Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dolomites of the Yingshan Formation in the Tazhong Low Rise, Tarim Basin: dolomitisation and reformation model

  • Article
  • Published:
Geosciences Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Tazhong Low Rise has abundant hydrocarbon resources in the Yingshan Formation of Lower Ordovician, where dolomite has been demonstrated to be a significant target for carbonate hydrocarbon exploration. Using optical observation and geochemical tests, three types of dolomite can be used as replacement and cement products. D1 dolomite is silt or fine crystalline, and has the fluid inclusions of low Th (71.4 °C) and corresponding salinity (9.89 wt% NaCl). In addition, geochemical data indicate that D1 dolomite was formed with shallow burial fluids and was intensely affected by weathering karst in the middle Ordovician, which served as a mixing-zone for dolomitisation. D2 dolomite of medium-coarse grain has similar geochemical characteristics as D1 dolomite except that it has higher diagenetic temperature and negative δ18O, suggesting that it generally developed in a deep burial environment. The cathodoluminescence showed two zonal structures in D1 dolomite, while at least three zonal structures in D2 dolomite were influenced by multiple burial diagenetic fluids. The D3 dolomite has a saddle structure with medium-coarse crystalline, high contents of Mn, Ba, Fe, and Sr, high Th (140 °C), high salinity (20.36 wt% NaCl), and negative δ18O (–10.1 to–7.8‰). Meanwhile, D3 dolomite is distributed near faults and fractures that are accompanied by hydrothermal minerals and is obviously influenced by hydrothermal fluids.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allan, J.R. and Wiggins, W.D., 1993, Dolomite reservoirs: Geochemical techniques for evaluating origin and distribution. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Continuing Education Course Notes Series 36, 120 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J.H. and Arthur, M.A., 1983, Stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon and their application to sedimentologic and palaeoenviromental problems. In: Arthur, M.A. (ed.), Stable Isotopes in Sedimentary Geology. Society for Sedimentary Geology Miner Short Course, 10, p. 1–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bao, Z.D., Zhu, J.Q., Jiang, M.S., and Xia, Y., 1998, Isotope and trace element evolution: responding to sea-level fluctuation–an example of Ordovician in Middle Tarim Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 16, 32–36. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Budd, D.A., 1997, Cenozoic dolomites of carbonate islands: their attributes and origin. Earth-Science Reviews, 42, 1–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buggisch, W., Keller, M., and Lehnert, O., 2003, Carbon isotope record of Late Cambrian to Early Ordovician carbonates of the Argentine Precordillera. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 195, 357–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, W.H., Denison, R.E., Hetherington, E.A., Koepnick, R.B., Nelson, H.F., and Otto, J.B., 1982, Variation of seawater 87Sr/86Sr throughout Phanerozoic time. Geology, 10, 516–519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capo, R.C. and Depaolo, D.J., 1990, Seawater strontium isotopic variations from 2.5 million years ago to the present. Science, 249, 51–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, H.L., Yang, S.F., Dong, C.W., Jia, C.Z., Wei, G.Q., and Wang, Z.G., 1997, Confirmation of Permian basite zone in Tarim basin and its tectonic significance. Geochimica, 26, 77–86. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, H.L., Yang, S.F., Dong, C.W., Zhu, G.Q., Jia, C.Z., Wei, G.Q., and Wang, Z.G., 1997, Studies on geothermal events in Tarim Basin. Chinese Science Bulletin, 42, 1096–1099. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J.S., Li, Z., Wang, Z.Y., Tang, X.C., Li, L., and Ma, Q., 2007, Paleokarstification and reservoir distribution of Ordovician carbonates in Tarim Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 25, 858–868. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Q.L., Wang, S.Y., Qian, Y.X., and Ma, H.Q., 2002, Old karst and distribution of oil-gas of Lower Ordovician in Akekule of Tarim Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 20, 633–638. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y.Q., Zhou, X.Y., and Yang, H.J., 2010, Geochemical research and genesis of dolostones with different crystal characteristics occurring in the Upper Cambrian, Centeral Area of Tarim Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 28, 209–218. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Depolo, D.J. and Ingram, B.L., 1985, High resolution stratigraphy with Strontium isotopes. Science, 227, 938–941.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folk, R.L. and Land, L.S., 1975, Mg/Ca ratio and salinity: Two controls over crystallization of dolomite. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 59, 60–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gu, J.Y., 2000, Characteristics and origin analysis of dolomite in Lower Ordovician of Tarim Basin. Xinjiang Petroleum Geology, 21, 120–122. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, J.F., Peng, P.A., Lu, Y.H., and Liu, D.Y., 2009, Relation between the carbonate formation water origin and oil & gas in the Tazhong area. Tarim Oilfield internal research report, 20 p. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, J.F., Yu, H.F., Zhang, H.Z., Luo, C.S., Jing, B., Huang, G.J., Ji, Y.G., and Dong, R.X., 2008, Characteristics of hydrocarbon enrichment in the Lower Ordovician carbonate rock weathering crust on the northern slope zone of Tazhong area. Oil & Gas Geology, 29, 167–188. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • He, Y.L., Liu, B., and Qin, S., 2010, Study on the dolomitization and dolostone genesis. Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Pekinensis, 46, 1010–1020. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, S.J., Shi, H., Zhang, M., Wu, W.H., and Shen, L.C., 2004, Application of strontium isotope stratigraphy to dating Ordovician marine sediments–a case study from the well Tazhong 12 in Tarim basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 22, 1–5. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ji, Y.G., Hang, J.F., Zhang, Z.H., Wang, J.Y., Su, J., Wang, Y., and 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 Geologica Sinica, 86, 1163–1174. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jia, C.Z., 1997, Structural features and hydrocarbon in Tarim Basin, China. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing, 283 p. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, M.S., Zhu, J.Q., Chen, D.Z., Zhang, R.K., and Qiao, G.S., 2002, Carbon and strontium isotopic geochemistry characteristic of Ordovician carbonate in Tarim Basin and its response to sea level changes. Science in China, 31, 36–42. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, X.Q., Wang, S.Y., Fan, M., Zhang, J.Y., Guan, H.L., and Bao, Y.J., 2008, Study of simulation experiment for carbonate rocks dissolution in burial diagenetic environment. Petroleum Geology & Experiment, 30, 643–646. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiao, C.L., Xing, X.J., He, B.Z., Chen, D.Z., Li, C.C., and Liu, Z.B., 2011, Characteristics and genetic types of Cambrian-Ordovician dolomite reservoirs in Tarim basin. Geology in China, 38, 1008–1015. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Keith M.L. and Weber J.N., 1964, Carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of selected limestone and fossils. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 28, 1787–1816.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lan, X.D., Lü, X.X., Yu, H.F., Zhu, Y.M., and Yan, B., 2014, Early Palaeozoic 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. Geological Journal, 49, 256–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Land, L.S., 1983, The application of stable isotopes to studies of the origin of dolomite and to problems of diagenesis of clastic sediments. In: Arthur, M.A., Anderson, T.F., Kaplan, I.R., Veizer, J., and Land, L.S. (eds.), Stable Isotopes in Sedimentary Geology. Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists (Society for Sedimentary Geology), Short Course Notes, 10, 22 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, B.L., Guan, S.W., Li, C.X., Wu, G.H., Yang, H.J., Han, J.F., Luo, C.S., and Miao, J.J., 2009b, Paleo-tectonic evolution and deformation features of the lower Uplift in the Central Tarim Basin. Geological Review, 55, 521–530. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, C.X., Jia, C.Z., Li, B.L., and Yang, G., 2009a, Distribution and tectonic evolution of the Paleozoic fault system, the north slope of Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin. Acta Geologica Sinica, 83, 1065–1073. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, C.X., Wang, X.F., and Li, B.L., 2010, Paleozoic faulting structure styles of the Tazhong Low Rise, Tarim Basin and its mechanism. Acta geologica Sinica, 84, 1727–1734. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, L., Tan, X.C., Chen, J.S., Zhao, Y.G., and He, B.Z., 2007, Characteristics and origin of dolostones in Yingshan Formaiton, Lower and Middle Ordovician, North of Central Tarim Basin. Journal of Southwest Petroleum University, 29, 34–39. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, S.M., Pang, X.Q., Jin, Z.J., Yang, H.J., Xiao, Z.Y., Gu, Q.Y., and Zhang, B.S., 2010, Petroleum source in the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin: New insights from geochemical and fluid inclusion data. Organic Geochemistry, 41, 531–553.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., Su, W., Kong, P., Qian, Y.X., Zhang, K.Y., Zhang, M.L., Chen, Y., Cai, X.Y., and You, D.H., 2007, Zircon U-Pb ages of the Early Permian magmatic rocks in the Tazhong-Bachu region, Tarim basin by LA-ICP-MS. Acta Petroiogica Sinica, 23, 1097–1107. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, K.Y., Bourdet, J., Zhang, B.S., Zhang, N., Lu, X.S., Liu, S.B., Pang, H., Li, Z., and Guo, X.W., 2013, Hydrocarbon charge history of the Tazhong Ordovician reservoirs, Tarim Basin as revealed from an integrated fluid inclusion study. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 40, 183–193. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y.F., Yin, J., Sun, X.W., Jin, Y.A., Kader, T.H.T, and Dang, Q.N., 2008, Cambrian sedimentary characteristics and origin of high-quality dolomite reservoirs in eastern Tarim Basin. Natural Gas Geoscience, 19, 126–132. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu, X.X., Jin, Z.J., Liu, L.F., Xu, S.L., Zhou, X.Y., Pi, X.J., and Yang, H.J., 2004, Oil and gas accumulations in the Ordovician carbonates in the Tazhong Uplift of Tarim Basin, west China. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 41, 109–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, F., Yang, L.M., Gu, J.Y., Chen, X., Zhao, Z., Jin, Y.N., and Gao, L., 2011, The summary on exploration of the dolomite oilfields in the World. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 29, 1010–1021. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • McArthur, J.M., 1994, Recent trends in strontium isotope stratigraphy. Terra Nova, 6, 331–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McArthur, J.M., Howarth, R.J., and Bailey, T.R., 2001, Strontium isotope stratigraphy: LOWESS version 3: best fit to the marine Sr-isotope curve for 0–509 Ma and accompanying look-up table for deriving numerical age. Journal Geology, 109, 155–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan, W.Q., Wang, Z.M., Sun, C.H., Li, B.H., Ren, K.X., Han, J., Jiang, H., and Yuan, S.Q., 2011, Classifications of sequence boundaries in the Lower Paleozoic carbonates in Tarim Basin and their significances. Oil & Gas Geology, 32, 531–541. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qian, Y.X. and You, D.H., 2006, An analysis of Ordovician dolomitisation origin in northwestern Tazhong area. Xinjiang Petroleum Geology, 27, 146–150. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, N.S., Chang, J., Zuo, Y.H., Wang, J.Y., and Li, H.L., 2012, Thermal evolution and maturation of lower Paleozoic source rocks in the Tarim Basin, northwest China. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 96, 789–821.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saltzman, M.R., 2005, Phosphorus, nitrogen, and the redox evolution of the Paleozoic oceans. Geology, 33, 573–576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shao, L.Y., He, H., Peng, S.P., and Li, R.J., 2002, Types and origin of dolostones of the Cambrian and Ordovician of Bachu Uplift area in Tarim Basin. Journal of Palaeogeography, 4, 19–29. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shields, G.A., Carden, G.A.F., Veizer, J., Meidla, T., Rong, J.Y., and Li, R.Y., 2003, Sr, C, and O isotope geochemistry of Ordovician brachiopods: a major isotopic event around the Middle-Late Ordovician transition. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 67, 2005–2025.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, C.K. and Kah, L.C., 2012, Sulfur isotope evidence for widespread euxinia and a fluctuating oxycline in Early to Middle Ordovician greenhouse oceans. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 313–314, 189–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian, H., Xiao, X.M., Wilkins, R.W.T., Gan, H.J., Guo, L.G., and Yang, L.G., 2010, Genetic origins of marine gases in the Tazhong area of the Tarim basin, NW China: implications from the pyrolysis of marine kerogens and crude oil. International Journal of Coal Geology, 82, 17–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, M.E. and Wright, V.P., 1990, Carbonate Sedimentology. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, 313 p.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Veizer, J., Ala, D., Azmy, K., Bruckschen, P., Buhl, D., Bruhn, F., Carden, G.A.F., Diener, A., Ebneth, S., Godderis, Y., Jaspera, T., Korte, C., Pawellek, F., Podlaha, O.G., and Strauss, H., 1999, 87Sr/86Sr, d13C and d18O evolution of Phanerozoic seawater. Chemical Geology, 161, 59–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veizer, J. and Compston, W., 1974, 87Sr/86Sr composition of seawater during the Phanerozoic. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 38, 1461–1484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, S.M., Jin, Z.J., and Xie, Q.L., 2004, Transforming effect of deep fluids on carbonate reservoirs in the Well TZ45 region. Geological Review, 50, 543–547. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren, J., 2000, Dolomite: occurrence, evolution and economically important associations. Earth Science Reviews, 52, 1–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, M.B., Wang, Y., Zheng, M.L., Zhang, W.B., and Liu, C.Y., 2007, Hydrothermal karst of Ordovician carbonate and its effect on the reservoir in Tazhong Area. Science in China, 37, 83–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, S.Q., Zhu, J.Q., Wang, G.X., Hu, W.X., Zhang, J.T., and Wang, X.L., 2008, Types and origin of Cambrian–Ordovician dolomites in Tarim basin. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 24, 1390–1400. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, X.M., Liu, D.H., and Fu, J.M., 1996, Multiple phases of hydrocarbon generation and migration in the Tazhong petroleum system of the Tarim Basin, People’s Republic of China. Organic Geochemistry, 25, 191–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, G.Q., Li, G.R., Liu, S.G., Wu, H.Z., Tian, N.X., and Li, Z.W., 2005, Multiple karst cave horizons in the Early Hercynian weathering crust in the Tarim Basin. Acta Geologica Sinica, 79, 557–567. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, H.J., Li, K.K., Pan, W.Q., Xiao, Z.Y., and Cai, C.F., 2012, Burial hydrothermal dissolution fluid activity and its transforming effect on the reservoirs in Ordovician in Central Tarim. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 28, 783–792. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, J.J., Huang, S.J., Zhang, W.Z., Huang, Y.M., Liu, G.X., and Xiao, L.P., 1995, Experimental simulation of dissolution for carbonate with different composition under the conditions from epigenesis to burial diagenesis environment. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 13, 83–88. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye, D.S., 1993, Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of the Sinian-Ordovician dolomites in northern Tarim basin. Geochimica, 1, 1–9. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, S.Q., Jia, C.Z., Gao, R.S., Pan, W.Q., Hou, F.D., Qi, J.H., Wu, Z.Z., and Fa, G.F., 2012, Sedimentation characteristics and reservoir geological model of Mid–Lower Ordovician carbonate rock in Tazhong northern slope. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 33, 80–88. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yun, L. and Zhai, X.X., 2008, Discussion on characteristics of the Cambrian reservoirs and hydrocarbon accumulation in Well Tashen-1, Tarim Basin. Oil & Gas Geology, 29, 726–732. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S.C., Hanson, A.D., Moldowan, J.M., Graham, S.A., Lianga, D.G., Chang, E., and Fago, F., 2000, Paleozoic oil-source rock correlations in the Tarim basin, NW China. Organic Geochemistry, 31, 273–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z.S., Li, M.J., and Liu, S.P., 2002, Generation and evolution of Tazhong low uplift. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 29, 28–31. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Z.J., Wu, X.N., Pan, W.Q., Zhang, X.Y., Zhang, L.J., Ma, P.L., and Wang, Z.Y., 2009, Sequence lithofacies paleogeography of Ordovician in Tarim Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 27, 939–955. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, H.R., Wu, M.B., Wu, X.W., Zhang, T., and Liu, C.Y., 2007, Oilgas exploration prospect of dolomite reservoir in the Lower Paleozoic of Tarim Basin. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 28, 1–7. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, J.F., Shen, A.J., Mo, N.Y., and Liu, Y.F., 2010, Genesis and feature identification of Cambrian–Lower Ordovician dolostone in Tarim Basin. Marine Origin Petroleum Geology, 15, 6–14. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, X.Y., Pang, X.Q., Li, Q.M., Pang, H., Xiang, C.F., Jiang, Z.X., Li, S.M., and Liu, L.F., 2010, Advances and problems in exploration in the Tazhong area. Petroleum Science, 7, 164–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, X.Y., Wang, Z.M., Yang, H.J., Wang, Q.H., and Wu, G.H., 2006, Tazhong Ordovician condensate field in Tarim Basin. Marine Origin Petroleum Geology, 11, 45–51. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, D.Y., Jin, Z.J., and Hu, W.X., 2009, Hydrothermal alteration dolomite reservoir in Tazhong area. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 30, 698–704. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, J.Q., Wu, S.Q., Wang, G.X., and Hu, W.X., 2008, Types and porosity characteristics of the Cambrian-Ordovician dolostones in Tarim basin. Earth Science Frontiers, 15, 67–79. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Ocean Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China

    Xiaodong Lan & Hao Liu

  2. School of Earth Science, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China

    Xiuxiang Lü

  3. Key Laboratory for Hydrocarbon Accumulation of Ministry of Education, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China

    Xiuxiang Lü

  4. Gudao Oil Production Plant, Shengli Oilfield Co. Ltd., Dongying, Shandong, 257231, China

    Baohua Lan

  5. School of Ocean Sciences, China University of Geosciences, 29 Xueyuan Rd., WuDaoKou, Haidian, Beijing, 100083, China

    Hao Liu

Authors
  1. Xiaodong Lan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hao Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xiuxiang Lü
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Baohua Lan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hao Liu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lan, X., Liu, H., Lü, X. et al. Dolomites of the Yingshan Formation in the Tazhong Low Rise, Tarim Basin: dolomitisation and reformation model. Geosci J 22, 47–64 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-017-0027-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-017-0027-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation