Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geologic characteristics, controlling factors and hydrocarbon accumulation mechanisms of China’s Large Gas Provinces of low porosity and permeability

  • Published:
Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Based on the analysis of the geological characteristics and controlling factors, we analyzed the formation mechanism of different types of gas reservoirs. The main characteristics of gas provinces with low porosity and permeability are mainly as follows: large area, low abundance, small gas pools and large gas provinces; widely distributed excellent hydrocarbon source rocks with closely contacted source-reservoir-cap association; development mainly in large continental depressions or in paralic shallow-river delta systems; many kinds of traps coexisting in large areas, dominantly para-layered lithologic, digenetic and capillary pressure traps; double fluid flow mechanisms of Darcy flow and non-Darcy flow; complicated gas and water relations; and having the resource distribution of highly productive “sweet spots”, banding concentration, and macroscopically large areas integrated. The main controlling factors of large sandstone gas provinces with low porosity and permeability are stable dynamic backgrounds and gentle structural frameworks which control the extensive distribution of alternate (interbedded) sandstones and mudstones; weak hydropower of large gentle lake basins controlling the formation of discontinuous, low porosity and permeability reservoirs in shallow-water deltas; regionally differential diagenesis and no homogeneous digenetic facies controlling the development of favorable reservoirs and digenetic traps; and weak and dispersive reservoir-forming dynamic forces leading to the widely distributed small traps with low abundance. Low porosity and permeability gas provinces with different trap types have different formation mechanisms which include fluid diversion pressure difference interactive mechanism of lithologic-trap gas accumulations, separated differential collection mechanism of digenetic-trap gas accumulations, and the Non-Darcy flow mechanism of capillary-pressure gas accumulations.

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

  1. Wang J Q. Problems relating to gas-bearing in super-tight sandstone. Oil Gas Geol, 1993, 14(3): 169–179

    Google Scholar 

  2. Zha Q H, He W Y. A primary discussion on the “low grade resource”. Petrol Expl Dev, 2003, 30(6): 433–439

    Google Scholar 

  3. Wang J Q. Prospects for the large-sized tight sandstone gas-bearing regions in China. Nat Gas Ind, 2000, 20(1): 10–15

    Google Scholar 

  4. Tian C G, Luo K, Zhu Y X. Resources characteristics of low beneficial gas reservoirs and strategic thoughts of high profitable development (in Chinese). Nat Gas Ind, 2004, 24(1): 4–6

    Google Scholar 

  5. Shanley K W, Cluff R M, Robinson J W. Factors controlling prolific gas production from low-permeability sandstone reservoirs: Implications for resource assessment, prospect development, and risk analysis. AAPG Bull, 2004, 88(8): 1083–1121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Weimer R J, Sonnenberg S A, Young G B, et al. Geology of tight gas reservoirs. AAPG Stud Geol, 1986, 24: 143–164

    Google Scholar 

  7. Sweet M I, Blewden C J, Ceter A M, et al. Modeling heterogeneity in a low-permeability gas reservoir using geostatistical techniques, Hyde field, Southern North Sea. AAPG Bull, 1996, 80(11): 1719–1735

    Google Scholar 

  8. Lander R H, Walderhaug O. Predicting porosity through simulating sandstone compaction and quartz cementation. AAPG Bull, 1999, 83(3): 433–449

    Google Scholar 

  9. He D B, Jia A L, Guo J L, et al. Diagenesis and genesis of effective sandstone reservoirs in the Sulige gas field (in Chinese). Petrol Expl Dev, 2004, 31(3): 69–71

    Google Scholar 

  10. Heiland J, Raab S. Experimental investigation of the influence of differential stress on permeability of a lower permian (rotliegend) sandstone deformed in the Brittle Deformation Field. Phys Chem Earth Part A-Solid Earth Geod, 2001, 26(1–2): 33–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Adrian C, Claudine D, Etienne B. Pore microgeometry analysis in low-resistivity sandstone reservoirs. J Petrol Sci Eng, 2002, 35(3–4): 205–232

    Google Scholar 

  12. Eric T, John D, Fitz G. Feedbacks between deformation, hydrothermal reaction and permeability evolution in the Crust: Experimental insights. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 2006, 247(1–2): 117–129

    Google Scholar 

  13. Jaco H B, Ernie A H, William D M, et al. Directional petrological characterization of deep-marine sandstones using grain fabric and permeability anisotropy: Methodologies, theory, application and suggestions for integration. Earth-Sci Rev, 2007, 82(1–2): 101–142

    Google Scholar 

  14. Zeng L B, Qi J F, Li Y G. The relationship between fractures and tectonic stress field in the extra low-permeability sandstone reservoir at the south of Western Sichuan Depression (in Chinese). J China Univ Geosci, 2007, 18(3): 223–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. MacDonald A M, Davies J, Peart R J. Geophysical methods for locating groundwater in low permeability sedimentary rocks: Examples from Southeast Nigeria. J African Earth Sci, 2001, 32(1): 115–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. George J M, Sloan E D. Gas production potential of disperse low-saturation hydrate accumulations in Oceanic Sediments. Energy Conv Manag, 2007, 48(6): 1834–1849

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Tian C B, Yu X H, Xu A N, et al. Geological characteristics and origin peculiarities of low efficiency gas reservoirs in China (in Chinese). Petrol Geol Exp, 2003, 25(3): 235–238

    Google Scholar 

  18. Gu L, Yu X H, Li S L, et al. A discussion on geologic features and genesis of low-efficiency gas reservoirs (in Chinese). Oil Gas Geol, 2004, 25(5): 577–581

    Google Scholar 

  19. Siddiqui S, Talabani S, Saleh S T, et al. Foam flow in low-permeability Berea sandstone cores: A laboratory investigation. J Petrol Sci Eng, 2002, 36(3–4): 133–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Moss A K, Jing X D, Archer J S. Wettability of reservoir rock and fluid systems from complex resistivity measurements. J Petrol Sci Eng, 2002, 33(1–3): 75–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Torsten F, Hans-Dieter V. Investigation of non-Darcy flow in tight-gas reservoirs with fractured wells. J Petrol Sci Eng, 2006, 54(3–4): 112–128

    Google Scholar 

  22. Adibhatla B, Mohanty K K, Berger P, et al. Effect of surfactants on wettability of near-wellbore regions of gas reservoirs. J Petrol Sci Eng, 2006, 52(1–4): 227–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Ren X J, Yan Q L, He Q X, et al. The experimental study of characteristics of gas flow in tight formation (in Chinese). J Xi’an Petrol Ins, 1997, 12(3): 22–25

    Google Scholar 

  24. Zhou Z, Wang X, Zhao Z, et al. New formula for acid fracturing in low permeability gas reservoirs: Experimental study and field application. J Petrol Sci Eng, 2007, 59(3–4): 257–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Patrick F D, Timothy J K, Jeffrey H, et al. Porosity, permeability, and fluid Flow in the Yellowstone geothermal system, Wyoming. J Volcanol Geother Res, 2003, 123(3–4): 313–324

    Google Scholar 

  26. Rong C L, Min Q. The basic characteristics and formation mechanism of deep basin (in Chinese). Low Porosity Permeability Oil-gas Field. 1997, 2(2): 55–58

    Google Scholar 

  27. Zou C N, Tao S Z, Gu Z D. Formation conditions and distribution rules of large lithologic oil-gas fields with Low abundance in China (in Chinese). Acta Geol Sin, 2006, 80(11): 1739–1751

    Google Scholar 

  28. Zou C N, Tao S Z. Connotation, classification, formation and distribution of giant oil and gas province (in Chinese). Petrol Expl Dev, 2007, 34(1): 5–12

    Google Scholar 

  29. Zou C N, Tao S Z. The geological characteristics of large gas province and fields in China (in Chinese). China Sci Ser D-Earth Sci, 2007, 37(Suppl) II: 12–28

    Google Scholar 

  30. Berg R P. Capillary pressure in stratigraphic trap. AAPG Bull, 1975, 59(6): 939–959

    Google Scholar 

  31. Bymes A P. Aspects of permeability, capillary pressure and relative permeability properties and distribution in low-permeability rocks important to evaluation, damage and simulation. Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and Rocky Mountain Region of Petroleum Technology Transfer Council-Petroleum Systems and Reservoirs of Southwest Wyoming Symposium, September 19, 2003

  32. Zhang J L, Chang X C, Wang S Q. Gas trap in deep basin of the upper Triassic in Sichuan Basin. Acta Petrol Sin, 2002, 23(3): 27–33

    Google Scholar 

  33. Zhang J L, Chang X C, Zhang J G. Deep basin gas trap in the upper Paleozoic of Ordos Basin (in Chinese). Petrol Expl Dev, 2000, 27(4): 30–35

    Google Scholar 

  34. Dai J X, Song Y, Zhang H F. The main controlling factor of the formation of large and medium gas fields (in Chinese). Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 1996, 26(6): 481–487

    Google Scholar 

  35. Zhou L Q, Len Y X. The main scale characteristics of oil-gas fields in continental petroliferous basins in China (in Chinese). China Petrol Exp, 2001, 6(2): 8–15

    Google Scholar 

  36. Qiu Y N. The development of sedimentology of continental clastic rocks and reservoir rocks (in Chinese). Acta Sediment Sin, 1992, 10(3):16–24

    Google Scholar 

  37. Li L, Yuan Z X, Hui K Y, et al. Accumulation regularity of upper Paleozoic gas in North Ordos Basin (in Chinese). Oil Gas Geol, 2000, 21(3): 268–271

    Google Scholar 

  38. Shi J, Wang Q. A discussion on main controlling factors on the properties of clastic gas reservoirs (in Chinese). Acta Sediment Sin, 1995, 13(2):128–129

    Google Scholar 

  39. Li J Y. The types of the clay mineral content, occurrence characteristics and reservoir damage of low permeability gas zone (in Chinese). Nat Gas Ind, 1989, 9(5): 55–59

    Google Scholar 

  40. Comer J B. Stratigraphic analysis of the Upper Devonian Woodford Formation, Permian Basin, West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico. In: Bureau of Economic Geology. Report of Investigations No.201. Austin: Bureau of Economic Geology, 1991. 1–63

    Google Scholar 

  41. Curtis B F. Sedimentary rocks of the Denver Basin. In: Sloss L L, ed. Sedimentary Cover-North American Craton: Geology of North America, Volume D-2. Geological Society of America, 1988. 182–196

  42. Higley D K, Schmoker J W. Influence of depositional environment and diagenesis on regional porosity trends in the lower Cretaceous “J” sandstone, Denver Basin, Colorado in Coalson. In: Viveiros E, John J, Scott M, eds. Petrogenesis and Petrophysics of Selected Sandstone Reservoirs in the Rocky Mountain Region. Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, 1989. 183–196

  43. Liu B J, Zhang J Q. Sedimentation Diagenesis (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1992

    Google Scholar 

  44. Ying F X, He D B, Long Y M, et al. The Division of Diagenetic Stages in Clastic Rocks (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 2003

    Google Scholar 

  45. Zheng Q M, Pang M. The Research on Diagenesis of Clastic Reservoir (in Chinese). Wuhan: China University of Geosciences Press, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  46. Edward D P, Richard E L. Compaction of lithic sands: Experimental results and applications. AAPG Bull, 1991, 75(8): 1186–1225

    Google Scholar 

  47. Laubach S E, Robert R M, Olson J E, et al. Fracture-surrogate analysis methods applied to spraberry, Bone Spring, and “Canyon” Ores: Preliminary Results. In: The West Texas Geological Society, ed. The Permian Basin: Microns to Satellites, Looking for Oil and Gas at All Scales. WTGS Publication, 2001, 01–110: 75–79

  48. Dai J X, Qin S F, Xia X Y. Coal-formed natural gas resource and large gas fields in the west part of China (in Chinese). Bull Min Petrol Geochem, 2002, 21(1): 12–21

    Google Scholar 

  49. Wang T B. Theory process of natural gas geology and strategy of gas exploration (in Chinese). Oil Gas Geol, 2002, 23(1): 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  50. Wang T B. Reservoiring characteristics analysis of gas fields in China (in Chinese). Oil Gas Geol, 2003, 24(2): 103–110

    Google Scholar 

  51. Zheng Q M, Ying F X. Reservoir characteristics and diagenetic model of sandstone interacted in coal-bearing strata (acial water medium) (in Chinese). Acta Petrol Sin, 1997, 18(4): 19–24

    Google Scholar 

  52. Chen L H, Xu H X. Assessments on Generation and Reservation Cover (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 1999

    Google Scholar 

  53. Zhao W Z, Zou C N, Gu Z D, et al. Preliminary discussion on accumulation mechanism of sand lens reservoirs (in Chinese). Petrol Expl Dev, 2007, 34(3): 273–284

    Google Scholar 

  54. Yang X N, Zhang H L, Zhu G H. Formation mechanism and geological implication of tight sandstones: A case of Well YN-2 in Tarim Basin (in Chinese). Mar Origin Petol Geol, 2005, 10(1): 31–36

    Google Scholar 

  55. Masters J A. Deep basin gas traps, Wester Canada. AAPG Bull, 1979, 63(2): 152–181

    Google Scholar 

  56. Gies R M. Case history for a major Alberta deep basin trap: The Cadomin Formation. AAPG Memoir, 1984, 38: 121–129

    Google Scholar 

  57. Wang L. The Deep Basin Gas Field (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 2002. 1–39

    Google Scholar 

  58. Berkenpas P G. The Milk River Shallow Gas Pool: Role of the Updip Water Trap and Connate Water in Gas Production from the Pool. Society Petroleum Engineers, 1991. 106–114

  59. Karsten M, Kristine H. Hydrodynamic trapping of injected acid gas in the Alberta Basin, Western Canada. Greenhouse Gas Control Tech, 2005, 7: 1029–1034

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development, PetroChina, Beijing, 100083, China

    CaiNeng Zou, ShiZhen Tao, XiangXiang Zhang, DongBo He, ChuanMin Zhou & XiaoHui Gao

Authors
  1. CaiNeng Zou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. ShiZhen Tao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. XiangXiang Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. DongBo He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. ChuanMin Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. XiaoHui Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to CaiNeng Zou.

Additional information

Supported by PetroChina Science and Technology Project (Grant No. 07-01C-01-07) and Youth Innovation Fund Project (Grant Nos. 10100042KT96, 07-06D-01-04-01-03)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zou, C., Tao, S., Zhang, X. et al. Geologic characteristics, controlling factors and hydrocarbon accumulation mechanisms of China’s Large Gas Provinces of low porosity and permeability. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 52, 1068–1090 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-009-0104-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-009-0104-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation