This study evaluated the hydrocarbon-bearing potential of Upper Jurassic marine source rocks in the Qiangtang (羌塘) Basin through a comprehensive organic geochemical analysis of the samples from a large number of outcrops in different structural units to predict the location of favorable hydro- carbon kitchens, based on the evaluation standards of Mesozoic marine source rocks in the Qiangtang Ba- sin. Rocks' depositional environment, thickness and organic geochemistry feature were analyzed in this study. The principal controlling factors of the occurrences of favorable source rocks were analyzed. Upper Jurassic Suowa (索瓦) Formation source rocks are mainly platform limestone in the Dongcuo (洞错)-Hulu (葫芦) Lake deep sag and Tupocuo (吐坡错)-Baitan (白滩) Lake deep sag. Lithologically, the Suowa Fro- mation is made up of a suite of marls in intra-platform sags, micrites and black shales, which were all de- posited in the closed, deep and static water depositional environment. Marl could form hydrocarbon-rich source rocks and its organic matter type is mainly II type in mature to highly-mature stage, the limestone forms a medium-level source rock. In addition, the favorable source kitchen of limestone is larger than that of mudstone. This study provides an important reference for the evaluation of Jurassic marine source rocks and for prediction of petroleum resources in the Qiangtang Basin.
In this paper, the analysis of faults with different scales and orientations reveals that the distribution of fractures always develops toward a higher degree of similarity with faults, and a method for calculating the multiscale areal fracture density is proposed using fault-fracture self-similarity theory. Based on the fracture parameters observed in cores and thin sections, the initial apertures of multiscale fractures are determined using the constraint method with a skewed distribution. Through calculations and statistical analyses of in situ stresses in combination with physical experiments on rocks, a numerical geomechanical model of the in situ stress field is established. The fracture opening ability under the in situ stress field is subsequently analyzed. Combining the fracture aperture data and areal fracture density at different scales, a calculation model is proposed for the prediction of multiscale and multiperiod fracture parameters, including the fracture porosity, the magnitude and direction of maximum permeability and the flow conductivity. Finally, based on the relationships among fracture aperture,density, and the relative values of fracture porosity and permeability, a fracture development pattern is determined.
Jing-Shou LiuWen-Long DingJun-Sheng DaiYang GuHai-Meng YangBo Sun