Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Oil and gas enrichment patterns and major controlling factors for stable and high production of tight lacustrine carbonate rocks, a case study of Yingxi area in Qaidam Basin, West China

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Carbonates and Evaporites Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In recent years, sustained important discoveries of oil and gas exploration in the E23 reservoir of Oligocene in the Yingxi area have been achieved, which revealed great exploration potential in Qaidam Basin. Based on core observations and systematic research on micro-petrological and structural characteristics, lithology, hydrocarbons enrichment patterns, and major controlling factors of stable and high production of the Oligocene reservoir in the Yingxi area of Qaidam were studied. The following findings were reported: (1) the lithology of the target layer is mainly lacustrine carbonate rocks, which can be divided into inter-salt and subsalt strata. In addition, many thick layers of halites widely developed in inter-salt strata. While thin layers of gypsum also developed scatteringly in the subsalt strata. (2) Fine-grained lacustrine carbonate rocks (including dark mudstone) were deposited under saline conditions, which not only are relatively the best quality source rock, but also developed a “dessert” dolomite reservoir. This set of strata is characteristic of “authigenic source rock and authigenic reservoir”. The upper salt layers have a strong sealing ability because of their very high capillary breakthrough pressure and plastic characteristics, and joints formed widely in the subsalt strata since stress concentration. The good matching relationship among all of the above factors led to the formation of favorable area for large-scale hydrocarbon accumulation in the subsalt strata. (3) The development of the matrix intercrystalline pores controls the scale of oil and gas reservoirs and stable production. Moreover, the development of fractures controls the enrichment of oil and gas reservoirs and high production. The research results have important guiding significance for further research on subsalt oil and gas distributing regularities, as well as further exploration deployment of E23 in the Yingxi area.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cao Z, Wei Z, Lin C, Zheng X, Ma X (2014) The Kinetics of oil generation in a saline basin: a case study of the source rock of tertiary in Zhahaquan Depression, Qaidam Basin, China. Pet Sci Technol 32(21):2648–2657. https://doi.org/10.1080/10916466.2014.913623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen S, Zhang H, Lu J, Yang Y, Liu C, Wang L, Zou X, Yang J, Tang H, Yao Y, Huang Y, Ni S, Chen Y (2015) Controlling factors of Jurassic Da’anzhai Member tight oil accumulation and high production in central Sichuan Basin, SW China. Pet Explor Dev 42(2):186–193 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan Z (2015) Identification of Neogene mixed lacustrine carbonate in western Qaidam basin. Carbonates Evaporites 30(3):281–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu S, Zhang D, Xue J, Zhang X (2013) Exploration potential and geological conditions of tight oil in the Qaidam Basin. Acta Sedimentol Sin 31(4):672–682 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu S, Ma D, Guo Z, Cheng F (2015) Strike-slip superimposed Qaidam Basin and its control on oil and gas accumulation, NW China. Pet Explor Dev 42(6):712–722 (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang C, Yuan J, Cao Z, Zhang S, Wang Y, She M (2014) Reconstruction of acid fluid on clastic reservoir in saline lacustrine basin. J Earth Sci Environ 36(03):52–60 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang C, Yuan J, Cao Z, Zhang S, Wang Y, She M (2015) The study of simulate experiment about the saline fluid-rock interaction in clastic reservoir in saline lacustrine basin. Bull Mineral Petrol Geochem 34(2):345–350 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang C, Yuan J, Zhao F, Pan X (2016a) Acid fluids reconstruction clastic reservoir experiment in Qaidam saline lacustrine Basin, China. Carbonates Evaporites 31(3):319–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-015-0271-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang C, Zhao F, Yuan J, Wu L, Chen G (2016b) The characteristics of dolomite reservoir in saline lacustrine Basin, Qaidam, China. Carbonates Evaporites 31(3):307–317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-015-0267-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang C, Yuan J, Tian G, Wu L, Pan X, Hui Y (2016c) The geochemical characteristics and formation mechanism of the Eocene lacustrine dolomite reservoirs in the Western Qaidam. Earth Sci Front 23(3):230–242 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn P, Primio R, Ronald H (2012) Three-dimensional modeling study of the low-permeability petroleum system of the Bakken Formation. AAPG Bull 96(10):1867–1897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mount JF (1985) Mixed siliciclastic and carbonate sediments: a proposed first-order textural and compositional classification. Sedimentology 32(3):435–442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Energy Administration (2011) The People’s Republic of China petroleum and natural gas industry standards SY/T 6285-2011- Method for reservoir evaluation of oil and gas. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordeng S (2009) The Bakken petroleum system: an example of a continuous petroleum accumulation. DMR Newsl 36(1):21–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Petzet A (2006) Billions of barrels in Bakken recovery seen in Williston. Oil Gas J 104(46):42

