Natural fractures at depth in the Lower Cretaceous Kuqa Depression tight sandstones: identification and characteristics

2020 ◽  
Vol 157 (8) ◽  
pp. 1299-1315
Author(s):  
Tao Nian ◽  
Yanze Li ◽  
Tao Hou ◽  
Chengqian Tan ◽  
Chao Liu
Keyword(s):  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Thrust Faults ◽  
Natural Fractures ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Kuqa Depression ◽  
Opening Mode

AbstractThe Kuqa Depression in the northern Tarim Basin, NW China, is characterized by fault-controlled anticlines where natural fractures may influence production. Natural fractures in the Lower Cretaceous tight sandstones in the depression have been studied using seismic profiles, borehole images, cores and thin-sections. Results show that thrust faults, two types of opening-mode macrofractures and two types of microfractures are present. Thrust faults were generated during Cenozoic N–S-directed tectonic shortening and have hydraulically linked Jurassic source rocks and Cretaceous sandstones. Opening-mode fractures can be subdivided on the basis of sizes, filling characteristics and distribution patterns. Type 1 macrofractures are barren or mainly calcite-lined. They have straight traces with widths (opening displacements) that are of the order of magnitude of 10 μm, suggesting that their primary role is that of migration channels. Type 2 macrofractures are calcite-filled opening-mode fractures. They have an elliptical or tabular shape with sharply tapering tips. Transgranular microfractures are lens-shaped and open or filled mostly by calcite; maximum widths range between 0.01 mm and 0.1 mm. Intragranular microfractures are the most common microfracture type. They are filled by calcite, feldspar or quartz. The macrofractures and transgranular microfractures have regular distributions, while most intragranular microfractures are irregularly distributed owing to their inherited origin. The results imply that natural fractures in the tight sandstones were formed as tectonic, diagenetic and natural hydraulic origins. In situ stress and cementation analyses suggest that Type 1 macrofractures and their genesis-related microfractures have controlled the present flow system of the tight sandstones.

Characteristics of dissolved pores and dissolution mechanism of zeolite-rich reservoirs in the Wuerhe Formation in Mahu area, Junggar Basin

2021 ◽  
pp. 014459872110287
Author(s):  
Ji Li ◽  
Wenjie Zhang ◽  
Baoli Xiang ◽  
Dan He ◽  
Shengchao Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Manganese Content ◽  
Junggar Basin ◽  
Dissolution Mechanism ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
High Iron Content ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Main Site ◽  
Dissolution Zone ◽  
Diagenetic Fluids

The reservoir in the Wuerhe Formation in the Mahu Sag, northwestern Junggar Basin, China, exhibits complex dissolution and cementation related to zeolite. The source and mechanism of diagenetic fluids are crucial in studying the reservoir genesis. Thus we investigated the key reservoirs fluids related to the zeolite and discussed their significance in the zeolite-rich reservoir of the Permian Wuerhe Formation in the Mahu Sag. Based on thin sections and electron microscope observations of rock samples and analyses of physical properties, C-O isotopes, and major elements, it is found that the reservoir underwent mainly two stages of fluid-related dissolution and cementation processes, in which the hydrocarbon-bearing fluid played the primary role in forming the high-quality reservoir. Dissolution pores are the most important storage space, and zeolite cement is the most important dissolution mineral. The geochemical characteristics of zeolite and calcite cement indicate the presence of two diagenetic fluids. The iron-rich calcite and orange-red heulandite is related to early diagenetic fluids with high iron content and higher carbon isotope values, whereas the calcites, with high manganese content and lower carbon isotope values, are formed by late acidic organic diagenetic fluids related to oil and gas activities. The hydrocarbon-bearing fluids form different spatial diagenetic zones, including the dissolution zone, buffer zone, and cementation zone, and the dissolution zone near the oil source fault is the main site of zeolite dissolution. The late fluid has the characteristics of multi-stage activity, which makes the spatial zoning expand gradually, resulting in multiple superpositions of dissolution and cementation and increasing the complexity and heterogeneity of the reservoir diagenesis. This study expands the understandings of the dissolution activities of different fluids in zeolite-rich reservoirs and also has reference significance for dissolution activity of hydrocarbon fluid in other types of reservoirs.

