Evaluation of Source Rock Quality in Chang-7 Member of Major Oil Fields in Ordos Basin

Abstract

Petroleum is an important natural resource for human. The demand for petroleum in the next several decades will continue to be high, which requires the exploitation of more petroleum sources. Chang-7 member of the Ordos basin is proven to be the richest among all members, and this research took a focus on making a comparison between the source rock quality of Chang-7 member in four major oil fields in the basin, to provide a simple view of priority oil fields for exploitation in the future. The research analyzed the source rock quality of four oil fields from the TOC, A%, rock type, R0, sedimentary environment, and kerogen type, and found a superiority of source rock quality of Maling and Zhidan oil field in multiple dimensions, mainly triggered by their sedimentary environment. The research concluded that the oil fields that was once in the central-southern region of the basin contains a slightly better source rock quality among the chosen fields, which is related to a more stable sedimentary environment in the early Triassic.