Hydrocarbon–helium coupled accumulation processes and formation mechanisms of helium-rich gas fields in the southwestern Ordos basin

Abstract

Helium is a critical strategic resource, with industrial helium primarily derived from helium-rich natural gas fields. Numerous large-scale natural gas fields with variable helium concentrations have been identified in the Ordos Basin through geological exploration. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the differential helium enrichment in the southwestern Ordos Basin, this study conducted a systematic investigation into the geological settings, hydrocarbon charging histories, and geochemical signatures of three representative areas(C-Area, Q-Area, and L-Area) in this region. The results show that helium concentrations in the C-Area are significantly higher than those in the Q-Area and L-Area. Inorganic geochemical tracers suggest that the C-Area underwent a more pronounced influx of paleo-fluids. Integrated with carbon isotope data, our analysis reveals that natural gases in C-Area and Q-Area are mixtures of coal-derived gas and oil-derived gas with varying proportions, whereas those in L-Area are mixtures of coal-derived gas from different geological periods. Owing to differences in fault systems and hydrocarbon charging histories, compared with Q-Area, the O₂mj in C-Area experienced intense early-stage hydrocarbon charging. This charging process, accompanied by helium-rich paleofluids migrating upward via basin-scale faults, facilitated the migration of deep helium into the reservoirs. Conversely, the L-Area lacks the requisite hydrocarbon-driven transport effect for deep helium. These differences in hydrocarbon charging and paleofluid migration collectively led to the differential helium enrichment in the southwestern Ordos Basin.

Keywords

Helium / Geochemistry / Isotope analysis / Ordos basin / Enrichment mechanism

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Yuhang Wu: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Validation, Software, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Rui Kang: Visualization, Supervision, Resources, Project administration, Data curation. Shutong Li: Supervision, Resources, Formal analysis, Data curation. Shixin Zhou: Supervision, Resources, Methodology, Conceptualization. Jing Li: Supervision, Resources, Methodology, Conceptualization. Hao Wang: Validation, Software, Resources. Cong: Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. Yuan Rui: Validation, Software, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. Shizhen Tao: Software, Funding acquisition, Formal analysis. Furong Li: Supervision, Software, Methodology. Haiyan Su: Supervision, Resources, Funding acquisition, Formal analysis, Data curation.

Declaration of competing interest

No conflict of interest exists in the submission of this manuscript, and manuscript is approved by all authors for publication. I would like to declare on behalf of my co-authors that the work described was original research that has not been published previously, and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42372178 and 42172178), the Project of Stable Support for Youth Team in Basic Research Field, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. YSBR-017)

References

[1] S.T. Anderson , Economics, helium, and the US federal helium reserve: summary and outlook, Nat. Resour. Res. 27 (4) (2018) 455-477.

[2] J.E. Hamak , B. Gage , Helium Resources of the United States, 1991, US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, 1993.

[3] B.A. Mamyrin , I.N. Tolstikhin , Helium Isotopes in nature, Elsevier, 2013.

[4] E.R. Oxburgh, R.K. O’nions, R. Hill, Helium isotopes in sedimentary basins, Nature (1986) 632-635.

[5] S.F. Qin , J.Y. Li , J.M. Wang , et al. , Helium enrichment models of helium-rich natural gas reservoirs in petroleum-bearing basins of China, Nat. Gas. Ind. 42 (7) (2022) 125-134.

[6] Y.H. Li , W. Zhang , L. Wang , F.H. Zhao , et al. , Henry's law and weak-source accumulation of crust-derived helium: a case study of the weihe basin, Nat. Gas Geosci. 28 (4) (2017) 495-501.

[7] D. Danabalan, Helium: Exploration Methodology for a Strategic Resource, Durham University, 2017.

[8] A. Brown, Origin of helium and nitrogen in the panhandle-hugoton field of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, United States, AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull. 103 (2) (2019) 369-403.

[9] Brown, Formation of High Helium Gases: a Guide for Explorationists, 2008.

[10] R.F. Broadhead , Helium in new Mexico-Geologic distribution, resource demand, and exploration possibilities, N. M. Geol. 27 (4) (2005) 93-101.

[11] S.J. Maione , Helium exploration-A 21st Century Challenge, 2004.

[12] D. Katz, Source of helium in natural gases, US Bur Mines Inf Circ 8417 (1969) 242-256.

[13] A.P. Pierce , G.B. Gott , J.W. Mytton , H. Faul , Uranium and Helium in the Panhandle Gas Field, Texas, and Adjacent Areas, US Government Printing Office, 1964.

[14] T. Gold, M. Held, Helium-nitrogen-methane systematics in natural gases of Texas and Kansas, J. Petrol. Geol. 10 (4) (1987) 415-424.

[15] C.J. Ballentine , B.S. Lollar , Regional groundwater focusing of nitrogen and noble gases into the Hugoton-Panhandle giant gas field, USA, Geochem. Cosmochim. Acta 66 (14) (2002) 2483-2497.

