Genesis mechanisms and enrichment factors of crust-mantle mixed source helium: Taking helium in deep natural gas in the Songliao Basin as an example

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2024.5.28

Abstract

Abstract:

This study investigates the origin and enrichment of crust-mantle mixed helium in natural gas of organic-inorganic hybrid origin within the Songliao Basin, eastern China. The research is framed within the tectonic dynamics of eastern China and an analysis of the basin’s unique geological conditions for basin formation, hydrocarbon generation, accumulation, and associated resource formation. Focusing on natural gas from the deep Xujiaweizi and Changling faults, we examine large intracontinental rift basins developed on a Paleozoic fold basement during Mesozoic and Cenozoic subduction of the Pacific Plate. These basins feature deep-seated faults and magmatic activities connecting to the mantle, with medium-acidic, U-Th-rich magmatic rocks present in both the basement and sedimentary cover. The origin and distribution of deep natural gas and associated helium are highly complex. Natural gas exhibits varying degrees of organic-inorganic hybrid genetic characteristics, with occurrences of inorganic hydrocarbon gases and CO₂ gas reservoirs (or shows in individual wells). Based on comprehensive analysis of previous data, new measurements of natural gas components and noble gas isotopes presented here, and analysis of helium genesis mechanisms and enrichment factors from individual well data, this study demonstrates that the deep gas fields (reservoirs/wells) in the Songliao Basin exhibit the following characteristics: (1) Noble gas isotope geochemistry (³He/⁴He) reveals characteristics of crust-mantle mixed helium, with CO₂ content showing a positive correlation with the proportion of mantle-derived helium, indicating that CO₂ acts as the carrier gas for the secondary migration of mantle-derived helium; (2) The volcanic rocks and granites developed in the deep Lower Cretaceous Yingcheng Formation and Huoshiling Formation are potential sources for helium, and helium mainly occurs in the Lower Cretaceous Denglouku Formation and Yingcheng Formation; (3) Natural gas wells proximal to the main faults within the fault depressions exhibit higher helium content than those located distally; (4) The high-quality regional seals of the First and Second Members of the Quantou Formation, as well as the seals of the Second Member of the Denglouku Formation, the Fourth Member of the Yingcheng Formation, and the First and Second Members of the Shahezi Formation, provide favorable seals for helium preservation. This study elucidates the enrichment factors and distribution patterns of crust-mantle mixed helium within natural gas of organic-inorganic hybrid origin in the Songliao Basin, providing theoretical support for the exploration and discovery of helium-enriched areas.

Key words: helium enrichment, natural gas, organic-inorganic hybrid origin, crust-mantle mixed helium, genesis mechanisms, Songliao Basin

CLC Number:

CHEN Yue, TAO Shizhen, YANG Yiqing, LIU Xiangbai, LUO Xia, WANG Ying, LIU Guodong, CHEN Yanyan, GAO Jianrong, LI Chunbai, FU Li, WANG Lei. Genesis mechanisms and enrichment factors of crust-mantle mixed source helium: Taking helium in deep natural gas in the Songliao Basin as an example[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2025, 32(6): 457-472.

Figures/Tables 17

Table 1 Summary of natural gas resources in deep fault depression of Songliao Basin. Adapted from [24-29].

领域	评价单元	类比法			最终取值		He含量/%
领域	评价单元	常规天然气地质资源量/ (10⁸ m³)	致密气地质资源量/ (10⁸ m³)	成因法计算的天然气资源量/ (10⁸ m³)	常规天然气地质资源量/ (10⁸ m³)	致密气地质资源量/ (10⁸ m³)	He含量/%
松辽盆地北部深层	徐家围子断陷	5 866.45	4 335.72	10 269.26	5 866.45	4 435.72	0.002~4.67 (0.130/189)
	莺山—双城断陷	1 790	799.8	2 589.8	1 810	779.8
	林甸—古龙断陷	1 990.7		1 990.7	1 990.7
	绥化断陷	393		393	393
	古中央隆起带	610			610
	合计				10 670.15	5 215.52
松辽盆地南部深层	英台断陷				1 385	1 950
	王府断陷	1 630	2 143	1 556+2 726	1 601	1 922
	德惠断陷	1 424	1 799	1 461+1 485	1 407	1 706	0.02~0.04 (0.027/14)
	梨树断陷	167	5 043	146+4 198	158	914.6
	长岭断陷	2 104		1 471	1 976		0.013~0.03 (0.019/3)
	双辽断陷	966		485	870
	榆树断陷		1 396	1 455		1 391
	孤店断陷		1 067	451		1 088
	大安断陷		607			614
	伏双大		1 805	1 556		1 816
	乾北洼槽		545	473		541
	前神字井		1 048	803		1 026
	合计				7 397	12 969

Fig.1 Distribution of volcanic rocks, faults, and helium content in Xujiaweizi and Changling fault basins. Modified after [22,28,30-31] and data from [27,29].

Fig.2 Comprehensive stratigraphic column diagram of the Songliao Basin. Modified after [24,32] and data from [6,26-29,33-36].

Fig.3 Comparison of the proportion of helium mixing from mantle sources in the Xujiaweizi fault depression in the northern part of the Songliao Basin (a) and the Changling fault depression in its southern part (b). Data from [6,27,33-35].

Fig.4 Isotope composition relationship between helium and argon in some helium bearing basins in China. Data from [6,44-47].

Fig.5 Correlation diagram of3He/4He and 4He/20Ne natural gas in the Songliao Basin. Volcanic rock data from [6], and natural gas sample data from this article.

Fig.6 Relationship between CO2 content and mantle source helium mixing ratio. Data calculation based on [27,33-35].

Fig.7 Mantle source He reservoir formation patterns in Fangshen 7 and Fangshen 9 wells. Modified after [27].

Table 2 Helium generation capacity of the Yingcheng Formation in the Xujiaweizi and Changling fault basins

地区	岩石类型	时代/Ma	U含量/10^-6	Th含量/10^-6	⁴He生成速率/(cm³·g^-1·a^-1)	参考文献
徐家围子断陷营城组	流纹岩	110	1.5~7.8 (平均4.42)	12.8~33.61 (平均22.22)	1.172×10^-12	[54]
长岭断陷营城组	火山岩	116~111	0.464~9.02 (平均2.77)	1.27~33.3 (平均12.75)	7.006×10^-13	[55]

Table 3 Natural gas composition and rare gas isotope data of some sampling wells in the Songliao Basin

地区	样品	天然气组分含量/%							(³He/⁴He)/10^-7	⁴He/²⁰Ne	数据来源
地区	样品	He	H₂	N₂	CO₂	CH₄	C₂H₆	C₃H₈	(³He/⁴He)/10^-7	⁴He/²⁰Ne	数据来源
徐家围子断陷	SHS7	0.244	0.027	4.01	2.31	90.39	2.04	0.73			文献 [29]
	SHS201	0.036	0.004	3.27	2.91	92.11	1.5	0.13
	XS14	0.067	0.005	2.09	0.67	92.95	3.03	0.61
	XS15	0.25	0.002	13.69	15.79	69.58	0.63	0.02
长岭断陷	CS1	0.060	0.032	4.67	23.87	69.83	1.28	0.074	6.14	2 764	本文数据
	CS1-1	0.057	0.00	5.08	14.20	79.00	1.46	0.082	34.0	5 145
	CS40	0.011	0.031	0.41	0.46	98.22	0.77	0.055	2.68	1 719
	CS119	0.065	0.00	4.97	17.82	75.66	1.33	0.066	36.0	5 715
	F243	0.042	0.00	2.97	0.072	92.76	2.71	0.75	2.19	2 821
	F14	0.034	0.009	2.59	0.087	91.07	3.22	1.41	2.64	5 229

Fig.8 Helium-containing well connection profile in Xujiaweizi fault depression

Fig.9 U and Th contents of some single wells in Xujiaweizi fault depression

Fig.10 Distribution of helium content in different layers of Xujiaweizi and Changling fault depressions. Data from [27-29,34,36].

Fig.11 Relationship between He content and CH4 (a), CO2 (b), N2 (c) in different layers of Xujiaweizi and Changling fault depressions. Data from [27-29,34,36].

Fig.12 Identification diagram of organic and inorganic CO2 in the Xujiaweizi and Changling fault basins of the Songliao Basin. Graph from [63] and data from [28,64].

Fig.13 δ13 C C O 2-R/Ra plot of CO2 genesis discrimination in partial basins in China. Graph from [66] and data from [27,33,35,65-67].

Fig.14 Reservoir formation model of Changshen 1 gas reservoir. Modified after [27,64].

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