Gas source in lower Permian Maokou Formation and gas accumulation in the syncline area of eastern Sichuan basin

• Published in: Journal of petroleum science & engineering 2021-11, Vol.206, p.109044, Article 109044
• Main Authors: Yanjun, Li, Fabo, Xu, Liyuan, Zeng, Wenji, Zhang, Minglong, Li, Yisha, Liao, Weidong, Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Eastern Sichuan basin; Gas accumulation analysis; Gas source; Gufeng section; Maokou Formation in lower Permian; Syncline area
• ISSN: 0920-4105; 1873-4715
• DOI: 10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109044

In this paper, the original nature of organic matters is introduced for the first time to reevaluate the lower Permian (P1) source rocks. The carbonate rocks in Maokou Formation (P1m) whose high organic carbon values were caused by external asphalt have poor hydrocarbon generation ability, but the argillaceous rocks in P1m have some, especially the recent discovered black shale in Gufeng deep-water facies in the north have good hydrocarbon generation ability. The black shale is 5–20 m thick and the measured average value of organic carbon can reach up to 7.24 wt%, which can greatly increase the hydrocarbon generation capacity in the north; The studies of natural gas sources of the lower Permian in eastern Sichuan basin show that the contribution of gas source is mainly Silurian. In the north, the lower Permian source rock is supplemented, while in the south, it's greatly affected by the coal-measure source rocks of Longtan Formation (P2l); Take the Wutan-1 well in Tanmuchang as an example to dissect the reservoir in syncline area. The Wutan-1 well has a tested daily production of more than 80 × 104 m3, and the paleotectonic evolution history shows that it was in the high position of the structure during the generation and expulsion peak of hydrocarbon. The fracture-vuggy lithologic reservoir of Wutan-1 well is favorable for hydrocarbon capture and later preservation. According to the above, the Tanmuchang syncline has a good spatio-temporal matching relationship, which is the key to hydrocarbon accumulation and exploration. This knowledge has expanded the exploration area of the Lower Permian Maokou Formation in eastern Sichuan, and more importantly, it brings much enlightenment to the exploration of the syncline areas in Sichuan basin and other basins at home and abroad. •The original nature of organic matters is introduced for the first time to reevaluate the lower Permian source rocks.•The black shale in Gufeng deep-water facies has hydrocarbon generation capacity in the north of the eastern Sichuan Basin.•The sources of natural gas in Maokou Formation are different between the north and the south in the eastern Sichuan Basin.•The syncline area of the Lower Permian Maokou Formation in eastern Sichuan has the potential for gas accumulation.