Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Accumulation model based on factors controlling Ordovician hydrocarbons generation, migration, and enrichment in the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin, NW China

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The hydrocarbon accumulation model of Ordovician reservoirs in the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin, was investigated based on the analysis of the key factors controlling hydrocarbon generation, migration, and enrichment process and history. The results show that the hydrocarbon generation processes are controlled by Cambrian–Lower Ordovician and Upper Ordovician source rocks distributed in the Tazhong area and the Manjiaer Sag. Vertical hydrocarbon migration distance is controlled by the vertical source-reservoir distribution, faults, and caprocks. Structure played a major role in the lateral hydrocarbon migration along NW-SE direction. Lateral migration pathways were governed by unconformities, transport faults, and reef-beach body reservoirs. A part from the sedimentary control, hydrocarbon enrichment is controlled by recent tectonic events. The hydrocarbon charging points refer to the intersection of northeast- and northwest-trending faults. Two types of hydrocarbon accumulation models could be retained, (a) mixed-sourced area model, in which the hydrocarbons are sourced from both the Tazhong area and the Majiaer Sag, and (b) single-sourced area model, in which the hydrocarbons are only sourced from the Tazhong area itself.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cai CF, Wu GH, Li KK, Chen LX, Li M, Li HT (2007) Thermochemical sulfate reduction and origin of sulfur in crude oils in Palaeozoic carbonates. Bull Mineral Petrol Geochem 26:45–48 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai CF, Li KK, Ma AL (2009) Distinguishing Cambrian from Upper Ordovician source rocks, evidence from sulfur isotopes and biomarkers in the Tarim Basin. Org Geochem 40:755–768

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen JF, Xu YC, Huang DF (2000) Geochemical characteristics and origin of natural gas in Tarim Basin. AAPG Bull 84:591–606

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen XJ, Cai XY, Ji YL, Zhou ZM (2007) Relationship between large scale unconformity surface and weathering crust karst of Ordovician in Tazhong. J Tongji Univ (Natural Science) 35:1122–1127 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duggan JP, Mountjoy EW, Stasiuk LD (2001) Fault-controlled dolomitization at Swan Hills Simonette oil field (Devonian), deep basin west-central Alberta, Canada. Sedimentology 48:301–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du JH, Zhou XY, Li QM, Wu GH, Pan WQ, Yang T (2011) Characteristics and controlling factors of the large carbonate petroleum province in the Tarim Basin, NW China. Pet Explor Dev 38:652–661 (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gartrell A, Zhang YH, Lisk M, Dewhurst D (2004) Fault intersections as critical hydrocarbon leakage zones: integrated field study and numerical modelling of an example from the Timor Sea, Australia. Mar Pet Geol 21:1165–1179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graham SA, Brassell S, Carroll AR (1990) Characteristics of selected petroleum source rocks, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Northwest China. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 74:493–512

    Google Scholar 

  • Green D, Montjoy EW (2005) Fault and conduit controlled burial dolomitization of the Devonian west-central Alberta Deep Basin. Bull can Petrol Geol 53:101–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han JF, Mei LF, Yang HJ, Wu GH, Xu ZM, Zhu GY (2008) The study of hydrocarbon origin, transport and accumulation in Tazhong area, Tarim Basin. Nat Gas Geosci 18:421–435 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Han JF, Sun CH, Yu HF, Ji YG, Zhang ZH, Xu YL (2011) Kinetics of reef-shoal complexes and its restriction to the reservoir in Ordovician from Tazhong I fault belt. Acta Petrol Sin 27:845–856 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson AD, Zhang SC, Moldowan JM (2000) Molecular organic geochemistry of the Tarim Basin, Northwest China. AAPG Bull 84:1109–1128

    Google Scholar 

  • Hao SS, Gao G, Wang FY (1996) High mature to overmature marine hydrocarbon source rocks. Chinese Petroleum Press, Beijing, pp. 112–145 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang DF (1994) Geochemical characteristics of source rocks in Tarim Basin. Internal Report Beijing Institute Of Petroleum Exploration And Development, 149-189 (in Chinese)

