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The Lower Cretaceous Shahezi Formation glutenite reservoirs in the Xujiaweizi Fault Depression are important tight gas reservoirs in the deep strata of the Songliao Basin. Their complex porosity and permeability relationships pose challenges to determining reservoir boundaries and evaluating reservoir grades. For the Shahezi Formation glutenite reservoirs, the water film thickness method, charge dynamics method, gas testing productivity method, and buoyancy balance method were used to determine theoretical lower limits, gas accumulation lower limits, effective flow lower limits, and reservoir-forming upper limits. The petrophysical values of the reservoir boundaries were determined based on the porosity and permeability relationships under different diagenetic controlling factors. On this basis, reservoir types were classified according to differences in microscopic pore structures, and a grading evaluation standard for tight reservoirs was established. This standard was then applied using logging data to provide a basis for selecting sweet spots in the tight gas exploration areas. The Shahezi Formation glutenite was divided into conventional reservoirs, Class Ⅰ-Ⅳ tight glutenite reservoirs, and non-reservoirs. The reservoir boundaries and classification evaluation results were well matched. Conventional reservoirs had porosity greater than 9% and permeability greater than 0.05×10-3 μm2. Class Ⅰ tight reservoirs had porosity of 8%-9% and permeability of (0.01-0.05)×10-3 μm2. Class Ⅱ tight reservoirs had porosity of 5%-8% and permeability of (0.001-0.01)×10-3 μm2. Class Ⅲ tight reservoirs had porosity of 3.5%-5% and permeability of (0.2-1)×10-3 μm2. Class Ⅳ tight reservoirs had porosity of 2%-3.5% and permeability of (0.05-0.2)×10-6 μm2. Non-reservoirs had porosity less than 2% and permeability less than 0.05×10-6 μm2. The gas production of tight glutenite was controlled by the reservoir type. Class Ⅰ and Class Ⅱ tight reservoirs were favorable high-yield layers. The thickness of favorable reservoirs in the Anda-Songzhan area of the northern Xujiaweizi Fault Depression was large, making it a sweet spot for tight gas exploration and development.

The gas-water distribution and production heterogeneity of tight gas reservoirs have been summarized from experimental and geological observations, but the charging and accumulation mechanisms have not been examined quantitatively by mathematical model. The tight gas charging and accumulation mechanisms were revealed from a combination of physical simulation of nuclear magnetic resonance coupling displacement, numerical simulation considering material and mechanical equilibria, as well as actual geological observation. The results show that gas migrates into tight rocks to preferentially form a gas saturation stabilization zone near the source-reservoir interface. When the gas source is insufficient, gas saturation reduction zone and uncharged zone are formed in sequence from the source-reservoir interface. The better the source rock conditions with more gas expulsion volume and higher overpressure, the thicker the gas saturation stabilization and reduction zones, and the higher the overall gas saturation. When the source rock conditions are limited, the better the tight reservoir conditions with higher porosity and permeability as well as larger pore throat, the thinner the gas saturation stabilization and reduction zones, but the gas saturation is high. The sweet spot of tight gas is developed in the high-quality reservoir near the source rock, which often corresponds to the gas saturation stabilization zone. The numerical simulation results by mathematical model agree well with the physical simulation results by nuclear magnetic resonance coupling displacement, and reasonably explain the gas-water distribution and production pattern of deep reservoirs in the Xujiaweizi fault depression of the Songliao Basin and tight gas reservoirs in the Linxing–Huangfu area of the Ordos Basin.

A quantitative evaluation model that integrates kerogen adsorption and clay pore adsorption of shale oil was proposed, and the evaluation charts of adsorption-swelling capacity of kerogen (Mk) and adsorbed oil capacity of clay minerals (Mc) were established, taking the 1st member of Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in the northern Songliao Basin as an example. The model and charts were derived from swelling oil experiments performed on naturally evolved kerogens and adsorbed oil experiments on clays (separated from shale core samples). They were constructed on the basis of clarifying the control law of kerogen maturity evolution on its adsorption-swelling capacity, and considering the effect of both the clay pore surface area that occupied by adsorbed oil and formation temperature. The results are obtained in four aspects: (1) For the Qing 1 Member shale, with the increase of maturity, Mk decreases. Given Ro of 0.83%–1.65%, Mk is about 50–250 mg/g. (2) The clay in shale adsorbs asphaltene. Mc is 0.63 mg/m2, and about 15% of the clay pore surface is occupied by adsorbed oil. (3) In the low to medium maturity stages, the shale oil adsorption is controlled by organic matter. When Ro>1.3%, the shale oil adsorption capacity is contributed by clay pores. (4) The oil adsorption capacity evaluated on the surface at room temperature is 8%–22% (avg. 15%) higher than that is held in the formations. The proposed evaluation model reveals the occurrence mechanisms of shale oils with different maturities, and provides a new insight for estimating the reserves of shale oil under formation temperature conditions.

To study the impact of faults on the enrichment and mobility of shale oil in the Gulong area, representative rock samples were selected in this paper. Based on geochemical data and chemical kinetics methods, coupled with shale oil enrichment and mobility analysis techniques, the shale oil generation quantity and in situ oil content were evaluated from the perspectives of shale oil generation and micro migration, and the mobility of shale oil was revealed. At the same time, the hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency (HEE) of shale was qualitatively and quantitatively characterized, combined with the development of faults. The research results indicate that the study area mainly develops organic-rich felsic (ORF)/organic-containing felsic (OCF) shale, their proportion in both wells exceeds 65%, and the resource amount is the largest in this type of lithofacies. The development of a fault controls the enrichment of shale oil, and the in situ oil content and oil saturation index (OSI) of the shale in well Y58, which is close to the fault, are significantly worse than those in well S2. Well Y58 has 9.52 mg/g and 424.83 mg/g TOC respectively, while well S2 has 11.34 mg/g and 488.73 mg/g TOC respectively. The fault enhanced the migration of shale oil, increasing the efficiency of oil expulsion. As a result, the components with weak polarity or small molecules, such as saturated hydrocarbons and low carbon number n-alkanes, are prone to migration, reducing the mobility of shale oil.

Based on the typical dissection of various onshore tight oil fields in China, the tight oil migration and accumulation mechanism and enrichment-controlling factors in continental lake basins are analyzed through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) displacement physical simulation and Lattice Boltzmann numerical simulation by using the samples of source rock, reservoir rock and crude oil. In continental lake basins, the dynamic forces driving hydrocarbon generation and expulsion of high-quality source rocks are the foundational power that determines the charging efficiency and accumulation effect of tight oil, the oil migration resistance is a key element that influences the charging efficiency and accumulation effect of tight oil, and the coupling of charging force with pore-throat resistance in tight reservoir controls the tight oil accumulation and sweet spot enrichment. The degree of tight oil enrichment in continental lake basins is controlled by four factors: source rock, reservoir pore-throat size, anisotropy of reservoir structure, and fractures. The high-quality source rocks control the near-source distribution of tight oil, reservoir physical properties and pore-throat size are positively correlated with the degree of tight oil enrichment, the anisotropy of reservoir structure reveals that the parallel migration rate is the highest, and intralayer fractures can improve the migration and accumulation efficiency and the oil saturation.

The research progress of isotopic fractionation in the process of shale gas/coalbed methane migration has been reviewed from three aspects: characteristics and influencing factors, mechanism and quantitative characterization model, and geological application. It is found that the isotopic fractionation during the complete production of shale gas/coalbed methane shows a four-stage characteristic of “stable-lighter-heavier-lighter again”, which is related to the complex gas migration modes in the pores of shale/coal. The gas migration mechanisms in shale/coal include seepage, diffusion, and adsorption/desorption. Among them, seepage driven by pressure difference does not induce isotopic fractionation, while diffusion and adsorption/desorption lead to significant isotope fractionation. The existing characterization models of isotopic fractionation include diffusion fractionation model, diffusion-adsorption/desorption coupled model, and multi-scale and multi-mechanism coupled model. Results of model calculations show that the isotopic fractionation during natural gas migration is mainly controlled by pore structure, adsorption capacity, and initial/boundary conditions of the reservoir rock. So far, the isotope fractionation model has been successfully used to evaluate critical parameters, such as gas-in-place content and ratio of adsorbed/free gas in shale/coal etc. Furthermore, it has shown promising application potential in production status identification and decline trend prediction of gas well. Future research should focus on: (1) the co-evolution of carbon and hydrogen isotopes of different components during natural gas migration, (2) the characterization of isotopic fractionation during the whole process of gas generation-expulsion-migration-accumulation-dispersion, and (3) quantitative characterization of isotopic fractionation during natural gas migration in complex pore-fracture systems and its application.

Oil and gas exploration professionals have begun to focus more on unconventional oil and gas reserves in recent years as a result of their increased efforts. Fractures have a significant impact on the permeability and connectivity of reservoirs as a crucial component of rock mechanics and hydraulics, which directly affects the production of oil and gas. The identification of fracture development zones or micro faults, as well as how to adequately define the fracturing model, have thus become crucial and pressing issues in the forecast of oil and gas reservoirs. In this study, we decompose the three-dimensional seismic data volume in a site in order to obtain the single frequency data volume that can be calculated using the ant tracking technique. We do this by taking advantage of the synchronous extrusion improvement of short time Fourier transform in time-frequency focusing. Coupled with the advanced DFN model, the extracted data are calibrated in various rock attributes to restore the morphology and characteristics of fractures. The findings demonstrate that this method is capable of providing not only a precise outline of micro fractures but also a reflection of the characteristics of fractures at various scales, including structure and associated properties. The precision and applicability of this method are confirmed in this paper, which is significant as a reference for the oil and gas exploration industry.

Abstract Geological processes alter pore spaces over time, and their analysis can shed light on the dynamic fractal structure and fluid flow of rocks over time. This study presents experimental evidence to illustrate that the pore fractal structure evolves with sedimentation, carbonate cementation, clay growth, and dissolution. It examines, describes and characterizes a suite of core samples from the Gaotaizi oil layer of the second and third members of the Qingshankou Formation, Songliao Basin, China. The effects of mechanical compaction and other diagenesis effects on fractal pore structure on sedimentary rocks are discussed. A schematic diagram is proposed that describes the impacts of these diagenetic processes on fractal pore structure at the microscopic scale in sedimentary rocks. This work links the state of diagenetic alteration and fractal pore structure, which can guide practical applications such as predicting the permeability of sedimentary rocks.

A total of nine immature–low maturity oil shale samples from Fushun and Maoming, the main oil shale producing areas in China, and three mature shale samples from the Jiyang Depression, China, were selected for use in hydrocarbon generation thermal simulation experiments in an open system and a closed system. The parallel first–order reaction kinetic model and the overall nth–order reaction kinetic model were used to calibrate the pyrolysis kinetic parameters of the samples. This comparative study revealed following conclusion. The generation period of the gaseous hydrocarbons (C1–5) was the longest, and the generation period of the heavy hydrocarbon (C14+) was the shortest. The activation energy of the hydrocarbon generation reaction was closely related to the maturity of the organic matter, i.e., the higher the maturity of the sample, the higher the activation energy of the reaction, which indicates that oil shale/shale oil conversion requires higher temperature conditions. The parallel first–order reaction model regards the hydrocarbon generation reaction as a series of first–order reactions, and it has a better fitting effect for the longer hydrocarbon generation period reactions, such as generating gaseous hydrocarbons (C1–5) and light components (C6–14) from organic matter. The overall nth–order reaction treats the reaction as a nth–order reaction, and the nth–order reaction has a better fitting effect for reactions with a narrow hydrocarbon generation window, such as generating heavy components from organic matter. In the process of generating hydrocarbons from organic matter, the order of the reaction is the sum of the orders of the sub–reactions. The more hydrocarbon–generating parent material, the higher order of hydrocarbon–generating reaction. The reaction order sequence of the generation of different hydrocarbons from organic matter is as follows: generation of gaseous hydrocarbons > generation of light hydrocarbons > generation of heavy hydrocarbons.

Overmature continental shales are widely distributed in China, while few investigations have been conducted. The pore structure is a critical parameter controlling the resource potential of shale gas. However, the pore structure and heterogeneity of continental shales from the Shahezi Formation, Xujiaweizi Fault, Songliao Basin are not well revealed. In this study, helium porosity and permeability, low-temperature N2 adsorption (NGA), mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were applied and characterized to the pore structures of continental shales. Moreover, the heterogeneity and complexity of the pore structure were revealed by the multifractal based on the NMR T2 spectrum. The results showed that clay minerals, quartz, and feldspar are the dominant minerals in the continental shales, and the most content of the clay minerals is the illite-smectite. The studied shales are the low porosity (mean 1.73%) and the ultralow permeability (mean 0.0707 mD) tight reservoirs. The hysteresis loops of ten shales belong to Types H2 and H3, characterized by high special surface area (mean 5.28 m2/g) and pore volume (mean 14.15×10−3 cm3/g). The pore size distributions are unimodal, and Type H3 shales have more larger pores than Type H2 shales. MICP results indicate that the pore-throats are almost less than 20 nm. NMR T2 spectra commonly show three peeks, i.e., p1 (20 ms) with the small T2,gm values, ranging from 0.18 ms to 1.36 ms (0.69 ms), which suggests that more nanopores are in the continental shales. Moreover, the average movable fluid percentage is low, ranging from 1.22% to 15.08% (mean 6.84%). The singularity strength range (Δα) shows that pore structures are heterogeneous. And the heterogeneity and complexity can be better revealed by the multifractal spectra rather than a monofractal model.

Polygonal faults (PFs) have been widely found in over 100 sedimentary basins worldwide, mainly in marine setting on continental margins and intracratonic sedimentary basins. PFs are characterized by layer-bound minor normal faults arranged in polygonal patterns and multi-direction strikes, most of which were developed in fine-grained sediments rich in claystone. The genesis mechanisms of PFs have been recognized as non-tectonic, mainly including shear failure, syneresis, density inversion, low coefficients of friction and gravity sliding theory. Previous studies often regarded PFs as conduits playing a role in favouring fluid migration, which were also regarded as fluid source expelled during PF generation. However, some researchers proposed that the PF-bearing layer is generally impermeable and may act as a seal. To better understand the role of PFs in fluid migration and their contrition to the shallower hydrocarbon accumulation, a geophysical review of global PFs case studies is conducted in this paper. A comprehensive analysis is carried out based on abundant case studies, with key parameters analyzed including the PFs characteristics (e.g., buried depth, lithology, size, etc.), formation mechanisms of PFs, tectonic-sedimentary setting, and the spatial relationship of PFs, nearby major fluid migration pathways and high amplitude anomalies. The compilation of global PF case studies of shows that hydrocarbon fluids from the deep is more likely to migrate upward through normal big faults, gas chimneys or unconformities surface around PFs. In most cases, PFs play limited roles in fluid migration, such as in South China Sea where hydrocarbon accumulations have been observed under the PFs and the PF-bearing layer may act as a seal trapping the free gas underneath. Generally, the role of PFs in fluid migration should be determined through a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of PFs, surrounding amplitude anomalies, hydrocarbon distribution, and even the sealing ability of PFs which needs further study. It is more likely that the PFs play a limited role in vertical fluid migration and related shallower hydrocarbon accumulation and distribution.

Estuaries are important sediment facies in the fluvial-to-marine transition zone, are strongly controlled by dynamic interactions of tides, waves, and fluvial flows, and show various changes in depositional processes and sediment distribution. Deep investigations on the sediment dynamic processes of the sand component of estuaries have been conducted; however, the understanding of how mud supply affects estuaries’ sedimentary characteristics and morphology is still in vague. Herein, the effects of mud concentration, mud transport properties, fluvial discharge, and tidal amplitude on the sedimentary characteristics of an estuary were systematically analyzed using sedimentary dynamic numerical simulation. The results show that the mud concentration has significant effects on the morphology of tidal channels in estuaries, which become more braided with a lower mud concentration, and straighter, with reduced channel migration, with a higher mud concentration. The mud transport properties, namely, setting velocity, critical bed shear stress for sedimentation, and erosion, mostly affect the ratio between the length and width (RLW) of the sand bar; a sheet-like sand bar with a lower RLW value develops in the lower settling velocity, while there are obvious strip shaped bars with a high RLW value in the higher settling velocity case. Moreover, the effects of hydrodynamic conditions on sedimentary distribution were analyzed by changing the tidal amplitudes and fluvial discharges. The results show that a higher tidal amplitude is often accompanied by a stronger tidal energy, which induces a more obvious seaward progradation, while a higher fluvial discharge usually yields a higher deposition rate and yields a greater deposition thickness. From the above numerical simulations, the statistical characteristics of tidal bars and mud interlayers were further obtained, which show good agreement with modern sedimentary characteristics. This study suggests that sedimentary dynamic numerical simulation can provide insights into an efficient quantitative method for analyzing the effects of mud components on the sediment processes of estuaries.