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu N, Gu X, Ding L, Chen G, Yang Q (2000) Tectono-thermal evolution of western Qaidam Basin. Scientia Geologica Sinica 35(4):456–464 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmoker J, Hester T (1983) Organic carbon in Bakken Formation, United States portion of Williston Basin. AAPG Bull 67(12):2165–2174

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi H, Liu Z, Lian L, Mao Y, Zhang Q, Yang Q, Wu J (2013) Enrichment regularity of lithologic reservoirs in plateau saline lacustrine basin: taking the Southwestern Qaidam Basin for example. Nat Gas Geosci 24(4):701–711 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith M, Bustin R (1998) Production and preservation of organic matter during deposition of the Bakken Formation (Late Devonian and Early Mississippian). Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 142:185–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sonnenberg S, Aris P (2009) Petroleum geology of the giant Elm Coulee field, Williston Basin. AAPG Bull 93(9):1127–1153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steve H, Luis B, Solange A (2007) From source to trap: a review of the Bakken petroleum system, Upper Devonian-Mississippian, Southeastern Saskatchewan. Sask Geol Surv 1:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Sui L, Fang S, Sun Y, Yang C, Meng Q, Gui L, Chen Y (2014) The tectonic evolution and accumulation controlling characteristics of Shizigou-Yingdong structural belt of western Qaidam Basin. Earth Sci Front 21(1):261–270 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wen Z, Chaodong W, Jialin W, Yanan F, Chuanwu W, Qilin C, Huaqing L (2017) Two-stage evolution of the Cenozoic Kunbei fault system and its control of deposition in the SW Qaidam Basin, China. Int J Earth Sci 106(6):1643–1961

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu L, Huang C, Yuan J, Cao Z, Wan C, Pan X, Zhang S, Li Z (2015a) Double-porosity system of mixed sediments in the saline lacustrine basin and its significance to reservoir. J Earth Sci Environ 37(2):59–67 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu L, Huang C, Yuan J, Yan C, Ma F, Sun X (2015b) Discovery of matrix pore of high efficiency bedrock gas reservoir in saline basin and its significance. J Earth Sci Environ 37(4):54–62 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang C, Sha Q (1990) Sedimentary environment of the middle Devonian Qujiang formation, a kind of mixing sedimentation of terrigenous clastics and carbonate. Acta Sedimentol Sin 8(2):60–63 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan J, Fu S, Cao Z, Yan C, Zhang S, Ma D (2011) Multi-source hydrocarbon generation and accumulation of plateau multiple petroleum system in Qaidam Basin. Lithol Reserv 23(3):7–14 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan J, Huang C, Cao Z, Li Z, Wan C, Xu L, Pan X, Wu L (2015a) The carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of saline lacustrine dolomite and paleoenvironmental significance: a case study of the Lower Eocene Ganchaigou Formation in Western Qaidam Basin. Geochemistry 44(3):254–266 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan J, Huang C, Zhao F (2015b) Carbon and oxygen isotopic composition, and palaeoenvironmental significance of saline lacustrine dolomite from the Qaidam Basin, Western China. J Pet Sci Eng 135(11):596–607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2015.10.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan J, Huang C, Xia Q, Cao Z, Zhao F, Wan C, Pan X (2016) The characteristics of carbonate reservoir, and formation mechanism of pores in the saline lacustrine basin: a case study of the lower Eocene Ganchaigou formation in western Qaidam Basin. Geol Rev 62(1):111–126 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X (2000) Classification and origin of mixosedimentite. Geol Sci Technol Inf 19(4):31–34 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao M, Lu X, Zhuo Q, Li Y, Song Y, Lei G, Wang Y (2015) Characteristics and distribution law of hydrocarbon accumulation in Kuqa foreland basin. Acta Petrolei Sinica 36(4):395–404 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhuo Q, Zhao M, Li Y, Wang Y (2014) Dynamic sealing evolution and hydrocarbon accumulation of evaporite cap rocks: an example from Kuqa foreland basin thrust belt. Sinica Terrae 35(5):847–856 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics/Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an, 710069, China

    Xinmin Ma

  2. Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development-Northwest, Petrochina, Lanzhou, 730020, China

    Xinmin Ma, Chenggang Huang & Yajun Shi

Authors
  1. Xinmin Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chenggang Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yajun Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xinmin Ma.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ma, X., Huang, C. & Shi, Y. Oil and gas enrichment patterns and major controlling factors for stable and high production of tight lacustrine carbonate rocks, a case study of Yingxi area in Qaidam Basin, West China. Carbonates Evaporites 34, 1815–1831 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-019-00529-9

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-019-00529-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation