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Marine Origin Petroleum Geology >

2025 , Vol. 30 >Issue 1: 59 - 70

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1672-9854.2025.01.005

Discovery and geological significance of ultra-deep bedrock gas reservoirs in the Qaidam Basin

  • WANG Bo , 1 ,
  • SONG Guangyong , 1, 2 ,
  • ZHANG Ronghu 2 ,
  • ZENG Qinglu 2 ,
  • WANG Yanqing 2 ,
  • SUN Xiujian 3 ,
  • WU Zhixiong 1 ,
  • LI Senming 2 ,
  • LI Yanan 1 ,
  • GONG Qingshun 2
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  • 1. PetroChina Qinghai Oilfield Company
  • 2. PetroChina Hangzhou Research Institute of Geology
  • 3. Northwest Branch of PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development
SONG Guangyong, MSc, Senior Engineer, mainly engaged in research on hydrocarbon reservoir geology. Add: No. 920 Xixi Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, China. E-mail:

WANG Bo, MSc, Senior Engineer, mainly engaged in comprehensive research on petroleum geology. Add: Exploration and Development Research Institute, No. 7 Kunlun Middle Road, Dunhuang, Jiuquan, Gansu 736202, China. E-mail:

Received date: 2024-10-10

  Revised date: 2025-01-02

  Online published: 2025-05-13

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Abstract

Based on analysis of a large number of core samples, thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction of whole-rock minerals, and well logging data, a systematic study is conducted on the favorable geological factors and conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation in the bedrock (at depths exceeding 7 000 m) reservoirs in the northern Qaidam Basin. The specific findings are as follows: (1) Intermediate-acidic granitic bedrocks serve as high-quality reservoir lithologies. Under the coupled effects of multiple phases of metamorphism, tectonic fracturing, weathering and erosion, and other favorable reservoir-forming factors, two genetically distinct effective reservoirs have formed: weathering crust and interior reservoirs, with fractures and dissolution pores as the main storage spaces and minimal impact from burial compaction. (2) Two effective sealing layers, namely Jurassic carbonaceous mudstones (which are also source rocks) and Paleogene Lulehe Formation gypsiferous mudstones, provide condition for long-distance hydrocarbon migration and effective accumulation. (3) The synchronization of hydrocarbon generation periods with conductive faults and trap formation periods offers excellent conditions for hydrocarbon enrichment and reservoir formation. (4) The Jurassic high-maturity coal measure gas source rocks, primarily distributing in the depression area and overlying the bedrocks, form a laterally adjacent source-reservoir association with the bedrock reservoirs, with faults and the unconformity at the top of the bedrock serving as hydrocarbon migration pathways, resulting in two types of hydrocarbon reservoirs: extra-source and intra-source. Controlled by differential or successive hydrocarbon migration mechanisms, the reservoirs exhibit characteristics of oil accumulation at structurally high positions with low fullness and abundance, and gas accumulation at structurally medium to low positions with high fullness and abundance. The research indicates that the ultra-deep bedrocks still hold significant potential for hydrocarbon exploration. The analysis of the favorable conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation and their spatiotemporal configuration in these ultra-deep bedrocks can provide target areas for hydrocarbon exploration in this region and also contribute to a deeper understanding of the reservoir-forming and hydrocarbon accumulation processes in deep to ultra-deep bedrocks.

Key words： ultra-deep; bedrock; reservoir characteristics; conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation; Qaidam Basin

Cite this article

WANG Bo , SONG Guangyong , ZHANG Ronghu , ZENG Qinglu , WANG Yanqing , SUN Xiujian , WU Zhixiong , LI Senming , LI Yanan , GONG Qingshun . Discovery and geological significance of ultra-deep bedrock gas reservoirs in the Qaidam Basin[J]. Marine Origin Petroleum Geology, 2025 , 30(1) : 59 -70 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-9854.2025.01.005

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