Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geochemistry of borehole cutting shale and natural gas accumulation in the deepwater area of the Zhujiang River Mouth-Qiongdongnan Basin in the northern South China Sea

  • Published:
Acta Oceanologica Sinica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Qiongdongnan Basin and Zhujiang River (Pearl River) Mouth Basin, important petroliferous basins in the northern South China Sea, contain abundant oil and gas resource. In this study, on basis of discussing impact of oil-base mud on TOC content and Rock-Eval parameters of cutting shale samples, the authors did comprehensive analysis of source rock quality, thermal evolution and control effect of source rock in gas accumulation of the Qiongdongnan and the Zhujiang River Mouth Basins. The contrast analysis of TOC contents and Rock-Eval parameters before and after extraction for cutting shale samples indicates that except for a weaker impact on Rock-Eval parameter S2, oil-base mud has certain impact on Rock-Eval S1, Tmax and TOC contents. When concerning oil-base mud influence on source rock geochemistry parameters, the shales in the Yacheng/Enping, Lingshui/Zhuhai and Sanya/Zhuhai Formations have mainly Type II and III organic matter with better gas potential and oil potential. The thermal evolution analysis suggests that the depth interval of the oil window is between 3 000 m and 5 000 m. Source rocks in the deepwater area have generated abundant gas mainly due to the late stage of the oil window and the high-supper mature stage. Gas reservoir formation condition analysis made clear that the source rock is the primary factor and fault is a necessary condition for gas accumulation. Spatial coupling of source, fault and reservoir is essential for gas accumulation and the inside of hydrocarbon-generating sag is future potential gas exploration area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson R N, Flemings P, Losh S, et al. 1994. Gulf-of-Mexico growth fault drilled, seen as oil, gas migration pathway. Oil & Gas Journal, 92(23): 97–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai Qianzhong. 2005. Oil & Gas Geology in China Seas (in Chinese). Beijing: China Ocean Press, 161–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng Keming, Wang Tieguan, Zhong Ningning. 1995. Geochemistry of Source Rock (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 17–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Cui Shasha, He Jiaxiong, Chen Shenghong, et al. 2009. Development characteristics of Pearl River Mouth Basin and its geological conditions for oil and gas accumulation. Natural Gas Geoscience (in Chinese), 20(3): 384–391

    Google Scholar 

  • Dholakia S K, Aydin A, Pollard D D, et al. 1998. Fault-controlled hydrocarbon pathways in the Monterey Formation. California. AAPG Bulletin, 82(8): 1551–1574

    Google Scholar 

  • Espitalié J, Marquis F, Barsony L. 1984. Geochemical logging. Analytical Pyrolysis, 184: 276–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu Ning, Mi Lijun, Zhang Gongcheng. 2007. Source rocks and origin of oil and gas in the northern Baiyun Depression of Pearl River Mouth Basin. Acta Petrolei Sinica (in Chinese), 28(3): 32–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Gong Zaisheng, Li Sitian, Xie Taijun, et al. 1997. Continental Margin Basin Analysis and Hydrocarbon Accumulation of the Northern South China Sea (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press,: 1–178

    Google Scholar 

  • He Jiaxiong, Liu Hailing, Yao Yongjian, et al. 2008. The Petroleum Geology and the Resource Potential of the Marginal Basins in the Northern South China Sea (in Chinese). Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang Baojia, Li Xushen, Wang Zhenfeng, et al. 2012. Source rock geochemistry and gas potential in the deep water area, Qiongdongnan Basin. China Offshore Oil and Gas (in Chinese), 24(4): 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt J M. 1996. Petroleum Geochemistry and Geology. 2nd ed. New York: W H Freeman

    Google Scholar 

  • Killops S, Killops V. 2005. Introduction to Organic Geochemistry. 2nd ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell

    Google Scholar 

  • Korkmaz S, Kara-Gülbay R, İztan Y H. 2013. Organic geochemistry of the Lower Cretaceous black shales and oil seep in the Sinop Basin, Northern Turkey: An oil-source rock correlation study. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 43: 272–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Xuxuan, Zhong Zhihong, Dong Weiliang, et al. 2006. Paleogene rift structure and its dynamics of Qiongdongnan Basin. Petroleum Exploration and Development (in Chinese), 33(6): 713–721

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang Gang, Gan Jun, Li Xing. 2015. Genetic types and origin of natural gas in Lingshui sag, Qiongdongnan Basin. China Offshore Oil and Gas (in Chinese), 27(4): 47–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Zhifeng, Wang Shenglan, Ding Liang, et al. 2016. Structural features of the northern depression belt in the Pearl River Mouth Basin. Journal of Geology (in Chinese), 40(1): 135–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Magoon L B, Dow W G. 1994. The Petroleum System-From Source to Trap (AAPG Memoir No. 60). Washington DC: AAPG

