Characteristics of fluid inclusions and implications for the timing of hydrocarbon accumulation in the cretaceous reservoirs, Kelasu Thrust Belt, Tarim Basin, China

Abstract

Abstract The Kelasu Thrust Belt is a key area for oil and gas exploration within the Tarim Basin of China, an area containing abundant oil and gas resources but where the processes that controlled hydrocarbon accumulation remain unclear. This study reconstructs the accumulation history of hydrocarbons within the Kelasu Thrust Belt by studying multiple sets of fluid inclusions from the Cretaceous reservoirs using laser Raman, infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, total scanning fluorescence, and PTV simulation analyses. The resulting data yield the following results. (1) Three types of Cretaceous hydrocarbon-bearing fluid inclusions are present, and they record three periods of hydrocarbon accumulation. Period I involved low-maturity medium oil as recorded by the presence of yellow–green fluorescent oil inclusions, with this accumulation occurring between the Neogene Jidike and Kangcun stages (20–5 Ma). Period II involved high-maturity light oils (or condensates) that are recorded by the presence of blue–white fluorescent oil inclusions, with this accumulation occurring during the early Kuche stage (5–2.5 Ma). Period III involved the significant accumulation of gas, as recorded by non-fluorescent gas inclusions, during and after the late Kuche stage (2.5–0 Ma). (2) Inclusion PVT simulations indicate that the pressures during the trapping of oil inclusions within the west Kelasu reservoirs increase with increasing capture temperature, suggesting that west Kelasu Cretaceous oil reservoirs formed over a short period of time. In contrast, the trapping pressures of oil inclusions within the east Kelasu area are invariant with increasing trapping temperature, indicating that the formation of east Kelasu Cretaceous oil reservoirs was a relatively slow and gradual process. This most likely relates to the fact that the east Kelasu reservoirs are close to the hydrocarbon generation centre in an area with sufficient hydrocarbon supply, with hydrocarbon accumulation processes involving all of the stages of hydrocarbon generation recorded by the source rocks in this area. In comparison, the west Kelasu reservoirs are far from the hydrocarbon generation centre and as such record only one phase of oil filling. (3) Significant tectonism associated with the uplift of the South Tianshan Mountain during the late Kuche stage caused widespread changes to Cretaceous paleo-oil reservoirs in this area. This led to some Cretaceous paleo-oils being transported to shallower traps to form secondary oil reservoirs, whereas others were transported to the surface and were lost, with residual paleo-oils were also changed to condensate gas as a result of gas washing after the addition of large amounts of late-stage gas.