Maturation history of deep and ultra-deep source rocks, central and western basins, China

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2023.2.37

Abstract

Abstract:

There are significant differences in the oil and gas phase behavior, distribution depth, and content in deep and ultra-deep strata in the central and western basins in China where the temperature field plays an essential role in hydrocarbon generation and conservation. Focusing on the Cambrian of the Tarim and Sichuan Basins, this study summarizes and contrasts the present-day and ancient temperature fields, and clarifies the maturation history and differences of the Lower Cambrian source rocks. The effect of thermal evolution on hydrocarbon generation and phase behavior is also discussed. The average heat flows in the Tarim and Sichuan basins are (42.5±7.6) mW/m² and (53.8±7.6) mW/m², respectively, reflecting the characteristics of "cold" and "warm" basins. In the Tarim Basin the paleo heat flow decreased since the Early Cambrian and only peaked abruptly in the Early Permian in response to the Tarim Large Igneous Province. Whilst the Sichuan Basin experienced steady, low heat flow in the Cambrian-Early Permian, rapid rising heat flow at the end of the Early Permian due to the Emeishan mantle plume, and declining heat flow since the Late Permian. The Sichuan Basin's consistent higher thermal regime, and the differential effect of Permian magmatic activity, resulted in the differential oil and gas generation and conservation in the ancient, ultra-deep strata between the two basins. The maturation history of source rocks of the Lower Cambrian Yuertusi Formation in the Tarim Basin can be classified into three kinds: (1) Paleozoic rapid maturation and finalization; (2) Early Paleozoic rapid maturation followed by continuous heating; and (3) Early Paleozoic and Mesozoic rapid maturation. Similarly, three maturation patterns are identified for the source rocks of the Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation in the Sichuan Basin: (1) continuous maturation; (2) Silurian-Permian cessation followed by Mesozoic maturation; and (3) Silurian-Permian and Triassic cessation and later continuous maturation. Due to its low thermal regime, the Tarim Basin has favorable temperature conditions for the liquid hydrocarbon preservation in ultra-deep strata.

Key words: Tarim Basin, Sichuan Basin, Cambrian, source rock, maturation history

CLC Number:

TE121.3

QIU Nansheng, CHANG Jian, FENG Qianqian, ZENG Shuai, LIU Xiaoyu, LI Huili, MA Anlai. Maturation history of deep and ultra-deep source rocks, central and western basins, China[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2023, 30(6): 199-212.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig.1 Tectonic and well locations and tectonic units of the Tarim and Sichuan basins

Fig.2 Heat flow distribution of the Tarim and Sichuan basins. Modified after [25].

Fig.3 Temperature distribution of the Lower Cambrian of the Tarim and Sichuan basins. Modified after [25].

Fig.4 Thermal histories of typical wells in the Tarim Basin. Adapted from [31⇓⇓⇓⇓-36].

Fig.5 Thermal histories of typical wells in the Sichuan Basin. Modified after [37].

Fig.6 Maturation histories of Cambrian source rocks in the Tarim and Sichuan basins. Modified after[38].

Fig.7 Maturity evolution of the Cambrian source rock in the Tarim Basin

Fig.8 Maturity evolution of the Cambrian source rock in the Sichuan Basin

Fig.9 Thermal evolution and heating rate at the Cambrian source rocks for the Well LT1 in the Tarim Basin and the Well MS1 in the Sichuan Basin

Fig.10 (a) Thermal effect range of the Permian Emeishan large igneous province (modified after [66]); (b) Thermal effect range of the Permian Tarim large igneous province. Modified after [33].

Fig.11 (a) Maturity and temperature evolution of the Lower Cambrian source rock of the Well YF1 in the Sichuan Basin; (b) Maturity and temperature evolution of the Lower Silurian source rock of the Well YF1 in the Sichuan Basin; (c) Maturity and temperature evolution of the Lower Cambrian source rock of the Well sb5 in the Tarim Basin.

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