Lower Cretaceous Source Rocks on the Sw Barents Shelf

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hagset ◽  
B. Badics ◽  
S. Grundvåg ◽  
R. Davies ◽  
A. Rotevatn
Keyword(s):  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Source Rocks

scholarly journals Petroleum system analysis of the Mishrif reservoir in the Ratawi, Zubair, North and South Rumaila oil fields, southern Iraq

GeoArabia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 91-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thamer K. Al-Ameri ◽  
Amer Jassim Al-Khafaji ◽  
John Zumberge
Keyword(s):  
Source Rock ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Isotopic Analysis ◽  
Upper Jurassic ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Core Samples ◽  
Biomarker Analysis ◽  
Sulaiy Formation ◽  
Rock Analysis

ABSTRACT Five oil samples reservoired in the Cretaceous Mishrif Formation from the Ratawi, Zubair, Rumaila North and Rumaila South fields have been analysed using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). In addition, fifteen core samples from the Mishrif Formation and 81 core samples from the Lower Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic have been subjected to source rock analysis and palynological and petrographic description. These observations have been integrated with electric wireline log response. The reservoirs of the Mishrif Formation show measured porosities up to 28% and the oils are interpreted as being sourced from: (1) Type II carbonate rocks interbedded with shales and deposited in a reducing marine environment with low salinity based on biomarkers and isotopic analysis; (2) Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous age based on sterane ratios, analysis of isoprenoids and isotopes, and biomarkers, and (3) Thermally mature source rocks, based on the biomarker analysis. The geochemical analysis suggests that the Mishrif oils may have been sourced from the Upper Jurassic Najma or Sargelu formations or the Lower Cretaceous Sulaiy Formation. Visual kerogen assessment and source rock analysis show the Sulaiy Formation to be a good quality source rock with high total organic carbon (up to 8 wt% TOC) and rich in amorphogen. The Lower Cretaceous source rocks were deposited in a suboxic-anoxic basin and show good hydrogen indices. They are buried at depths in excess of 5,000 m and are likely to have charged Mishrif reservoirs during the Miocene. The migration from the source rock is likely to be largely vertical and possibly along faults before reaching the vuggy, highly permeable reservoirs of the Mishrif Formation. Structural traps in the Mishrif Formation reservoir are likely to have formed in the Late Cretaceous.

scholarly journals Spatial control of carbon dynamics in soil by microbial decomposer communities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holger Pagel ◽  
Björn Kriesche ◽  
Marie Uksa ◽  
Christian Poll ◽  
Ellen Kandeler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Microbial Succession ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Spatial Control ◽  
Soil Organic Matter Turnover ◽  
Microbial Decomposer ◽  
Modelling Approach

<p>Trait-based models have improved the understanding and prediction of soil organic matter dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems. Microscopic observations and pore scale models are now increasingly used to quantify and elucidate the effects of soil heterogeneity on microbial processes. Combining both approaches provides a promising way to accurately capture spatial microbial-physicochemical interactions and to predict overall system behavior. The present study aims to quantify controls on carbon (C) turnover in soil due to the mm-scale spatial distribution of microbial decomposer communities in soil. A new spatially explicit trait-based model (SpatC) has been developed that captures the combined dynamics of microbes and soil organic matter (SOM) by taking into account microbial life-history traits and SOM accessibility. Samples of spatial distributions of microbes at µm-scale resolution were generated using a spatial statistical model based on Log Gaussian Cox Processes which was originally used to analyze distributions of bacterial cells in soil thin sections. These µm-scale distribution patterns were then aggregated to derive distributions of microorganisms at mm-scale. We performed Monte-Carlo simulations with microbial distributions that differ in mm-scale spatial heterogeneity and functional community composition (oligotrophs, copiotrophs and copiotrophic cheaters). Our modelling approach revealed that the spatial distribution of soil microorganisms triggers spatiotemporal patterns of C utilization and microbial succession. Only strong spatial clustering of decomposer communities induces a diffusion limitation of the substrate supply on the microhabitat scale, which significantly reduces the total decomposition of C compounds and the overall microbial growth. However, decomposer communities act as functionally redundant microbial guilds with only slight changes in C utilization. The combined statistical and process-based modelling approach derives distribution patterns of microorganisms at the mm-scale from microbial biogeography at microhabitat scale (µm) and quantifies the emergent macroscopic (cm) microbial and C dynamics. Thus, it effectively links observable process dynamics to the spatial control by microbial communities. Our study highlights a powerful approach that can provide further insights into the biological control of soil organic matter turnover.</p>

scholarly journals Stratigraphy and Depositional Environment of Mauddud Formation in Ratawi Oil wells of Southern Iraq

2021 ◽  
Vol 877 (1) ◽  
pp. 012030
Author(s):  
Maha Razaq Manhi ◽  
Hamid Ali Ahmed Alsultani
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Depositional Environment ◽  
Carbonate Platform ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Oil Wells ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Microfacies Analysis ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Southern Iraq

Abstract The Mauddud Formation is Iraq’s most significant and widely distributed Lower Cretaceous formation. This Formation has been investigated at a well-23 and a well-6 within Ratawi oil field southern Iraq. In this work, 75 thin sections were produced and examined. The Mauddud Formation was deposited in a variety of environments within the carbonate platform. According to microfacies analysis studying of the Mauddud Formation contains of twelve microfacies, this microfacies Mudstone to wackestone microfacies, bioclastic mudstone to wackestone microfacies, Miliolids wackestone microfacies,Orbitolina wackestone microfacies, Bioclastic wackestone microfacies, Orbitolina packstone microfacies, Peloidal packstone microfacies, Bioclastic packstone microfacies, Peloidal to Bioclastic packstone microfacies, Bioclastic grainstone microfacies, Peloidal grainstone microfacies, Rudstone microfacies. Deep sea, Shallow open marine, Restricted, Rudist Biostrome, Mid – Ramp, and Shoals are the six depositional environments in the Mauddud Formation based on these microfacies.

Banded sphalerite from the North Pennine Orefield

1991 ◽  
Vol 55 (380) ◽  
pp. 409-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. More ◽  
D. J. Vaughan ◽  
J. R. Ashworth
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Ultra Violet ◽  
Crystal Defects ◽  
Growth Band ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
The North ◽  
Slip Planes ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Growth Zoning

AbstractOptical microscopy of doubly polished thin sections of North Pennine sphalerite has revealed a range of previously unrecognised textures for the Alston Block mineralisation. Delicate growth zoning, interrupted by numerous solution disconformities, was seen in transmitted light. Two principal varieties of growth-banded sphalerite are recognised; the earlier (Type 1) is characterised by the development of thin opaque bands. Type 2 has colour bands between yellow and brown, correlated with iron content. In Type 1, iron levels (up to 3 wt.%) are not sufficient to account for the observed opacity. Ultra-violet and infra-red techniques failed to detect any organic inclusions. Electron microscopy revealed locally high concentrations of sub-micrometre inclusions, both beam-stable and beam-unstable, and a variety of growth-related crystal defects.Fluid inclusion thermometry in both sphalerite varieties and the accompanying quartz gangue implies a saline mineralising fluid (20–25 wt.% equiv. NaCl) at a relatively low temperature (100° to 140°C). Tubular inclusions are conspicuous. A deformation-induced lamelliform optical anisotropy is superimposed on a growth-related grid-iron anisotropy. Growth band offset is apparent where the deformation fabric cross-cuts the growth banding. Deformation on {111} twin and slip planes was indicated by electron microscopy.

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