Hydrocarbon evolution of the Cambrian Qiongzhusi shale in the ZizhongWeiyuan Region, Sichuan Basin
LI Hai, ZHAO Wentao, LIU Wenlei, LI Qixin, TANG Zijun, FAN Qingqing, LIU Dadong, ZHAO Shuai, JIANG Zhenxue, TANG Xianglu.
1 Shu’nan Gas-mine Field, Southwest Oil & Gas Field Branch Company of PetroChina, Luzhou 646000, China 2 State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China 3 Unconventional Petroleum Research Institute, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
The Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation in the Sichuan Basin exhibits significant shale gas resource potential, with major exploration breakthroughs achieved in the Deyang-Anyue rift sag. However, the complex hydrocarbon accumulation processes under multi-phase tectonic activities have constrained the optimization of shale gas enrichment zones and efficient exploration and development. This study focuses on typical Qiongzhusi Formation shale gas reservoirs in the Zizhong-Weiyuan area of the Deyang-Anyue Rift Sag. Through petrographic observations of fracture veins, fluid inclusion thermometry, laser Raman analysis, and basin modeling, the evolutionary processes and differences in shale gas accumulation in the Zizhong-Weiyuan area were elucidated. Results reveal three distinct stages of fracture vein development in the Cambrian Qiongzhusi shale: Stage I veins formed during the late Caledonian movement (ca.420~405 Ma), containing abundant primary bitumen inclusions indicative of peak oil generation; Stage II veins developed during the Indosinian movement (ca.235~215 Ma), characterized by both primary bitumen and methane inclusions reflecting high-to-over mature shale conditions; Stage III veins formed during the Yanshanian–Himalayan reservoir preservation and adjustment stage, predominantly hosting primary methane inclusions. The Weiyuan and Zizhong areas exhibit vein formation during the Late Cretaceous (ca.75~60 Ma) and Eocene (ca.45~35 Ma), respectively. This may due to that the Weiyuan area is situated in the aulacogen margin, whereas the Zizhong area is located in the inner zone of aulacogen. Therefore, the Weiyuan area began to uplift ~10 Ma before the Zizhong area during the Yanshannian orogeny. Additionally, the Zizhong area benefits from superior basal sealing by the Maidiping Formation, forming an effective gas containment system. Its location on the intra-sag slope belt features less developed faults and fractures compared to the Weiyuan anticlinal region. These combined factors contribute to the overall superior gas-bearing characteristics of the Qiongzhusi Formation in the intra-sag Zizhong area relative to the sag-margin Weiyuan area.