Upper Carboniferous Shale Gas Potential Analysis in Eastern Qaidam Basin, Northwestern China

2014 ◽  
Vol 1010-1012 ◽  
pp. 1425-1429
Author(s):  
Hai Yan Cheng ◽  
Yin Sheng Ma ◽  
Cheng Ming Yin ◽  
Yuan Yuan Yang

Shale of rich organic matter presents in Upper Carboniferous in Qaidam Basin, Northwest of China. Carboniferous shale thickness is between 100 ~ 300m in the Qaidam Basin, the shale includes silty mudstone shale, calcareous mudstone, shale and carbonaceous shale, and it is very favorable lithology type for shale gas. According to the shale organic geochemical analysis, the abundance of organic matter reaching the middle - good degree of hydrocarbon source rocks; the type of organic matter is mainly II2 and III type. The maturity of organic matter is mainly between 1 % -1.3 %. The Upper Carboniferous shale thermal evolution is in mature oil and gas stage. The Upper Carboniferous hydrocarbon-rich shale distribute stability, with great thickness. Shale gas potential in Upper Carboniferous is quite large.

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>


2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Boreham ◽  
J.E. Blevin ◽  
A.P. Radlinski ◽  
K.R. Trigg

Only a few published geochemical studies have demonstrated that coals have sourced significant volumes of oil, while none have clearly implicated coals in the Australian context. As part of a broader collaborative project with Mineral Resources Tasmania on the petroleum prospectivity of the Bass Basin, this geochemical study has yielded strong evidence that Paleocene–Eocene coals have sourced the oil and gas in the Yolla, Pelican and Cormorant accumulations in the Bass Basin.Potential oil-prone source rocks in the Bass Basin have Hydrogen Indices (HIs) greater than 300 mg HC/g TOC. The coals within the Early–Middle Eocene succession commonly have HIs up to 500 mg HC/g TOC, and are associated with disseminated organic matter in claystones that are more gas-prone with HIs generally less than 300 mg HC/g TOC. Maturity of the coals is sufficient for oil and gas generation, with vitrinite reflectance (VR) up to 1.8 % at the base of Pelican–5. Igneous intrusions, mainly within Paleocene, Oligocene and Miocene sediments, produced locally elevated maturity levels with VR up to 5%.The key events in the process of petroleum generation and migration from the effective coaly source rocks in the Bass Basin are:the onset of oil generation at a VR of 0.65% (e.g. 2,450 m in Pelican–5);the onset of oil expulsion (primary migration) at a VR of 0.75% (e.g. 2,700–3,200 m in the Bass Basin; 2,850 m in Pelican–5);the main oil window between VR of 0.75 and 0.95% (e.g. 2,850–3,300 m in Pelican–5); and;the main gas window at VR >1.2% (e.g. >3,650 m in Pelican–5).Oils in the Bass Basin form a single oil population, although biodegradation of the Cormorant oil has resulted in its statistical placement in a separate oil family from that of the Pelican and Yolla crudes. Oil-to-source correlations show that the Paleocene–Early Eocene coals are effective source rocks in the Bass Basin, in contrast to previous work, which favoured disseminated organic matter in claystone as the sole potential source kerogen. This result represents the first demonstrated case of significant oil from coal in the Australian context. Natural gases at White Ibis–1 and Yolla–2 are associated with the liquid hydrocarbons in their respective fields, although the former gas is generated from a more mature source rock.The application of the methodologies used in this study to other Australian sedimentary basins where commercial oil is thought to be sourced from coaly kerogens (e.g. Bowen, Cooper and Gippsland basins) may further implicate coal as an effective source rock for oil.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olumuyiwa Adedotun Odundun

Organic geochemical studies and fossil molecules distribution results have been employed in characterizing subsurface sediments from some sections of Anambra Basin, southeastern Nigeria. The total organic carbon (TOC) and soluble organic matter (SOM) are in the range of 1.61 to 69.51 wt% and 250.1 to 4095.2 ppm, respectively, implying that the source rocks are moderately to fairly rich in organic matter. Based on data of the paper, the organic matter is interpreted as Type III (gas prone) with little oil. The geochemical fossils and chemical compositions suggest immature to marginally mature status for the sediments, with methyl phenanthrene index (MPI-1) and methyl dibenzothiopene ratio (MDR) showing ranges of 0.14–0.76 and 0.99–4.21, respectively. The abundance of 1,2,5-TMN (Trimethyl naphthalene) in the sediments suggests a significant land plant contribution to the organic matter. The pristane/phytane ratio values of 7.2–8.9 also point to terrestrial organic input under oxic conditions. However, the presence of C27 to C29 steranes and diasteranes indicates mixed sources—marine and terrigenous—with prospects to generate both oil and gas.


