Geological characteristics of source rock and reservoir of tight oil and its accumulation mechanism: A case study of Permian Lucaogou Formation in Jimusar sag, Junggar Basin

Abstract

The source rocks and reservoirs in the Middle Permian Lucaogou Formation of Jimusar sag, Junggar Basin, NW China and its source-reservoir assemblages were studied to reveal accumulation mechanism of the tight oil, on the basis of core observation, thin slice identification, X-ray diffraction analysis, TOC test and rock pyrolysis test of source rock samples, and mercury injection and nuclear magnetic resonance of reservoir samples, combined with burial history and hydrocarbon-generating history of source rocks. It is concluded that the Lucaogou Formation source rocks mainly have type I and II organic matter, with an average TOC of 4.6%, indicating they are high-quality source rocks in low mature – mature stage; and they can be divided into three types, shale, mudstone and silty mudstone. The reservoir rock in Lucaogou Formation features low porosity and low permeability; mercury injection and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) tests show that nano-scale pores and throats (with radius of 50−500 nm) constitute the main reservoir space, and the reservoirs can be classified into three types, muddy siltstone, dolomitic siltstone, and dolarenite according to lithology. The source rocks and reservoirs alternate with each other in vertical direction and are distributed continuously in lateral direction, and the source rocks have been generating oil and gas constantly. It is concluded through comprehensive analysis that since the Late Jurassic, the source rocks in Lucaogou Formation have been generating oil continuously and massively, causing high pressurization, and providing constant driving force and oil supply, as a result, the oil has been charged into the tight reservoirs effectively and continuously, forming abundant tight oil resources. Key words: tight oil, accumulation mechanism, source rock, reservoir, Permian Lucaogou Formation, Jimusar sag, Junggar Basin