Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (5): 1536-1553.doi: 10.11743/ogg20250510

• Petroleum Geology • Previous Articles    

Shale lithofacies, differential shale oil occurrence and its microscropic migration and accumulation features in the 3rd sub-group of the 7th oil group of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin

Yifan ZHANG1(), Kelai XI1,2, Yingchang CAO1,2, Bo ZHANG3, Xiujuan WANG4, Yuan YOU4, Wenzhong MA4, Yuxuan WANG1, Qihui SUN1   

  1. 1.School of Geoscience,China University of Petroleum (East China),Qingdao,Shandong 266580,China
    2.State Key Laboratory of Deep Oil and Gas,China University of Petroleum (East China),Qingdao,Shandong 266580,China
    3.Exploration Division of PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company,Xi’an,Shaanxi 710018,China
    4.Changqing Oilfield Company,PetroChina,Xi’an,Shaanxi 710018,China
  • Received:2025-04-11 Revised:2025-09-06 Online:2025-10-30 Published:2025-10-29

Abstract:

The shale lamina type, reservoir space type, and shale oil occurrence state represent major factors influencing the microscopic migration and accumulation of shale oil. This study focuses on shales in the 3rd sub-group of the 7th oil group of the Triassic Yanchang Formation (also referred to as the Chang 73 oil sub-group) in the Ordos Basin. By integrating a series of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods, including thin section observation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), geochemical analysis, advanced mineral identification and classification system (AMICS), nitrogen (N2) adsorption experiments, high-pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI), two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we categorize the laminae and micropores in the shales and determine the occurrence states and distribution characteristics of shale oil. Accordingly, the microscopic migration and accumulation process of shale oil is discussed. The results indicate that shales in the Chang 73 oil sub-group primarily contain four lamina types (organic-rich, tuff-rich, silt-sized felsic, and clay laminae) and three lamina assemblages (organic-rich + silt-sized felsic lamina assemblage, organic-rich + tuff-rich lamina assemblage, and massive mudstones). These lamina types show significantly different pore types and contents. Specifically, the silt-sized felsic laminae exhibit an average areal porosity of 6.59%, with well-developed feldspar dissolution pores. The tuff-rich laminae have an average areal porosity of 3.50%, which are dominated by intercrystalline pores, with some containing microfractures. Based on the organic matter characteristics and pore-fracture configuration of the laminae, the shale lithofacies of the Chang 73 oil sub-group are further subdivided into the “organic-rich + tuff-rich” combination (types Ⅰ and Ⅱ) and “organic-rich + silt-sized felsic” combination (type Ⅲ), with types Ⅰ and Ⅱ differing primarily in fracture density. Type Ⅰ shales feature high oil mobility but moderate oil-bearing properties, with shale oil migration and accumulation occurring within thickly layered shales. In contrast, both types Ⅱ and Ⅲ shales exhibit moderate oil mobility, while type Ⅲ shales present excellent oil-bearing properties. This creates favorable conditions for the shale oil migration from type Ⅱ to type Ⅲ shales in cases when both types occur in vertical contact. Through lamina classification and the fine-scale characterization of reservoir spaces across different lamina types, this study elucidates differential shale oil occurrence patterns and characterizes shale oil migration among various shale lithofacies, providing a foundation for understanding the mechanisms behind the microscopic migration and accumulation of shale oil.

Key words: reservoir space, occurrence characteristics, microscropic migration and accumulation characteristics, lamina type, shale oil, Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin

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