Geological characteristics and exploration directions of Cambrian natural gas in Ordos Basin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-7703.2025.01.008

Abstract

Abstract: The Cambrian in Ordos Basin has good potential for natural gas exploration. However, due to its low degree of exploration, the lithofacies paleogeographic distribution, hydrocarbon generation potential of source rocks in Cambrian are not clear, and the reservoircap assemblages and accumulation models are not determined. To address these problems, the lithofacies paleogeographic distribution,hydrocarbon generation potential of source rocks, favorable reservoirs distributionand reservoir-cap assemblage types of Cambrian were analyzed by using the newest data of seismic, drilling, outcrop and a large number of analytical tests, and the hydrocarbon accumulation models and natural gas exploration directions from Cambrian were discussed in Ordos Basin. During the Cambrian period, the Ordos Basin developed a paleogeomorphology pattern of three uplifts and three depressions. Controlled by the uplift-depression pattern, Dongpo formation and Xuzhuang formation source rocks are developed in the Fuping-Luochuan deep-water bay in the southern part of the basin, and the thickness of source rocks in the deep-water bay is large. Xuzhuang formation source rock is developed in Shenmu Dong depression, which is located in the northeast of the basin. Controlled by paleo-uplift, platform margin or depression margin, two kinds of favorable reservoirs are developed in Cambrian, including high-energy granular beach of Zhangxia Formation and karst weathering crust of Sanshanzi Formation.There are three types of accumulation assemblages in the Cambrian of Ordos Basin, including self-generation and self-storage, lowergeneration and upper-storage, and upper-generation and lower-storage. Four accumulation models are developed in Ordos Basin, including deep-water bay, depression, platform margin slope and paleo-uplift periphery. Based on the comprehensive analysis of source rocks, favorable reservoirs, reservoir-cap assemblages and accumulation models, it is suggested that the next step is to focus on the high-energy grain beaches and karst weathering crusts around the Fuping-Luochuan deep-water bay in the south of the basin, and the high-energy grain beaches on the edge of the Shenmu Dong depression in the northeast of the basin. At the same time, the natural gas exploration in the favorable areas such as high-energy grain beaches and karst weathering crusts on the east side of Qingyang paleo-uplift and karst weathering crusts on the southeast side of Yimeng paleo-uplift should be strengthened.

Key words: Ordos Basin, Cambrian accumulation model, natural gas, Exploration direction

CLC Number:

TE122.1

Huang Junping, Fan Liyong, Zhang Yan, Ren Junfeng, Shi Jianglong, Jing Xianghui, Wang Hongbo, Li Xiangbo, Feng Ming, Wang Jing. Geological characteristics and exploration directions of Cambrian natural gas in Ordos Basin[J]. China Petroleum Exploration, 2025, 30(1): 95-108.

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