Control of differential diagenesis of tight sandstone reservoirs on the gas–water distribution: A case study on the Upper Paleozoic He 8 Member in the northern Tianhuan depression of the Ordos Basin

The sandstone reservoirs in the Upper Paleozoic He 8 Member in the northern Tianhuan depression of the Ordos Basin are vastly different and feature particularly complex gas–water distributions. Scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy inclusions, relative permeability analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance were utilized in this study based on core data, identification statistics, and various thin-section microscope measurements. Samples from the Upper Paleozoic He 8 Member in the northern Tianhuan depression were collected to study the characteristics of reservoir heterogeneity and gas–water distribution, which were controlled by differential diagenesis. The results indicate that compaction and dissolution are the two most important factors controlling reservoir heterogeneity. Large differences in diagenesis–accumulation sequences and pore structure characteristics affect reservoir wettability, irreducible water saturation, and gas displacement efficiency, thereby controlling the gas–water distribution. The He 8 Member is a gas reservoir that is densified because of accumulation. Reservoirs can be divided into three types based on the relationship between diagenetic facies and gas–water distribution. Type I is characterized by weak compaction, precipitate or altered kaolinite cementation, strong dissolution of diagenetic facies, and high porosity and permeability. This type is dominated by grain-mold pores and intergranular dissolution pores and produces gas reservoirs with high gas yield. Type II is characterized by medium-strength compaction, altered kaolinite or chlorite cementation, weak dissolution of diagenetic facies, and medium porosity and permeability. This type is dominated by residual intergranular pores, a few residual intergranular pores, and dispersed dissolution pores, producing gas reservoirs with low gas yield. Type III is characterized by medium-strength compaction, altered kaolinite cementation, and medium-strength dissolution of diagenetic facies. This type is dominated by kaolinite intercrystal pores and dispersed dissolution pores, producing gas reservoirs with high water yield.

Comparison between Siliceous Concretions from the Ionian Basin and the Apulian Platform Margins (Pre-Apulian Zone), Western Greece: Implication of Differential Diagenesis on Nodules Evolution

Siliceous concretions (nodules), from two different geological settings—the Apulian platform margins in Kefalonia island, and the Ionian Basin in Ithaca, Atokos, and Kastos islands—have been studied both in the field and in the laboratory. Nodule cuttings are mainly characterized by the development of a core, around which a ring (rim) has been formed. Mineralogical study, using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis, showed that the rim is usually richer in moganite than the core. Homogeneous concretions, without discernible inner core and outer ring, were observed generally in both settings. Mineralogical analysis of the selected siliceous concretions from Kefalonia island showed the presence mostly of quartz and moganite, while calcite either was absent or participated in a few samples in minor/trace abundances. Moganite was generally abundant in all the samples from Kefalonia island. Concretions from the Ionian Basin showed a variation in the quartz, moganite, and calcite contents. Mineralogical differences were recognized both between the different studied geodynamic settings and internally in the same setting, but with different stages of development. The above-mentioned differential diagenesis on nodules evolution could be related to the presence and/or abundance of stylolites, later fluid flows, restrictions from one area to another due to synchronous fault activity, and the composition of substances dissolved in fluids. Moreover, the development of concretions produced secondary fractures in the surrounding area of the nodule-bearing rocks.

Evolution Mechanism of Differential Diagenesis Combination and Its Effect on the Reservoir Quality in the Tight Sandstone: A Case from the Lower Shihezi Formation in the Hangjinqi Area of Ordos Basin, China

The physical property heterogeneity of tight sandstones was mainly caused by complex alteration of various diagenesis combinations during burial process. However, diagenetic evolution of different diagenesis combinations which generally result in the strong difference and heterogeneity of physical property and pore structure is rarely well understood. The Middle Permian lower Shihezi Formation is one of the most important tight gas sandstone reservoirs in the Hangjinqi area of Ordos Basin, China. The reservoir heterogeneity of lower Shihezi Formation, which was caused by the differential diagenesis combination, is crucial to efficient exploration and development. Evolution mechanism of differential diagenesis combination and its effect on the reservoir quality in the tight lower Shihezi Formation sandstone in the Hangjinqi area of Ordos Basin was investigated by means of thin-section description, cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions. The lower Shihezi Formation sandstones can be divided into four diagenesis combination types according to the reservoir characteristics and diagenetic relationship. The main diagenetic sequence was mechanical compaction-chlorite rim-early pore-filling calcite cementation-dissolution-authigenic kaolinite-quartz cementation-late calcite cementation. Differential diagenesis combination was mainly controlled by the petrological characteristics, microfacies, and fault. Low content of rock fragment and high content of detrital quartz were beneficial to the compaction resistance and cementation. The moderate content of pore-filling calcite was conducive to pore space protection and feldspar dissolution. The faults control dissolution and differential diagenesis combination by influencing the migration of acid fluids. Moderate compaction-moderate cementation-moderate dissolution type (BBB type) and weak compaction-moderate cementation-strong dissolution type (CBA type) were in favour of high-quality reservoir development.

Lithological dependence of aragonite preservation in monospecific gastropod deposits of the Miocene Mainz Basin: Implications for the (dia-)genesis of limestone–marl alternations

ABSTRACT The origin of limestone–marl alternations (LMA) and their diagenesis is still lively debated. The most disputed question is whether original variations in sediment input control the differentiation of the precursor sediment into limestone and marl, or if a LMA can form without compositional differences in the precursor sediment. The Miocene brackish-water deposits (Rüssingen Formation) from the Mainz–Weisenau quarry in central Germany offer the opportunity to tackle this question. They are developed as a monospecific alternation of planar beds of moderately and poorly lithified sands of aragonitic Hydrobia snails, corresponding to “limestones” and “marls” in LMA, respectively. XRD analyses and the monospecific composition reveal only minor to no changes in sedimentary input and allow comparison of the preservation of Hydrobia in both lithologies. The differential preservation of the aragonitic fossils in lithified and less lithified layers is documented in thin-sections. CaCO3 contents are high throughout the measured section. However, XRD analyses revealed high amounts of aragonite and low amounts of calcite in less lithified beds, and the opposite in lithified beds in which calcite is the main mineral phase. Mg-calcite is abundant in both lithologies. Although the less lithified beds have experienced significant loss of aragonite by dissolution, they still mainly contain aragonite since the precursor sediment contained only aragonitic shells and Mg-calcite crusts. The relative amount of aragonite is higher than in the more lithified beds because the lithified beds imported the dissolved aragonite, which precipitated as calcite cements. This shifted the aragonite–calcite ratio to higher values in the less lithified beds than in the more lithified beds, although it is counterintuitive at first sight. This is supported by thin-section analyses and point counting, revealing moderate to good preservation of Hydrobia or their replacement by calcite spar in lithified beds, but intense dissolution of aragonite in less lithified beds. The aragonite–calcite ratio and the differential preservation of Hydrobia fit the model of differential diagenesis in “classical” LMAs, which assumes early diagenetic aragonite dissolution in marls and reprecipitation as calcite cement in limestones. It is concluded that the studied succession—although an endmember of LMA—was differentiated into lithified and unlithified beds by incomplete differential diagenesis while minor primary differences are not reflected in the change in lithology. The results suggest that the differentiation of a homogeneous precursor sediment into a LMA is possible and caution should be exercised using lithological change or proxies which are potentially altered by CaCO3 redistribution for cyclostratigraphic analyses.

Detecting original variations in calcite and aragonite input in limestone-marl alternations

<p>The origin of carbonatic rhythmically alternating lithologies, called limestone-marl alternations (LMA), is a lively debated topic. LMA are commonly used as high-resolution cyclostratigraphic record, but diagenetic studies indicate that not all LMA reflect genuine differences in the original composition driven by environmental changes. LMA with a clear difference between limestones and marls in their ratios of diagenetically inert elements such as Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/TiO<sub>2</sub> can be identified as the product of primary sedimentary differences, i.e. variation affecting the terrigenous compound of the precursor sediment. In contrast, LMA without these differences could be the product of (1) variations in the carbonate compounds of the precursor sediment, i.e. aragonite and calcite input, or of (2) the distortion of the latter by diagenetic carbonate redistribution, or of (3) diagenetic carbonate redistribution in a homogenous precursor sediment. The problem of differentiating these three cases is known as the diagenetic dilemma. The question is, how can the composition in the original CaCO<sub>3</sub> compound (aragonite, calcite) of the precursor sediment be reconstructed? This study provides a new approach to tackle the diagenetic dilemma. According to the model of differential diagenesis, the concentration of trace elements is inversely proportional to the amount of diagenetically redistributed carbonate. Consequently, the difference between the ratios of diagenetically inert elements from two adjacent beds is a measure for carbonate redistribution between them. This is quantifiable by calculating the vector length between these ratios for two adjacent beds. The new approach is illustrated here by evaluating 75 contiguous limestone and marl beds from the Högklint Formation (Silurian) on Gotland, Sweden. To test the new method, trace elements in these beds were compared according to their relative solubility during diagenesis. All elements which are either bound to clay minerals or fit into the calcite lattice show the same pattern of vector lengths (</p>

Origin of fabric-selective dolomitization recognizable in the field: two case studies from Anisian carbonate rocks in the western Balkanides

The origin of dolomitized burrows (Cruziana ichnofacies) in limestones and dolomitic layers in limestone-dolostone ribbon rocks was studied on the basis of petrography, X-ray diffractometry, geochemical data and isotope signatures of the dolomites. Selective dolomitization of the burrows with a local source of Mg occurred in a near-surface setting from non-evaporitic solutions with low Mg/Ca ratio. The low-temperature precipitation of non-stoichiometric (with Ca excess) dolomite was microbially mediated and controlled by bacterial sulphate reduction. The carbon for dolomite formation was largely derived from seawater and/or dissolution of precursor carbonate sediments, and partly derived from the decomposition of organic matter. Selective dolomitization of primarily argillaceous carbonate layers in the ribbon rocks was mainly associated with an autochthonous source of Mg. Clay mineral transformations (i.e., illitization of smectite) at intermediate burial depths supplied Mg ions for the formation of Ca-rich (locally ferroan) dolomite. However, differential diagenesis of the originally clay-rich and clay-poor layers may also have favoured early dolomite precipitation, whereupon contemporaneous seawater was the primary Mg source during shallow burial. The obtained results show that various factors control the formation of fine-grained, non-stoichiometric dolomite with macroscopically recognizable fabric-selective character of replacement.