    Google Scholar 

  • Mashhadi Z S, Rabbani A R. 2015. Organic geochemistry of crude oils and Cretaceous source rocks in the Iranian sector of the Persian Gulf: An oil-oil and oil-source rock correlation study. International Journal of Coal Geology, 146: 118–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nie Fengjun, Jiang Meizhu, Wu Leqiang, et al. 2005. Tectono-magmatism and hot fluid flow in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea. Journal of East China Institute of Technology (in Chinese), 28(2): 107–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters K E, Walters C C, Moldowan J M. 2005. The Biomarker Guide Volume 2, Biomarkers and Isotopes in Petroleum Systems and Earth History. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu Zhongjian, Gong Zaisheng. 1999. Petroleum Exploration in China: Volume 4. Offshore Oil and Gas Area (in Chinese). Beijing: Geological Publishing House

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi Hesheng, He Min, Zhang Lili, et al. 2014. Hydrocarbon geology, accumulation pattern and the next exploration strategy in the eastern Pearl River Mouth Basin. China Offshore Oil and Gas (in Chinese), 26(3): 11–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Tissot B P, Welte D H. 1984. Petroleum Formation and Occurrence. 2nd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Qi, Du Lewei, Chen Gguojun, et al. 2010. Formation mechanism of carbonate cement in the Zhuhai Formation sandstone of Baiyun Sag. Acta Petrolei Sinica (in Chinese), 31(4): 553–558

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Zhenfeng, Sun Zhipeng, Zhang Yingzhao, et al. 2016. Distribution and hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism of the giant deepwater Central Canyon gas field in Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. China Petroleum Exploration (in Chinese), 21(4): 54–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Jianglin, Zhang Xinbing, Wu Jiangsheng, et al. 2002. Comprehensive geophysical research of basement structure in Zhujiangkou Basin. Journal of Tropical Oceanography (in Chinese), 21(2): 13–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Liyan, Gu Xinzhang, Shen Zhiwei, et al. 1986. Quantitative Evaluation of Rapid Pyrolysis for Source Rock. Beijing: Science Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu Junfeng, Pei Jianxiang, Xu Jing. 2009. New insight into oil and gas exploration in miocene and late Oligocene strata in Qiongdongnan Basin. Journal of Earth Science, 20(5): 811–823

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Yingzhao, Fan Caiwei, Xu Xinde, et al. 2015a. Genesis and sources of natural gas in eastern Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Petroleum Geology & Experiment (in Chinese), 37(4): 466–472, 478

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Wei, He Jiaxiong, Li Xiaotang, et al. 2015b. Petroleum system in Qiongdongnan Basin of the continental margin, the Northern South China Sea. Journal of Earth Sciences and Environment (in Chinese), 37(5): 80–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Gongcheng, Liu Zhen, Mi Lijun, et al. 2009. Sedimentary evolution of Paleogene series in deep water area of Zhujiangkou and Qiongdongnan Basin. Acta of Sedimentogica Sinica (in Chinese), 27(4): 632–641

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Gongcheng, Mi Lijun, Wu Jingfu, et al. 2010. Rises and their plunges: favorable exploration directions for major fields in the deepwater area, Qiongdongnan Basin. China Offshore Oil and Gas (in Chinese), 22(6): 360–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Weilin, Zhang Gongcheng, Gao Le. 2008. Geological characteristics and exploration objectives of hydrocarbons in the northern continental margin basin of South China Sea. Acta Petrolei Sinica (in Chinese), 29(1): 1–9

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resource and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing, 102249, China

    Gang Gao, Guo Chen & Wenzhe Gang

  2. Research Institute, CNOOC, Beijing, 100020, China

    Gongcheng Zhang & Huailei Shen

  3. Geophysical Exploration Research Institute of Huabei Oilfield Company, Renqiu, 062552, China

    Ke Zhao

Authors
  1. Gang Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gongcheng Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Guo Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wenzhe Gang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Huailei Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ke Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gang Gao.

Additional information

Foundation item: The National Key Science and Technology Special Project (13th Five Year Plan) of the Key Technology of Gas and Oil Exploration in Offshore Deep Water Area (Phase 3) under contract No. 2016Zx05026.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gao, G., Zhang, G., Chen, G. et al. Geochemistry of borehole cutting shale and natural gas accumulation in the deepwater area of the Zhujiang River Mouth-Qiongdongnan Basin in the northern South China Sea. Acta Oceanol. Sin. 37, 44–53 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-018-1151-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-018-1151-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation