Formation and distribution of coal measure source rocks in the Eocene Pinghu Formation in the Pinghu Slope of the Xihu Depression, East China Sea Shelf Basin
-
Abstract: The Xihu Depression in the East China Sea Shelf Basin is a large petroliferous sedimentary depression, in which oil and gas reservoirs were mainly discovered in the Pinghu Slope and the central inversion zone. The oil-gas source correlation in the Xihu Depression was analyzed by hydrocarbon generating thermal simulation data via gold-tube pyrolysis experiments. The results indicated that the oil and gas in the Xihu Depression were mainly derived from coal measure source rocks of the Eocene Pinghu Formation. Therefore, the identification of coal seams is extremely crucial for evaluating coal measure source rocks in the Pinghu Formation in the Xihu Depression. Geochemical and petrological characterization pointed to input of terrigenous organic matter and redox conditions of the depositional environment as factors that govern the ability of the coal measure source rocks in hydrocarbon generation in the Xihu Depression. In this regard, the sedimentary organic facies in the Pinghu Formation were classified into four predominantly terrigenous and one mixed-source subfacies, which all varied in carbon and hydrogen content. The coal measure source rocks in the carbon- and hydrogen-rich tidal flat-lagoon exhibited the highest hydrocarbon generation potential, whereas the mudstone in the neritic facies was the poorest in its hydrocarbon yield. These results suggested that the coal measure source rocks in the Pinghu Formation likely developed in the Hangzhou Slope and the Tiantai Slope, both representing promising sources for oil and gas exploration.
-
Figure 1. Structural outline of the Xihu Depression in the East China Sea Shelf Basin (Yu, 2020; Zhu et al., 2019). The whole wells are excessively dense and only key wells are shown.
Figure 2. Generalized stratigraphic column for the Xihu Depression showing the Tertiary petroleum system (Zhu et al., 2012).
Figure 4. Mass chromatogram (m/z 85) showing the alkanes and isoprenoids (pristane, phytane) in the saturated hydrocarbon frantions of the source rock and the crude oils in the Xihu Depression. a. The crude oil in the Pinghu Formation sandstone reservoir in Well A5; b. the crude oil in the Pinghu Formation sandstone reservoir in Well A25; c. the coal of the Pinghu Formation in Well A32. Pr: pristane; Ph: phytane.
Figure 6. Mass chromatogram (m/z 123) showing tetracyclic diterpanes (norpimarane, isopimarane, phyllocladane) in saturated hydrocarbons isolated from the source rocks and crude oil in the Xihu Depression. a. Crude oil sample isolated from the sandstone reservoir in the Pinghu Formation of Well A5; b. crude oil sample isolated from the sand reservoir in the Pinghu Formation of Well A25; c. coal from the Pinghu Formation in Well A32. nPM: norpimarane; iPM: isopimarane; PC: phyllocladane.
Figure 15. Back-scattered electron microscopic images of coal measure source rocks in the Pinghu Formation. a. Light color layer (poor carbon mudstone) of massive mudstone of the top of 4th member of Pinghu Formation (3 709 m) in Well A13; b. dark layer (micro coal seam) of continuous carbonaceous mudstone of the 4th member of Pinghu Formation (3 896 m) in Well A13. C: carbon; Si: silicon; Al: aluminum; S: sulfur; O: oxygen.
