Fluid Inclusion Analysis Research Articles

Gas accumulation in the pre-salt reservoirs of Ordovician Majiagou Formation from the northern Ordos Basin, NW China: Insights from integrated fluid inclusion analysis and petrography characteristics

Exploration of gas in the pre-salt reservoirs of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Ordos Basin shows considerable potential, however the gas accumulation history remains a significant debate. This paper focuses on well cores from the northern Ordos Basin to address these uncertainties. By employing reservoir petrographic research and a comprehensive analysis of fluid inclusions, the periods and times of petroleum accumulation were determined and the gas accumulation history of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the region was analyzed. The results suggest that gas from marine hydrocarbon source rocks and the cracking of oil contributed significantly to the gas accumulation in the Ordovician Majiagou Formation. Two stages of oil and gas accumulation in the pre-salt reservoirs of the study area were identified. In the initial stage, a minor liquid oil charging event occurred between 215 Ma and 170 Ma. In the later stage, gas was generated by the Carboniferous-Permian coal-measure and marine hydrocarbon source rocks, supplemented by the thermal cracking of the earlier liquid oil accumulations in the Ordovician Majiagou Formation. This gas then migrated into the pre-salt reservoirs during the period from 125 Ma to 80 Ma, resulting in substantial gas accumulation in the pre-salt reservoirs of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the study area.

Magmatic activity in incipient continental break-up as revealed by coupling melt and fluid inclusions

Abstract Deciphering deep magmatic processes driving the onset of continental break-up is fundamental to constrain our understanding of plate tectonics. The East African Rift System (EARS) is the only currently active system on Earth to study distinct stages of rift evolution. We present a coupled analysis of melt and fluid inclusions in the Virunga Volcanic Province (VVP) offering an unprecedented insight into the dynamics of incipient rifting and its evolution. Our study highlights that melting of distinct metasomes in the deep lithosphere is a common feature of immature rifts. In the VVP, it leads to the emission of nephelinitic and basanitic melts at Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes, respectively. Additionally, the chemical composition of melt and fluid inclusions supports the identification of another magmatic series in the area. Related alkali basaltic melts would be produced by contemporary melting of a less enriched domain in the upper lithosphere, more classically documented in mature rifts. Various extents of mixing and crystallisation of these three distinct magmatic series occur in the lower crust beneath the VVP where the barometric estimates are consistent with the presence of a thick seismic low velocity zone (LVZ). The involvement of alkali basaltic melts in the regional magma production could be also detected in the spread of gas emissions in the rift valley and in the fumaroles of the main active volcanoes. Melting of the corresponding mantle domain is an added source of gas release that may largely contribute to CO2 emissions along the EARS.

Mineralogy, geochemistry, geochronology, and fluid inclusion constraints of the Concepción del Oro-Mazapil Fe - Cu skarns, central Mexico

The Concepción del Oro – Mazapil mining District, Zacatecas, is considered one of the most important in Mexico because it contains massive Fe – Cu skarns mined for almost 500 years. Their origin has been related to post-orogenic granodioritic – monzodioritic intrusion (40–45 Ma) in the Mesozoic Zuloaga (Oxfordian) and Tamaulipas Inferior (Valanginian-Albian) limestones. In the present study, an updated paragenetic model is proposed for the Sol y Luna, Aranzazú and Cata Arroyo deposits. The hydrothermal system evolution has been explained applying a methodological scheme that included: (a) petrography, (b) electron microprobe analysis, (c) scanning electron microscopy, (d) whole-rock and zircon geochemistry, (e) U-Pb in zircon and K-Ar in annite geochronology, and (f) fluid inclusion analysis. A mineral assemblage (andradite > grossular, diopside, wollastonite, vesuvianite, and quartz) and fluid inclusion analysis suggest a prograde stage with a general homogenization temperature = 373–514 °C and salinity = 10.5–61.7% NaCl eq. The Fe-Cu mineralization occurred during the retrograde stage (homogenization temperature = 201–321 °C, salinity = 4.0–10.9% NaCl eq.). It was constituted by magnetite > hematite > pyrite ≈ chalcopyrite > bornite, accompanied by minor amounts of sphalerite, tetrahedrite, hessite, Bi-sulfosalts, covelline, goethite, and Mn oxides. An annite K-Ar age indicates that the iron deposit probably started at ∼41.3 Ma. Chemical composition of iron oxides from skarn deposits shows the interaction of fluid-rock during its precipitation. Retrograde alteration petrographic and chemical composition of hydrothermal chlorites from the Concepción del Oro-Mazapil skarns show the evolution of hydrothermal fluids and represent an exploration guide that can be used as a vector towards orebodies. Chlorite and sphalerite geothermometers indicate a retrograde stage for polymetallic deposit at 208–263 °C for Sol y Luna, 208–234 °C for Aranzazú, and at 181–215 °C for Cata Arroyo. The Concepción del Oro-Mazapil ore system shutdown was marked by low temperature hydrothermal event (homogenization temperature = 120–242 °C) and low salinity (1.7–6.2% NaCl eq.), represented by As-Sb and Au-Zn jasperoids. The proposed paragenetic model provides a better understanding of the Concepción del Oro-Mazapil skarn, being valuable information for future exploration/exploitation activities. Finally, a mineralogical and geochemical comparison of Fe-Cu (Sol y Luna) and Cu-Fe (Aranzazú and Cata Arroyo) skarns has been conducted.

Combined use of petroleum inclusion analysis, PVT simulation, and basin modeling for reconstruction of deep fluid phase evolution in condensate gas reservoirs

The reconstruction of the fluid phase evolution in deep condensate gas reservoirs can reveal the mechanism of condensate gas formation, facilitating the early formulation of drilling strategies. However, the complexity of petroleum fluid phase evolution during hydrocarbon generation, migration, and accumulation poses numerous challenges for the reconstruction process. Therefore, petroleum fluid inclusion analysis, PVT phase simulation, and basin modeling were used to achieve the reconstruction of phase states during key geological periods, elucidating the phase evolution of the deep condensate reservoirs in the Dongying Depression during the whole process. The modeled results show that the mature source rocks contributed to the charging and accumulation of liquid oils (38–14 Ma). Next, a low oil cracking conversion rate limited the increase of gaseous hydrocarbon fraction, so the accumulated hydrocarbons remained in a liquid phase (14–0 Ma). The late external gas inputs significantly increased the gas-oil ratio in the reservoirs, leading to the transition from the liquid oil phase to the condensate phase (5–0 Ma). The fluid compositions obtained from hydrocarbon inclusions and the physical properties of present-day condensates can effectively constrain basin modeling, leading to reliable simulation results. This work revealed that the hydrocarbon generation controls the initial hydrocarbon components in the traps for the phase evolution. Furthermore, the secondary alterations including oil cracking and gas inputs influence the proportion of methane of petroleum in the deep reservoirs, which dominates the phase evolution. Deep petroleum fluid phase changes mainly require the molar ratio of the input gas more than 50%. A model was proposed to explain the formation of deep condensate reservoirs. A series of gas inputs and escape in the successive lithological traps controls an orderly phase change of deep petroleum, and the amount of deeper gas determines the range of the existence of condensate gas reservoirs. This study not only guides the exploration of deep condensate in the Dongying Depression but also offers a workflow for the research on the formation and evolution of condensate reservoirs in other global regions.

Fluid inclusion LA-ICP-MS constraint on hydrothermal evolution of proximal cassiterite-bearing quartz veins in the giant Gejiu orefield: Implications for controls on metallogenic potential of granite-related skarn system

Sn and Cu are proposed to have their mineralization potential predetermined by their contents in initial fluids of granite-related magmatic-hydrothermal systems. However, it remains ambiguous whether the giant Sn-mineralized skarn system is applicable, and whether the Sn-Cu association in some deposits is predominantly determined by their initial metal contents. The Gejiu orefield is one of the most essential Sn-polymetallic districts worldwide, with proven resources of 3.27 million tons of tin, 3.25 million tons of copper, 4.29 million tons of lead and zinc, and >20 other metals with economic significance. Sn-polymetallic mineralization at Gejiu constitutes a composite skarn ore system that includes proximal skarn and related cassiterite-sulfide, greisen, and tourmaline-vein types. The Laochang Sn-polymetallic deposit hosts several largest skarn and cassiterite-sulfide orebodies in the eastern part of Gejiu. Recent exploitation at Laochang discovered Sn-mineralized quartz veins hosted in the concealed granite, providing a valuable opportunity to characterize the proximal magmatic-hydrothermal process of the mineralizing granitic system. Here, fluid inclusion analysis is carried out on these veins to discuss the fluid evolution, cassiterite precipitation mechanism and whether metal content in early proximal magmatic fluids determines the metal association and endowment in the deposit.Based on the paragenesis of ore and gangue minerals, three hydrothermal stages are distinguished, including quartz-tourmaline stage (Stage I), cassiterite-arsenopyrite-quartz stage (Stage II) and late sulfide stage (Stage III). Fluid evolution controlling vein formation is constrained by microthermometry and LA-ICP-MS analysis of four fluid inclusions generations successively entrapped in quartz and cassiterite. The fluids involved during vein formation show an interplay between single-sourced magmatic fluids and meteoric water. The intermediate-density single phase fluid recorded at stage I quartz is derived from initial fluids directly exsolving from granitic magma. At stage II, fluid immiscibility occurred and the separated brines were entrapped in quartz and early-formed cassiterite. Along with cassiterite precipitation, brines were mixed with low-salinity and cooler meteoric water, leading to entrapment of low-salinity aqueous fluid in outer growth zones of cassiterite at stage II. The constructed fluid evolution history suggests that fluid immiscibility may have facilitated the nucleation of cassiterite crystals at the onset of deposition while mixing of magmatic fluid with meteoric water likely dominate later cassiterite mineralization.Compared with the fluid dataset of barren and mineralized granitic systems worldwide, pre-ore fluids of the studied quartz veins are enriched in Sn, confirming that high Sn content in the initial magmatic fluid can serve as indicator to distinguish mineralized system. In contrast, although Cu mineralization is economically important in the Laochang deposit, predicted Cu contents in pre-ore proximal magmatic fluids are as low as those obtained from Cu-barren system. This implies introduction of Cu into the hydrothermal system from other sources.