  • Ji YG, Han JF, Zhang ZH, Wang JY, Su J, Wang Y, Zhang M (2012) Formation and distribution of deep high quality reservoirs of Ordovician Yingshan Formation in the Northern Slope of the Tazhong Area in Tarim Basin. Acta Geol Sin 86:1163–1174 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jia CZ (1999) Structural characteristics and oil gas accumulative regularity in Tarim basin. Xinjiang Pet Geol 20:177–183 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin ZJ (2014) A study on the distribution of oil and gas reservoirs controlled by source-cap rock assemblage in unmodified foreland region of Tarim Basin. Oil Gas Geol 6:763–770

    Google Scholar 

  • Jin ZJ, Pang XQ, Lv XX (1998) The exploration of marine hydrocarbon reservoirs in China. Pet Explor 4:66–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiao CL, Lv YC, Zhu JL, Fan TL (2003) Paleozoic sequence stratigraphy and non- structure trap study in Tazhong area. China Pet Explor 8:17–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Lan XD, Lv XX, Yu HF, Zhu YM, Ya B (2014) Early Palaeozic carbonate reservoirs from the Yingshan Formation of Well block ZG-43 in Tazhong Low Rise, Central Uplift, Tarim Basin, NW China: geological features and controlling factors. Geol J 49:256–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li SM, Pang XQ, Yang HJ, Gu QY, Han JF, Shi L (2008a) Characteristics and genetic type of the oils in the Tazhong Uplift. Earth Sci J China Univ Geosci 33:635–642 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li SM, Pang XQ, Yang HJ, Gu QY, Li YH (2008) Geochemical characteristics and implication of high thermal maturity in the Tazhong-I faulted slope break zone. Oil Gas Geol 29:210–216 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li SM, Pang XQ, Yang HJ, Xiao ZY, Gu QY, Zhang BS (2010a) Generation, migration and accumulation mode for the marine oils in the Tarim Basin. Earth Sci J Chine Univ Geosci 35:663–673 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li SM, Pang XQ, Zhang BS, Xiao ZY, Gu QY (2010b) Oil source rock correlation and quantitative assessment of Ordovician mixed oils in the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin. Pet Sci 7:179–191 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang DG (1999) Several geological problems of oil and gas exploration in the Tarim Basin. Xinjiang Pet Geol 3:184–188 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang DG, Wang FC, Zhong SC, Liu Z (1998) The significant source areas in Tazhong area. Petroleum University, Internal report. Beijing, pp. 12–38 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li YJ (1998) Source rock and accumulation period research of the Tazhong area. Pet Explor Dev 25:11–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang DG, Zhang SC, Zhang BM, Wang F (2000) Understanding on marine oil generation in China based on Tarim Basin. Earth Sci Front (China University of Geosciences, Beijing) 7:534–547

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu D, Zhang SN, Xie SW, Li YT (2013) Sequence stratigraphy of Yingshan Formation in Katake Uplift of central Tarim Basin and its control on reservoirs. J Min Pet 4:107–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin CS, Yang HJ, Liu JY (2012) Distribution and erosion of Paleozoic unconformities in the Tarim Basin, Northwest China: significance for the evolution of paleo-uplifts and tectonic geography during deformation. J Asian Earth Sci 2:1–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo P, Zhang J, Liu W, Song JM, Zhou G, Sun P, Wang DC (2008) Characteristics of marine carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs in China. Earth Sci Front 15:36–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lv XX, Jin ZJ, Pi XJ, Li QM (1999) The hydrocarbon reservoirs accumulation and distribution of the Lower Ordovician in the Tarim Basin. Sci China (Series D) 29:358–361

    Google Scholar 

  • Lv XX, Jin ZJ, Liu LF (2004) Oil and gas accumulations in the Ordovician carbonates in the Tazhong Uplift of Tarim Basin, west China. J Pet Sci Eng 41:109–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lv XX, Yang HJ, Wang X, Han JF, Bai ZK (2010) Application of geochemical parameters in hydrocarbon migration studies: taking Tazhong area of the Tarim Basin as an example. Oil Gas Geol 31:838–846

    Google Scholar 

  • Pan CH, Liu DY (2009) Molecular correlation of free oil, adsorbed oil and inclusion oil of reservoir rocks in the Tazhong uplift of the Tarim Basin. Org Geochem 40:387–390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pang H, Chen JQ, Pang XQ, Liu LF, Liu KY, Xiang CF (2013a) Key factors controlling hydrocarbon accumulations in Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong area, Tarim basin, western China. Mar Pet Geol 43:88–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pang H, Chen JQ, Pang XQ, Liu KY, Liu LF, Xiang CF, Li SM (2013b) Analysis of secondary migration of hydrocarbons in the Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong uplift, Tarim Basin, China. AAPG Bull 97:1765–1783

