The origin and alteration of calcite cement in tight sandstones of the Jurassic Shishugou Group, Fukang Sag, Junggar Basin, NW China: implications for fluid–rock interactions and porosity evolution

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe Shishugou Group, which consists of Middle Jurassic Toutunhe Formation and Upper Jurassic Qigu Formation, is currently an important hydrocarbon exploration target in the Fukang Sag of Junggar Basin, China. The Shishugou Group sandstones experienced a complex diagenetic history with deep burial (3600–5800 m) to develop low–ultralow porosity and permeability reservoir with some high-quality reservoirs found in the tight sandstones owing to the reservoir heterogeneity. This integrated petrographic and geochemical study aims to unravel the origin and alteration of calcite cement in the Shishugou Group sandstones and predict fluid–rock interaction and porosity evolution. The Shishugou Group sandstones (Q43.8F7.4R48.8) have a dominant calcite cement with strong heterogeneity forming in two generations: poikilotopic, pore-filling masses that formed at an early diagenetic stage and isolated rhombs or partial grain replacements that formed at a late stage. The Shishugou Group, which are lacustrine sediments formed in low–medium salinity lake water in a semiarid–arid climatic environment, provided the alkaline diagenetic environment needed for precipitation of chlorite and early calcite cements in early diagenesis. The Ca2+ of the pore-filling calcite cements was sourced from weathering or dissolution of volcanic clasts in the sediment source or during transport in under oxidising conditions. The δ18OV-PDB and δ13CV-PDB values of calcite were significantly controlled by distance from the top unconformity and underlying coal-bearing stratum with carbon sourced from atmospheric CO2, and organic matter. The early carbonate cement inhibited burial compaction producing intergranular pore spaces with enhanced reservoir properties by late dissolution under acidic conditions. Anhydrite cement reflects reaction of organic acid and hydrocarbon with the sandstones and is associated with fluid migration pathways. The fluid–rock interactions and porosity evolution of the tight deep sandstones produced secondary pores that filled with hydrocarbon charge that forms this deep high-quality reservoir.