Multistage fluid mixing events induced Sn polymetallic super-enrichment at Dulong in Yunnan Province, South China

Dulong Sn polymetallic deposit is a world-class skarn tin deposit situated at the Youjiang basin with a reserve of 0.4 Mt Sn at 0.56 %, 5.0 Mt Zn at 5.12 %, together with 7 kt In. The deposit predominantly occurs within the Neoproterozoic Xinzhaiyan Formation and is controlled by NS-trending faults. Based on elaborate field and petrographic observations, the Dulong Sn polymetallic deposit was divided into four mineralization stages: stage 1 (prograde stage), stage 2 (retrograde stage), stage 3 (quartz-sulfide stage) and stage 4 (carbonate stage). Tin mineralization primarily occurs as cassiterite during stage 2, with additional cassiterite-stannite formation noted in stage 3. Analysis of fluid inclusions across these stages reveals the evolutionary history of the mineralizing fluids and the precipitation mechanisms at Dulong. During stage 1, diopside hosts both daughter-bearing multiphase inclusions and vapor-rich inclusions. The daughter-bearing multiphase inclusions exhibit homogenization temperatures ranging from 510 to 574 °C and salinities between 44.7 and 49.6 wt% NaCl equiv., whereas the vapor-rich inclusions display homogenization temperatures of 573–586 °C and salinities from 2.9 to 4.0 wt% NaCl equiv., indicating a boiling fluid process. Cassiterite (stage 2) features primarily liquid-rich two-phase inclusions, with homogenization temperatures of 351–410 °C and salinities of 6.3–9.6 wt% NaCl equiv. These inclusions document the mixing of magmatic fluid with meteoric water, which is likely the principal mechanism driving initial tin mineralization. Similarly, the same type of inclusions is also recorded in cassiterite of stage 3. The homogenization temperature of the inclusions in cassiterite is 290–334 °C and the salinities of the inclusions is 3.4–8.4 wt% NaCl equiv. Comparatively, the temperature continued to decrease in stage 3, indicating that fluid mixing may have persisted during this stage which could also explain the occurrence of cassiterite and stannite in this stage. In addition, redox reaction where CO2 and/or As (III) serve as oxidants may also be another mechanism to exact cassiterite from ore-forming fluid. Our Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data suggests that cassiterite of the Dulong deposit involves a variety of complex substitutional mechanism. Due to the differing geochemical properties of the elements and variations in their concentrations, there is an indication that two phases distinct mineralizing fluids may have been present. The varying geochemical properties and concentrations of elements such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Fe, In, and Ga align with microthermometric results, indicating a reduction in magmatic hydrothermal fluid contribution and/or a transition from high to low temperatures in the hydrothermal system. This variation is also likely attributable to fluid mixing processes.

Calcite U[sbnd]Pb dating and geochemical constraints on fracture opening in organic-rich shales

Gas-bearing, organic-rich shales commonly host numerous opening-mode fractures; however, their formation mechanism remains controversial, with competing arguments of tectonic-origin and/or hydrocarbon generation pressurization-origin. Here, we studied fracture fillings in shale reservoirs of the lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the Luzhou area, southern Sichuan Basin, SW China. Using in-situ UPb geochronology, rare earth elements (REEs) and C-O-Sr isotope geochemistry, and fluid inclusion analyses, we investigated the timing and geochemical attributions of fracture fills and identify the mechanism of fracture formation. The results show that, the cements that occupy fractures in the Longmaxi Formation shales contain mainly calcite and quartz. The calcite cements show crack-seal and fibrous textures, indicating that they are syn-kinematic mineral deposits. The 87Sr/86Sr values of the calcite cements essentially overlap with those of their proximal host shales. This result, combined with slight depletions in δ13CPDB and relatively uniform fluid δ18OSMOW isotopic features, indicate that the fluids from which the calcite precipitated were largely derived from their surrounding host shales. Abundant methane inclusions are present in fracture cements, with trapping pressures of 104.5–157.5 MPa and pressure coefficients of 1.92–2.43, suggesting they were trapped in an overpressurized fluid system. In-situ UPb dating of calcite cements yielded ages of ca. 160 Ma and ca. 110 Ma, which coincide with the timing of thermal cracking of oil to gas during burial. In combination with the overpressurized, geochemically closed fluid system, the fractures were most likely triggered by gas generation. Our study emphasizes that natural fracturing induced by hydrocarbon generation overpressurization is an essential mode of brittle failure in tectonically quiescent basins worldwide.

Hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in buried hills based on quantitative fluorescence techniques, fluid inclusion, and 1D basin modeling: Shulu sag, Bohai Bay basin, NE China

Interpreting the hydrocarbon generation, migration, and accumulation process is significant for understanding hydrocarbon evolution and finding exploration targets. The buried hills of Shulu Sag exhibit great potential for hydrocarbon exploration. However, the variations observed in different oil reservoirs highlight the complexity of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in this region. In this study, 1D basin modeling, fluid inclusion analysis, and quantitative fluorescence techniques were used to investigate the thermal maturation history of the source rock, the timing of hydrocarbon charging, the pathway of hydrocarbon migration, and the oil-water contact. Hydrocarbons in the buried hills in the Western Slope and Paleo-uplift are derived from the source rocks at the edge and center of the sag, respectively, which have different thermal maturation histories. The source rocks in the center of the sag mainly supply hydrocarbons to the Paleo-uplift through faults, while the hydrocarbons generated from the source rocks in the edge of the sag can be rapidly transported to the Western Slope through clast-supported terrigenous carbonate rudstone. Differences in oil sources result in different hydrocarbon charging histories for the Western Slope and Paleo-uplift. The Western Slope experienced a single low-mature oil charging event at 5-0 Ma, while the Paleo-uplift encountered two hydrocarbon charging events, including low-mature oil charging at 35-25 Ma and high-mature oil charging at 5-0 Ma. As a result of secondary changes controlled by the hydrological environment, the oil reservoirs in the Western Slope have undergone varying degrees of adjustment or even destruction, resulting in variations in the oil quality of different buried hills. The results provide a detailed understanding of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in the study area, which can be used as a reference for hydrocarbon exploration.

