The newly discovered Yanchang gas field in the Ordos Basin, central China

Abstract

The Yanchang gas field is located in the Ordos Basin of central China to the southeast of the Yishan Slope, covers an exploration area of 2.6×10⁴ km² and has approximately 3.5×10¹¹ m³ of gas reserves. The gas field is dominated by lithologic gas reservoirs but also has a few structural gas reservoirs. Sand bodies were deposited in the Carboniferous Benxi Formation around offshore barrier islands and in distributary channel fillings in the delta front of the P₁ s ₂ and P₁ s ₁ divisions of the Permian Shanxi Formation. The P₂ h ₈ division of the Shihezi Formation contains the main reservoirs. The depths of the reservoirs are between 1 970 and 3 500 m. The Yanchang gas field can be classified as a typical tight sandstone gas reservoir filed because its porosity is lower than 10% and permeability lower than 1 mD. The discovery and development of the Yanchang gas field has led to a great increase in total natural gas reserves in the Ordos Basin. Its exploration has improved methods of locating large gas fields in deep-water depositional environments in the south part of the basin.

Keywords

Yanchang gas field / Ordos Basin / Central China / tight gas reservoir / lithologic reservoir / gas in coal-bearing strata

References

[1] Arthur S., Brian B., Steve R., . Reservoir Characteristics of Devoniancherts and Their Control on Oil Recovery: Dollarhide Field, West Texas. AAPG Bulletin, 2001, 85(1): 35-50.

[2] Chen H. D., Li J., Zhang C. G., . Discussion of Sedimentary Environment and Its Geological Enlightenment of Shanxi Formation in Ordos Basin. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 2011, 27(8): 2213-2229.

[3] Chen M. J., Wang Z. C., Guo Y. R., . Late Paleozoic Sedimentary Systems and Gas Potential in the South Ordos Basin. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2006, 33(1): 1-5.

[4] Chen Q. H., Li K. Y., Zhang D. F., . The Relationship between Fan Delta and Hydrocarbon Accumulation in Benxi-Taiyuan Formation, Ordos Basin. Geology in China, 2010, 37(2): 421-429.

[5] Deng K., Zhang S. N., Zhou L. F., . Formation and Tectonic Evolution of the Paleozoic Central Paleo-Uplift of Ordos Basin and Its Implications for Oil and Gas Exploration. Geotectonica et Metaiiogenia, 2011, 35(2): 190-197.

[6] Fu J. H., Wei X. S., Ren J. F. Distribution and Genesis of Large-Scale Upper Palaeozoiclithologic Gas Reservoirs on Yi-Shaan Slope. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2008, 35(6): 664-667.

[7] Fu J. H., Yao J. L., Liu X. S. Evaluation of the Natural Gas Rresources in the Palaeozoic of the Ordos Basin, 2010 Xi’an: PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company

[8] Guo J., Chen H. D., Wang F., . Main Controlling Factors of Taiyuan Formation Sand Body Distribution in Ordos Basin. Fault-Block Oil and Gas Field, 2012, 19(5): 568-571.

[9] Guo Y. H., Liu H. J. Transgression of Late Paleozoic Era in Ordos Area. Journal of China Universtiy of Mining &Technology, 1999, 28(2): 126-129.

[10] Huang J. S., Zhen C. B., Zhang J. Origin of the Central Paleo Uplift in E’Eduosi Basin. Natural Gas Industry, 2005, 25(4): 23-26.

[11] Jiang Z. X., Xu J., Chen Z. Y., . Sedimentary Systems and Their Iinfluences on Gas Distribution in the Second Nember and Third Member of the Permian Xiashihezi Formation in the Daniudi Gas Field, Ordos Basin, China. Energy Exploration and Exploitation, 2011, 29(1): 59-75.

[12] Li D. S. Return to Petroleum Geology of Ordos Basin. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2004, 31(6): 1-7.

[13] Liu C. Y., Zhao H. G., Gui X. J., . Space-Time Coordinates of the Evolution and Reformation and Mineralization Response in Ordos Basin. Acta Geologica Sinica, 2006, 80(5): 617-636.

[14] Peng H. Y., Chen H. D., Xiang F., . Application of Trace Element Analysis on Sedimentary Environment Identification——An Example from the Permian Shanxi Formation in Eastern Ordos Basin. Xinjiang Geology, 2006, 24(2): 202-205.

[15] Pu R. H., Yao Z. H., Zhang Y. C. Signification and Effect of Paleozoic Evolution Field Formation in E’Erduosi Basin. Natural Gas Industry, 2000, 20(6): 27-29.

[16] Qu H. J., Ma Q., Gao S. L., . Controls of Provenance and Depositional Facies on Sand Body Distributions of the Upper Paleozoic in Southeast Ordos Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 2011, 29(5): 825-834.

[17] Wang Y., Bao Z. D., Li Y. X. Pore Evolution and Controlling Factors in Reservoirs of Palaeogene in West Depression. Journal of Daqing Petroleum Institute., 2008, 32(1): 9-11.

[18] Wang Z. C., Chen M. J., Wang Z., . Simulation Analysis on Formation Mechanism of Coal-Formed Gas Reservoir in Intercratonic Depression of the Upper Paleozoic in Ordos Basin. Acta Petrolia Sinica, 2006, 27(1): 8-12.

[19] Xi S. L., Li W. H., Liu X. S., . Sedimentary Characteristics of Shallow Water Delta of the Lower Permian Taiyuan Formation in Shenmu Area, Ordos Basin. Journal of Paleography, 2009, 11(2): 187-194.