Table 1. Geochemical informations of the source rock samples from the Pinghu Formation used for gold-tube pyrolysis
No. Well Depth/m Sample type Lithology TOC/% Ro/% 1 A1 3678−3681 cutting coal measure mudstone 0.68 0.73 2 A35 3570 cutting coal 63.15 0.63 3 A36 3008 cutting coal measure mudstone 0.48 0.76 4 A37 2624 cutting coal 48.64 0.50 Table 2. Geochemical parameters of isoprenoids in the liquid hydrocarbons generated by the source rocks in the Pinghu Formation in Well A35
No. Sample
typeHeating rate/
(℃·h−1)Pr/nC17
ratioPh/nC18
ratioPr/Ph
ratio1 coal 20 3.20 0.58 7.00 2 coal 20 2.85 0.58 6.50 3 coal 20 2.94 0.57 7.05 4 coal 20 3.51 0.59 7.58 5 coal 20 3.47 0.59 7.38 6 coal 20 3.31 0.55 7.44 7 coal 20 2.95 0.55 6.39 8 coal 20 2.30 0.42 5.75 9 coal 20 1.86 0.35 5.78 10 coal 20 1.28 0.25 5.38 11 coal 20 0.93 0.18 5.46 12 coal 20 0.68 0.15 5.00 13 coal 2 3.00 0.52 7.50 14 coal 2 3.43 0.64 6.67 15 coal 2 3.75 0.65 7.06 16 coal 2 3.64 0.61 7.06 17 coal 2 2.90 0.53 5.95 18 coal 2 2.33 0.42 5.67 19 coal 2 1.66 0.31 5.42 20 coal 2 0.99 0.18 5.92 21 coal 2 0.69 0.12 5.73 22 coal 2 0.50 0.09 5.67 23 coal 2 0.21 0.04 6.25 24 coal 2 0.07 0.02 5.33 Note: Sample informations are showed in Table 1. -
Albrecht P, Vandenbroucke M, Mandengué M. 1976. Geochemical studies on the organic matter from the Douala Basin (Cameroon)—I. Evolution of the extractable organic matter and the formation of petroleum. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 40: 791–799. doi: 10.1016/0016-7037(76)90031-4 Bohacs K, Suter J. 1997. Sequence stratigraphic distribution of coaly rocks: fundamental controls and paralic examples. AAPG Bulletin, 81(10): 1612–1639 Cai Hua, Qin Lanzhi, Liu Yinghui. 2019. Differentiation and coupling model of source-to-sink systems with transitional facies in Pingbei Slope of Xihu Sag. Earth Science (in Chinese), 44(3): 880–897 Deng Yunhua. 2009. Analysis on differences of petroleum type and geological conditions between two depression belts in China offshore. Acta Petrolei Sinica (in Chinese), 30(1): 1–8 Deng Yunhua. 2010. Analysis on correlation of river and petroleum. Acta Petrolei Sinica (in Chinese), 31(1): 12–17 Deng Yunhua. 2016. River-delta systems: a significant deposition location of global coal-measure source rocks. Journal of Earth Science, 27(4): 631–641. doi: 10.1007/s12583-016-0710-8 Deng Yunhua, Yang Yongcai, Yang Ting. 2021. Three Systems of Oil and Gas Formation in the World (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 156–227 Deng Yunhua, Zhang Gongcheng, Liu Chuncheng, et al. 2013. Petroleum Geological Theory and Exporation Practice of the Two Oil and Gas Depression Belts in Offshore China (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 36–101 Didyk B M, Simoneit B R T, Brassell S C, et al. 1978. Organic geochemical indicators of palaeoenvironmental conditions of sedimentation. Nature, 272: 216–222. doi: 10.1038/272216a0 Du Xuebin, Lu Yongchao, Cao Qiang, et al. 2020. Grading evaluation of deep reservoir in Xihu Depression, East China Sea Basin. Bulletin of Geological Science and Technology (in Chinese), 39(3): 10–19 Fu Ning. 1994. Diterpenoid compounds in coal and condesates in Xihu Sag of East China Sea. China Offshore Oil and Gas (Geology) (in Chinese), 8(1): 21–28 Fu Ning, Li Youchuan, Chen Guihua, et al. 2003. Pooling mechanisms of “evaporating fractionation” of oil and gas in the Xihu depression‚ East China Sea. Petroleum Exploration and Development (in Chinese), 30(2): 39–42 Galimov E M. 2006. Isotope organic geochemistry. Organic Geochemistry, 37(10): 1200–1262. doi: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2006.04.009 Gong Zaisheng. 1997. The Major Oil and Gas Fields of China Offshore (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 7–69 Habib D, Miller J A. 1989. Dinoflagellate species and organic facies evidence of marine transgression and regression in the Atlantic coastal plain. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 74(1–2): 23–47 Hao Lewei, Wang Qi, Guo Ruiliang, et al. 2018. Diagenetic fluids evolution of Oligocene Huagang Formation sandstone reservoir in the south of Xihu Sag, the East China Sea Shelf Basin: constraints from petrology, mineralogy, and isotope geochemistry. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 37(2): 25–34. doi: 10.1007/s13131-017-1126-8 Holdgate G R, Wallace M W, Gallagher S J, et al. 2000. A review of the Traralgon Formation in the Gippsland Basin—a world class brown coal resource. International Journal of Coal Geology, 45(1): 55–84. doi: 10.1016/S0166-5162(00)00020-3 Huang Baojia, Huang Hao, Wang Zhenfeng, et al. 2015. Kinetics and model of gas generation of source rocks in the deepwater area, Qiongdongnan Basin. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 34(4): 11–18. doi: 10.1007/s13131-015-0646-3 Huang Difan, Qin Kuangzong, Wang Tieguan, et al. 1995. Oil from Coal: Formation and Mechanism (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press Jia Wanglu, Wang Qiuling, Liu Jinzhong, et al. 2014. The effect of oil expulsion or retention on further thermal degradation of kerogen at the high maturity stage: a pyrolysis study of Type II kerogen from Pingliang Shale, China. Organic Geochemistry, 71: 17–29. doi: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2014.03.009 Jia Jianyi, Xu Xuehao, Sun Boqiang. 2000. Oil/gas geochemical character in the Xihu trough of the East China Sea. Offshore Oil (in Chinese), (2): 1–7 Killops S D, Raine J I, Woolhouse A D, et al. 1995. Chemostratigraphic evidence of higher-plant evolution in the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. Organic Geochemistry, 23(5): 429–445. doi: 10.1016/0146-6380(95)00019-B Li Shuxia, Shao Longyi, Liu Jinshui, et al. 2022. Oil generation model of the liptinite-rich coals: Palaeogene in the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 209: 109844. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109844 Li Zengxue, Zeng Qingbo, Xu Meng, et al. 2021. Peat formation and accumulation mechanism in northern marginal basin of South China Sea. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 40(2): 95–106. doi: 10.1007/s13131-021-1748-8 Liang Jintong, Wang Hongliang. 2019. Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the East China Sea Shelf Basin and its coupling relationships with the Pacific Plate subduction. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 171: 376–387. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2018.08.030 Peters K E, Snedden J W, Sulaeman A, et al. 2000. A new geochemical-sequence stratigraphic model for the Mahakam delta and Makassar slope, Kalimantan, Indonesia. AAPG Bulletin, 84(1): 12–44 Peters K E, Walters C C, Moldowan J M. 2005. The Biomarker Guide, Biomarkers and Isotopes in Petroleum Exploration and Earth History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 475–587 Powell T G, Boreham C J. 1991. Petroleum generation and source rock assessment in terrigenous sequences: an update. The APPEA Journal, 31(1): 297–311. doi: 10.1071/AJ90023 Qiu Zhongjian, Gong Zaisheng. 1999. Petroleum Exploration in China, Volume Ⅳ: Offshore Petroleum Province (in Chinese). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, Petroleum Industry Press, 1054–1087 Quan Yongbin, Chen Zhongyun, Jiang Yiming, et al. 2022. Hydrocarbon generation potential, geochemical characteristics, and accumulation contribution of coal-bearing source rocks in the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 136: 105465. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.105465 Ren Jinfeng, Zhang Yingzhao, Wang Hua, et al. 2015. Identification methods of coal-bearing source rocks for Yacheng Formation in the western deepwater area of South China Sea. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 34(4): 19–31. doi: 10.1007/s13131-015-0647-2 Requejo A G, Wielchowsky C C, Klosterman M J, et al. 1994. Geochemical characterization of lithofacies and organic facies in Cretaceous organic-rich rocks from Trinidad, East Venezuela Basin. Organic Geochemistry, 22(3–5): 441–459 Saller A, Lin R, Dunham J. 2006. Leaves in turbidite sands: the main source of oil and gas in the deep-water Kutei Basin, Indonesia. AAPG Bulletin, 90(10): 1585–1608. doi: 10.1306/04110605127 Samuel O J, Cornford C, Jones M, et al. 2009. Improved understanding of the petroleum systems of the Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria. Organic Geochemistry, 40(4): 461–483. doi: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2009.01.009 Shanmugam G. 1985. Significance of coniferous rain forests and related organic matter in generating commercial quantities of oil, Gippsland Basin, Australia. AAPG Bulletin, 69(8): 1241–1254 Shen Yulin, Qin Yong, Guo Yinghai, et al. 2016. Development characteristics of coal-measure source rocks divided on the basis of Milankovich coal accumulation cycle in Pinghu Formation, Xihu Sag. Acta Petrolei Sinica (in Chinese), 37(6): 706–714 Song Guangzeng, Li Zengxue, Yang Haizhang, et al. 2021. Control effects of the synsedimentary faults on the basin-marginal fans in the central part of the deep-water area of early Oligocene Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 40(2): 54–64. doi: 10.1007/s13131-021-1749-7 Su Ao, Chen Honghan, Chen Xu, et al. 2018. The characteristics of low permeability reservoirs, gas origin, generation and charge in the central and western Xihu Depression, East China Sea Basin. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 53: 94–109. doi: 10.1016/j.jngse.2018.01.034 Su Ao, Chen Honghan, Zhao Jianxin, et al. 2020. Natural gas washing induces condensate formation from coal measures in the Pinghu Slope Belt of the Xihu Depression, East China Sea Basin: insights from fluid inclusion, geochemistry, and rock gold-tube pyrolysis. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 118: 104450. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104450 Tang Y, Perry J K, Jenden P D, et al. 2000. Mathematical modeling of stable carbon isotope ratios in natural gases. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 64(15): 2673–2687. doi: 10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00377-X Tian Hui, Xiao Xianming, Wilkins R W T, et al. 2010. Genetic origins of marine gases in the Tazhong area of the Tarim basin, NW China: implications from the pyrolysis of marine kerogens and crude oil. International Journal of Coal Geology, 82(1–2): 17–26 Tong Zhigang, He Qing, Zhao Zhigang, et al. 2011. Analyzing hydrocarbon charges from hydrocarbon occurrences: a case of Pinghu oil and gas field in Xihu Sag, East China Sea. China Offshore Oil and Gas (in Chinese), 23(3): 154–157 Tribovillard N, Bialkowski A, Tyson R V, et al. 2001. Organic facies variation in the late Kimmeridgian of the Boulonnais area (northernmost France). Marine and Petroleum Geology, 18(3): 371–389. doi: 10.1016/S0264-8172(01)00006-X Vuković N, Životić D, Mendonça Filho J G, et al. 2016. The assessment of maturation changes of humic coal organic matter—Insights from closed-system pyrolysis experiments. International Journal of Coal Geology, 154–155: 213–239 Wang Dongdong, Zhang Gongcheng, Li Zengxue, et al. 2021. The development characteristics and distribution predictions of the Paleogene coal-measure source rock in the Qiongdongnan Basin, Northern South China Sea. Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 95(1): 105–120. doi: 10.1111/1755-6724.14625 Wang Qian, Li Sanzhong, Guo Lingli, et al. 2017. Analogue modelling and mechanism of tectonic inversion of the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Shelf basin. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 139: 129–141. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2017.01.026 Wang Qingtao, Lu Hong, Greenwood P, et al. 2013. Gas evolution during kerogen pyrolysis of Estonian Kukersite shale in confined gold tube system. Organic Geochemistry, 65: 74–82. doi: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2013.10.006 Wang Yonggang, Tian Yankuan, Zhan Zhaowen, et al. 2019. Characteristics and implications of diamondoids in crude oils from the Xihu Depression, East China Sea Basin, China. Natural Gas Geoscience, 30(4): 582–592 Wang Yingxun, Chen Jianfa, Pang Xiongqi, et al. 2022. Hydrocarbon generation and expulsion of Tertiary coaly source rocks and hydrocarbon accumulation in the Xihu Sag of the East China Sea Shelf Basin, China. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 229: 105170. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2022.105170 Wang Zhenfeng, Sun Zhipeng, Zhang Daojun, et al. 2015. Geology and hydrocarbon accumulations in the deepwater of the northwestern South China Sea—with focus on natural gas. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 34(10): 57–70. doi: 10.1007/s13131-015-0715-7 Wei Hengfei, Chen Jianfa, Chen Xiaodong, et al. 2013. The controlling factors and sedimentary environment for developing coastal coal-bearing source rock of Pinghu Formation in Xihu Depression. Geology in China (in Chinese), 40(2): 487–497 Wilkins R W T, George S C. 2002. Coal as a source rock for oil: a review. International Journal of Coal Geology, 50(1–4): 317–361 Xie Guoliang. 2014. The coal accumulation patterns of Pinghu formation in Pingbei area, Xihu depression (in Chinese) [dissertation]. Xuzhou: China University of Mining and Technology Xie Guoliang, Shen Yulin, Liu Shugen, et al. 2018. Trace and rare earth element (REE) characteristics of mudstones from Eocene Pinghu Formation and Oligocene Huagang Formation in Xihu Sag, East China Sea Basin: implications for provenance, depositional conditions and paleoclimate. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 92: 20–36. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2018.02.019 Xu Huiyuan, George S C, Hou Dujie, et al. 2020. Petroleum sources in the Xihu Depression, East China Sea: evidence from stable carbon isotopic compositions of individual n-alkanes and isoprenoids. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 190: 107073. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107073 Yancey T E. 1997. Depositional environments of late Eocene lignite-bearing strata, East-Central Texas. International Journal of Coal Geology, 34(3–4): 261–275 Ye Jun, Guo Dixiao. 1996. Geochemical characters of the natural gas in West Lake Depression, the East China. Experimental Petroleum Geology (in Chinese), 18(2): 174–181 Ye Jiaren, Qing Hairuo, Bend S L, et al. 2007. Petroleum systems in the offshore Xihu Basin on the continental shelf of the East China Sea. AAPG Bulletin, 91(8): 1167–1188. doi: 10.1306/02220705158 Yu Shui. 2020. Depositional genesis analysis of source rock in Pinghu Formation of western slope, Xihu Depression. Earth Science (in Chinese), 45(5): 1722–1736 Zhang Jingyu, Pas D, Krijgsman W, et al. 2020. Astronomical forcing of the Paleogene coal-bearing hydrocarbon source rocks of the East China Sea Shelf Basin. Sedimentary Geology, 406: 105715. doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2020.105715 Zhang Gongcheng, Wang Dongdong, Lan Lei, et al. 2021. The geological characteristics of the large- and medium-sized gas fields in the South China Sea. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 40(2): 1–12. doi: 10.1007/s13131-021-1754-x Zhou Qianyu, Shen Wenchao, Zhang Xin, et al. 2016. The coal-accumulating environments characteristics and coal-forming pattern of Pinghu Formation (Paleogene) in Xihu Depression. Journal of Hebei University of Engineering (Natural Science Edition) (in Chinese), 33(1): 105–107, 112 Zhou Xinhuai, Xu Guosheng, Cui Hengyuan, et al. 2020. Fracture development and hydrocarbon accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs of the Paleogene Huagang Formation in the central reversal tectonic belt of the Xihu Sag, East China Sea. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 47(3): 499–512. doi: 10.1016/S1876-3804(20)60068-4 Zhu Xinjian, Chen Jianfa, Zhang Chao, et al. 2021. Effects of evaporative fractionation on diamondoid hydrocarbons in condensates from the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 126: 104929. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.104929 Zhu Yangming, Li Ying, Zhou Jie, et al. 2012. Geochemical characteristics of Tertiary coal-bearing source rocks in Xihu Depression, East China Sea basin. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 35(1): 154–165. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2012.01.005 Zhu Weilin, Mi Lijun, Zhang Houhe, et al. 2010. Atlas of Oil and Gas Basins, China Sea (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 68–86 Zhu Weilin, Zhong Kai, Fu Xiaowei, et al. 2019. The formation and evolution of the East China Sea Shelf Basin: a new view. Earth-Science Reviews, 190: 89–111. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.12.009