scholarly journals Organic petrology, geochemistry, and hydrocarbon generation capacity of Permo–Carboniferous source rocks in the Mahu Sag, northwestern Junggar Basin, China

2021 ◽  
pp. 014459872110238
Author(s):  
Zhijun Qin ◽  
Dongming Zhi ◽  
Kelai Xi

The Mahu Sag in the Junggar Basin, China, is a hydrocarbon-rich sag. Abundant hydrocarbon source rocks were developed in the late Paleozoic there across the Carboniferous–Permian boundary. However, studies of the source rocks have focused mainly on the lower Permian Fengcheng Formation. Here we compare the Fengcheng Formation with other Carboniferous rocks and those of the lower Permian Jiamuhe and middle Permian Lower-Wuerhe formations. Based on organic petrological and geochemical data, the organic matter precursors, sedimentary facies, and resource potential of these source rocks were investigated. The bio-precursors of Carboniferous, Jiamuhe, and Lower-Wuerhe Formations were dominantly estuarine higher plants, Nematothallus -higher plants, and spores, respectively. The bio-precursors of Fengcheng Formation were mainly bacteria and algae, and the organic matter is abundant, with a high hydrocarbon-generating capacity and significant shale oil potential. In contrast, the other three formations contain poor-quality source rocks, although the Lower-Wuerhe Formation has a higher organic matter abundance than the Jiamuhe Formation. The Carboniferous organic matter contains mainly type II kerogen, whereas the Jiamuhe and Lower-Wuerhe formations contain type III kerogen. The thermal maturities determined from Tmax values is larger than those indicated by biomarkers. The biomarkers show that the three studied formations contain a mixture of terrestrial higher plants and bacteria–algae, with the contribution of green algae being higher than that of bacteria in most samples. However, the ratio of algae to bacteria is lower than that of the Fengcheng Formation. The Fengcheng Formation was deposited in a strongly reducing, high-salinity, and water-stratified sedimentary environment. The other three formations were deposited in an oxidizing–reducing, low-salinity, and water-unstratified environment. They are characterized by the predominance of mudstone over carbonate rocks and the descending distribution type of tricyclic terpenes. Our results provide a basis for research on upper Paleozoic source rocks in western China, and useful information for oil and gas exploration in the Mahu Sag.

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.


2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tengfei Zhou ◽  
Yaoqi Zhou ◽  
Hanjie Zhao ◽  
Manjie Li ◽  
Hongyu Mu

A suite of source rock consists of mudstone and shale, with great thickness and continuous deposition was found in the well LK-1 in Lingshan island in Ri-Qing-Wei basin. In order to evaluate the hydrocarbon generation prospects of these source rock and find the mechanism of organic matter enrichment, shale samples were selected from the core for TOC (total organic carbon) and element geochemistry analysis. The results show that organic matter abundance of the source rocks are generally high with average TOC content of 1.26 wt%, suggesting they are good source rocks. The geochemical features show that the sedimentary environment is mostly anoxic brackish water to salt water environment with arid to semiarid climate condition. The enrichment mechanism of organic matter varied with the evolution of the basin, which was divided into three stages according to the sedimentary characteristics. In the initial-middle period of rifting evolution (stage 1 and early stage 2), paleoproductivity is the major factor of OM-enrichment reflecting by high positive correlation between the TOC contents and paleoproductivity proxies. While with the evolution of the rift basin, redox condition and terrigenous clastic input became more and more important until they became the major factor of OM enrichment in the middle stage of rift evolution (stage 2). In the later stage of rift evolution (latest stage 2 and stage 3), besides terrigenous clastic input, the effect of paleoclimate on OM-enrichment increased gradually from a minor factor to a major factor.


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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jude E. Ogala ◽  
Mike I. Akaegbobi

<p>The concentration and distribution of aromatic biomarkers in coals and shales from five boreholes penetrating the Maastrichtian Mamu Formation of the Anambra Basin, southeastern Nigeria, were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometryto assess the thermal maturity and organic matter input. The study focused on the variations of the relative abundances of naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, and monaromatic and triaromatic steroids identified on the mass fragmentograms. Trimethylnaphthalene(TMN) is the most abundant member of the naphthalene family while methylphenanthrene (MP) is the most abundant phenanthrene family member. The total of phenanthrenes and their isomers was greater than that of naphthalenes. The distribution of these aromatic hydrocarbons and their akyl derivatives was strongly controlled by a selective expulsion mechanism and thermal maturation of organic matter. The low dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene (DBT/PHEN) ratios (0.01-0.06), as well as the enhanced concentrations of 1,2,5-TMN relative to 1,2,7- TMN,indicates organic matter derived mainly from higher plants,and the extract ternary plot of C<sub>27</sub>, C<sub>28</sub> and C<sub>29</sub> monoaromatic steroids suggests a Type III and mixed Type II/III kerogen. The calculated mean vitrinite reflectance (%R<sub>m</sub>), determined from the distributions of the isomers of methyldibenzothiophene ratio (MDR) in the rock extracts, ranged from 0.51 to 1.43. These maturity values indicate that the coal and shale extracts are marginally mature for hydrocarbon generation.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Resumen</strong></p><p>La concentración y distribución de biomarcadores aromáticos en carbones y esquistos de cinco perforaciones en la formación Maastrichtian Mamu de la cuenca de Anambra, en el sureste de Nigeria, fueron analizados a través de un estudio de espectometría cromatográfico y de masa del gas para medir la madurez termal y la entrada de material orgánico. El estudio está enfocado en las variaciones de la abundancia relativa de naftalinas y fenantrenos, y en los esteroides monoaromáticos y triaromáticos identificados en los fragmentogramas de masas. La trimetinaftalina (TMN) es la más abundante de la familia de las naftalinas mientras el metilfenantreno (MP) es el más abundante de los fenantrenos. El tota de los fenantrenos y sus isómeros fue mayor que el de las naftalinas. La distribución de estos hidrocarbones aromáticos y sus alquilos derivados fue controlada ampliamente por un mecanismo de expulsión selectiva y de la maduración térmica de material orgánico. La baja proporción dibenziotofeno/fenantreno (DBT/ PHEN) (0.01-0.06), al igual que las concentraciones mejoradas de 1,2,5-TMN relativas de 1,2,7-TMN indican que la materia orgánica se deriva principalmente de plantas mayores, y del diagrama terniario de los esteroides monoaromáticos C<sub>27</sub>, C<sub>28</sub> y C<sub>29</sub> sugiere un tipo III mezclado con tipos II/III de querógenos. El valor calculado de la reflectancia de vitrinita (%Rm) determinado de la proporción de isómeros de metildibenziotofeno (MDR) en los extractos rocosos oscila de 0.51 a 1.43. Estos valores de madurez indican que los extractos de carbones y esquistos son marginalmente maduros para la generación de hidrocarbono.</p><p> </p>


Lithosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (Special 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojun Li ◽  
Jingchun Tian ◽  
Miao Wang ◽  
Yong Chen

Abstract The carbonate rocks were collected from the Qum Formation in outcrop of the northern Garmsar Area, Iran. In order to evaluating the hydrocarbon generation prospects of these source rocks, we analyzed their geochemical characteristics, including the abundance, type, and maturity of organic matter, and investigated their formation conditions by analyzing the characteristics of soluble organic matter and sedimentary environment. The results show that the organic matter abundance of the source rocks in the Qum Formation in the Garmsar Area is low in the north and west. The organic matter type is mainly II1-II2, locally showing type I and III, and in general, it is conducive to hydrocarbon generation. The maturity of organic matter is low, showing the Tmax between 416°C and 439°C, vitrinite reflectance (Ro) from 0.49% to 0.83%, which indicate it is at the stage of low to moderate maturity. The soluble organic matter characteristics indicated that the organic matter evolution of the source rocks in the Qum Formation is low. Through comparison between the study area and other areas, and different places within the working area, the abundance, type, and maturity of organic matter of the source rocks in the Qum Formation are different, caused by the basin facie zones, sedimentary environment, and history of sedimentation of the source rocks. Overall, the source rock in the Qum Formation in Garmsar Area has good prospects of hydrocarbon generation. This study has important significance for further exploration in the Garmsar Area.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lazaro Laut ◽  
Maria Virgina Alves Martins ◽  
Pierre Belart ◽  
Maria Lucia Lorini ◽  
Iara Clemente ◽  
...  

Bottom sediment is a natural trap for organic matter and different kinds of pollutants. The accumulation of large amount of organic matter gives rise to the eutrophication of the aquatic ecosystems. The analyses of the quantity and quality of the organic matter (biopolymers) help to determine the trophic status of coastal ecosystems. The Maricá-Guarapina Lagoon System (MGLS) is located in Rio de Janeiro and is composed by four connected lagoons: Maricá, Barra, Padre and Guarapina. It has been suffering impacts due to the intense and uncontrolled property speculation. Based on this problem, this study aimed to characterize the organic matter (OM) amount and quality in sediments and the relation with the impacted areas in this lagoon system. The collected sediment samples were analyzed for geochemical data combined with grain size and physical-chemical environmental parameters of the bottom water. Statistical results evidenced that the sedimentary environment of the MGLS is heterogenous. The organic matter supplied to the MGLS is provided from different sources but the autochthonous contribution (phytoplanktonic productivity and vegetal detritus from the mangrove fringe) prevails. The anthropogenic contribution was more evident in Padre Lagoon, where the sediments had relatively low TOC contents (0.1-0.8%). The MGLS is accumulating mainly aged organic matter. The most impacted zones were found in Guarapina, Barra and Maricá lagoons, in bottoms of fine-grained sediments, with relatively high TOC and labile biopolymeric compounds (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) contents, which should evolve into an ever-increasing stage of eutrophication. COMPOSTOS ORGÂNICOS USADOS COMO INDICADORES DA QUALIDADE AMBIENTAL SEDIMENTAR DO SISTEMA LAGUNAR MARICÁ-GUARAPINA (SE DO BRASIL)ResumoO sedimento de fundo constitui uma armadilha natural para a matéria orgânica e diferentes tipos de poluentes. O acúmulo de grande quantidade de matéria orgânica dá origem à eutrofização dos ecossistemas aquáticos. Estimativas de quantidade e qualidade da matéria orgânica (biopolímeros) podem ajudar a determinar o estado trófico dos ecossistemas costeiros. O Sistema Lagunar de Maricá-Guarapina (MGLS), localizado no Estado do Rio de Janeiro (SE do Brasil), é composto por quatro lagunas interconectadas: Maricá, Barra, Padre e Guarapina. Este sistema tem sofrido impactos devido à intensa e descontrolada especulação imobiliária. Neste contexto, este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a quantidade e qualidade de matéria orgânica (MO) dos sedimentos do MGLS. Foram obtidos dados geoquímicos e confrontados com resultados granulométricos em amostras de sedimentos coletados em 22 estações de amostragem e analisados parâmetros físico-químicos da água. Os resultados estatísticos evidenciaram que o ambiente sedimentar do MGLS é heterogêneo. Este sistema recebe matéria orgânica de diferentes fontes, sendo, porém, prevalecente a contribuição autóctone (produtividade fitoplanctônica e detritos vegetais dos manguezais existentes na região). A contribuição antropogênica de matéria orgânica foi mais evidente na Lagoa do Padre, onde os sedimentos apresentaram teores de COT relativamente baixos (0,1-0,8%). As zonas mais impactadas foram encontradas em fundos de sedimentos finos, com teores relativamente elevados de COT e de compostos biopoliméricos lábeis (proteínas, carboidratos e lipídios), nas lagunas de Guarapina, Barra e Maricá. Os resultados obtidos revelam também que o MGLS está acumulando principalmente matéria orgânica envelhecida e permitem prever que as referidas áreas podem evoluir para um estágio de cada vez maior grau de eutrofização.Palavras-chave: Lagunas Costeiras Tropicais. Biopolímeros. Eutrofização. Dinâmica Sedimentar.


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.


1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
A. R. Martin ◽  
J. D. Saxby

The geology and exploration history of the Triassic-Cretaceous Clarence-Moreton Basin are reviewed. Consideration of new geochemical data ('Rock-Eval', vitrinite reflectance, gas chromatography of extracts, organic carbon and elemental analysis of coals and kerogens) gives further insights into the hydrocarbon potential of the basin. Although organic-rich rocks are relatively abundant, most source rocks that have achieved the levels of maturation necessary for hydrocarbon generation are gas-prone. The exinite-rich oil-prone Walloon Coal Measures are in most parts relatively immature. Some restraints on migration pathways are evident and igneous and tectonic events may have disturbed potentially well-sealed traps. Further exploration is warranted, even though the basin appears gas-prone and the overall prospects for hydrocarbons are only fair. The most promising areas seem to be west of Toowoomba for oil and the Clarence Syncline for gas.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document