Generation, accumulation, and distribution of Upper Paleozoic tight sandstone gas in the northeastern margin of the Ordos Basin

Abstract

Tight sandstone gas in the Upper Paleozoic strata of the northeastern margin of the Ordos Basin exhibits remarkable exploration potential. The objective of this study is to characterize the generation, accumulation, and distribution of Upper Paleozoic tight sandstone gas in the Linxing–Shenfu gas fields located on the northeastern margin of the Ordos Basin. This study uses the following approaches: (1) porosimetry and permeability testing; (2) stable carbon isotope analysis; (3) organic geochemical examination; (4) gold tube pyrolysis experiments; (5) basin modeling; (6) fluid inclusion analysis; and (7) drilling and seismic data analysis. Reservoirs are classified based on the distance between the sandstone traps and source rocks: in Type I reservoirs, the sandstone traps are interbedded with the source rocks; in Type II reservoirs, the sandstone traps immediately overlie the source rocks; and in Type III reservoirs, the sandstone traps are located far from the source rocks. The three types of gas-bearing reservoirs in the Linxing–Shenfu gas fields formed between 190 Ma and 96 Ma (Early Jurassic to Late Cretaceous), and gas accumulation in the three types of reservoirs occurred during the same period. A pressure differential was created between the source rocks and neighboring sandstones as a response to gas generation, and this was the primary mechanism of gas migration and accumulation in the Type I and Type II reservoirs. The initiation and growth of the vertical faults enabled the gas to migrate from the deep source rocks along faults, eventually accumulating in the Type III reservoirs; additionally, the gas migration and accumulation were primarily driven by buoyancy. Type I reservoirs with high gas saturation was mainly distributed in regions with gas expulsion intensities greater than 7 × 108 m3/km2 and located away from the faults. Type II reservoirs with high gas saturation were predominantly distributed in regions with gas expulsion intensities greater than 10 × 108 m3/km2. Type III reservoirs with gas production capacity primarily distributed in conventional sandstone units with high reservoir quality near the faults.