Basin evolution and oil shale deposition during Upper Cretaceous in the Songliao Basin (NE China): Implications from sequence stratigraphy and geochemistry

Abstract

The controlling factors of oil shale formation within the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou and Nenjiang Formations of the Songliao Basin are investigated by petrological and geochemical methods. Sediment deposition was balanced by basin subsidence, resulting in the accumulation of Cretaceous strata of high thickness. Global sea level fluctuations have been related to periods of oil shale deposition within the basin. The results indicate a comparable depositional environment during oil shale formation within the two Upper Cretaceous strata with respect to palaeotectonic and palaeoclimate, but differences in the accommodation space during accumulation of the two formations. The larger accommodation space during deposition of the Nenjiang Formation resulted in the higher thickness and wider distribution of the oil shale members (total thickness: 11.2–32m; distribution area 4.48×103km2) within the basin, as compared to the oil shale of the Qingshankou Formation (total thickness: 2–19.3m; distribution area 1.3×103km2).Further differences exist with regard to the palaeoenvironment of oil shale formation and primary productivity. Deposition of the Qingshankou Formation 1st member and Nenjiang Formation 1st member took place within a saline-brackish lake under anoxic conditions in the bottom water. Preservation of organic matter is suggested to have been less favorable during deposition of the Nenjiang Formation 2nd member. Higher primary productivity is believed to be the responsible factor for the accumulation of organic-rich sediments in the Qingshankou Formation 1st member. The interplay of these two factors (i.e. preservation, productivity) leads to the formation of oil shale in the Qingshankou Formation (average TOC: 8.32%; TOCmax: 13.52%; average oil yield: 5.57%/) with better hydrocarbon source rock potential and slightly higher oil yield during pyrolysis as in the Nenjiang Formation (average TOC: 7.76%; TOCmax: 9.7%; average oil yield: 5.54%).Primary productivity is suggested as the main controlling factor on differences in oil shale quality and source rock potential between the two formations, whereas the variations in quality within each formation mainly depend on the preservation of organic matter. The high thickness, wide spatial distribution and excellent hydrocarbon potential of the Upper Cretaceous oil shales in the Songliao Basin are suggested to have been the result of large accommodation space, stable palaeoenvironmental conditions, and high primary productivity.