Basin modelling of gas migration and accumulation in volcanic reservoirs in the Xujiaweizi Fault-depression, Songliao Basin

Abstract

The Xujiaweizi Fault-depression of Songliao Basin has developed typical and widespread volcanic gas reservoirs. We studied the formation process of volcanic gas reservoirs by using basin modelling software and evaluated the influence of volcanic porosity, the 3D spatial and temporal field of the thermal history, and the 3D fault patterns on the basin modelling results. The 1D basin modelling results indicate that hydrocarbon generation of deep layer source rocks has a relay characteristic in time (128–0 Ma) and space (sag and slope zone) in the Xujiaweizi Fault-depression. The 2D basin modelling results show that (i) the distribution of volcanic reservoirs was controlled by the volcanic apparatus, (ii) gas source faults facilitated the vertical migration of natural gas, and (iii) the development of volcanic porosity controlled the lateral migration and accumulation of natural gas in the carrier bed. The 3D basin modelling results demonstrate that JHM, JHC, KSHC, and KSHM (source rocks) started hydrocarbon generation during the late deposition of the Denglouku Formation (113 Ma), the main hydrocarbon expulsion period was during the deposition of the late Quantou Formation (100 Ma), when the largest volcanic gas reservoir was formed; and from 84 Ma to the present (0 Ma), the area of the volcanic gas reservoir has decreased gradually. The insight gained from the basin modelling results of the volcanic gas-bearing system of the Xujiaweizi Fault-depression is that volcanic porosity, the 3D spatial and temporal field of the thermal history, and the 3D fault patterns have important influences on gas reservoir formation history and accumulation location. We are the first to establish different patterns for relations between different volcanic lithofacies porosity and burial depth, and we expect to provide a reference for basin model of other volcanic oil- and gas-bearing systems.