Geochemical characteristics and source analysis of natural gas in the saline lacustrine basin in the Western Qaidam basin

Li, Jian; Tian, Jixian; Liu, Chenglin; Feng, Dehao; Zeng, Xu; Mai, Zhang; Guo, Zeqing; Kong, Hua; Awan, Rizwan Sarwar; Li, Zhijie; Yang, Shenglai

doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108363

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 13 publications

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“…However, exploration practice has proved that the western Qaidam Basin is rich in petroleum resources, with more than 20 × 10 8 t of geological resources, and the oil and gas production accounts for 70% of the Qinghai oil field (Jian et al, 2021; Wang et al, 2016; Xiao et al, 2021). The contradiction between the lack of high‐quality source rock and significant oil and gas exploration results is becoming more and more prominent (Zhang et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural gas potential of Neogene source rocks in the Yiliping area, Qaidam Basin: Using an improved hydrocarbon generation and expulsion model based on least‐squares Monte Carlo

Shao

et al. 2023

Geological Journal

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The Neogene petroleum system in the Yiliping area of the Qaidam Basin presents great prospects for natural gas exploration. However, its natural gas potential, including the source rock characteristics, is insufficient. Due to a lack of geological constraints, the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion (HGE) model, which is widely used in resource potential evaluation, may be unable to obtain optimal parameters. Here, we propose an improved HGE model based on least‐squares Monte Carlo to assess the HGE characteristics and natural gas resource potential of the Neogene source rocks in the Yiliping area by combining geological and geochemical investigations. The findings show that the Neogene source rock is effective and has significant potential for natural gas generation. Algae and bacteria, which were deposited in a saline and anoxic environment, are the primary sources of organic matter in Neogene source rock (primarily Type II and Type III). Modelling work suggests that Type II and III kerogen of Neogene source rock reach hydrocarbon generation threshold (HGT) at Ro = 0.38% and Ro = 0.49% and reach hydrocarbon expulsion threshold (HET) at Ro = 0.45% and Ro = 0.55%. The maximum HGE intensities are 3400 × 104 and 3378 × 104 t/km2. The extra‐source natural gas and shale gas resource potentials are predicted to be 2.05 × 1012 m3 to 4.11 × 1012 m3 and 7.03 × 1012 m3. The findings will guide future Neogene natural gas exploration in the Yiliping area of the Qaidam Basin.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%