Deformation and fluid flow history of a fractured basement hydrocarbon reservoir below the Sab'atayn Basin, Habban Field, Yemen

Fractured crystalline basement reservoirs are of increasing economic interest for oil and gas exploration and subsurface fluid storage. The successful characterization of these reservoirs is commonly challenged by their structural heterogeneity, complexity in fracture distribution and flow properties at multiple scales, and the difficulty of imaging fractures in exploration seismic. We analyzed the fracture geometry and fracture diagenetic attributes in two oriented cores from the Habban Field in the Late Jurassic Sab'atayn Basin (Yemen) to evaluate the multi-phase deformation history and fracture flow pathway evolution for (hydrothermal) fluids and hydrocarbons. Analyses included petrographic and fluid inclusion analysis of fracture-filling cements, and stable sulfur isotope analyses of fracture-filling pyrite.The Paleoproterozoic basement consists of amphibolite-facies metamorphic ortho- and paragneiss cut by several phases of Neoproterozoic granitoid intrusions. The investigated lithologies in the drill cores comprise (1) epidote quartzite, (2) amphibolite, (3) monzogranite, (4) meta-arkose, and (5) quartz-feldspar porphyry. These lithologies show an inhomogeneous fracture network that is partially cemented. Ediacaran brittle-ductile deformation (D1) recognized only within a Pan-African monzogranite lead to cataclasis and porosity generating alteration. Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous extension (D2) related to the break-up of Gondwanaland and the formation of the Sab'atayn Basin is found in all lithologies and likely resulted in pervasive quartz cementation. Late Jurassic fractures parallel to the NW-SE trending long axis of the Sab'atayn Basin are best recognized in a strongly foliated amphibolites. Cenozoic extensional fracturing (D3) reactivated older structures, which probably formed during activity of the Neoproterozoic Najd Fault System and caused multi-phased (pyrite-(saddle) dolomite-calcite) fracture cementations. The sulfur isotope compositions of pyrite with δ34S values ranging between −17.4 and + 26.4‰ vs. V-CDT reflects the variability of the fluid source during sulphide mineral formation from hydrocarbon-rich hydrothermal solutions. Fluid inclusions indicate that cementation reactions occurred in a relatively narrow temperature field between 120 °C and 140 °C, ideal for hydrocarbon maturation. Our results demonstrate the potentially complex charge history of basement reservoirs, involving multiple phases of fracture formation and cementation, and fluid charge episodes.

Cenozoic faulting leading to petroleum escape in SW Ordos Basin, China: Evidence from fault-related calcite in situ U-Pb dating, rare earth elements and fluid inclusions

Understanding the link between fault activity and movement to petroleum escape is crucial for assessing the petroleum exploration potential in sedimentary basins. As a significant petroliferous basin in China, the Ordos Basin hosts the world-class uncompartmentalized Jingbian natural gas field within the Ordovician marine carbonate reservoirs. However, the role of the unique exhumation history and the Cenozoic faulting in the formation of such large-scale oil-gas fields remain unclear. Our study combines fault-related calcite U-Pb dating with fluid inclusions analysis offers a unique opportunity to trace petroleum leakage along the the carbonate strata brittle fault zones in the SW Ordos Basin. Calcite samples collected from the carbonate fault zone and across the Ordovician carbonate strata in the SW Ordos Basin reveal clear positive Eu anomaly, slight positive Y anomaly, the lack of positive La and Gd anomalies, and the absence of a negative Ce anomaly. The Y/Ho ratios range from 29 to 36, with an average value of 32, indicating calcite formation in a hydrothermal environment during fault activation. U-Pb dating of these fault-related calcites yields ages of 32.8 ± 3.3 Ma and 23.7 ± 7.4 Ma. Raman spectroscopy of fluid inclusions reveals the presence of CH4 gas, coeval with the fault-related calcite. The homogenization temperatures (Th) of aqueous inclusions coeval with CH4 inclusion from two calcite veins range from 140.0 to 172.4 °C (average Th = 157.8 °C, n = 16) and 127.7–154.3 °C (average Th = 142.2 °C, n = 18). Low temperature thermochronology suggest rapid uplift since 40 Ma, potentially linked to fault activity. The Cenozoic erosion rate was 0.06 mm/y during the ∼9 Myr period from 32.8 to 23.7 Ma in the SW Ordos Basin, suggesting that Cenozoic faulting may have created permeable pathways for petroleum escape. This study provides a temporal link between Cenozoic uplift, faulting, and petroleum loss in SW Ordos Basin.

Diagenesis and reservoir quality evolution of estuarine sandstones: Insights from the Cenomanian-Turonian Yolde Formation, northern Benue Trough, NE Nigeria

Estuarine sandstones often exhibit complex diagenetic pathways due to the interaction of fluvial and shallow marine processes, resulting in significant reservoir heterogeneities. The Yolde Formation is an important petroleum reservoir in the Northern Benue Trough, NE Nigeria. However, diagenetic and reservoir quality evolution of the formation are still poorly understood. This study utilizes thin-section petrography, XRD, SEM, and fluid inclusion microthermometry to analyse the composition, diagenesis, and reservoir quality of the sandstones. Results show that the sandstones are mainly arkose and subarkose in composition; they are generally well-sorted and vary in grain size from very fine-to coarse-grained. Three diagenetic stages are identified: early, middle, and late. The early stage includes feldspar dissolution, formation of kaolinite, development of clay coating, and mechanical compaction. The middle stage comprises the formation of authigenic chlorite and Fe-oxide cements. The late-stage diagenesis involves illitization of kaolinite, formation of dickite, albitization of K-feldspar, and precipitation of quartz overgrowths. The diagenetic evolution of the sandstones was strongly controlled by their compositional makeup. The feldspathic nature of the sandstones resulted in the formation of kaolinite, illite, and quartz overgrowths, through feldspar dissolution and silica supply. The inner and middle estuarine facies have inhibited the development of quartz overgrowths due to well-developed clay coatings, whereas the outer estuarine facies were well-cemented by quartz overgrowths due to lack of clay coatings. Illitic clay coatings were found to be effective in preventing quartz cementation. Fluid inclusion analysis reveals that the formation temperatures of the quartz overgrowths range from 98 °C to 135.5 °C, corresponding to burial depths ranging between 2.3 and 3.5 km. These findings would provide useful insights that would reduce the risks of exploration of the sandstones and also supplies potential input data for forward diagenetic modelling of their subsurface equivalents in similar depositional settings elsewhere.

New Evidences of Fluid Inclusions from Wufeng Formation Reveal Shale Gas Accumulation and Leakage Histories in Northern Guizhou, Southwestern China

Abstract Shale gas accumulation and leakage histories are significant for evaluating the prospects of hydrocarbon exploration. The Wufeng Formation in northern Guizhou is a potential target for shale gas exploration and development. This work selected a typical Well YH1 to conduct detailed fluid inclusion analyses in the Wufeng Formation. We integrated the inclusion results with systematic core description, thin-section microscopic observation, laser Raman spectroscopy, microscopic temperature measurement, and burial–thermal history to reveal shale gas accumulation and leakage histories in northern Guizhou. The results show that the source rocks of the Wufeng Formation occurred in oil generation since the Permian and entered the stage of natural gas generation at the end of the Late Triassic. During the Early Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, shale gas accumulated in the Wufeng Formation reservoirs, and the stratigraphical pressure coefficient ranged from 1.47 to 1.97. Under the influence of the Yanshan orogeny, northern Guizhou experienced a rapid uplift and exhumation since the end of the Early Cretaceous. Under the influence of this tectonic, the stratigraphical pressure plummeted to the normal level, adversely impacting the accumulated shale gas in reservoirs and resulting in leakage events since the end of the Early Cretaceous. The reservoirs were further destroyed and adjusted, and the gas continued to leak because of a long-term and large-scale uplift and exhumation during the Himalayan orogeny. This work clarified that shale gas accumulation and leakage histories are significant for evaluating petroleum exploration.

The superposition of Cretaceous mineralization events leading to the formation of the large Baiyinnuoer Pb–Zn deposit in NE China

The Baiyinnuoer Pb–Zn deposit, estimated at 26.57 million metric tonnes (Mt) with grades of 1.77% Pb and 5.21% Zn, is situated in the southern Great Xing'an Range (SGXR) of northeast China. The deposit comprises southern and northern ore belts. The southern belt primarily contains skarn ore bodies (32% of reserves) associated with Triassic granodiorite, while the northern belt is dominated by skarn ore bodies (30% of reserves) related to Triassic diorite porphyry. In addition to Triassic skarn‐type mineralization, the deposit also exhibits Early Cretaceous mineralization. This includes vein‐type occurrences (36% of reserves) within volcanic tuff and syenite porphyry, alongside a small amount of skarn ore bodies (2% of reserves) related to syenite porphyry. LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb dating of intrusive rocks and garnets was conducted to investigate the timing and genesis of these mineralization events, revealing two distinct stages of skarn‐type mineralization. The first stage, associated with Early Triassic granitoids, dates to 254.6 ± 1.4–241.7 ± 2.7 Ma, while the second stage is closely associated with Early Cretaceous syenite porphyry, constrained to 135.4 ± 1.1–135.2 ± 1.6 Ma. Garnet U–Pb dating in the syenite porphyry‐related skarn yielded an age of 134.9 ± 4.7 Ma; however, due to low U content, reliable dating of garnets associated with Early Triassic granitoid‐related skarn was not feasible. Micro‐thermometry and Laser Raman analyses of fluid inclusions within vein‐type ore bodies highlighted distinct differences between vein‐type mineralization and Early Triassic skarn‐type mineralization. Additionally, in situ sulfur isotope analyses of sphalerite from both Early Triassic and Early Cretaceous ore bodies indicate a magmatic origin for sulfur in both stages. Through comprehensive geological, geochronological, in situ sulfur isotope and fluid inclusion studies, the Baiyinnuoer Pb–Zn deposit is conclusively identified as a large deposit characterized by two distinct periods of mineralization (Early Triassic and Early Cretaceous), akin to several other significant polymetallic deposits in NE China.

Genesis of LCT Pegmatites during Early Paleozoic Orogeny of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt, China: Emplacement Conditions and Structural Control

AbstractThe Guanpo pegmatite field in the North Qinling orogenic belt (NQB), China, hosts the most abundant LCT pegmatites. However, their emplacement conditions and structural control remain unexplored. In this contribution, we investigated it combining pegmatite orientation measurement with oxygen isotope geothermometry and fluid inclusion study. The orientations of type A1 pegmatites (Pf < σ2) are predominantly influenced by P‐ and T‐fractures due to simple shearing in Shiziping dextral thrust shear zone during D2 deformation, whereas type A2 pegmatites (contemporaneous with D4) are governed by hydraulic fractures aligned with S0 and S0+1 stemming from fluid pressure (Pf <σ2). Additionally, type B pegmatites (Pf ≤ σ2) exhibit orientations shaped by en echelon extensional fractures in local ductile shear zones (contemporaneous with D3). The albite‐quartz oxygen isotope geothermometry and microthermometric analysis of fluid inclusions in elbaites from the latest pegmatites (including types B and A2) suggest that the crystallization P‐T for late magmatic and hydrothermal stages are 527.5–559.2°C, 320°C, 3.1–3.6 kbar and 2.0 kbar, respectively. Our observations along with previous studies suggest that the genesis of the LCT pegmatites was a long‐term, multi‐stage event during early Paleozoic orogeny (including the collision stage) of the NQB, and was facilitated by various local fractures.

Origin of the Dongga Au deposit in the giant Xiongcun porphyry Cu–Au district, Tibet, China: Constraints from multiple isotopes (Re, Os, He, Ar, H, O, S, Pb) and fluid inclusions

The Dongga Au deposit (9.55 t Au; average grade = 6.9 g/t [up to 61.6 g/t]) is located in the Xiongcun giant porphyry Cu–Au district of the Gangdese porphyry Cu belt, Tibet. Its mineralization age, ore-forming processes, and relationship to adjacent porphyry mineralization remain unclear. To address this, we conducted a geological, pyrite Re–Os dating, He–Ar–H–O–S–Pb isotopic, and fluid inclusion study of the Dongga deposit. Pyrite samples from ore-bearing chlorite–sulfide veins yielded a weighted-mean Re–Os age of 178.4 ± 2.6 Ma (MSWD=0.01), implying the deposit formed during the Early Jurassic. Fluid inclusion analyses yielded homogenization temperatures of 237–360 °C for quartz–sulfide veins and 125–201 °C for late quartz veins, with corresponding salinities of 2.7–43.8 and 0.9–9.9 wt% NaCleq, respectively. Fluid inclusion analyses of pyrite samples yielded 3He/4He and 40Ar/36Ar values of 0.50–1.08 Ra and 325.1–559.4, respectively, and δD and δ18Ofluid values of –86.2 ‰ to –72.1 ‰ and –5.6 ‰ to 3.9 ‰, respectively. The He–Ar–H–O isotopic data suggest the mineralizing fluids were derived mainly from a crustal source with a small mantle contribution, and also contained a mixture of magmatic and meteoric waters. The S (δ34S = –1.57 ‰ to –0.55 ‰) and Pb (206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb are 18.17–18.41 ‰, 15.55–15.63 ‰ and 38.15–38.37 ‰, respectively) isotopic compositions of pyrite suggest the ore-forming metals were derived from a magma source in the mantle containing minor amounts of subducted sediment. Based on the geology, and isotopic and fluid inclusion data, we infer that mixing between magmatic and meteoric waters was the main trigger of Au precipitation. In addition, based on the geochronological, spatial, and genetic relationships with the adjacent No.2 deposit in the Xiongcun ore district, we propose that the Dongga Au deposit is a sub-epithermal deposit, which represents the transition between porphyry and epithermal deposits. The two deposits constitute a porphyry system and record the continuous evolution of hydrothermal fluids transported outwards in a porphyry system.

Mineralogical and ore-fluid characteristics of the Onto Porphyry-HSE transition in Hu’u district, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract Onto prospect is located in the eastern part of Sumbawa Island in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The island is situated within the Sunda-Banda magmatic arc, which extends from west to east, consists of volcanic rocks from the early Miocene to the Holocene. Onto is one of the highly potential prospects and holds significant economic value among ore deposits in Indonesia. The aim of this research is to explain the geological setting and determine the genesis of mineralization based on petrographic, ore microscopic, and fluid inclusion analyses. Eight lithological units have been identified, namely early andesites, polymictic diatreme breccia, upper sedimentary package, caping andesite, quartz-phyric andesite sill, early porphyry, early intra-mineral porphyry, and late intra-mineral porphyry. Nine samples were analyzed for petrography to identify the alteration types consisting of illite-smectite, quartz-dickite, residual vuggy quartz, silicic, quartz-alunite, quartz-pyrophyllite±diaspore, potassic, phyllic-chloritic, and propylitic alterations. Additionally, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and covellite are predominantly present in the study area. Meanwhile, native gold is found as an inclusion in covellite and pyrite. From micro thermometric analysis of fluid inclusions in quartz veins associated with multiphase intrusive rocks, it is shown that the homogenization temperature of early porphyry ranges on average from 279°C to 377°C, early inter-mineral porphyry ranges from 263°C to 361°C, and late intra-mineral porphyry ranges from 275°C to 336°C. The salinity level of the measurements ranges from 5.71 to 10.27% by weight NaCl equivalent, with an average of approximately 8.15% by weight NaCl equivalent. The mineralization formation during the early or prograde phase is associated with the EDM vein system with a mineralization set of biotite-magnetite, digenite, chalcocite, and coevellite, type A veins with quartz-sulfides + anhydrite, M veins type associated with quartz-magnetite-chalcopyrite-bornite mineralization, AB veins type associated with quartz-sulfides + anhydrite textures, and B veins type with sulfide centerline characteristics. The mineralization system during the early stage is generally associated with potassic alteration (K-feldspar-magnetite-secondary biotite). Whereas the retrograde phase, the vein system is associated C veins type with sulfide mineralization groups consisting of massive chalcopyrite + quartz with phyllic alteration (quartz-muscovite-chlorite ± dickite), D veins type with quartz-pyrite+chalcopyrite associated with advanced argillic alteration (quartz-alunite-pyrophyllite ± diasporite), E veins representing the epithermal stage associated with minerals such as quartz-carbonates, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite-tennatite in the alteration stage of kaolinite-illite-smektite-sericite.