[16] Y.H. Li , W. Zhang , L. Wang , et al. , Issues and accumulation models of crust-derived helium reservoirs, J. Xi'an Univ. Sci. Technol. 37 (4) (2017) 565-572.

[17] H. Yang, J.H. Fu, X.S Liu, et al., Hydrocarbon accumulation conditions and exploration & development of tight gas in the upper Paleozoic of the ordos Basin, Petrol. Explor. Dev. 39 (3) (2012) 295-303.

[18] S.L. Xi, W. Yan, X.S. Liu, et al., New domains, new types and resource potential of natural gas exploration in the ordos Basin, Acta Pet. Sin. 45 (1) (2024) 33-51.

[19] H.D. Wang , C.L. Liu , et al. , Helium enrichment model of multi-source helium supply in a paleouplift setting: a case study of the qingyang gas field in the ordos basin, Nat. Gas Geosci. 36 (3) (2025) 430-443, https://doi.org/10.11764/j.issn.1672-1926.2024.08.003.

[20] Y. Chen, S. Tao, J. Gao, Y. Yang, R. Kang, et al., Genesis, source, and enrichment factors of helium in qingyang gas field, ordos basin, Energy Explor. Exploit. 43 (8) (2025) 1-18.

[21] H. Yang, S.L. Xi, X.S. Wei, et al., Evolution and natural gas enrichment of the ordos polycyclic superimposed basin, China Petroleum Exploration (1) (2006) 17-24.

[22] Y. Gao, Q.Y. Liu, X.Q. Wu, et al., Research on the difference of crustal helium accumulation in Dongsheng and Daniudi gas fields, ordos basin, Nat. Gas Geosci. 34 (10) (2023) 1790-1800.

[23] F.Q. He, F.B. Wang, J. Wang, et al., Helium distribution of Dongsheng gas field in Ordos Basin and discover of a super large helium-rich gas field, Petroleum Geology & Experiment 44 (1) (2002).

[24] M. Cao, Q. Zhang, Y. Tang, Z.Lv Yang, et al., Noble gas isotopic variations and geological implication of Longmaxi shale gas in Sichuan Basin, China, Mar. Petrol. Geol. 89 (2018) 38-46.

[25] V.P. Yakutseni , Intensivnoe gazonakoplenie v nedrakh, Nauka, Leningradskoe otdelenie, 1984.

[26] J.X. Dai , Y. Ni , S. Qin , S. Huang , D. Gong , et al. , Geochemical characteristics of He and CO₂ from the Ordos (cratonic) and Bohaibay (rift) basins in China, Chem. Geol. 469 (2017) 192-213.

[27] J.X. Dai , X.Y. Xia , S.F. Qin , et al. , Genesis of carbon Isotope Series Reversal of organic alkane gases in China, Oil Gas Geol. 1 (2003) 1-6.

[28] C.J. Ballentine , P.G. Burnard , Production, release and transport of noble gases in the continental crust, Rev. Mineral. Geochem. 47 (1) (2002) 481-538.

[29] J.H. Fu , X.S. Wang , S.S. Li , Discovery and geological knowledge of the large deep coal-formed Qingyang Gas Field, Ordos Basin, NW China, Petrol. Explor. Dev. 46 (6) (2019) 1111-1126.

[30] Z.Q. Dai , H. Xu , L. Wang , W. Gong , et al. , Reservoir characteristics and controlling factors of Shan 1 member in Qingyang gas field, Ordos Basin, Xinjing Pet. Geol. 43 (3) (2022) 285.

[31] A. Fuex, The use of stable carbon isotopes in hydrocarbon exploration, J. Geochem. Explor. 7 (1977) 155-188.

[32] J.X. Dai , J. Li , X. Luo , et al. , Characteristics of carbon isotope composition of Alkane gases in large gas fields of the ordos Basin and Their gas source correlation, Acta Pet. Sin. 1 (2005) 18-26.

[33] T. Zhang, X. Wang, K. Lu, Y. Wang, X. Chen, W. Zhang, et al., Geochemical characteristics and genesis of the Paleozoic natural gas in the southern Ordos Basin, China, J. Nat. Gas Geosci. 10 (2) (2025) 101-109.

[34] J.X. Dai , Identification of various alkanes gases, Science China 2 (1992) 185-193.

[35] X.Y. Xia , C.Y. Li , L. Zhao , Influence of natural gas mixed-source effect on isotope-based source identification, Petrol. Explor. Dev. 3 (1998) 105-106.

[36] D.T. Halford , Isotopic Analyses of Helium from Wells Located in the Four Corners Area, Colorado School of Mines, Southwestern, US, 2018.

[37] C.L. Liu , Z.G. Ding , J.F. Chen , et al. , Characteristics and helium-generating potential of helium source rocks in the Ordos Basin, Oil Gas Geol. 44 (6) (2023) 1546-1554.

[38] R. Kang, L.Y. Fan, J. Hui, et al., Evaluation on the effectiveness of potential helium source rocks in the Qingyang gas field, ordos Basin, Nat. Gas Geosci. 36 (3) (2025) 413-429, https://doi.org/10.11764/j.issn.1672-1926.2024.10.001.

[39] L.Y. Fan , C.A. Shan , J.B. Li , et al. , Distribution of helium resources in Ordos Basin based on magnetic data, J. Nat. Gas Geosci. 34 (10) (2023) 1780-1789, https://doi.org/10.11764/j.issn.1672-1926.2023.06.002.

[40] K. Wang, Study on Tectonic Characteristics and Natural Gas Preservation Conditions of the Lower Paleozoic in the Southern Ordos Basin, Northwest University, China, 2021.

[41] J.H. Fu , Reservoir-Forming Conditions and Enrichment Laws of Natural Gas in the Upper Paleozoic of the Ordos Basin, Northwest University, China, 2004.

[42] Y.C. Xu , X.B. Wang , R.M. Wu , et al. , Noble gas isotopes in natural gas, Geochimica 4 (1979) 271-282.

[43] S. Brennan, J. East, K. Dennen, H. Jahediesfanjani, B. Varela, Helium concentrations in United States wells, US Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2021 (2021) 5085.

[44] A.R. Cheng , B. Sherwood , J.G. Gluyas , C.J. Ballentine , Primary N2-He gas field formation in intracratonic sedimentary basins, Nature 615 (7950) (2023) 94-99.

[45] LiuQ. Lip, ZhuD. ZhuD, WuX. ZhouZ, LvJ. MengQ, Y. Gao, Distributionsand accumulation mechanismsof helium in petroliferous basins, Sci. China Earth Sci. 67 (10) (2024) 3143-3168.

[46] C.L. Liu , S.J. Hong , X.P. Wang , et al. , Progress and prospect of helium exploration and development in China, Oil Gas Geol. 46 (3) (2025) 777-789, https://doi.org/10.11743/ogg20250306.

[47] B. You, J.F. Chen, H. Xiao, et al., Accumulation models and key conditions of crustal-derived helium-rich gas reservoirs, J. Natural Gas Geoscience 34 (4) (2023) 672-683, https://doi.org/10.11764/j.issn.1672-1926.2022.11.002.

[48] X.Y. Xu , Study on fault structures and Their reservoir-controlling effects in the ordos Basin, China University of Petroleum (East China) (2020).

[49] R.Y. Ma , H.P. Zhu , D.F. Zhang , et al. , Study on basement faults and Their modern activity in the ordos Basin, J. Earth Sci. Environ. 31 (4) (2009) 400-408.

[50] Z.J. He , Study on the Application of Integrated Gravity-Magnetic Processing and Interpretation in the Regional Tectonics of the Ordos Basin, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 2013.

[51] W.Q. Hu , Study on Geochemical Characteristics of Natural Gas Accumulation in the Upper Paleozoic of the Southwestern Ordos Basin, Xi'an Shiyou University, 2015.

[52] M. Ozima, F.A. Podosek, Noble Gas Geochemistry, Cambridge University Press, 2002.

[53] W. Zhang, Study on the Accumulation Mechanism of Strategic Helium Resources in the Guanzhong and Northern Qaidam Margin Areas, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, 2019.

[54] R.J. Zhu , R.X. Li , X.S. Liu , et al. , Diagenetic evolution characteristics and physical property evolution of tight sandstone gas reservoirs in the upper Paleozoic of the Southwestern ordos Basin, J. Lanzhou Univ. 57 (5) (2021) 637-649.

[55] P. Byrne, M. Barry, C. Lawson, Ballentine, The use of noble gas isotopes to constrain subsurface fluid flow and hydrocarbon migration in the East Texas Basin, Geochem. Cosmochim. Acta 268 (2020) 186-208.

[56] K. Mtili, D. Byrne, R. Tyne, E. Kazimoto, C. Kimani, C. Kasanzu, D. Hillegonds, C. Ballentine, P. Barry, The origin of high helium concentrations in the gas fields of southwestern Tanzania, Chem. Geol. 585 (2021) 120542.

[57] S. Smith, B. Kennedy, The solubility of noble gases in water and in NaCl brine, Geochem. Cosmochim. Acta 47 (3) (1983) 503-515.

[58] J.K. Mi , Migration and Accumulation Characteristics of Natural Gas Reservoirs in the Upper Paleozoic of the Ordos Basin, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry), 2003.

[59] W.Q. Hu , J.Z. Zhao , J. Li , et al. , Characteristics of hydrocarbon source rocks in the upper Paleozoic of the Southwestern ordos Basin and Their controlling effects on the Formation and distribution of natural gas reservoirs, Nat. Gas Geosci. 26 (6) (2015) 1068-1075, https://doi.org/10.11764/j.issn.1672-1926.2015.06.1068.

[60] B.I. Lee , M.G. Kesler , A generalized thermodynamic correlation based on three-parameter corresponding states, AIChE J. 21 (3) (1975) 510-527.