Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diagentic features of illite in Upper Triassic Chang-7 tight oil sandstones, Ordos Basin

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

Abstract

The Upper Triassic Chang-7 tight oil sandstones are the main tight clastic reservoirs in the Ordos Basin, central China. Illite is one of the most important cements affecting porosity and permeability of the tight oil sandstones, and this study focuses on different types of illitization and its relative formation time. The Chang-7 tight sandstones are mainly fine-grained lithic arkose and feldspar lithic sandstones, rich in mica and illite (hydrous mica). They are formed in distal delta front to semi-deep and deep lake facies, mainly deposited in a low energy environment. Porosity and permeability are very low (average porosity 8.58% and permeability 0.20 mD). The illite has many morphological characteristics and is multiphase, incorporating six types of illitization: hydrous mica, mica, and smectite illitization at the eodiagenetic stage, and kaolinite and K-feldspar illitization, and neoformation illite particles, at the mesodiagenetic stage. These different types of illitization are mainly controlled by sedimentary environment and provenance. Quartz overgrowth and diagenetic illites appear to be locally mutually exclusive, competing for detrital grain surfaces, but neoformation illite particles appear to form on the quartz overgrowth. The systematic study of Upper Triassic Chang-7 tight oil sandstones carried out here, enhances our understanding of illitization and the diagenetic model of the Ordos Basin, and contributes to reducing the exploration risk of continental tight sandstone reservoirs.

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

  • Aagaard, P., Egeberg, P.K., Saigal, G.C., Morad, S., and Bjørlykke, K., 1989, Diagenetic albitization of detrital K-feldspars in Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous and Tertiary reservoir rocks from offshore Norway, II. Formation water chemistry and kinetic considerations. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 60, 575–581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Awwiller, D.N., 1993, lllite/smectite formation and potassium mass transfer during burial diagenesis of mudrocks: a study from the Texas Gulf Coast Paleocene–Eocene. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 63, 501–512.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, A. and Velde, B., Gaupp, R., 2000, Experimental constraints on illite crystal morphology. Clay Minerals, 35, 587–597.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beard, D.C. and Weyl, P.K., 1973, Influence of texture on porosity and permeability of unconsolidated sand. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 57, 349–369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, G., Lacharpagne, J.C., Velde, B., Beaufort, D., and Lanson, B., 1997, Kinetic constraints on illitization reactions and the effects of organic diagenesis in sandstone/shale sequences. Applied Geochemistry, 12, 23–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernard, S., JeanPierre, G., Sra, L., Anne, B., and Étienne, B., 2003, Geochemical modelling of diagenetic illite and quartz cement formation in Brent sandstone reservoirs: example of the Hild Field, Norwegian North Sea. In: Worden, R.H. and Morad, S. (eds.), Clay Mineral Cements in Sandstones. International Association of Sedimentologists, Special Publication, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oxford, 34, p. 425–452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bethke, C.M. and Altaner, S.P., 1986, Layer-by-layer mechanism of smectite illitization and application to a new rate law. Clays and Clay Minerals, 34, 136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bjørkum, P.A. and Gjelsvik, N., 1988, An isochemical model for formation of authigenic kaolinite, K-feldspar and illite in sandstones. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 58, 506–511.