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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. SJ1-SJ13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Jiang ◽  
Jinchuan Zhang ◽  
Zhiqiang Jiang ◽  
Zhengyu Xu ◽  
Dongsheng Cai ◽  
...  

This paper describes the geology of organic-rich shales in China, their resource potentials, and properties of emerging and potential China shale gas and shale oil plays. Marine, lacustrine, and coastal swamp transitional shales were estimated to have the largest technically recoverable shale gas resource (25.08 trillion cubic meters or 886 trillion cubic feet) and 25 to 50 billion barrels of technically recoverable shale oil resource. The Precambrian Sinian Doushantuo Formation to Silurian Longmaxi black marine shales mainly accumulated in the intrashelf low to slope environments in the Yangtze Platform in South China and in the Tarim Platform in northwest China. The marine shales in the Yangtze Platform have high maturity (Ro of 1.3%–5%), high total organic carbon (mainly [Formula: see text]), high brittle-mineral content, and have been identified as emerging shale gas plays. The Lower Paleozoic marine shales in the Upper Yangtze area have the largest shale gas potential and currently top the list as exploration targets. The Carboniferous to Permian shales associated with coal and sandstones were mainly formed in transitional depositional settings in north China, northwest China, and the Yangtze Platform in south China. These transitional shales are generally rich in clay with a medium level of shale gas potential. The Middle Permian to Cenozoic organic-rich lacustrine shales interbedded with thin sandstone and carbonate beds are sporadically distributed in rifted basins across China. Their main potentials are as hybrid plays (tight and shale oil). China shales are heterogeneous across time and space, and high-quality shale reservoirs are usually positioned within transgressive systems tract to early highstand systems tract intervals that were deposited in an anoxic depositional setting. For China’s shale plays, tectonic movements have affected and disrupted the early oil and gas accumulation, making tectonically stable areas more favorable prospects for the exploration and development of shale plays.


2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-128
Author(s):  
V.I. Isaev ◽  
A.O. Aleeva ◽  
G.A. Lobova ◽  
O.S. Isaeva ◽  
V.I. Starostenko

Commercial significance of the majority of Western Siberian oil fields is concerned with the Senomanian, Neocomian and, above all, Upper Jurassic horizons. For now, oil fields are at the late development stage and resource potential of the Jurassic horizon is strongly expired. Commercial potential of the pre-Jurassic (Paleozoic) rocks has been brought out throughout all territory of oil and gas province. Extensive work on estimation of the pre-Jurassic rocks oil and gas potential is performed in southeast, in the territory of Tomsk Region, within which 13 hydrocarbon deposits have been discovered in the Paleozoic. Original hypothesis of anomalousness of geophysical and petrophysical characteristics of the Jurassic layers — uniqueness of «indication» the Paleozoic deposits in geophysical parameters of overlaying Mezozoic-Cenozoic section was stated as a foundation of new prospecting criterion for the Paleozoic deposits. The Paleozoic formations are accepted as a complex with its own oil generating potential, which results in upward migration of hydrocarbon fluids. Additionally, downward direction of vertical interstratal hydrocarbon migration from the Jurassic source rocks into the pre-Jurassic complex is brought out. It was accepted as a conception that as in case of upward, so in case of downward fluid migration, processes of superposed epigenesis perform and lead to secondary epigenetic transformations of rocks of transit Jurassic layers, which result in their anomalous geophysical and petrophysical characteristics. This paper analyzes and compares geophysical and petrophysical characteristics of the Jurassic layers of different field types in Tomsk Region: without oil and gas potential in pre-Jurassic section, with commercial inflows from the pre-Jurassic complex and unknown type. Results of exploration electrical resistivity and carbonatization in the Jurassic layers of 200 wells and also spontaneous potential variation, electrical resistivity and natural radioactivity in Bazhenov suite confirm anomalousness of geophysical and petrophysical parameters of Jurassic rocks in case of pre-Jurassic deposits. This paper determines 6 geophysical and petrophysical characteristics of the Jurassic layers as predictive indicators for oil and gas potential estimation in pre-Jurassic section. Efficiency analysis of using predictive indicators for bringing out fields with and without deposits in the pre-Jurassic complex was performed for different prospecting cases in the research territory with account taken of possible complexing of indicators, their rank and actual availability. This paper states preference of indicators complexing. Application of a new prospecting criterion will improve efficiency of searching in new prioritized stratigraphic horizon — the Paleozoic, which contains unconventional oil.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 313 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ameed R. Ghori

Production of shale gas in the US has changed its position from a gas importer to a potential gas exporter. This has stimulated exploration for shale-gas resources in WA. The search started with Woodada Deep–1 (2010) and Arrowsmith–2 (2011) in the Perth Basin to evaluate the shale-gas potential of the Permian Carynginia Formation and the Triassic Kockatea Shale, and Nicolay–1 (2011) in the Canning Basin to evaluate the shale-gas potential of the Ordovician Goldwyer Formation. Estimated total shale-gas potential for these formations is about 288 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). Other petroleum source rocks include the Devonian Gogo and Lower Carboniferous Laurel formations of the Canning Basin, the Lower Permian Wooramel and Byro groups of the onshore Carnarvon Basin, and the Neoproterozoic shales of the Officer Basin. The Canning and Perth basins are producing petroleum, whereas the onshore Carnarvon and Officer basins are not producing, but they have indications for petroleum source rocks, generation, and migration from geochemistry data. Exploration is at a very early stage, and more work is needed to estimate the shale-gas potential of all source rocks and to verify estimated resources. Exploration for shale gas in WA will benefit from new drilling and production techniques and technologies developed during the past 15 years in the US, where more than 102,000 successful gas production wells have been drilled. WA shale-gas plays are stratigraphically and geochemically comparable to producing plays in the Upper Ordovician Utica Shale, Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale and Upper Devonian Bakken Formation, Upper Mississippian Barnett Shale, Upper Jurassic Haynesville-Bossier formations, and Upper Cretaceous Eagle Ford Shale of the US. WA is vastly under-explored and emerging self-sourcing shale plays have revived onshore exploration in the Canning, Carnarvon, and Perth basins.


1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Taylor ◽  
Aleksai E. Kontorovich ◽  
Andrei I. Larichev ◽  
Miryam Glikson

Organic rich shale units ranging up to 350 m in thickness with total organic carbon (TOC) values generally between one and ten per cent are present at several stratigraphic levels in the upper part of the Carpentarian Roper Group. Considerable variation in depositional environment is suggested by large differences in carbon:sulphur ratios and trace metal contents at different stratigraphic levels, but all of the preserved organic matter appears to be algal-sourced and hydrogen-rich. Conventional Rock-Eval pyrolysis indicates that a type I-II kerogen is present throughout.The elemental chemistry of this kerogen, shows a unique chemical evolution pathway on the ternary C:H:ONS diagram which differs from standard pathways followed by younger kerogens, suggesting that the maturation histories of Proterozoic basins may differ significantly from those of younger oil and gas producing basins. Extractable organic matter (EOM) from Roper Group source rocks shows a chemical evolution from polar rich to saturate rich with increasing maturity. Alginite reflectance increases in stepwise fashion through the zone of oil and gas generation, and then increases rapidly at higher levels of maturation. The increase in alginite reflectance with depth or proximity to sill contacts is lognormal.The area explored by Pacific Oil and Gas includes a northern area where the Velkerri Formation is within the zone of peak oil generation and the Kyalla Member is immature, and a southern area, the Beetaloo sub-basin, where the zone of peak oil generation is within the Kyalla Member. Most oil generation within the basin followed significant folding and faulting of the Roper Group.


Author(s):  
Yang Houqiang ◽  
E. V. Soboleva

In recent years, significant successes have been achieved in the search and exploration of oil and gas reservoirs in the Jurassic deposits on the eastern side of the Fukang depression, which is the least studied part of the Junggar oil and gas Basin. In order to find out the source of hydrocarbon generation, we studied source rocks, oil and oil-bearing sandstones (24 samples from 13 wells) from the Badaowan, Sangonghe, Xishanyao, Toutunhe and Qigu production beds of the Fukang depression research area. Based on these studies, the composition of the organic matter of the Jurassic source rocks, the properties and molecular composition of oils, as well as the characteristics of the composition of biomarkers in them are examined in detail. The results of research and interpretation of the data showed that the mudstones of the Badaowan formation were source rocks of oil from the Gumudi zone, the Fukan depression, the Bajiahai ledge and the Shaqi ledge.


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