Evaluation of the petroleum source rock potential of samples from the Shichuan Basin, P.R. China

Organic geochemical analysis, organic petrology and fluid inclusion methods were employed to investigate a series of cuttings and cores from a single well for evaluation of the oil-generating potential of the Guangan structure in the Shichuan Basin. Information was obtained on the abundance and type of kerogens in the Mesozoic and Paleozoic strata in the region; the fluid inclusion study provided information about the maturity of organic matter in the samples. The results show that the Jurassic shales, as well as the Permian and Carboniferous carbonates, have good oil- and gas-generating potential. In addition, the Jurassic source rocks were shown to have reached the stage of oil generation, whereas the Permian and Carboniferous source rocks have reached the zone of gas generation. Evidence is given to show that the Carboniferous carbonates may be good petroleum reservoirs in this area.