Barite Replacement as a Key Factor in the Genesis of Sediment-Hosted Zn-Pb±Ba and Barite-Sulfide Deposits: Ore Fluids and Isotope (S and Sr) Signatures from Sediment-Hosted Zn-Pb±Ba Deposits of Iran

Iran hosts more than 350 Precambrian to Cenozoic sediment-hosted Zn-Pb±Ba and barite-sulfide deposits, including shale-hosted massive sulfide (SHMS, also called SEDEX) and Irish-type and Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) mineralization, and barite is a common mineral in these deposits. In the SHMS deposits, barite is typically found as fine-grained disseminations in thin laminae. In these deposits, the sulfide laminae often occur as diagenetic replacements and as bands containing authigenic and diagenetic barite and pyrite framboids. In the Irish-type Zn-Pb-Ba and stratabound barite-sulfide deposits, barite exhibits various textures, including fine-grained disseminated barite, banded zebra textures, veins, and massive barite lenses. In some of the giant Irish-type deposits, as well as in the stratabound barite-sulfide mineralization, the main stratabound sulfide ore is developed within a barite envelope and is characterized by the replacement of barite and pyrite by chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite. In the MVT deposits, the formation of barite is often related to dolomitization, and sulfide mineralization involves the replacement of the dolomitized carbonate rocks, as well as associated barite. Fluid inclusion studies on the Irish-type deposits indicate that the temperatures and salinities of the sulfide-forming fluids are higher compared to those of the barite-forming fluids. Fluid inclusion analyses of coarse-grained barites from Irish and MVT deposits reveal their hydrothermal origin. The δ3⁴S values of sulfide minerals (pyrite, sphalerite, and galena) in Irish-type deposits exhibit a broad range of low values (mostly −28 to +5‰), primarily revealing a process of bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). However, the textures (replacement, colloform, and banded) and more positive sulfur isotope values (+1 to +36‰) in the SHMS Zn-Pb deposits suggest that bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) plays a less significant role. We suggest that thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) connected to the direct replacement of barite plays a more relevant role in providing sulfur for the sulfide mineralization in the SHMS, barite-sulfide, and MVT deposits. Based on the textual evidence, sulfur isotopic data, and fluid inclusion studies, barite has been identified as a key controller for the subsequent Zn-Pb mineralization by providing a suitable host and significant sulfur contribution in the sediment-hosted Zn-Pb and stratabound barite-sulfide deposits. This implies that diagenetic barite might be a precursor to all types of sediment-hosted Zn-Pb mineralization.

Formation mechanism of carbonate cement in tight sandstone reservoirs in the depression zone of foreland basin and its impact on reservoir heterogeneity: The upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Western Sichuan foreland basin, China

The carbonate cements in tight sandstone reservoirs are diverse, complex, and important determinants of reservoir quality. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics and formation mechanism of carbonate cement in the tight sandstone reservoirs of the Xu3 Member within the Xujiahe Formation in the depression zone of the Western Sichuan foreland basin. Core samples were examined on thin sections using cathodoluminescence and scanning electron microscopy, fluid inclusion analysis, in situ carbon and oxygen stable isotopes, and rare earth element analysis. The study reveals that the Xu3 Member primarily comprises sublitharenite and litharenite, which has three stages of carbonate cementation within the reservoirs. On average, the reservoirs exhibit a porosity of 3.82% and a permeability of 0.1mD. In the eodiagenetic stage, calcite and dolomite (δ13CPDB = 0‰ to −4.07‰; δ18OPDB = −5.64‰ to −12.69‰) formed, filling both intergranular pores and intragranular dissolution pores. This process is driven by the expulsion of organic acids through compaction from the clay and coal-bearing sections during shallow burial. The carbon sources originate from external organic acids and internal carbonate rock fragments, which combine with Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions released from the dissolution of carbonate rock fragments. During the mesodiagenetic stage A, the predominant formation of ferroan calcite and ankerite (δ13CPDB = −5.98‰ to −7.64‰; δ18OPDB = −14.47‰ to −19.87‰) occurred, filling intergranular residual pores and secondary intragranular dissolution pores. This phenomenon is caused by the expulsion of organic acids formed by the compaction of matured organic matter at greater burial depths. The carbon sources primarily originate from external organic acids and combine with Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe2+ ions in the sandstone, alongside accompanying organic acids. During the mesodiagenetic stage B, coarse-macro crystalline calcites (δ13CPDB = −1.06‰ to −1.64‰; δ18OPDB = −17.95‰ to −20.36‰) with significant positive Eu anomaly-filled fractures were formed. These calcites are associated with hydrothermal fluids in the deep subsurface, precipitating directly in the fractures due to the presence of hot hydrothermal fluids rich in Ca2+ and CO32−. The Xu3 Member displays two sandstone superimposed types. In the mudstone overlain by sandstone type, carbonate cement is mainly present in the middle of the cycle, and reservoir quality is relatively high at both the bottom and top of the cycle. In the sandstone overlain by sandstone type, carbonate cement is predominantly found in the middle and top sections of the cycle, with higher-quality reservoirs primarily forming at the bottom of the cycle. It resulted in significant heterogeneity observed in the tight sandstone reservoirs of the depression zone in the Western Sichuan foreland basin.

