Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2025, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 278-289.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2024.11.9

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Cause of helium-poor in Anyue gas field, Sichuan Basin

CHEN Gengrong1,2(), LI Jing1,*(), SUN Dong3, ZHOU Shixin1, LIU Liangliang1,2, WANG Hao1,2, PANG Wenjun1,2, WU Yuhang1,2   

  1. 1. Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
    2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    3. Northwest Geological Research Institute of China National Petroleum Corporation, Lanzhou 730022, China
  • Received:2024-06-18 Revised:2024-10-21 Online:2025-09-25 Published:2025-10-14
  • Contact: LI Jing

Abstract:

The Sichuan Basin serves as a crucial natural gas production base in China. Within the basin, the Weiyuan gas field exhibits a high helium concentration and represents the first natural gas field in China to achieve industrial helium utilization. Both the Anyue and Weiyuan gas fields are situated within the Leshan-Longnvsi paleo-uplift belt, but the helium content of the Anyue field is significantly lower than that of Weiyuan. To investigate the causes of helium deficiency in the Anyue gas field, this study systematically analyzes and compares the gas composition, nitrogen, and noble gas isotope characteristics of natural gas samples from both fields. The constraints on helium accumulation conditions in the Anyue field are also analyzed in conjunction with the regional geological background. The helium concentration in natural gas from the Anyue gas field ranges from 0.012% to 0.089%. Only 10% of the samples contain helium concentrations exceeding 0.05% (He>0.05%), and these are concentrated in the Deng-2 Member of the Sinian Dengying Formation at the western edge of the Gaoshiti block. The helium-containing and helium-poor samples exhibit distinct helium-nitrogen coupling enrichment trends and nitrogen isotope signatures. The former group resembles the characteristics observed in the Weiyuan gas field, suggesting a possible helium source from intermediate-acid metamorphic rocks. In contrast, the helium and nitrogen in the latter group may originate from the mud shales of the Qiongzhusi Formation. The availability of a helium source is identified as the primary factor constraining helium enrichment in the Anyue gas field. Additionally, the Anyue gas field possesses enormous natural gas reserves. The massive influx of hydrocarbon gases into the reservoir significantly dilutes the helium concentration. Noble gas isotope evidence further indicates that gas-water interaction within the Anyue field is considerably weaker than in the Weiyuan field. The combination of gentler structural traps and higher reservoir pressure restricts the exsolution and enrichment of helium via formation water. These two factors are also crucial reasons for the helium deficiency in the Anyue gas field.

Key words: helium, Anyue gas field, helium-poor cause, helium source, charging intensity, gas-water interaction, reservoir pressure

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