Spatiotemporal relationship between hydrocarbon fluid and sandstone‐hosted uranium deposits in the Qianjiadian area, Songliao Basin

Abstract

The spatiotemporal coupling relationship between deep hydrocarbon fluid and sandstone uranium mineralization within the shallow buried red‐variegated clastic rocks in the Qianjiadian area of the Songliao Basin remains a topic of controversy. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the source, nature and exudative age of deep exotic hydrocarbon, as well as the interaction mechanism and alteration process between hydrocarbon fluid and clastic rock. To achieve this, various methods were employed, including acidolysis hydrocarbon test (AHT), clay x‐ray diffraction (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), carbon isotope analysis (CIA) and LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb isotopic dating. The results indicate that some tight sandstones from the Qingshankou Formation in Dalin uranium deposit exhibit high acidolysis hydrocarbon content (AHC), reaching n × 104 μL/kg, and predominantly consisting of low mature oil‐type gas. Local microscopic observations reveal pore fluorescence and hydrocarbon‐bearing inclusions with nattier blue tone. Furthermore, the kaolinites present in the ore area's sand‐bodies show a significantly higher content anomaly, commonly exceeding >50%, compared to the same layer in peripheral regions. Extensive dissolutions of lithic grains and feldspars are observed, along with the widespread occurrence of ferro‐dolomites and colloidal pyrites. Additionally, exotic asphaltenes are sporadically developed in localized areas. These findings provide evidence that the sand‐bodies experienced a significant exfiltration event of external gaseous fluids. The light carbon isotopes (δ13CV‐PDB ranging from −33.26‰ to −30.06‰) of group components and n‐Alkane suggest that the hydrocarbon originates from the source rock of the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation. A detailed two‐stage alteration sequence caused by acidic and reducing hydrocarbon is clarified, encompassing acidic corrosion, kaolinization, pyritization, silification and asphaltization during the exudation stage, followed by ferro‐dolomitization in the later cessation stage. Notably, vermicular secondary kaolinites, formed through the interaction between acidic hydrocarbon fluid and low‐temperature meteoric groundwater, serve as significant markers for the exfiltration of deep hydrocarbon fluid. In‐situ U–Pb dating of hydrocarbon‐bearing ferro‐dolomite yielded absolute exfiltration ages of 63.54 ± 4.13 and 65.93 ± 3.35 Ma. By integrating the tectonic–sedimentary–fluid evolution history and uranium mineralization characteristics in the study area, a three‐stage superimposed metallogenic model is proposed for the Upper Cretaceous red‐variegated layers: (1) the sedimentary and diagenetic stage of the target layer during the Late Cretaceous, (2) the predominant hydrocarbon exudation stage at the end of the Late Cretaceous, and (3) the main uranium mineralization stage since the Paleogene. This study enhances our understanding of coupled‐genetic sandstone‐type uranium deposit in a sedimentary basin and provides valuable guidance for prospecting similar red‐variegated beds in the Songliao Basin and other sedimentary basins worldwide.