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bjørlykke, K., 1980, Clastic diagenesis and basin evolution. Revista del Instituto de Investigations Geológias, Deputacion Provincial, Universidad de Barselona, 34, 21–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bjørlykke, K. and Aagaard, P., 1992, Clay minerals in the North Sea sandstones. In: Houseknecht, D.W. and Pittman, E.D. (eds.), Origin, Diagenesis, and Petrophysics of Clay Minerals in Sandstones. Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Special Publication, Tulsa, 47, p. 65–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bjørlykke, K., Aagaard, P., Egeberg, P.K., and Simmons, S.P., 1995, Geochemical constraints from formation water analyses from North Sea and the Gulf Coast basins on quartz, feldspar and illite precipitation in reservoir rocks. In: England, W.A. and Cubitt, J.M. (eds.), The Geochemistry of Reservoirs. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 86, p. 33–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buatier, M.D., 1992, Smectite-illite transition in Barbados accretionary wedge sediments: TEM and AEM evidence for dissolution/crystallization at low temperature. Clays and Clay Minerals, 40, 65–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuadros, J., 2012, Clay crystal-chemical adaptability and transformation Mechanisms. Clay Minerals, 47, 147–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deng, X.Q., Lin, F.X., Liu, X.Y., Pang, J.L., Lu, J.W., and Li, S.X., 2008, Discussion on relationship between sedimentary evolution of the Triassic Yanchang Formation and the Early Indosinian Movement in Ordos Basin. Journal of Palaeogeography, 10, 159–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickson, J.A.D., 1965, A modified staining technique for carbonates in thin section. Nature, 205, 587.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du, Y.B., Ji, H.C., Wu, Y.Y., and Zhu, X.M., 2006a, Single factor diagenetic facies analysis of tight reservoir in western Sichuan foreland basin. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 27, 48–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Du, Y.B., Ji, H.C., and Zhu, X.M., 2006b, Research on the diagenetic facies of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Western Sichuan Foreland Basin. Journal of Jilin University, 36, 359–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenberg, S.N. and Nadeau, P.H., 1989, Formation of diagenetic illite in sandstones of the Garn Formation, Haltenbanken area, mid- Norwegian continental shelf. Clay Minerals, 24, 233–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, W.C., Aronson, J.L., Matisoff, G., and Gautier, D.L., 1991, Kinetics of the smectite to illite transformation in the Denver basin: clay mineral, K-Ar data, and mathematical model results. AAPG Bulletin, 75, 436–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folk, R.L., 1968, Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks. Hemphill, Austin, TX, 107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franks, S.G. and Zwingmann, H., 2010, Origin and timing of late diagenetic illite in the Permian-Carboniferous Unayzah sandstone reservoirs of Saudi Arabia. AAPG Bulletin, 94, 1133–1159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaupp, R., Matter, A., Platt, J., Ramseyer, K., and Walzebuck, J., 1993, Diagenesis and fluid evolution of deeply buried Permian (Rotliegende) gas reservoirs, northwest Germany. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 77, 1111–1128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo, Y.R., Liu, J.B., Yang, H., Liu, Z., Fu, J.H., Yao, J.L., Xu, W.L., and Zhang, Y.L., 2012, Hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism of low permeable tight lithologic oil reservoirs in the Yanchang formation, Ordos Basin, China. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 39, 417–425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Güven, N., 2001, Mica structure and fibrous growth of illite. Clays and Clay Minerals, 49, 189–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hezarkhani, A., 2003, Withdrawn: mass changes during hydrothermal alteration/mineralization in a porphyry copper deposit, eastern Sungun, northwestern Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 20.

  • Hoffman, J., Hower, J., and Aronson, J.L., 1976, Radiometric dating of time of thrusting in the disturbed belt of Montana. Geology, 4, 16–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, K.K., Huang, S.J., Tong, H.P., and Liu, L.H., 2009, Thermodynamic calculation of feldspar dissolution and its significance on research of clastic reservoir. Geological Bulletin of China, 28, 474–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, S.J., Huang, K.K., Feng, L.W., Tong, H.P., Liu, L.H., and Zhang, X.H., 2009a, Mass exchanges among feldspar, kaolinite and illite and their influences on secondary porosity formation in clastic diagenesis: a case study on the Upper Paleozoic, Ordos Basin and Xujiahe Formation, Western Sichuan Depression. Geochimica, 38, 498–506.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, S.J., Sun, W., Huang, P.P., Tong, H.P., and Liu, L.H., 2009b, The origin of authigenic illite and its effects on reservoir quality: a case study from Taiyuan sandstone, Eastern Ordos Basin. Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology, 29, 25–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurst, A. and Nadeau, P.H., 1995, Clay microporosity in reservoir sandstones: an application of quantitative electron microscopy in petrophysical evaluation. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 79, 563–573.

    Google Scholar 

  • JiKim, J. and Eberl, D.D., 2004, Role of microbes in the smectite-to-illite reaction. Science, 303, 830–832.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lander, R.H. and Bonnell, L.M., 2010, A model for fibrous illite nucleation and growth in sandstones. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 94, 1161–1187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, F.J., Wang, D.Y., Song, G.S., Zheng, X.M., Liu, Z.L., Wang, F., Wang, Z.K., and Li, S.T., 2004, Short-term base-level cycle and genetic analysis of reservoirs of delta front at gentle slope in depressed-type lacustrine basin, Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 22, 73–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, G.N., Huang, S.J., Deng, L.L., and Wu, M., 2008, Precipitation interaction of authigenic clay minerals for clastic reservoirs and its effect on reservoirs: a case study of sandstones of Xujiahe Formation of Upper Triassic from Western Sichuan Depression. Geology and Mineral Resources of South China, 4, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S.L., 1986, The existence of a large-scale Triassic sedimentary basin in North China. Acta Geological Sinica, 60, 128–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundegard, P.D., 1992, Sandstones porosity loss–a big picture view of the importance of compaction. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 62, 250–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manning, D.A.C., 2003, Experimental Studies of Clay Mineral Occurrence. Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Oxford, 190 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAulay, G.E., Burley, S.D., and Johnes, L.H., 1993, Silicate mineral authogenesis in the Hutton and NW Hutton fields: implications for subsurface porosity development. In: Parker, J.R. (ed.), Petroleum Geology of Northwest Europe: Proceedings of the 4th Conference. Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference series, 4, p. 1377–1394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mei, Z.C., Peng, R.H., Yang, H., Liu, G.J., and Zeng, S.H., 1988, Sedimentary environment of the oil-bearing sand bodies in the upper Triassic Yanchang Formation of northern Shanxi. Oil and Gas Geology, 9, 261–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng, W.B., Lu, Z.X., Feng, M.S., Zhang, S.H., Li, M., and Mai, H.H., 2011, The origin of authigenic illite in tight sandstones and its effect on the formation of relatively high-quality reservoirs: a case study on sandstones in the 4th member of Xujiahe Formation, western Sichuan Basin. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 32, 783–790.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morad, S., 1986, Albitization of K-feldspar grains in Proterozoic arkoses and greywackes from southern Sweden. Neues Jahrbuch Mineralogie Monat, 4, 145–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murr, L.E., 1982, Electron and Ion Microscopy and Microanalysis: Principles and Applications. Optical Engineering v. 1, Marcel Dekker, New York, 793 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platt, J.D., 1993, Controls on clay mineral distribution and chemistry in the early Permian Rotliegend of Germany. Clay Minerals, 28, 393–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pollastro, R.M., 1985, Mineralogical and morphological evidence for the formation of illite at the expense of illite/smectite. Clays and Clay Minerals, 33, 265–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, X.W., Liu, C.Y., Li, Y.H., Mao, G.Z., and Wang, J.Q., 2009, Distribution characteristics and geological significances of tuff interlayers in Yanchang Formation of Ordos Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 27, 1138–1146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, X., Liu, C., Mao, G., Deng, Y., Wang, F., and Wang, J., 2014, Late triassic tuff intervals in the ordos basin, central china: their depositional, petrographic, geochemical characteristics and regional implications. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 80, 148–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramm, M., and Ryseth, A.E., 1996, Reservoir quality and burial diagenesis in the Statfjord Formation. Petroleum Geoscience, 2, 313–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rask, J.H., 1997, Smectite illitization in Pliocene-age Gulf of Mexico mudrocks. Clays and Clay Minerals, 45, 99–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schoonmaker, J., Mackenzie, F.T., and Speed, R.C., 1986, Tectonic implications of illite/smectite diagenesis, Barbados accretionary prism. Clays and Clay Minerals, 4, 465–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi, G.R., 2006, Dissolution-precipitation model for smectite-illite transformation. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 27, 47–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, G.R., 2007, Numerical modeling for the smectite to illite transformation: dissolution-precipitation model and kinetic model. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 25, 693–700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinshouer, D.W., Qiang, J., McCabe, P.J., and Ryder, R.T., 1998, Maps showing geology, oil and gas fields and geologic provinces of South Asia. USGS Open-File Report, 470 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stixrude, L. and Peacor, D.R., 2002, First-principles study of illite-smectite and implications for clay mineral systems. Nature, 420, 165–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Storvoll, V., Bjørlykke, K., Karlsen, D., and Saigal, G., 2002, Porosity preservation in reservoir sandstones due to grain-coating illite: a study of the Jurassic Garn Formation from the Kristin and Lavrans fields, off-shore Mid-Norway. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 19, 767–781.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stroker, T.M., Harris, N.B., Elliott, W.C., and Wampler, J.M., 2013, Diagenesis of a tight gas sand reservoir: Upper Cretaceous Mesaverde Group, Piceance Basin, Bolorado. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 40, 48–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, J.M., Li, Z.C., and Guan, J., 1999, Reservoir sensitivity determination by well logging. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 20, 34–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, F.Y., Hao, S.S., and Lei, J.J., 1998, The isotopic dating of authigenic illite and timing of hydrocarbon fluid emplacement in sandstone reservoir. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 19, 40–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, S.J., Li, D.H., Li, J.Z., Dong, D.Z., Zhang, W.Z., and Ma, J., 2011, Exploration potential of shale gas in the Ordos Basin. Natural Gas Industry, 31, 40–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, M.P., Hayward, A.B., Parkinson, D.N., and Zhang, Z.M., 1987, Plate tectonic history, basin development and petroleum source rock deposition onshore China. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 4, 205–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J.H., Yu, S.Y., Xu, S.C., and Liu, L.H., 1999, Smectite illitization reaction mechanism and framework model of its behaviors. Scientia Geologica Sinica, 34, 498–505.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, F., Wang, Y.W., Feng, Q., Zhang, D.Y., and Zhao, J.X., 2016, Further research on chlorite rims in sandstones: evidence from the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos basin, China. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 9, 507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie, X.Y., 2016, Provenance and sediment dispersal of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, southwest Ordos Basin, China, and its implications. Sedimentary Geology, 335, 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, T.T., Wang, H.X., Zhang, Y.Y., Zhao, X.Y., and Bao, Y.J., 2003, Clay Minerals of Petroliferous Basins in China. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing, 336 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, X.Z. and Ye, N.J., 2003, Gibbs free energies of formation for mixed-layer illite-montmorillonite in the process of montmorillonite illitizaion. Geology-Geochemistry, 31, 20–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yau, Y.C., Peacor, D.R., and Mcdowell, S.D., 1987, Smectite-to-illite reactions in salton-sea shales–a transmission and analytical electron- microscopy study. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 57, 335–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin, A. and Harrison, T.M., 2000, Geologic evolution of the Himalayan- Tibetan Orogen. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 28, 211–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yin, A. and Nie, S., 1996, A Phanerozoic palinspastic reconstruction of China and its neighboring regions. In: Yin, A. and Harrison, M. (eds.), The Tectonic Evolution of Asia. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 442–485.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, M.D., Wang, P.J., Shi, C.R., Li, F.X., and Bai, H.Q., 2009, Indication of oil-gas migration & accumulation with fluid inclusion characteristics and illite dating in Yanqi Basin. Journal of Jilin University, 39, 45–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, K. and Wu, Z.D., 1985, Tectonics of the west edge fault belt of Ordos region and its prospect in peteoleum exploration. Oil and Gas Geology. 6, 71–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S.N., Ding, X.Q., Wan, Y.L., Xiong, D., and Zhu, Z.L., 2012, Formation mechanism and distribution of clay minerals of deeply tight siliciclastic reservoirs. Journal of Southwest Petroleum University, 34, 174–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z.M., Liu, J.G., and Coleman, R.G., 1984, An outline of the plate tectonics of China. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 95, 295–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhong, D.K., Zhou, L.J., Sun, H.T., Yao, J.L., Ma, S.Y., and Zhu, H.H., 2012, Influences of petrologic features on diagenesis and pore development: an example from the Triassic Yanchang Formation in Longdong area, Ordos Basin. Oil and Gas Geology, 33, 890–899.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, H.H., Zhong, D.K., Yao, J.L., Sun, H.T., Niu, X.B., Liang X.W., You, Y., and Li X., 2015, Alkaline diagenesis and its effects on reservoir porosity: a case study of Upper Triassic Chang 7 Member tight sandstone in Ordos Basin, NW China. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 42, 56–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China

    Ai Wang, Dakang Zhong, Yangjinfeng Jiang, Xueqi Yang & Rui Xie

  2. School of Geoscience and Technology, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500, China

    Haihua Zhu

  3. National Engineering Research Center of Coalbed Methane, Beijing, 100095, China

    Lele Guo

Authors
  1. Ai Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dakang Zhong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Haihua Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lele Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yangjinfeng Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xueqi Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Rui Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ai Wang.

Electronic supplementary material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, A., Zhong, D., Zhu, H. et al. Diagentic features of illite in Upper Triassic Chang-7 tight oil sandstones, Ordos Basin. Geosci J 23, 281–298 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-018-0033-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-018-0033-0

Key words

Search

Navigation