Welcome to visit Geoscience!

Geoscience ›› 2017, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (04): 779-790.

• Energy Geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Origin of Salt Minerals and Oil-gas Geological Significance of $\mathbf{E}_{3}{ }^{2}$ Reservoirs in Saline Lacustrine Basin of the Yingxi Area, Qaidam Basin

HUANG Chenggang1,2(), LI Zhiyong2, NI Xianglong2, MA Xinming2, ZHANG Shiming2, GAO Yanfang2, YANG Sen2, CUI Jun3, WU Kunyu3   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Reservoir Description, CNPC,Lanzhou,Gansu 730020,China
    2. Northwest Branch of Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Lanzhou, Gansu 730020,China
    3. Research Institute of Exploration & Development, PetroChina Qinghai Oilfield Company,Dunhuang,Gansu 736202,China
  • Received:2016-12-21 Revised:2017-02-18 Online:2017-08-10 Published:2017-09-15

Abstract:

In recent years, an important discovery in exploration has been made in $\mathbf{E}_{3}{ }^{2}$ of Oligocene in Yingxi area of Western Qaidam Basin. Based on core observation, systemic microscopic characteristics analysis, mineralogy analysis and geochemical analysis, the salt minerals characteristics, origin and role in the process of hydrocarbon accumulation in Oligocene in saline lacustrine basin are systematically studied in the Yingxi area of Qaidam Basin。 (1)In this area, there are 4 important salt minerals, halite, gypsum, glauberite and celestite, which are gathered to form saline layers with certain thickness, or developed in matrix carbonate rock in the form of mineral particles. In upper reservoir group in middle of saline layers, the saline layers are thicker, and mainly rock salt, where thin oil layers are developed. In lower reservoir groups, the saline layers are thinner, and mainly gypsum. (2)Salt minerals has geochemical characteristics of ‘low content of Mn’, the matrix carbonate rock associated with salt minerals has ‘low temperature’ C-O isotope geochemical characteristics, petrological characteristics without the hydrothermal minerals and distribution characteristics of a very wide range. All of the above characteristics show the salt minerals in this area are typical deposition type in saline lacustrine basin, not hydrothermal brine precipitation type. (3)‘salt’ plays an important role in the process of hydrocarbon accumulation. Salt minerals play roles of filling crack and roles in sealing of preventing dissipation of oil and gas. Salt layers play a role in sealing and covering due to high capillary breakthrough pressure and plastic characteristics. Salt minerals promote the secondary pore development in dolomite and negative effect is occupying certain reservoir space. So the results of this research can provide an important guidance for oil and gas exploration in subsalt layer of saline lacustrine carbonate rocks.

Key words: Qaidam Basin, Yingxi area, saline lacustrine basin, $\mathbf{E}_{3}{ }^{2}$, salt mineral, role of sealing andcovering

CLC Number: