Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2025, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 290-307.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2025.8.56

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Helium accumulation regulations and prediction of favorable areas in the Qaidam Basin

XU Zhusong1,2,3(), LI Jian1,2,3,*(), WANG Xiaobo1,2,3,*(), CUI Huiying1,2,3, TIAN Jixian1,2,3, GUO Jianying1,2,3, LI Wanting1,2, XIA Yutian1,2,3, TAO Shizhen1,2,3, CHEN Dawei1,2,3   

  1. 1. Research Institute of Science and Technology, CNPC, Beijing 100083, China
    2. Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, CNPC, Beijing 100083, China
    3. Key Laboratory of Gas Reservoir Formation and Development, CNPC, Langfang 065007, China
  • Received:2025-08-10 Revised:2025-08-20 Online:2025-09-25 Published:2025-10-14
  • Contact: LI Jian, WANG Xiaobo

Abstract:

Helium is an important strategic scarce resource. Several helium-rich gas reservoirs have been discovered in the Qaidam Basin. However, research on the main controlling factors of helium enrichment and the mechanisms governing helium accumulation remains limited, and there is a lack of established models for helium-rich gas reservoir accumulation in the basin. Based on helium content measurements of natural gas within the Qaidam Basin, combined with geological background data such as basement lithology distribution and tectonic features, we analysed the distribution characteristics, sources, and main controlling factors of helium enrichment. We then proposed a helium reservoir formation model. The results show that the gas reservoirs in the Dongping 3 block, Jianbei, and Mabei are medium-high grade helium reservoirs, while those in the Dongping 1 block, Niuzhong, Niudong, Kuntai, and Nanbaxian are low-grade to depleted helium reservoirs. The medium-high grade helium reservoirs are distributed within the middle-shallow piedmont uplift zone at the basin margin. The helium is typically crustal-derived, originating primarily from ancient basement rocks (e.g., granite, granodiorite, granodiorite gneiss), with minor contributions from sedimentary rocks such as mudstone and shale. Helium enrichment is primarily controlled by four key factors: (1) ancient basement rocks constituting abundant helium sources, (2) active groundwater facilitating preservation and enrichment, (3) sufficient natural gas injection governing helium concentration, and (4) multi-phase tectonic uplift movements. These uplift movements provide efficient pathways and driving forces for helium migration, while also creating favourable sites for helium accumulation. Based on the geological and tectonic background of the Qaidam Basin and the controlling factors of helium enrichment, the three major piedmont palaeo-uplift/palaeo-slope zones along the basin margins - adjacent to the Qilian Mountains, Kunlun Mountains, and Altun Mountains - are predicted to be favourable areas for helium enrichment.

Key words: helium, Qaidam Basin, enrichment law, helium accumulation model, prospective areas

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