Abstract
Bitumen from the Nanpanjiang Basin occurs mainly in the Middle Devonian and Upper Permian reef limestone paleo-oil reservoirs and reserves primarily in holes and fractures and secondarily in minor matrix pores and bio-cavities. N2 is the main component of the natural gas and is often associated with pyrobitumen in paleo-oil reservoirs. The present study shows that the bitumen in paleo-oil reservoirs was sourced from the Middle Devonian argillaceous source rock and belongs to pyrobitumen by crude oil cracking under high temperature and pressure. But the natural gas with high content of N2 is neither an oil-cracked gas nor a coal-formed gas generated from the Upper Permian Longtan Formation source rock, instead it is a kerogen-cracked gas generated at the late stage from the Middle Devonian argillaceous source rock. The crude oil in paleo-oil reservoirs completely cracked into pyrobitumen and methane gas by the agency of hugely thick Triassic deposits. After that, the abnormal high pressure of methane gas reservoirs was completely destroyed due to the erosion of 2000–4500-m-thick Triassic strata. But the kerogen-cracked gas with normal pressure was preserved under the relatively sealed condition and became the main body of the gas shows.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Qin J H, Wu Y L, Yan Y J, et al. Hercynian-indosinian sedimentary-tectonic evolution of the Nanpanjiang basin. Acta Geol Sin (in Chinese), 1996, 70(2): 99–107
Zhou M H. A study on the petroleum system of Nanpanjiang sag. Yunnan Geol (in Chinese), 1999, 18(3): 248–265
Liu T M, Liu B W, Chen G D, et al. Tectonic evolution and hydrocarbon preservation region division in Nanpanjiang Basin. Nat Gas Ind (in Chinese), 2001, 21(1): 18–23
Sun Z C. Hydrocarbon Exploration in Southern China Paleozoic and Mesozoic Marine Strata (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1993. 1–105
Yang H M, Liu B W, Deng Z H, et al. Evaluation and Selection of Hydrocarbon Preservation Units in the Marine Carbonate Rock of Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi (in Chinese). Guiyang: Guiyang Science Press, 1999. 98–125
Li J Y, Zhu R F, Tao J M, et al. Geochemical characteristics of the natural gas in well Yang-1 in Nanpanjiang Basin. Nat Gas Ind (in Chinese), 2005, 25(5): 18–20
Fu X Y, Sun T J, Wen J P. Discovery of hydrocarbon-bearing nonhydrocarbon gas reservoir in Nanpanjiang Basin and its significance. Nat Gas Ind (in Chinese), 2005, 25(5): 26–28
Lai S H, Chen H D, Yu Q. Sequence stratigraphic framework and palaeogeographic environments of the Permian strata in the Nanpanjiang depression, Guangxi. Sed Geol Teth Geol (in Chinese), 2004, 24(3): 80–89
Shen A J, Chen Z D. Genetic type of Permian reefs and its application to prediction of buried reefs in Nanpanjiang, South China. Petrol Expl Dev (in Chinese), 2001, 28(3): 29–32
Mei M X, Ma Y S, Dai S, et al. Late Paleozoic filling succession of the Nanpanjiang basin and the division of association of oil generation strata, reservoir and capping bed. Geoscience (in Chinese), 2001, 15(1): 74–82
Peng J, Chen H, Tian J C, et al. Sequence stratigraphy study on the cabroniferous strata in Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi. Acta Sed Sin (in Chinese), 2000, 18(2): 190–197
Lai S H, Chen H D. The framework of sequential stratigraphy and palaeogeographic environment of Carboniferous in Nanpanjiang sag. Yunnan Geol (in Chinese), 2004, 23(2): 233–240
Fan J S, Qi J W. Permian Bioherm in Longlin, Guangxi (in Chinese). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 1990. 20–57
Dahl B, Speers G C. Geochemical characterization of a tar mat in the Oseberg Field Norwegian Sector, North Sea. Org Geochem, 1986, 10: 547–558
Jacob H. Disperse solid bitumens as an indicator for migration and maturity in prospecting for oil and gas. Erdol and Kolhe, 1985, 38: 364–366
Jacob H. Classification, structure, genesis and practical importance of natural solid bitumen (migrabitumen). Int J Coal Geol, 1989, 11(1): 65–79
Lomando A J. The influence of solid reservoir bitumen on reservoir quality: AAPG Bull, 1992, 76:1137–1152
Wilhelms A, Larter S R. Origin of tar mats in petroleum reservoirs. Part I: introcuction and case studies. Mar Petrol Geol, 1994, 11(4): 418–441
Wilhelms A, Larter S R. Origin of tar mats in petroleum reservoirs. Part II: origin of tar mats in petroleum reservoirs. Mar Petrol Geol, 1994, 11(4): 442–456
Hwang R S, Teerman S, and Carlson R. Geochemical comparison of reservoir solid bitumens with diverse origins: Org Geochem, 1998, 29: 505–518
Zhang X Y, Li G J. The relationship between distribution of natural asphalt, oil and gas seepage and exploration in South China. J S Petrol Inst (in Chinese), 1999, 21(2): 36–40
Du B W, Tan F W, Wang J, et al. The discovery and significance of the large-scale asphalt veins in the Qiangtang basin, northern Xiang. Sed Geol Teth Geol (in Chinese), 2003, 23(1): 69–74
Wang Y G, Liu Z J, Wen Y C. Organic inclusions and bitumen associated with hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in the reservoir bed, East Sichuan China. Acta Sed Sin (in Chinese), 1996, 14(4): 77–83
Yang B, Liao Z T. The occurrence of anthraxolite in Longtoushan reef limestone region of Dachang ore field and its relation to polymetallic mineralization. Acta Sed Sin (in Chinese), 1999, 17(supp.): 668–674
Huc A Y, Nederlof P, Debarre R, et al. Pyrobitumen occurrences and formation in a Cambro-Ordovician sandstone reservoir, Fahud Salt Basin, North Oman. Chem Geol, 2000, 168: 99–112
Wilhelms A, Later S R. Overview of the geochemistry of some tar mats from the North Sea and USA: application for tar-mat origin. In: Cubitt J M, England W A eds. The Geochemistry of Reservoir. Geol Soc Spec Publ, 1995, 86: 87–101
Zhang M. Geologic significance of bitumen tar in nonmarine condensate gas reservoir. Chin Sci Bull (in Chinese), 1996, 41(21): 1967–1969
Zhang M, Cai C F, Zhang J. Advances in the Research of Tar Mats in Oil and Gas Reservoirs. Geol Sci Tech Inf (in Chinese), 1997, 16(1): 81–84
Littke R F, Brauckmann J, Radke M, et al. Solid bitumen in Rotliegend gas reservoirs in northern Germany: Implications for their thermal and filling history: Zentralbl Geol Palaont, Teil I, 1996, 11: 1275–1292
Ye Jun, Wang L G, Yue D M. A discussion on the prospects for natural gas resources in west Sichuan in accordance with the geochemical properties of the bitumens found at Xinchang. Nat Gas Ind (in Chinese), 1999, 19(3): 18–22
Stasiuk L D. The origin of pytobitumens in Upper Devonian Leduc Formation gas reservoirs, Alberta, Canada: an optical and EDS study oil to gas transformation. Mar Petrol Geol, 1997, 14(7–8): 915–929
Jiang H D. Genesis of carbon bitumen in Zhejiang Province. Coal Geol Chin (in Chinese), 1996, 8(4): 23–26
Gao Z N, Hu H Z. The Influence of high pressure on the structural and compositional evolution of natural bitumen. Acta Sed Sin (in Chinese), 2002, 20(3): 499–503
Lin F, Wang T D, Dai H M, et al. The properties and genesis of solid migrabitumen of carbonate reservoirs in Sichuan Basin. Bull Min Petr Geochem (in Chinese), 1998, 17(3): 174–178
Liao Yongsheng. Genesis of the natural gas form Well Yang 1: Evolution of hydrocarbon source rocks. Research Report (in Chinese), 2002
Xu Y C. Theory for the Genesis of Natural Gas and Its Application (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1994. 84–102
Dai J X, Zhong N N, Liu D H, et al. Geological Base and Controlling Factor for the Coal-related Middle-large Sized gas Field in China (in Chinese). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 2000. 11–23
Zhao M J, Pan W Q, Zhang S C, et al. The influence of hydrocarbon accumulation on geochemical features of natural gas. Acta Sed Sin (in Chinese), 2004, 22(4): 683–688
Zhao M J, Zhang S C. Main factors for Controlling geochemical characteristics of natural gas in the Tarim basin. Chin J Geol (in Chinese), 2004, 39(4): 507–516
Zhao M J, Zhao L, Zhang S C, et al. Thermal evolution history and hydrocarbon generation for the main source rock in Nanpanjiang Basin. Petrol Exp Geol (in Chinese), 2006, 28(2): 162–167
Zhu Y N, Shi B Q. Analysis on origins of molecular nitrogen in natural gas and their geochemical features. Geol Geochem (in Chinese), 1998, (4): 50–57
Li X Q, Dai J X. The features and genesis of N2 in natural gas of Tarim Basin. In: Dai J X, Fu C D, Kuan D F, et al. Collection in Advances in Gas Geology (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 1997. 114–122
Kroos B M, Littke R, Muller B, et al. Generation of nitrogen and methane from sedimentary organic matter: implications on the dynamics of natural gas accumulations. Chem Geol, 1995, 126: 219–232