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pang XQ, Zhou XY, Jiang ZX, Wang ZM, Li SM, Tian J, Xiang CF, Yang HJ, Chen DX, Yang WJ, Pang H (2012) Formation, evolution and forecast evaluation of hydrocarbon in superimposed basins. Acta Geological Sinica 86:1–102 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi JF, Yang Q, Wang ZY (2003) The discussion for the problems of the basin paleotectonic map drawing. Chin J Geol 38:413–424 (in China with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu DZ, Wang ZJ (2005) The petroleum geologic characteristics and prospecting tactics of marine sequences in China. Marine Origin Pet Geol 10:9–16 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shen AH, Wu HB, Sun H, Guo HS, Luo HY (2009) Reservoirs types and key factors of the Fuyang Oil Units in Zhaoyuan-Taipingchuan Region of the Songliao Basin. Chinese Pet Explor 1:17–23 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun CH, Yu HF, Wang HS, Liu H, Zhang ZH, Han J, Luo XS (2012) Development rule of poro and cave of carbonates in Ordovician Yingshan Formation of the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin. Nat Gas Geosci 23:230–235 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun YG, Xu SP, Lu H (2003) Source facies of the Paleozoic petroleum systems in the Tabei uplift, Tarim Basin, NW China, implications from aryl isoprenoids in crude oils. Org Geochem 34:629–634

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vail PR, Audemard F, Bowman SA (1991) The stratigraphic signatures of tectonics, eustasy and sedimentology an overview. Cycles and events stratigraphy. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 34:617–659

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang FH, Wang ZM, Han JF, Yu HF, Ji YG, Zhao KZ (2009) Geological condition of hydrocarbon enrichment in condensate field in the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin. Nat Gas Geosci 20:696–702 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang SM, Lv XX (2004) Features and petroleum significance of Ordovician carbonate reservoir in Tazhong area, Talimu Basin. J Xi’an Shiyou Univ (Natural Science Edition) 19:72–76 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang ZM, Xiao ZY (2004) Comprehensive review about the marine crude oil sources of Tarim Basin. Chin Sci Bull 49:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang ZM, Yu HF, Ji YG, Jing B, Zhang HZ (2011) Key technology for the exploration and development of large-super large marine carbonate reservoirs in Tazhong area. Xinjiang Pet Geol 32:218–223 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu FF, Zhu GY, Zhang SC, Jin Q, Han JF, Zhang B (2009) Types of hydrocarbon migration pathways and its controlling effects on hydrocarbon distribution in Tarim Basin. Acta Pet Sin 30:332–341 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu GH, Yang HJ, Qu TL, Li QM, Li HW, Luo CS, Li BL (2012) Characteristics of fault system and controlling on the hydrocarbon reservoirs accumulation in the Tazhong Uplift, the Tarim Basin. Acta Petrol Sin 28:793–805 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao XM (1994) Geochemical characteristics of oil and gas in Tazhong petroleum system. Internal report. Guangzhou, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, pp. 45–86 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao X M, Liu D H (1998) The formation and evolution of oil and gas pools in the Tazhong area. Internal report. Guangzhou, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry. Chinese Academy of Sciences 23–56 (in Chinese with English abstract).

