Natural gas geochemistry of low evolutionary stage of medium- and small-sized basins in Yunnan Province, southwestern China

The biogenic gas and premature-low mature associated gases in some medium and small-sized basins of Yannan Province, such as Luliang, Yanglin, Baoshan and Jinggu basins, have beed researched. The results show that the biogenic-gas consists mainly of methane which is more than 99% in gasous hydrocarbons and of lighter carbon isotopic composition with δ13C1 values from -60.0‰ to - 75.4‰. The methane carbon isotopic compositions in the Baoshan Basin is relatively heavy (δ13C1 - 60‰- - 65‰), but those in Luliang and Yanglin basins are lighter (δ13C1, less than -70‰), which implies that the gas field of the Baoshan Basin formed earlier than the others. In the Jinggu Basin, where crude oil is premature-lower mature, the natural gas of associated oil relatively wet and the relative content of methane about 58%-95% in gasous hydrocarbons. Constituently the gas composition is much similar to associated one, but the methane carbon isotopic compositions from - 53.8‰ to - 57.8‰ are obviously richer in 12C than those of general oil fields and similarly characterize the biothermo-catalytic transitional zone gas. Their ethane carbon isotopic compositions from - 34.6‰ to -29.0‰ show that they may be derived from type Ⅰ or Ⅱ source rock. But for the associated gas from lower evolutionary stage, the heavier ethane carbon isotopic composition as well as the reversed order among the carbon isotopic composition of ethane, propylane and butane also implies that some gases from the type Ⅲ organic matter are mixed. The δ13CCo2 of the samples essentially less than - 10‰ may be generated from organic matter.     

准噶尔盆地东道海子凹陷油气成因及成藏期次分析

采集东道海子凹陷的烃源岩样品和油气样品,对样品进行有机碳、热解、饱和烃色谱及碳同位素等地球化学分析。在此基础上对东道海子凹陷烃源岩进行评价,研究认为石炭系烃源岩为一套高—过成熟的有机质类型差的中等烃源岩,二叠系烃源岩为一套成熟—高成熟的有机质类型好—较好烃源岩,侏罗系烃源岩为一套成熟的有机质类型差的中等烃源岩。该区油气成因复杂,通过油气的地球化学特征分析及油气源对比分析,结果表明既有来源于二叠系烃源岩的原油和天然气,也有来源于侏罗系的原油,还有来源于石炭系的天然气。油气成因的复杂导致油气成藏期次的多样,油气的成熟度及油气包裹体研究表明,既有一期成藏的油气,也有多期成藏的油气。     

Constraints on the origins of hydrocarbon gas from compositions of gases at their site of origin

It is widely accepted that natural gas is formed from thermal decomposition of both oil in reservoirs and, to a lesser extent, the organic matter in shales from which the oil was derived. But laboratory pyrolysis experiments on shales do not reproduce the methane-rich composition typical of most gas reservoirs, leading to suggestions that other mechanisms, such as transition-metal catalysis, may be important. The discrepancy might, however, instead arise because gas (and oil) deposits have migrated from their source rocks, so that the reservoir composition might not be representative of the composition in the source rocks where the hydrocarbons were generated. To address this question, we have analysed gas samples coproduced with oils directly from a source rock (the Bakken shales, North Dakota, USA) where the local geology has prevented significant hydrocarbon migration. The methane contents of these Bakken-shale gases are much lower than that of conventional gas reservoirs, but are consistent with that from pyrolysis experiments on these shales. Thus, because these Bakken gases form with (rather than from) oils, we argue that compositional differences between gases from source rocks and conventional gas deposits result from fractionation processes occurring after hydrocarbon expulsion from the source rock.     

Kinetic study of hydrocarbon generation of oil asphaltene from Lunnan area, Tabei uplift

The molecular compositions and molecular carbon isotopic compositions of gas hydrocarbons produced in the hydrocarbon generation of oil asphaltene from Lunnnan area were investigated by pyrolysis of asphaltene sealed in gold tube in a limited system. The experimental results indicated that oil asphaltene from Lunnan area had relatively high generation potential of methane. However, the molecular compositions and molecular carbon isotopic compositions of gas hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon generation of oil asphaltene exhibited different characteristics from that of gas hydrocarbons by primary cracking of kerogen and secondary cracking of oil. Based on kinetic simulation with paleo-geothermal data of oil reservoir, the methane produced by cracking of oil asphatene was characterized by relatively light carbon isotopic compositions. This result could not explain relatively heavy carbon isotopic compositions of natural gas from Lunnan area. Pyrolysis of kerogen from source rocks under very high temperature probably made remarkable contributions to natural gas from Lunnan area.     

东濮凹陷二氧化碳生成模拟试验研究

为了探明东濮凹陷二氧化碳的来源及其丰度 ,采用加水热解法对不同源岩进行了二氧化碳生成热模拟试验 .3个实验样品取自可能的二氧化碳源岩 :下第三系泥岩、石炭—二叠系的煤岩和古生界奥陶系的灰岩 .实验结果表明 ,煤岩的生气 (二氧化碳和烃类 )能力最大 ,70 0℃时达 1 86mL/g ,泥岩次之 ,为 1 0 0 96mL/g ,灰岩最小为 2 0 49mL/g .对生成气的成分分析结果表明 ,煤岩气体产物中烃类约占 80 %～ 90 %,CO2 约占 7%～ 1 5 %;奥陶系灰岩的生烃能力很小 ,主要生成CO2 气体 .根据东濮凹陷不同源岩的生气能力 ,以及对产物的成分和同位素值的分析 ,可得到以下结论 :该区二氧化碳主要有两个来源 ,一是无机成因的主要与海相碳酸岩分解有关 ,二是有机成因的 ,主要是石炭—二叠系煤系地层热分解产生的二氧化碳 .下第三系地层由于热演化程度低 ,难以产生规模二氧化碳     

Discussion on marine source rocks thermal evolvement patterns in the Tarim Basin and Sichuan Basin,west China

Taking marine source rocks of lower Paleozoic in the Tarim Basin and Paleozoic ones in the Sichuan Basin as examples, their sedimentation process could be classified into four styles: continuous subsidence with deep sedimentation in early stage, continuous subsidence with deep sedimentation in later stage, that deeply buried-uplift-shallowly buried, and that shallowly buried-uplift-deeply buried. Unlike that in East China, the marine source rocks evolvement patterns did not accord with sedimentation styles one by one in superimposed basins in west China. Taking local geothermal field into account, four types of source rock evolvement patterns were built: that evolved fast in early stage, evolved fast in middle stage, evolved continuously and evolved in multistage. Among them, the 1st pattern contributed little to the present industrial oil pools directly, but paleo-oil reservoirs and gases cracked from crude oils were main exploration targets. Although some gases were found in the 2nd pattern, the scale was not big enough. For the 3rd and 4th patterns, the hydrocarbon potential depended on organic matters maturity in early stage. For relatively low mature rocks, it was possible to generate some oils in later stage; otherwise the main products were gases. Paleo-oil reservoirs remained fairly well in the Sichuan Basin, and most source rocks underwent kerogen-oil-gas processes, which was useful reference to gas exploration in the Tarim Basin.     

Discussion on marine source rocks thermal evolvement patterns in the Tarim Basin and Sichuan Basin, west China

Taking marine source rocks of lower Paleozoic in the Tarim Basin and Paleozoic ones in the Sichuan Basin as examples, their sedimentation process could be classified into four styles continuous subsldence with deep sedimentation in early stage, continuous subsidence with deep sedimentation in later stage, that deeply buried-uplift-shallowly buried, and that shallowly buried-uplift-deeply buried.Unlike that in East China, the marine source rocks evolvement patterns did not accord with sedimentation styles one by one in superimposed basins in west China. Taking local geothermal field into account, four types of source rock evolvement patterns were built that evolved fast in early stage,evolved fast in middle stage, evolved continuously and evolved in multistage. Among them, the 1st pattern contributed little to the present industrial oil pools directly, but paleo-oil reservoirs and gases cracked from crude oils were main exploration targets. Although some gases were found in the 2nd pattern, the scale was not big enough. For the 3rd and 4th patterns, the hydrocarbon potential depended on organic matters maturity in early stage. For relatively low mature rocks, it was possible to generate some oils in later stage; otherwise the main products were gases. Paleo-oil reservoirs remained fairly well in the Sichuan Basin, and most source rocks underwent kerogen-oil-gas processes,which was useful reference to gas exploration in the Tarim Basin.     

油气分段捕获揭示震旦——寒武系天然气成藏过程

烃源岩生烃具有时间和空间上的序列性,构造活动和圈闭的形成也具有阶段性,加之富集型古油藏和分散型滞留原油产生的裂解气也会大量运移聚集,因此,油气成藏可能经历多个阶段。基于以上油气分段捕获原理"将今论古"地分析四川盆地南部威远、资阳、高石梯-磨溪3个典型构造的震旦系-寒武系天然气成藏过程与成藏规律,从而预测其他未知区块的成藏潜力。研究认为,高磨地区作为继承性古隆起,震旦系-寒武系圈闭几乎捕获了烃源岩从早期生油到晚期干酪根生气所有阶段的油气;威远、资阳震旦系-寒武系圈闭则仅捕获了部分阶段的油气,对于未知区块-泸州古隆起区来讲,其震旦系-寒武系能捕获生气高峰及其以后阶段所有的天然气,包括分散型滞留原油裂解气和晚期干酪根裂解气,如果落实好储层和圈闭,天然气勘探潜力很大。     

混合气藏类型划分及成藏模式探讨

混合气藏是常见的天然气藏类型,实用的类型划分及成藏模式的建立是该类气藏定量研究的基础。根据端元气的来源,对混合气藏类型进行了划分,并结合实例建立了相应的成藏模式。研究结果表明,常见的混合气藏可划分出两大类4小类:(1)异源混合气藏,指不同气源岩(灶)生成天然气的混合,其中包括异源岩混合气藏和异源灶混合气藏两类;(2)同源不同阶混合气藏,按母质类型分为煤型不同阶和油型不同阶两类。对塔里木、鄂尔多斯、四川等盆地典型气藏解剖结果证明,多套有效气源岩、沟通圈闭和源岩(灶)的通道是异源混合气藏形成的基础;而气源岩多期次演化生气、持续有效的圈闭是同源不同阶混合气藏形成的重要条件。分析认为,具有多套源岩供气的轮南凸起、川东高陡褶皱带是发育异源混合气藏的有利地区;而成藏过程复杂的库车坳陷则是同源不同阶混合气藏发育的有利地区。     

Carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions and their evolutions of gases generated by herbaceous swamp peat at different thermal maturity stages

Coalbed methane (CBM) accumulation models include continuous gas accumulation and staged gas accumulation.However,studied on the geochemical characteristics and indices to evaluate staged accumulation CBM are lacking.This study for the first time obtained the carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions of methane and ethane generated at different evolution stages using thermal simulation of samples prepared by treating an herbaceous swamp peat at different temperatures.The results showed that the carbon isotopic compositions of methane and ethane were obviously affected by the thermal evolution level of the starting sample,while the hydrogen isotopic compositions were closely related to the maturity of gases.The carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions of gases generated by coal-forming organic matter with Ro values from 1.2%,1.7%,2.4%,3.2% and 3.7% to 5.2% were determinated.The relationship between Ro values and the carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions of gases generated by coal-forming organic matter at different evolution stages as well as the carbon or hydrogen isotopic relationships between methane and ethane were established.The results provide a scientific basis for studying the genesis of CBM generated at different maturity intervals and understanding the geochemical characteristics of staged accumulation CBM.These results were applied to a case study on CBM from the southern Qinshui basin,and it was found that the CBM accumulated after the Middle Jurassic and was characteristic of staged gas accumulation.This is consistent with the result of geological studies,and further showed that the results of thermal simulation experiments are very important for evaluating the genesis of natural CBM.     

祁连山冻土区烃源岩芳烃地球化学特征

为查明祁连山冻土区天然气水合物气源,在对该区可能烃源岩芳烃GC-MS分析的基础上,剖析了煤和泥岩的有机质来源、热演化程度和沉积环境。结果表明,研究区所有烃源岩样品中均检测到苯并蒽等陆源高等植物来源的芳烃化合物,且石炭系和侏罗系煤样1,2,5-TMN/1,3,6-TMN比值较高,分别为2.35和4.89,其余烃源岩样品该比值较低,为0.04~0.77,说明石炭系和侏罗系煤样陆源高等植物贡献较大,其余烃源岩样品则以低等水生生物输入为主;侏罗系(D-17)煤样F1和F2值分别为0.40和0.21,处于成熟阶段,其余烃源岩为高成熟烃源岩;侏罗系和二叠系煤样氧芴相对含量较高,分别为69.39%和40.92%,表征发育于氧化性环境,其余烃源岩氧芴含量较低,介于2.53%~13.43%之间,为还原性环境沉积的烃源岩。     

Groundbreaking gas source rock correlation research based on the application of a new experimental approach for adsorbed gas

Many years of experimentation have led to the development and improvement of equipment and methods used to make gas source rock correlations.By crushing samples using a ball mill and directly collecting adsorbed gases in the absence of aqueous media under high vacuum conditions,most possible interference factors,such as atmospheric pollution,crushing-induced pyrolysis,and gas collection by aqueous media are eliminated.This greatly enhances the volume percentage of hydrocarbon gas in the acquired adsorbed gases,with maxima up to more than 80%.The actual measurement of carbon isotopic series can be carried out to such an extent as to be δ13C1-δ13C5.A preliminary study using newly established equipment and methods has indicated the following.(1) The carbon isotopic composition of ethane in adsorbed gases on hydrocarbon source rocks can be used to distinguish the types of source rocks.This is consistent with results obtained by using organic geochemical parameters for source rocks,and illustrates that it is highly feasible to use the carbon isotopic composition of ethane in natural gases as a parameter for distinguishing the types of source rocks.(2) The thermal evolution degree(Ro) of hydrocarbon-source rocks calculated in terms of the carbon isotopic composition of methane in adsorbed gases on hydrocarbon source rocks agrees well with the vitrinite reflectance actually measured in the source rocks.This confirms the reliability of the relationship between the carbon isotopic composition of methane in natural gases and the thermal evolution degree determined using statistics.(3) Finally,a direct gas source correlation method for natural gases has been established,and the expression of log Ro vs.δ13C1 established in terms of actually measured δ13C1 values of methane in absorbed gases.Ro values of hydrocarbon source rocks have been established as well,thus creating favorable conditions for precise oil-and-gas source correlations in exploration areas.     

New evidence for the origin of natural gas in Ordos Basin from hydrocarbons of oil water

The chief aim of the present work is to investigate the controversy origin of natural gas in the Ordos Basin by using the hydrocarbons of oil water. New evidence has been found: There is relatively high content of light hydrocarbons and low content of heavy components in the hydrocarbons fraction of oil water in the middle gas field of the Majiagou Formation, Ordovician reservoir. The hydrocarbons of oil water in Well Shan 12 and Well Shan 78 have relatively high abundance of tricyclic terpane. Tricyclic terpane/hopane of the two samples are 1.48 and 0.36, respectively. They also show that pregnane and hompregnane are in relatively high abundance with lower hopane/sterane ratio. Pr/Ph is less than 2.0. These characteristics reflected the source input of marine carbonate sedimentary environment. In contrast, the hydrocarbon of Well Shan 81 is lack of tricyclic terpane series and pregnane. It has a high hopane/sterane ratio and Pr/Ph is 3.27. These parameters are typical character of terrestrial organic matter. Furthermore, the hydrocarbons of oil water in Well Shan 37 and Well Shan 34 is between the two typical situations. They have little content of tricyclic terpanes. They may be derived from a mixing source of marine carbonate and terrestrial organic matter input. Similarly, the maturity parameters approve this suggestion. The samples of Well Shan 12 and Well Shan 78 which derived from marine carbonate have relatively high maturity and samples derived from terrestrial organic matter have lower maturity. The maturity of the hydrocarbons of mixing source is between these two situations. The suggestion coincides with the geological background and source rocks distribution.     

Discussion of gas enrichment mechanism and natural gas origin in marine sedimentary basin,China

There are abundant natural gas resources in Chinese marine sedimentary basin. The exploration hot shots of natural gas are the Palaeozoic marine strata here in recent years, and several large scale gas fields have been discovered. Chinese Palaeozoic high-post matured and coal measure hydrocarbon source rocks are mainly prone to gas generation in the present. This research considered that gas source rocks and TSR are the key cause of gas enrichment of marine strata. High-quality argillaceous and coal measure hydrocarbon rocks are distributed widely in the Palaeozoic marine strata, which have been in highly matured phase in the present. The argillaceous source rock generally contains various sulfates that could accelerate crude oil cracking to gas for TSR occurrence, and coal measure source rock mainly generates gas, so Chinese marine basin gives priority to accumulating gas. Marine strata have not founded oil reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin and Ordos Basin, and they consist mainly of dry gas. Marine natural gases are the mixed gases of oil cracking gas and coal-formed gas in a general way, oil cracking gases contain usually some H2S and CO2. Hydrocarbon carbon isotopes are very complicated, and methane and ethane isotopic values bear apparent reversal caused by thermal evolution and mixing among different genetic types of natural gas. Coal-formed gases are the main component of Chinese marine natural gas. The Upper Permian of the Sichuan Basin and the Carboniferous-Permian of the Ordos Basin coal measure hydrocarbon source rock present large hydrocarbon generation potential, which are the prospecting highlight of marine natural gas hereafter. Oil cracking gas exploration will be paid much attention to in the Tarim Basin because of the lack of coal measure hydrocarbon source rock.     

川西拗陷新场构造带须二段气藏类型划分及成藏主控因素

探索川西拗陷新场构造带须二段气藏类型,为致密砂岩气藏的勘探开发提供理论依据。通过源储配置关系研究、流体特征分析、天然气运聚特征研究、单井生产动态特征分析,结果表明断层沟通输导网状供烃和源储直接接触面状供烃是研究区须二段气藏主要的供烃方式。由此将研究区须二段气藏划分为"断层输导型"和"源储相邻型"2大类5亚类。晚期断层输导区和优质源储直接接触区具备良好的油气成藏组合关系,是须二段有利的油气分布区。     

Discussion of gas enrichment mechanism and natural gas origin in marine sedimentary basin, China

There are abundant natural gas resources in Chinese marine sedimentary basin. The exploration hot shots of natural gas are the Palaeozoic marine strata here in recent years, and several large scale gas fields have been discovered. Chinese Palaeozoic high-post matured and coal measure hydrocarbon source rocks are mainly prone to gas generation in the present. This research considered that gas source rocks and TSR are the key cause of gas enrichment of marine strata. High-quality argillaceous and coal measure hydrocarbon rocks are distributed widely in the Palaeozoic marine strata, which have been in highly matured phase in the present. The argillaceous source rock generally contains various sulfates that could accelerate crude oil cracking to gas for TSR occurrence, and coal measure source rock mainly generates gas, so Chinese marine basin gives priority to accumulating gas. Marine strata have not founded oil reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin and Ordos Basin, and they consist mainly of dry gas. Marine natural gases are the mixed gases of oil cracking gas and coal-formed gas in a general way, oil cracking gases contain usually some H2S and CO2. Hydrocarbon carbon isotopes are very complicated, and methane and ethane isotopic values bear apparent reversal caused by thermal evolution and mixing among different genetic types of natural gas. Coal-formed gases are the main component of Chinese marine natural gas. The Upper Permian of the Sichuan Basin and the Carboniferous-Permian of the Ordos Basin coal measure hydrocarbon source rock present large hydrocarbon generation po- tential, which are the prospecting highlight of marine natural gas hereafter. Oil cracking gas exploration will be paid much attention to in the Tarim Basin because of the lack of coal measure hydrocarbon source rock.     

Organic compositions of lacustrine source rocks in Jiyang super-depression and its implication to petroleum geology

IMMATURE OIL WAS FIRST DISCOVERED IN WELL YI18 IN CHINA [1]. FROM THEN ON, MORE AND MORE IMMATURE OILS WERE DISCOVERED IN JIYANG SUPER-DEPRESSION, FOR EXAM- PLE, SOUTHERN SLOPE OF DONGYING DEPRESSION, GUNAN SAG IN ZHANHUA DEPRESSION, TAOERHE, DAWANGZHUANG…     

巴西被动大陆边缘盆地群大油气田形成条件

基于板块构造演化与岩相古地理特征,确定了巴西东海岸被动大陆边缘盆地群经历了早白垩世巴雷姆期陆内裂谷、阿普特期陆间裂谷、阿尔比期以来的被动大陆边缘3 个原型阶段,分别充填了湖相及河流三角洲、过渡相碳酸盐岩与蒸发岩、海相碎屑岩为主的沉积体系。其中,陆内裂谷阶段湖相烃源岩为大油气田形成奠定了丰富的资源基础;陆间裂谷期碳酸盐岩及被动陆缘阶段海相浊积砂体形成两类优质储集层;陆间裂谷期蒸发岩及被动陆缘阶段海相页岩分别为碳酸盐岩及浊积砂体形成高效区域盖层。裂谷期湖相烃源岩始新世—中新世开始生排烃,油气首先沿裂谷期断层及砂砾岩体进入盐下储集层中,如果不发育盐窗,油气直接被盐岩高效封盖在下伏的以碳酸盐岩为主的地层中,形成盐下碳酸盐岩成藏组合;否则油气则会沿盐运动形成的断层运移至盐上被海相页岩“包裹”的浊积砂体之中富集,形成了“双保险”型大油气田成藏模式。搞清该盆地群大油气田的主控因素与成藏模式,不但深化了被动大陆边缘盆地油气富集规律,而且能为中国石油公司制定南美油气发展战略奠定地质基础。     

An approach to noble-gas isotopic compositions in natural gases and gas-source tracing in the Ordos Basin, China

Isotopic compositions of noble gases, i.e. He Ar Kr and Xe, are measured in natural gases from the Zhongbu gasfield in the Ordos Basin. And heavy noble-gas isotopes (Kr, Xe) are here first used in geochemically studying natural gases and gas-source correlation. Isotopic compositions of heavy noble gases in natural gases, especially Xe, show two-source mixing in the Zhongbu gasfield. Gas sources are somewhat different in the northeast and the southwest of the gasfield. Generally, the gas source of the Lower Paleozoic makes a greater contribution in the southwest than in the northeast in the field. Two kinds of gases can be differentiated from isotopic compositions of heavy noble gases and from their relation with the Ar isotopic composition, Therefore, the comprehensive study on isotopic compositions of light and heavy noble gases can supply more useful information on gas-source correlation and tracing.     

Evaluation criteria for gas source rocks of marine carbonate in China

Hydrocarbon generating and expulsion simulation experiments are carried out using samples artifically matched between the acid-dissolved residue of relatively low-maturity limestone and the original sample. This work makes up for the insufficiency of source rock samples with high abundance of organic matters and low maturity in China. The organic carbon content of the 10 prepared samples varies between 0.15% and 0.74%. Pyrolysis data and simulation experiment results of hydrocarbon generating and expulsion, which were obtained by a high-temperature and high-pressure open system, indicate that the lower limit of organic carbon content for marine carbonate rock to generate and expel hydrocarbons is 0.23%—0.31%. In combination with the numerical analysis of organic carbon in marine carbonate rocks from Tarim Basin, Sichuan Basin, Ordos Basin and North China, as well as the contribution of these gas source rocks to the discovered gas pools, we think that the organic carbon criterion for carbonate gas source rocks should be 0.3%.