Chen S J, Fu X W, Shen Z G, et al. Molecular nitrogen genesis in natural gases and relationship with gas accumulation history in Tarim Basin. Acta Sed Sin (in Chinese), 2000, 18(4): 615–618
Dai J X, Fei X G, Qi H F. Natural Gas Geology in China (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 1992. 10–15
Dai J X, Qi H F. Relation between δ13C1 and Ro of China coal-related gas. Chin Sci Bull (in Chinese), 1989, 34(9): 265–269
Jenden P D, Drazan D J, Kapian I R. Mixing of thermogenic natural gas in northern Appalachian basin. AAPG Bull, 1993, 77(6): 980–998
Zhao M J, Zhang S C. Genesis type and conditions for natural gas occurrence in Tarim Basin. Chin Petrol Expl (in Chinese), 2001, 6(2): 27–31
Rooney M A, Cloypool G E, Chung H M. Modeling thermogenic gas generation using carbon isotope ratios of natural gas hydrocarbons. Chem Geol, 1995, 126: 219–232
Zhao M J, Xia X Y, Qin S F, et al. Gas source study of Ake well 1 resource in Tarim Basin. Nat Gas Ind (in Chinese), 2003, 23(2): 31–33
Zhao M J, Wang Z M, Song Y, et al. Hydrocarbon source and accumulation process in Kashi sag of Tarim Basin. Petrol Expl Dev (in Chinese), 2005, 32(2): 50–54
Zhao M J, Lu S F, Wang T D, et al. Geochemical characteristics and formation process of natural gas in Kela 2 gas field. Chin Sci Bull, 2002, 47(Suppl.): 113–119
Idiz E, Krooss B M, Horsfield B, et al. Generation of hydrocarbon gases and molecular nitrogen from coals. In: Grimalt J O, Dorronsoro C, eds. Organic Geochemistry: Developments and Applications to Energy, Climate, Environment and Human History-Selected Papers From the 17th International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry. San Sebastian: AIGOA, 1995. 1089–1091
Idiz E, Gerling P. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope study of North German Rotliegend gas fields—implications for the source and occurrance of nitrogen in gas accumulations. In: Grimalt J O, Dorronsoro C, eds. Organic Geochemistry: Developments and Applications to Energy, Climate, Environment and Human History—Selected papers from the 17th International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry. San Sebastian: AIGOA, 1995. 1100–1101
Liu Q Y, Liu W H, Krooss B M, et al. Advances in nitrogen geochemistry of natural gas. Nat Gas Geosci (in Chinese), 2006, 17(1): 119–124
Tissot B P, Welte D H. Petroleum Formation and Occurrence. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York-Tokyo: Springer-Verlag, 1984. 20–79
Shan Z H. A preliminary discussion on the Devonian stratabound Pb-Zn deposits in guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Geol Expl Non-ferr Met (in Chinese), 1994, 3(1): 28–36
Tu G Z, Wang X Z, Chen X P, et al. Geochemical study for the China stratabound ore deposit. Chemistry (in Chinese), 1989, 52(10): 18–21
Wang T D. The effective migration and accumulation system for the Sinian and Cambrian natural gas in the Caledonian paleo-uplift of Sichuan Basin. Research Report of National Science and Technology Project During the 9th Five-Year Plan (Grant No. 96-110-02-03-04) (in Chinese), 1998
Zhao M J, Zhang S C, Liu F Z. Two possible fates for plaeo-reservoir oils. Petrol Expl Dev (in Chinese), 2003, 30(5): 21–23
Barker C. Calculated volume and pressure changes during the thermal cracking of oil to gas in reservoirs. AAPG Bull, 74: 1254–1261
Wang X W, Han X Z, Hou Y G, et al. Characteristics of late Hercynian magmatic activity and its formation mechanism in Nanpanjiang depression and adjacent areas. Uran Geol (in Chinese), 2005, 21(2): 72–78
Liu B T, Zhang G Y. Calculations of the denudated thickness and analysis of the preserving conditions in Yangba depression. Nat Gas Ind (in Chinese), 2003, 23(6): 28–31
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Supported by the Sinopec Project (Grant No: P00045) and the National Science & Technology Project for the 10th Five-Year Plan (Grant No. 2001BA605A-06)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhao, M., Zhang, S., Zhao, L. et al. Geochemical features and genesis of the natural gas and bitumen in paleo-oil reservoirs of Nanpanjiang Basin, China. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 50, 689–701 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-007-0018-8
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-007-0018-8