Rc (converted value of vitrinite reflectance) ranging from 0.45 to 0.70%. Such values suggest that MPI1 parameter is not useful as maturity parameter in case of Middle Jurassic ore-bearing clays, even if measured strictly on terrestrial organic matter (OM). As a result of weathering processes (oxidation) the distribution of aromatic hydrocarbons changes. In the oxidized samples the amount of aromatic hydrocarbons, both polycyclic as well as aromatic biomarkers decreases.


Author(s):  
Magdalena Sikorska-Jaworowska

Petrologic investigations of Upper Cambrian and Tremadocian deposits were carried out in the Narol region (southern Lublin region) in prospecting for shale gas accumulations. The observations and analyses were made using a polarizing microscope, luminoscope (CL) and scanning microscope (BSE, SE, EDS, SEM-CL). The following analyses were performed: CL-spectral analysis of quartz, X-ray structural analysis of clay fraction, and pyrolytic analysis of organic matter. The rocks under study are represented mainly by clay-silt shales with sandy interbeds. They belong to the epicontinental siliciclastic association deposited on an extensive shelf subjected to tidal and storm action. The shales consist largely of illite, and the silt fraction is represented by quartz with a small admixture of feldspars. Quartz cement is common (growths and aggregates of authigenic quartz), while carbonate cement (calcite, Fe-dolomite/ ankerite and siderite), as well as pyrite, kaolinite and phosphate cements are rare. The shales reveal microporosity in the form of “microchannels” paralleling illite plates, and within mica packets. The micropores (1–2 µm in size) are observed in both the carbonate cement and organic matter. As a result of deep burial and intense diagenetic processes, the organic matter has undergone strong alteration (max. Ro = 2.5%). The vitrinite reflectance index and pyrolitic analysis of organic matter, as well as the highly ordered illite structure, indicate the maximum palaeotemperatures in the range of 120–150°C. The rocks show numerous fractures healed with carbonates and/or quartz. Some of the fractures that run parallel to the lamination (or more rarely those running perpendicular or at a high angle) have remained open and are potential pathways of hydrocarbon migration. Pyrolytic analysis shows that the shales do not represent source rocks. It is supposed that they do not represent reservoirs for unconventional hydrocarbon accumulations.


2012 ◽  
Vol 616-618 ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Zhang ◽  
Guang Yang ◽  
Yong Shu Zhang

Based on the analysis and testing data of rocks, the basic geologic characteristics of Suganhu depression is discussed. It is concluded that the 200m thickness dark mudstone of inshore shallow lake face in the middle–lower Jurassic stratum is the only source rock of this region. It has the characteristics of high abundance of organic matter and in high mature stage. And the type of organic matter is Ⅱ2.The reservoir properties is controlled by the influences of both the sedimentation and the diagenesis and belong to the low porosity and low permeability ones. The mudstone of Upper Jurassic is the local cap, the ones of braided river face and braided river delta face which existed in the up-middle of the middle Jurassic can be qualified as sealing bed between the sand bodies. Paleocene–eocene mudstone is the regional cap rock. The ability of upper Jurassic sealing bed is good because of the low porosity and permeability and high break pressure. The regional cap rock has the characteristics of big thickness and large area. Both the local and regional cap rock had been able to seal the petroleum and gas before the time of hydrocarbon accumulation of middle Jurassic. In general, Mesozoic formed reservoir–cap combination with the features of lower–generation and upper–reservoir, upper–cap.


Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Weiwei Liu ◽  
Kun Zhang ◽  
Qianwen Li ◽  
Zhanhai Yu ◽  
Sihong Cheng ◽  
...  

Due to the specificity of the geological background, terrestrial strata are widely distributed in the major hydrocarbon-bearing basins in China. In addition, terrestrial shales are generally featured with high thickness, multiple layers, high TOC content, ideal organic matter types, and moderate thermal evolution, laying a solid material foundation for hydrocarbon generation. However, the quantitative characterization study on their pore structure remains inadequate. In this study, core samples were selected from the Middle Jurassic Lianggaoshan Formation in the southeastern Sichuan Basin of the Upper Yangtze Region for analyses on its TOC content and mineral composition. Besides, experiments including oil washing, the adsorption/desorption of CO2 and nitrogen, and high-pressure mercury pressure experiments were carried out. The pore structure of different petrographic types of terrestrial shales can be accurately and quantitatively characterized with these works. The following conclusions were drawn: for organic-rich mixed shales and organic-rich clay shales, the TOC content is the highest; the pore volume, which is primarily provided by macropores and specific surface area, which is provided by mesopores, was the largest, thus providing more space for shale oil and gas reservation. The pores take on a shape either close to a parallel plate slit or close to or of an ink bottle. For organic-matter-bearing shales, both the pore volume and specific surface area are the second-largest and are provided by the same sized pores with organic-rich mixed shales. Its pores take on a shape approximating either a parallel plate slit or an ink bottle. Organic-matter-bearing mixed shales have the lowest pore volume and specific surface area; its pore volume is primarily provided by macropores, and the specific surface area by mesopores and the shape of the pores are close to an ink bottle.


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