Distribution and hydrocarbon significance of source rock in the Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation, Tarim Basin, NW China

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2023.2.54

Abstract

Abstract:

It is believed that Lower Paleozoic marine source rock in the Tarim Basin is mainly mudrock of the Lower Cambrian Yuertusi Formation and minor mudrock of the Middle-Lower Ordovician, while the Lower Cambrian Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation is mainly dolostone reservoir rock. Wells drilled in Tazhong and Tabei areas discovered argillaceous limestone in the Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation. Argillaceous limestone samples from recently drilled wells Jingnengketan-1 and Luntan-3 possess high TOC (most exceed 0.3%, some over 2%). Other five wells in different locations in the Tarim Basin reveal effective source rock in argillaceous limestone (and/or dolostone) of the Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation. Evidences from wells agree with dark argillaceous limestone observed in the Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation at the Sugaitebulake outcrop. TOC of the samples selected from the outcrop is 0.41% on average, and R_o 1.14%. The above observations demonstrate the existence of effective argillaceous limestone source rock in the Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation. Based on data from outcrop, seismic, and well, the paper proposes a sedimentary mode of multi-period overlaid reef-shoal-source system in the inner platform in the Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation by means of seismic sedimentology, seismic attributes and forward modeling. According to the findings, source rock is located in the area where dip angle decreases from fore-reef to slope. The argillaceous limestone source rock is wide and thick, which makes it a large-scale effective hydrocarbon source for the nearby reservoir rock. The source rock in Gucheng 3D seismic survey can provide billions of tons of hydrocarbon. The knowledge derived from this paper extends type, stratum and area of Lower Paleozoic marine source rock in the Tarim Basin, elevates hydrocarbon resource potential in the presalt Cambrian plays, strengthens the strategy of transferring exploration focus from platform margin to inner platform, and inspires hydrocarbon exploration in Gucheng area as well as in the Tarim Basin.

Key words: Tarim Basin, Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation, argillaceous limestone, source rock, seismic sedimentology, hydrocarbon exploration significance

CLC Number:

XU Zhaohui, HU Suyun, ZENG Hongliu, MA Debo, LUO Ping, HU Zaiyuan, SHI Shuyuan, CHEN Xiuyan, TAO Xiaowan. Distribution and hydrocarbon significance of source rock in the Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation, Tarim Basin, NW China[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2024, 31(2): 343-358.

Figures/Tables 17

Fig.1 Lithology and TOC of Xiaoerbulake Formation in Tarim Basin (The black line in TOC column marks 0.3%)

Fig.2 Paleogeography of Tarim Basin in Early Cambrian and data locations. Modified after [39-40].

Fig.3 Well lithology-electrical features of Xiaoerbulake Formation in Tazhong area, Tarim Basin

Fig.4 Well lithology column and TOC of Cambrian in Tabei area, Tarim Basin

Fig.5 Features of reef-shoal-source rock system at Sugaitebulake outcrop (A) and the corresponding geologic profile (B) in Xiaoerbulake Formation, Tarim Basin (Yellow arrows indicate prograding reef-shoal systems, red arrows indicate transgressing systems)

Table 1 Dip of Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation calculated from Sugaitebulake outcrop, Tarim Basin

序号	描述	礁前倾角/(°)	礁前古坡度/(°)	坡脚倾角/(°)	坡脚古坡度/(°)
1	前积体I-1	9.1	5.3	—	—
2		—	—	4.5	0.7
3	前积体I-2	10.3	6.6	—	—
4		—	—	4.7	0.9
5	前积体I-3	12.2	8.4	—	—
6		—	—	4.1	0.4
7	超覆体i	—	—	—	—
8		—	—	4.9	1.2
9	前积体II-1	8.1	4.3	—	—
10		—	—	6.5	2.7
11	前积体II-2	23.6	19.9	—	—
12		—	—	7.7	3.9
13	超覆体ii	—	—	—	—
14		—	—	4.9	1.1
15	前积体III	11.6	7.9	—	—
16		—	—	2.2	0.5
17	超覆体iii	—	—	—	—
18		—	—	1.8	0.3

Fig.6 Pseudo wells distribution (A), impedance model (B), and synthetic section using Racker wavelet (-90°, 60 Hz) in Xiaoerbulake Formation at Sugaitebulake outcrop, Tarim Basin

Table 2 Parameters used in forward modelling. Modified after [52].

相序号	相区	平均波阻抗/[(m·s^-1)·(g·cm^-3)]
1	礁脊	16 100
2	礁内	16 100
3	礁基	16 150
4	外礁/滩	16 500
5	半局限台地	16 500
6	上斜坡	16 700
7	下斜坡	16 800
8	海侵域	16 750

Fig.7 Time structure map of Lower Cambrian top (A) and typical seismic profiles (B, C) in Gucheng, Tarim Basin The while lines outline location of the abnormal zone on plane map and profiles; Yellow, cyan, and green lines indicate top, middle and base of Lower Cambrian

Fig.8 Seismic profile features of Lower Cambrian with different dominant frequencies in Gucheng 3D seismic survey, Tarim Basin (Flattened to top of Lower Cambrian)

Fig.9 Wheeler-domain seismic profile (A) and #36 stratal slice (B) derived from -90°, high frequency data in Lower Cambrian Gucheng, Tarim Basin

Fig.10 Interpretation of reef-shoal-source system on the Wheeler domain profile in Gucheng, Tarim Basin (Grey dashed lines are slice locations)

Table 3 Dip calculated from seismic data in Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation of Gucheng, Tarim Basin

序号	描述	倾角/(°) (按轮探1井速度计)	倾角/(°) (按磨溪19井速度计)
1	前积体I礁前	3.9	4.1
2	前积体I坡脚	1.4	1.5
3	前积体II礁前	6.0	6.3
4	前积体II坡脚	1.3	1.4
5	前积体III礁前	3.4	3.6
6	前积体III坡脚	1.3	1.4

Fig.11 Stratal slices of Lower Cambrian in Gucheng area, Tarim Basin (A to F is slices from 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 ms, respectively)

Table 4 Aera of argillaceous limestone calculated on different slices

切片时间/ms	泥灰岩面积/km²
40	22.3
44	29.5
48	74.6
52	104.1
56	162.9
60	167.8

Fig.12 Overlapped distribution of argillaceous limestone in Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation on different slices in Gucheng area, Tarim Basin

Fig.13 Wheeler domain blended frequency-decomposed profiles for Upper Xiaoerbulake Formation in Gucheng area, Tarim Basin

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