  • Xiao XM, Song ZG, Liu DH, Liu ZF, Fu JM (2000) The Tazhong hybrid petroleum system, Tarim Basin. Mar Pet Geol 17:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang CF, Wang JZ, Pang XQ, Jiang ZX, Liu LF, Li SM (2009) Differential hydrocarbon migration and entrapment in the karstified carbonate reservoir, A case study of Well TZ83 block of the central Tarim uplift zone. Earth Sci Front 16:349–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang HJ, Wu GH, Han JF, Wang XF, Ji YG (2007) Characteristics of hydrocarbon enrichment along the Ordovician carbonate platform margin in the central uplift of Tarim Basin. Acta Pet Sin 28:26–30 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang HJ, Han JF, Chen LX, Wu GH, Ji YG (2007b) Characteristics and patterns of complex hydrocarbon accumulation in the Lower Paleozoic rocks of the Tazhong paleo-uplift. Oil Gas Geol 28:784–790 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang HJ, Zhu GY, Han JF, Wu FF, Ji YG, Su J, Zhang HZ, Wang Y (2011) Condition and mechanism of hydrocarbon accumulation in large reef-bank karst oil/gas fields of Tazhong area, Tarim Basin. Acta Petrol Sin 27:1865–1885 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu HF, Bai ZH, Deng LP, Jiao WW, Pan YY, Zhao Y (2011) Determination and geological significances of Yingshan Unconformity of the Lower Ordovician in Tazhong area, Tarim Basin. Xinjiang Pet Geol 32:231–234 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang XF, Lin CS, Yang HJ (2010) Depositional architecture of the Late Ordovician drowned carbonate platform margin and its responses to sea-level fluctuation in the northern slope of the Tazhong region, Tarim Basin. Pet Sci 3:323–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan SQ, Jia CZ, Gao RS, Pan WQ, Huo FD, Qi JH, Wu ZZ, Fa GF (2012) Sedimentation characteristics and reservoir geological model of mid-lower Ordovician carbonate rock in Tazhong northern slope. Acta Pet Sin 33:80–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhai GM, Wang JJ (1999) Technology of hydrocarbon geology condition to the Tazhong area. Acta Pet Sin 20:1–7 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang SC, Wang FY, Zhang BM, Liang DG, Zhao MJ (2000) Geochemistry research of the Upper Ordovician source rocks in the Tarim Basin. Acta Pet Sin 21:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang SC, Hanson AD, Moldowan JM (2000) Paleozoic oil-source rock correlations in the Tarim Basin, NW China. Org Geochem 31:273–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang SC, Su J, Wang XM (2011a) Geochemistry of Palaeozoic marine petroleum from the Tarim Basin, NW China, Part 3. Thermal cracking of liquid hydrocarbons and gas washing as the major mechanisms for deep gas condensate accumulations. Org Geochem 42:1394–1410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang ZP, Wang Y, Yun JB, Zhou B, Zhao ZH, Zheng ML (2009) Control of faults at different evolution stages on hydrocarbon accumulation in Tazhong area, the Tarim Basin. Oil Gas Geol 30:316–323 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao JZ (2001) Retrospective approach of oil-gas-water interface using to hydrocarbon accumulation period analysis of marine hydrocarbon in the Tarim Basin. Pet Explor Dev 28:53–56 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao JZ, Li QM (2002) Accumulation timing and history of marine hydrocarbon in Tarim basin. Chin Sci Bull 47:116–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng JF, Shen AJ, Qiao ZF, Ni XF (2013) Genesis of dolomite and main controlling factors of reservoirs in Penglaiba Formation of the Lower Ordovician, Tarim Basin, A case study of Dabantage outcrop in Bachu area. Acta Petrol Sin 29:3223–3232

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou XY, Wang ZM, Yang HJ, Wang QH, Wu GH (2006) The exploration and breakthrough of the large marine carbonate condensate field in Ordovician, Tazhong area. Marine Origin Pet Geol 11:45–51 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No.2011CB201100), Chinese Ministry of Education. We thank the Tarim Oilfield Exploration and Development Research Institute for providing geological dataset and permission to publish the results. The authors address their particular acknowledgments for the anonymous reviewers and the Editor who greatly improved the first draft of this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum, Changping District, Beijing, 102249, China

    Weibing Shen, Xiongqi Pang, Fujie Jiang, Zhipeng Huo, Yangyang Wang & Tao Hu

  2. Research Center of Basin and Reservoir, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China

    Weibing Shen, Xiongqi Pang, Fujie Jiang, Zhipeng Huo, Yangyang Wang & Tao Hu

  3. Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Tarim Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Korla, Xinjiang, 84100, China

    Baoshou Zhang

  4. Oilfield Production Division, China Oilfield Services Limited, Tianjin, 300450, China

    Gui Wang

Authors
  1. Weibing Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xiongqi Pang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fujie Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Baoshou Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhipeng Huo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yangyang Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Tao Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Gui Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Weibing Shen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shen, W., Pang, X., Jiang, F. et al. Accumulation model based on factors controlling Ordovician hydrocarbons generation, migration, and enrichment in the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin, NW China. Arab J Geosci 9, 347 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2319-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2319-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation