Mechanism and Distribution of Calcareous Interbeds in Songtao Uplift and Its Periphery of Qiongdongnan Basin ()
1. Introduction
Interlayers refer to impervious bed or low-permeability layer within the sand body ranging from a few centimeters to a few meters. The morphology and distribution of interlayers are not stable due to the change of the micro-facies or phase of sand bodies caused by transient and local water flow changes. Interlayer is divided into two types: muddy interlayer and physical interlayer. With the success of S structure, it became the first potential commercial discovery in northern depression belt of Qiongdongnan Basin, but the widespread development of physical interlayers (mainly calcareous interlayers) in the area brought difficulties to the next exploration. Calcareous interlayers refer to tight sandstone with carbonate content over 10% formed inside sand body. As a seepage barrier of the reservoir, it increases the heterogeneity of the reservoir, resulting in the thinning of the effective reservoir and the deterioration of physical properties, which restrict the later exploration and development.
At present, domestic and foreign scholars focus on the identification of calcareous interlayers, as well as its qualitative evaluation, formation conditions and so on. On the source of calcareous material, Longstaff [1] [2] [3] [4] considers that the calcareous mainly comes from dissolution of feldspar and other aluminosilicates by diatomaceous organic acids and conversion of clay minerals. Xu Bei-mei [5] believes that the enrichment of calcium is closely linked with hydration of aluminosilicate minerals during early diagenetic stages and organic acidification. Huang Si-jing [6] [7] suggests that calcium is owing to atmospheric weak acid water infiltration caused by mineral dissolution. Shan Jing-fu indicates that [8] [9] the source of calcium is not only the sedimentary period but also the supergene and diagenetic stage. Based on the previous studies and sedimentary and geochemical methods, a detailed analysis of sources, characteristics, types, genesis and distribution of calcareous interlayers are provided in this paper. Meanwhile, the summary of main controlling factors and distribution are of great significance to improve the success rate of drilling.
2. Geological Background
The Qiongdongnan Basin is a Cenozoic fault subsidence basin along the continental margin in northern South China Sea, which is one of the largest offshore oil-rich gas basins in China. The basin is located between 17˚00'N to 18˚50'N and 108˚51'E to 114˚41'E with an area about 60,000 km2. The north-south dissimilitude is obvious and it can be divided into the northern depression belt (which can be subdivided into Yabei Sag, Songxi Sag and Songdong Sag from west to east), the central uplift belt (namely Yacheng uplift-Songtao uplift belt), the central depression belt (which can be further divided into Yanan Sag, Ledong Sag, Lingshui Sag, Songnan Sag and Baodao Sag) and the southern uplift belt. Qiongdongnan Basin is located in Southeast Asia and southwestern China, prevailing in the southwest humid monsoon. It is very beneficial to the growth of terrestrial ferns, spores and herbaceous higher plants in the early Oligocene. The tectonic evolution of this basin has already undergone the Paleogene rifting stage, the early post crack with thermal-deposition stage and the late post crack as well as accelerated sedimentation stage during Neogene [10] (Figure 1). Paleogene Lingtou Formation, Yacheng Formation, Lingshui Formation, Neogene Sanya Formation, Meishan Formation, Huangliu Formation and Yinggehai Formation develop from bottom to top. S structure is located in southwest of Songdong depression in Qiongdongnan Basin. The main target layer mainly develops shallow sea sand dam in the first member of Sanya Formation, whose upper part is thick mudstone intercalated with argillaceous fine sandstone together with sand-rich layers (mainly composed of calcareous fine sandstone, fine sandstone and argillaceous siltstone) in the middle part and muddy siltstone in the lower part [11] (Figure 2).
3. Databases and Methods
This study was focused on the first member of Sanya Formation in Songtao uplift and its periphery of Qiongdongnan Basin where most of calcareous interbeds are widely distributed. Consequently, most of the drilling for gas has taken place in this area producing core material, debris, sidewall coring, well logs and other exploration and production well data made available for this research. All these data was derived from more than 10 wells.
A rich and valuable supply of analytical laboratory data in early Miocene and late Oligocene were gained from CNOOC Energy Development and Engineering Co. Ltd., China University of Petroleum, Chengdu University, Yangtze University and Research Institute of Geology, Shengli Oilfield Co. Ltd., Sinopec, which include 334 thin section identification samples, 336 granularity analysis points, 412 reservoir porosity and permeability data points, 268 heavy mineral samples, 210 clay X-ray diffraction points, 151 rock pyrolysis samples, 53 reflectance of vitrinite measurement, 49 carbon and oxygen isotope determination, 17 nuclear magnetic resonance samples, 34 constant pressure mercury points, 26 water analysis data and 20 scanning electron microscopy observation and analysis.
Based on the above basic data, this study is mainly divided into the following five aspects: Above all, based on core observation, palaeontology analysis, well
Figure 1. (a) Schematic configuration of the Qiongdongnan Basin; (b) The sub-tectonic units of the study area and well locations.
Figure 2. Generalized stratigraphy of the Qiongdongnan Basin.
logging curve, seismic facies analysis as well as regional geological data, single-well facies, planar sedimentary facies and assemblages of sandstone and mudstone were sketched by making use of corelDRAWX6, ResForm and Gxplorer software. Secondly, based on the observation and identification of rock slices (using Laica4500p microscope and its image analysis techniques), scanning electron microscopy, constant pressure mercury injection, nuclear magnetic resonance, laser particle size, heavy minerals, whole rock analysis/clay X-ray diffraction and other data, the rock composition, structure and reservoir characteristics (reservoir space characteristics and pore throat types) were clearly identified. The importance of the combination of constant pressure mercury, nuclear magnetic resonance and capillary pressure is worth emphasizing. Among them, constant pressure mercury can reflect pore throat size together with quantity and has obvious advantages in quantitative evaluation of pore throat in low permeability reservoirs. Nuclear magnetic resonance is particularly suitable for the analysis of complex lithology, complex pore structure distribution, low porosity and low permeability reservoir. Combined with the capillary pressure curve can accurately characterize the microscopic pore throat structure characteristics of a comprehensive analysis of the parameters and its impact on reservoir physical properties. Thirdly, according to the percentage content of S, RO, Tmax and other parameters, the diagenetic stage were rigidly compartmentalized together with judging fluid properties; fourthly, the source of carbonate materials and the mechanism of calcareous interlayers were identified through the regional tectonic data, carbon and oxygen isotopes, water analysis. Last but not the least, characteristics, controlling factors and distribution of calcareous sandstone were summarized on account of comparison between calcareous interlayers and sandstone reservoirs in the target area.
4. Results
4.1. Characteristics of the Calcareous Interbed
4.1.1. Lithology and Electric Properties
The calcareous interbed in research area is mainly gray or gray-green calcareous cemented fine sandstone and medium sandstone, which not evenly distributes generally ranging from tens of centimeters to several meters, making bubbles in case of acid. Quartz and feldspar are main components of calcareous interbed with mean value of 55.8% quartz content, average value of 14% feldspar as well as 8.5% debris content. Calcareous interlayers are characterized by moderate structure maturity, mostly point or point-line contact relation, whose interstitial materials are mainly carbonate cements (ferrocalcite gives priority, followed by ferrodolomite and dolomite), usually in the form of strips, pyramids or polygons. The main type of porous cementation and filling replacement cementation are commonly found in the target area (Figure 3).
Through well logging analysis, calcareous interbeds have the following unique characteristics (Figure 4): 1) Low natural gamma (less than 80 API) and
Figure 3. Casting slice observation of calcareous interbed (the magnification from (a) to (d) figures are 100, 930, 100, 1300 times the original size respectively).
Figure 4. Typical logging response characteristics of calcareous interbed.
no expanding diameter in the caliper curve 2) Higher lateral resistivity than any other sandstone sections 3) Obviously low interval transit time (generally below 75 μs/ft, showing a “spike” in the negative direction) 4) High density (the average value is 2.62 g/cm3) 5) Low neutron 6) Light yellow in electrical imaging logging performance with bright white calcium tuberculosis or bright white calcium band.
4.1.2. Physical Characteristics
There is a good negative correlation between the carbonate cement content and the actual porosity and permeability in the first member of the Sanya Formation in the target area (Figure 5). Calcareous cement is responsible for blocking pores and throats, the properties of calcareous interlayers tend to be significantly lower than those of other sandstone sections. Compared with other good-sorting sandstone reservoirs, calcareous interbed has smaller pore and throat radius with poorer distribution centralization and poorer reservoir properties (Figures 6-8). When the content of carbonate cements is less than 10%, the porosity is more
Figure 5. Relationship between physical properties and carbonate cement content (The functional relationship between porosity and carbonate cement content is y = 20.783e−0.018x, R2 = 0.7198; the functional relationship between permeability and carbonate cement content is y = 361.71e−0.432x, R2 = 0.7624.)
Figure 6. Capillary pressure curve comparation between calcareous interbed and sandstone reservoirs.
Figure 7. Pore and throat comparation between calcareous interbed and sandstone reservoirs in constant pressure mercury.
Figure 8. Pore and throat comparation between calcareous interbed and sandstone reservoirs in nuclear magnetic resonance.
than 15% with over 1 × 10−3 μm2 permeability. When the content is more than 10%, the porosity is less than 15% and the permeability is under 1 × 10−3 μm2. In addition, the latter trend of reducing physical properties is slower than the former.
4.2. Genetic Mechanism of the Calcareous Interbed
Calcareous minerals (such as Ca2+, Mg2+,
) is indispensable for the formation of calcareous interlayers, that is, it provides with both endogenous substances and exogenous environment at the same time. The endogenous materials usually include the Ca2+ in the sedimentary water or pore water, the conversion from montmorillonite to illite in mudstone, the dissolution of carbonate minerals, the dissolution and alteration of feldspar, the corrosion of iron-rich and magnesium minerals (such as mica) and so on. Exogenous environments include atmospheric water, stratigraphic water moving along faults, clay dewatering and acidic water formed by the evolution of organic matter [12] [13] [14] .
The stronger the diagenesis experienced by the rock, the lower the value of δ13C, and the measured δ18O deviates greatly from the actual sedimentation value, so it is necessary to carry out “chronological effect” correction. According to the difference between the mean values of modern ocean carbonate δ18O and Miocene δ18O, the Miocene limestone was corrected for “chronological effects”, and then corrected temperature was calculated by δ18O. On account of the analysis of carbon and oxygen isotope, the empirical formula Z = 2.048 × (δ13C + 50) + 0.498 × (δ18O + 50) [15] [16] [17] shows that the Z value of the target area is less than 120, namely the pore fluid that forms carbonate cements is related to freshwater sedimentary environment, indicating that the cements are mainly carbonate related to organic components during diagenesis (Table 1).
The data show that there are mainly three water types (NaHCO3, MgCl2 and Na2SO4) all related to the deep faults [18] , resulting in CO2 getting into the formation water (Table 2). CO2 makes the following reaction carry on continuously: CO2 + H2O ⇌ H+ + HCO3− (1),
⇌ H++
(2), CO2 + H2O ⇌ H+ +
(3). The combination of
(
) and Ca2+ (Mg2+) contribute to the formation of carbonate Cement. For example, the CO2 content of the S-1 well (mean 0.68%) is lower than that of the S-1Sa well (mean 1.63%), and the thickness of the former calcareous interlayers (3.78 m) is also lower than the latter (17.6 m), which is consistent with the above analysis [19] .
Generally speaking, carbonate cements are divided into three genetic types. The meaning of I, II, III are diagenetic carbonate, biogas-related carbonate, and decarboxylation of organic acid associated carbonate representatively. There are two genetic types of calcareous interbed in target area: Type I and type III [20]
Table 1. Carbon and oxygen isotopes and temperature statistics.
Table 2. Water analysis statistics of the target area.
Figure 9. Carbon and oxygen isotopes characteristics of carbonate cements.
[21] [22] [23] [24] (Figure 9). Among them, TypeⅠis formed by the integration of Ca2+ with
(calcium debris sediments transformed by fresh water) during the shallow burial stage, usually filling in the primary intergranular pores. While under deep burial conditions, the maturation of organic matter releases a large amount of organic acids, which facilitates the precipitation of calcium carbonate again by increasing the dissolution of carbonate and pH of the fluid, then type III comes into being. It’s mainly found in interparticle or intragranular dissolved pores or replacing other particles (such as feldspar). Therefore, various sources of material for carbonate cements and continuous alternating of porous water are essential requirements to the continuation of the reaction.
5. Discussion
Since the strong randomness of calcareous interbed distribution, it’s affected by the combination of multiple factors, mainly divided into macro and micro perspective.
Macroscopically, the calcareous intercalations in the target area have poor lateral continuity, large thickness variation and closely related to sedimentary microfacies. However, the distribution of calcareous interbeds in different parts of the same genetic sand body varies with types of rock combination. There are four common types of calcareous interbeds as follows: the bottom type, the top type, the central type and the complete type [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] . Among them, the bottom type is mostly formed in the lower part of positive cyclic sandbody. The top type developed on the top of the anti-cyclic sandbody or distal bar, when the deposition is relatively stable. The central type calcareous interbed can be seen in underwater distributary channel or estuary dam owing to sand bodies vertically superimposed. The complete type calcareous interlayer is those isolated thin sand layer wrapped in mudstone, the entire sand was completely cemented by carbonate (Figure 10). In general, the bottom type calcareous interbed develops with large thickness, while others widely distribute with low thickness.
Microscopically, the distribution of calcareous interbed is controlled by the source of material and pore space during carbonate cementation. The former is influenced by mudstone thickness and the distance between sandstone and mudstone [30] [31] [32] . For the same sand layer, the greater thickness of mudstone, the closer to the sand body, the more abundant of the source, the more favorable to the formation of the calcareous interlayer. The latter is closely related to the petrological characteristics of the sand body and later diagenetic evolution. The high rigid content, coarse grain size and well-sorted sandstones which have good primary porosity and strong anti-compaction ability are prone to the formation of calcareous interlayers (Figure 11 & Figure 12).
Figure 10. Profile distribution type of calcareous interbed.
Figure 11. The controlling factor analysis of calcareous interbed.
Figure 12. Pore space comparation between calcareous interbed and sandstone reservoirs in scanning electron microscope: (a) Kaolinite filling in intergranular pores; (b) Pyrite and illite gather around particles; (c) Circumgranular Kaolinite; (d) Dramatically eroded K-feldspar and kaolinite on its surface; (e) Bioclastic grains; (f) Iron calcite filling in intergranular pores.
According to the stratigraphic thickness figure and drilling analysis, calcareous interbeds mostly develop in the paleo-tectonic highs (Figure 13). In view of the above, it is speculated that calcareous interbeds in Songtao uplift and its periphery mainly distributed on the margin of the sand body with high paleo-tectonics. Therefore, searching for large-scale and high-quality natural gas around without calcareous intercalation in the periphery of S structure will lay a solid foundation for expanding the scale of reserves.
6. Conclusions
1) The lithology of calcareous interlayers in the target area is mainly gray-white, gray-green calcareous medium sandstone and fine sandstone. Calcite, iron dolomite and dolomite are common carbonate cements. Thickness varies from tens of centimeters to several meters, making bubbles in case of acid.
2) The properties of calcareous interlayers in the first member of Sanya formation are poor with low porosity and permeability, taking the form of small pore and throat radius, low degree of their distribution.
3) The electrical characteristics are obvious with low gamma, low acoustic contrast, low neutron, high density together with bright white calcareous nodules or bands in electrical imaging logging.
4) There are two genetic types of calcareous interbed (Type I and Type III). Among them, Type I is formed by the integration of Ca2+ with
(calcium debris sediments transformed by fresh water) during the shallow burial stage, usually filling in the primary intergranular pores. While under deep burial conditions, the maturation of organic matter releases a large amount of organic acids, which facilitates the precipitation of calcium carbonate again by increasing the dissolution of carbonate and pH of the fluid, then Type III comes into being. It’s mainly found in interparticle or intragranular dissolved pores or replacing
Figure 13. Relationships between carbonate cement content and stratum thickness.
other particles (such as feldspar).
5) There are four common types of calcareous interbeds as follows: the bottom type, the top type, the central type and the complete type. In general, the bottom type calcareous interbed develops with large thickness, while others widely distribute with low thickness.
6) Calcareous interbed is controlled by both macro and micro aspects. Macroscopically, the distribution is closely related to Paleo-tectonics and sedimentary microfacies. Microscopically, the distribution is affected by the source of material and pore space during carbonate cementation.
7) Based on the evidence presented in this research, Calcareous interlayers mostly develop in high palaeo-structures. Meanwhile, searching for large-scale traps without calcareous interlayers could improve drilling success.