[20] Xiao J. X., Sun F. F., He N. X., . Permian Shanxi Formation and Member 8 of Xiashihezi Formation in Ordos Basin: Paleogeography and Catchment Area for Sediments Derived from North and South Provenances. Journal of Paleography, 2008, 10(4): 341-354.

[21] Xiao X. M., Zhao B. Q., Thu Z. L., . Upper Paleozoic Petroleum System, Ordos Basin, China. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2005, 22(8): 945-963.

[22] Xie A. G., Zhang Q. L., Pan M. B., . Two Different Genetic Types of Paleo Uplift in the Ordos Basin and Its Significance in Oil and Gas Exploration. Geological Bulletin of China, 2005, 24(4): 373-377.

[23] Xing H. S., Xiao H. P., Sun F. J., . Sedimentary Facies of Member 2 of Shanxi Formation of Lower Permian in the Middle-Eastern Ordos Basin. Petroleum Geology and Experiment, 2008, 30(4): 345-351.

[24] Xu L. M., Zhou L. F., Zhang Y. K., . Characteristics and Tectonic Setting of Tectono-Stress Field of Ordos Basin. Geotectonica et Metaiiogenia, 2006, 30(4): 455-462.

[25] Yang H., Fu J. H., Wei X. S., . Sulige Field in the Ordos Basin: Geological Setting, Field Discovery and Tight Gas Reservoirs. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2008, 25: 387-400.

[26] Yang H., Fu J. H., Liu X. S., . Accumulation Conditions, Exploration and Development of Tight Gas in the Upper Paleozoic of the Ordos Basin. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2012, 39(3): 295-303.

[27] Yang J. J. Tectonic Evolution and Oil and Gas Distribution in Ordos Basin, 2002 Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 15-16.

[28] Yang Y. T., Li W., Ma L. Tectonic and Stratigraphic Controls of Hydrocarbon Systems in the Ordos Basin: A Multicyclecratonic Basin in Central China. AAPG Bulletin, 2005, 89(2): 255-269.

[29] Yu B., Luo X. M., Qiao X. Y., . Influential Factor and Characteristics of Shan-2 Member of Shanxi Formation in Yanchang Oil-Gas Field, Ordos Basin. Journal of Central South University, 2012, 43(10): 3931-3937.

[30] Zhang F. L. Relation of Multicycles to Oil and Natural Gas in the Ordos Basin. Petroleum Geology & Experiment, 2004, 26(2): 138-142.

[31] Zhang G. S., Zhao W. Z., Yang T., . Resource Evaluation, Position and Distribution of Tight Sandstone Gas in China. Engineering Science, 2012, 14(6): 87-93.

[32] Zhang J. S. Tectonic Evolution of Ordos Basin and Its Oil and Gas Potential. Oil and Gas Geology, 1982, 3(4): 304-313.

[33] Zhang S. C., Zhu G. Y. Natural Gas Origins of Large and Medium-Scale Gas Fields in China Sedimentary Basin. Science in China D: Earth Science, 2008, 55(1): 1-13.

[34] Zhang X. L. Sedimentary Facies Evolution of Upper Palaeozoic Formation in Ordos Basin. Journal of Earth Sciences and Environment, 2005, 27(3): 26-29.

[35] Zhang Z. L., Sun K. Q., Yin J. R. Sedimentology and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Shanxi Formation(Lower Permian) in the Northwestern Ordos Basin, China: an Alternative Sequence Model for Fluvial Strata. Sedimentary Geology, 1997, 112: 123-136.

[36] Zhao H., Dang B., Li W. H. Characteristics of Upper Palaeozoic Delta Deposits in East-Central Ordos Basin. Natural Gas Industry, 2006, 26(1): 26-29.

[37] Zhao J. Z., Wang L., Sun B. H., . Effect of Structural Evolution on The Formation and Distribution of Upper Paleozoic Giant Gas Fields in the East Ordos Basin. Natural Gas Geoscience, 2010, 21(6): 875-881.

[38] Zhao J. Z., Fu J. H., Yao J. L., . Quasi-Continuous Accumulation Model of Large Tight Sandstone Gas Field in Ordos Basin. Acta Petrolia Sinica, 2012, 33(1): 37-52.

[39] Zhao W. Z., Wang Z. C., Chen M. J., . Formation Mechanism of the High-Quality Upper Paleozoic Natural Gas Reservoirs in the Ordos Basin. Acta Geologica Sinica, 2005, 79(6): 843-855.

[40] Zhao Y. D., Yao J. L., Sun B.N., . Evidence of Oil Sources and Migration in Triassic-Jurassic Reservoirs in the South Tianhuan Depression of the Ordos Basin, China Based on Analysis of Biomarkers and Nitrogen-Bearing Compounds. Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 2014, 88: 1798-1810.

[41] Zhao Z. Y., Gu Y. R., Wang Y., . Study Progress in Tectonic Evolution and Paleogeography of Ordos Basin. Special Oil and Gas Reservoirs, 2012, 19(5): 15-20.

[42] Zhou J. S., Zhao Q. P., Yin X., . Sedimentary Characteristics of Carboniferous Benxi Formation, Southeastern Ordos Basin. Natural Gas Exploration &Development, 2012, 35(2): 13-21.

[43] Zhu H. T., Chen K. Y., Liu K. Y., . A Sequence Stratigraphic Model for Reservoir Sand-Body Distribution in the Lower Permian Shanxi Formation in the Ordos Basin, Northern China. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2008, 25: 731-743.

[44] Zou C. N., Tao S. Z., Yang Z., . New Advance in Unconventional Petroleum Exploration and Research in China. Bulletin of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, 2012, 31(4): 312-322.