Strontium Isotopic Variations of Authigenic Calcite in Clastic Strata Record Its Sediment Provenance and Fluid−Rock Interactions

Abstract Strontium isotopes of authigenic carbonate potentially record sediment provenance, fluid sources, and fluid–rock interactions, little was studied on this topic in clastic strata. This study investigated clastic rocks containing authigenic calcite in the Lower Triassic Baikouquan Formation in the Junggar Basin, northwestern China. Mineral compositional and fluid inclusion analyses were conducted to constrain the precipitation processes of authigenic calcite, and the Sr contents and isotope ratios of the calcite were also measured. The authigenic calcite was precipitated at 80–140°C as the final product of thermochemical oxidation of hydrocarbons and thus has high Mn contents and highly negative δ13CVPDB values (as low as −70‰). The calcite also exhibits anomalously low 87Sr/86Sr values (0.704827, 0.706612), which are lower than contemporaneous seawater and published 87Sr/86Sr values of carbonate cements in clastic sediments, and also much lower than 87Sr/86Sr values (0.722027, 0.736750) of alkali feldspar in the strata. These low 87Sr/86Sr values record the low 87Sr/86Sr of the dominant rocks in the provenance area, such as volcanic rocks. During diagenesis, especially mesodiagenesis, the charging of hydrocarbon-bearing fluids promoted abundant dissolution of orthoclase in the alkali feldspar detritus, releasing radiogenic 87Sr into the pore waters, and eventually increasing the 87Sr/86Sr values in the late-stage calcite that precipitated after this reaction. This inference is consistent with the positive correlation between the calcite 87Sr/86Sr ratios and the dissolution intensity of orthoclase. In regions that do not undergo hydrocarbon-charging and where orthoclase remains stable, the lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the calcite generally record the provenance. For authigenic calcite associated with intense fluid–rock interactions, the higher 87Sr/86Sr ratios reflect the enhanced dissolution intensity of 87Sr-rich minerals such as orthoclase. Therefore, combined with a petrological study, Sr isotopes of authigenic carbonate in clastic sediments can trace sediment provenance and intensity of fluid–rock interactions.

Decoupling of Cu and Zn in sediment-hosted base metal deposits: Evidence from LA-ICP-MS analyses of fluid inclusions and trace elements in minerals at Baiyangping, China

Copper and lead–zinc mineralization in basinal rocks worldwide commonly shows distinct spatiotemporal zonation. The Baiyangping deposit in the Lanping Basin, southwest China, is a large sediment-hosted polymetallic deposit that shows clear and pronounced zoning of Cu versus Pb-Zn mineralization. Here, we analyzed trace elements in pyrite and sphalerite and fluid inclusions in sphalerite, celestine, quartz, and dolomite to seek insights into the origins of the ore-forming fluids and the processes that govern the separation of Cu- from Zn-rich ores. We show that while the later Zn-rich mineralization is characterized by fluid inclusions showing typical hallmarks of basinal brine composition (low homogenization temperature < 230 °C, high salinity > 20 wt% NaCl eq., dominated by Na-K-Ca-Mg chlorides), the earlier Cu-rich mineralization shows markedly distinct composition that more closely resembles deeply-circulated water that has equilibrated with crystalline basement rocks (higher homogenization temperature of 210–280 °C, variable but lower salinity of ∼ 5–15 wt% NaCl, dominated by Na-K-Li chlorides). Pyrites formed during the earlier Cu-rich stage show elevated Cu, Co, Sb and Zn, while pyrites formed during the later Pb-Zn stage are more enriched in As, Pb and Mn. We interpret that the earlier-formed Cu-rich ores were deposited by deeply sourced fluids that ascended along basement-penetrating reverse faults, whereas the later Zn-rich ores were formed by subsequent circulation of fluid from within the basin, whose flux was promoted by shallower strike-slip faults. Hence, the two ore types reflect discrete pulses of chemically distinct hydrothermal fluids. We suggest that the evolving structural controls and fluid pathways during prolonged ore formation allowed sequential pulses of fluids that had acquired different metal budgets by equilibration with different sources. We suggest that this type of two-step process may be more common in sediment-hosted base metal deposits than single-fluid cooling sequential order of precipitation.