Unconformity-controlled dissolution contributes to reservoirs in the carbonate-rich Permian Fengcheng Formation, northwestern Junggar Basin, China

Abstract

The Permian Fengcheng Formation is a set of complex sedimentary strata in the Mahu Sag, northwestern Junggar Basin, where various types of carbonate minerals occur. Coarse crystalline calcite assemblages and other carbonate minerals, such as dolomite, shortite and sodium carbonates, are also common in the Fengcheng Formation. Their dissolution by meteoric freshwater leaching at tectonic high positions, which was controlled by an unconformity, developed uncommonly high-quality secondary porosity and contributed to unconventional oil and gas exploration. Based on core analyses, thin section studies under optical and cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopes, geological interpretations of seismic profiles, and carbon and oxygen isotope composition analyses from coarse crystalline calcite assemblages and comparisons to other carbonate minerals, this study focuses on the origin of coarse crystalline calcite assemblages and the mechanism of unconformity-related dissolution to form hydrocarbon reservoir spaces. Coarse crystalline calcite assemblages are the products of multiple stages of recrystallization of other carbonate minerals in nearby host rocks. Hydrolysis of feldspar and volcanic sediments provided additional Ca2+ for calcite precipitation. The dissolution and reprecipitation of carbonate minerals were associated with organic maturation and hydrocarbon expulsion and migration. The crystallization process was slow, which allowed the crystal assemblages to grow to large sizes. Organic carbon was involved in the formation of the coarse crystalline calcite assemblages, which resulted in much more negative carbon isotope compositions than those of other carbonate minerals via diluting the carbon isotope compositions of preexisting carbonate minerals. Later tectonic uplift caused a regional unconformity and formed dissolution reservoirs in tectonically high positions. Furthermore, faults and fractures provided paths for the solutes to transfer to lower positions and reprecipitate when they became saturated.