Accumulation mechanism of multi-type unconventional oil and gas reservoirs in Northern China: Taking Hari Sag of the Yin’e Basin as an example

Abstract

Abstract Many multi-types of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs have been found in some faulted basins in northern China, showing good exploration potential. However, the hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism in these areas is still unclear, which limits the understanding of the distribution of oil and gas. In this study, we took Hari Sag in Yin’e Basin as an example, conducted a systematic analysis on various types unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, and revealed its characteristics and accumulation mechanisms. The study showed that there were many types of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs in Hari Sag, such as biogas reservoirs, shale gas reservoirs, shale oil reservoirs, tight sandstone oil reservoirs, tight sandstone gas reservoirs, and volcanic gas reservoirs. These reservoirs generally had characteristics of “near/within source rocks accumulation,” “coexistence of oil reservoirs and gas reservoirs,” “shallow oil and deep gas,” and so on. Research on the mechanism of hydrocarbon accumulation showed that: the lack of effective hydrocarbon migration pathway was the main reason for “near/within source rocks accumulation” of oil and gas reservoirs; the differences in the thermal evolution degree of the main source rocks at different structural positions in the sag made the distribution characteristics of hydrocarbon as “coexistence of oil reservoirs and gas reservoirs” and “shallow oil and deep gas”; and the joint development of multi-type effective unconventional reservoirs created the situation of “coexistence of multi-type unconventional oil and gas reservoirs.” It is predicted that six types of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs have a cumulative area of 381 km2, indicating that the Hari Sag has great potential for unconventional oil and gas exploration. The research results can not only guide the unconventional oil and gas exploration in Hari Sag but also provide a theoretical basis for exploration research in similar blocks.