Brittle deformation in the Afikpo Basin （Southeast Nigeria）： Evidence for a terminal Cretaceous extensional regime in the Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria

This paper deals with the regional and structural framework of the Cretaceous rocks in the Afikpo Basin located in the southeastern part of the Lower Benue Trough. Results from regional tectonics are presented together with those of the microtectonic analysis of microfaults in the Owutu-Afikpo-Adadama area in the basin. The Owutu-Afikpo-Adadama ridge at the north-central part of the basin marks the boundary between the Late Cenomanian-Turonian-Conianian sediments and the Campanian-Maastrichtian sandstones. This ridge trends N45°E on average and is faulted in three main directions, namely: (1) N-S normal faults; (2) NE-SW strike-slip faults; and (3) NW-SE strike-slip faults. The faulted rocks along these brittle discontinuities are mainly cataclastics with internal fracture cleavage and sigmoidal quartz mosaics that are reminiscent of extensional deformation. The cataclasites often bear slickenside striations.     

Daily Variation of Natural Emission of Methane to the Atmosphere and Source Identification in the Luntai Fault Region of the Yakela Condensed Oil/Gas Field in the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China

The static flux chamber method was applied to study natural emissions of methane to the atmosphere in the Luntai fault region of Yakela Condensed Oil/Gas Field in the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Municipality, northwestern China. Using an online method, which couples together a gas chromatography/high-temperature conversion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry （GC/C/MS）, 13^C/12^C ratios of methane in flux chambers were measured and showed that methane gases are liable to migrate from deep oil/gas reservoirs to the surface through fault regions and that a part of the migrated methane, which remains unoxidized can be emitted into the atmosphere. Methane emission rates were found to be highest in the mornings, lowest in the afternoons and then increase gradually in the evenings. Methane emission rates varied dramatically in different locations in the fault region. The highest methane emission rate was 10.96 mg/m^2·d, the lowest 4.38 mg/m^2, and the average 7.55 mg/ m^2·d. The 13^C/12^C ratios of the methane in the flux chambers became heavier as the enclosed methane concentrations increased gradually, which reveals that methane released from the fault region might come from thermogenic methane of the deep condensed oil/gas reservoir.     

Tectonic Setting and Nature of the Provenance of Sedimentary Rocks in Lanping Mesozoic- Cenozoic Basin： Evidence from Geochemistry of Sandstones

The geochemical composition of sandstones in the sedimentary basin is controlled mainly by the tectonic setting of the provenance, and it is therefore possible to reveal the tectonic setting of the provenance and the nature of source rocks in terms of the geochemical composition of sandstones. The major elements, rare-earth dements and trace elements of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic sandstones in the Lanping Basin are studied in this paper, revealing that the tectonic settings of the provenance for Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary rocks in the Lanping Basin belong to a passive continental margin and a continental island arc. Combined with the data on sedimentary facies and palaeogeography, it is referred that the eastern part of the basin is located mainly at the tectonic setting of the passive continental margin before Mesozoic, whereas the western part may be represented by a continental island arc. This is compatible with the regional geology data. The protoliths of sedimentary rocks should be derived from the upper continental crust, and are composed mainly of felsic rocks, mixed with some andesitic rocks and old sediment components. Therefore, the Lanping Mesozoic-Cenozoic Basin is a typical continental-type basin. This provides strong geochemical evidence for the evolution of the paleo-Tethys and theb asin-range transition.     

Tectonic uplift history of the Yitong Basin since the Oligocene,Northeast China：Evidence from apatite fission track ages and geological relationship

The Yitong Basin is an oil-bearing basin with unique characteristics in Northeast China. On the basis of apatite fission track ages and geological relationship, the tectonic uplift history of the Yitong Basin since the Oligo-cene was discussed. Based on apatite fission track analysis of five samples from the Luxiang and Chaluhe fault de-pressions and basin modeling study, it can be concluded that since the Oligocene (36.6 Ma) in the Yitong Basin, the Chaluhe fault depression has undergone two episodes of uplift during 24.9–19.1 Ma and 6.9–4.9 Ma. And the Luxi-ang fault depression also had undergone two episodes of uplift during 30–27.8 Ma and 22.6–11.1 Ma. Moreover, the average apparent exhumation rates for the Chaluhe fault depression and Luxiang fault depression, could be calcu-lated to be 70.34 and 60.33 m/Ma since 21.8 Ma and 18.9 Ma, respectively. The results of thermochronological analysis can also be supported by the evidence from geological relationships such as geodynamics, volcanic activity, and stratigraphic division and correlation.     

The Earlier Spreading of South China Sea Basin due to the Late Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic Extension of South China Block： Structural Styles and Chronological Evidence from the Dulong-Song Chay Metamorphic Dome, Southwest China

INTRODUCTION Whatmechanismresultedinthespreadingof SouthChinaSeabasin(SCSB)?Wasitreallypro ducedbytheinteractionofperipheralplatesofthe SCSBorAilaoshan RedRiversinistralfault(Fig.1)? Figure1.AnoutlinetectonicmapofSouthChinablockandIndochinablock(modified…     

Distribution of δ~(34)S and δ~(18)O in SO_4~(2-) in Groundwater from the Ordos Cretaceous Groundwater Basin and Geological Implications

<正>The Ordos Cretaceous Groundwater Basin,located in an arid-semiarid area in northwestern China,is a large-style groundwater basin.SO_4~(2-) is one of the major harmful components in groundwater.Dissolved SO_4~(2-) concentrations,andδ~(34)S-SO_4~(2-) andδ~(18)O-SO_4~(2-) in groundwater from 14 boreholes and in gypsum from aquifer were analyzed.Results show that SO_4~(2-) in shallow groundwaters originates from precipitation,sulfide oxidation,and dissolution of stratum sulphate,with a big range ofδ~(34)S values,from-10.7‰to 9.2‰,and addition of SO_4~(2-) in deep groundwater results from dissolution of stratum sulphate,with biggerδ~(34)S values,from 7.8‰to 18.5‰,compared with those in shallow groundwater.This research also indicates that three types of sulphate are present in the strata,and characterized by highδ~(34)S values and highδ~(18)O values-style,highδ~(34)S values and middleδ~(18)O valuesstyle, middleδ~(34)S values and lowδ~(18)O values-style,respectively.Theδ~(34)S-SO_4~(2-) andδ~(18)O-SO_4~(2-) in groundwater have a good perspective for application in distinguishing different groundwater systems and determining groundwater circulation and evolution in this area.     

The Origin of Paleokarst in the Huanglong Formation of the Eastern Sichuan Basin: Evidence from δ13C, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr

Karst rocks from the Huanglong Formation exposed at the margin of the Eastern Sichuan Basin can be divided into four types:slightly corroded, moderately corroded porous, intensely corroded brecciated and intensely corroded and replaced secondary calcic karstic rocks. The carbon, oxygen and strontium isotope compositions of the various karst rocks are analyzed systematically and compared to rocks without karst corrosion. The results indicate that(1) the Huanglong Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin was a restricted bay supplied and controlled by freshwater in which mudmicrite and mud-dolomicrite exhibit low δ13C and δ18O values and high 87Sr/86 Sr ratios;(2) all types of karstic rocks in the paleokarst reservoirs of the Huanglong Formation in the research area are affected by atmospheric freshwater with the δ13C and δ18O values and 87Sr/86 Sr ratios in the original formation approaching those of atmospheric freshwater, which reflects ancient hydrological conditions, fluid properties, isotopic source and the fractionation effect;(3) the intensely corroded and replaced secondary limestone is affected by a variety of diagenetic fluids, often reflected by δ13C and δ18O values, while the 87Sr/86 Sr ratios exhibit the strong degree of the corrosion;(4) after comparing the 87Sr/86 Sr ratios of each type of karst rock, the diagenetic fluids are determined to be mainly atmospheric freshwater, and depending on the strength of corrosion, and the low 87Sr/86 Sr ratio fluids in the layer will participate in the karst process. The carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopes of different karstic reservoirs can provide meaningful geochemical information for forecasting and evaluating the development and distribution rules of the Huanglong Formation at the margin of the eastern Sichuan Basin in time and space.     

REE Compositions of Lower Ordovician Dolomites in Central and North Tarim Basin, NW China： A Potential REE Proxy for Ancient Seawater

Rare earth element compositions of Lower Ordovician dolomites in the Central and Northern Tarim Basin are studied. Most dolomite samples are more or less contaminated by clay minerals. Their rare earth element compositions have been consequently changed, showing both seawater-like and non-seawater-like features. The clay contamination should be disposed before the REE data are used. Through ICP-MS and ICP-AES analyses, the REE features are well documented. The clay contamination is quantitatively determined by microscopic investigation, trace elements and REE contents. The dolomites, at least in the Tarim Basin, are thought to be pure when their total LREE contents are less than 3×10^-6. Through comparison, the pure dolomites show similarities in REE patterns but differences in REE contents with co-existing pure limestone, which indicates that dolomitization may slightly change the REE compositions. Nevertheless, whatever the change is, the pure dolomites may act as a potential REE proxy for Ordovician seawater, which would be significant for ancient massive dolomite strata that lack limestone.     

Interaction between source rock and evaporite： A case study of natural gas generation in the northern Dongying Depression

It is well known that oil generated from source rocks of saline-lake facies is characteristic of low Pr/Ph ratio and high contents of gammacerane. The authors found that gas generated from the same source rocks was high in benzene and cyclohexane contents and had light carbon isotope compositions. In this study, a series of thermal simulations of gas generations on source rock with/without evaporites (such as carbonate, gypsum, and sodium chlorite, respectively), were conducted. It was found that the gypsum played an important role on the catalyzsis of gas generation in the thermal simulations. Compositions of the gaseous hydrocarbons generated from source rocks with evaporites are very similar to those of natural gases discovered from northern Dongying Depression. Meanwhile, in the thermal simulations, it was found that the carbon isotopic compositions of gaseous hydrocarbons generated from source rocks with evaporites are lighter than those of the gases from source rocks without evaporites. Therefore, it is concluded that natural gases discovered from northern Dongying Depression are the product of interaction between source rocks and evaporites (especially gypsum) of the saline facies.     

BSRs and Associated Reflections as an Indicator of Gas Hydrate and Free Gas Accumulation: An Example of Accretionary Prism and Forearc Basin System along the Nankai Trough, off Central Japan

Abstract. Multi-channel seismic data obtained from the Nankai accretionary prism and forearc basin system has been studied to elucidate the migration and accumulation process of gas to the BGHS and examine the distribution pattern of BSRs and characteristic reflections associated with them.
BSRs are distributed widely in the Nankai accretionary prism and associated forearc basins (33,000 km²) and 90 % of them have migration and recycling origins. The widest distribution of the BSRs can be seen at the prism. A correlation between the BSR distributions and prism size shows that the BSRs tend to be more well-developed in a prism of large size. This suggests that a large prism may produce much amount of gas-bearing fluids that migrate to the BGHS and form the BSRs (tectonic control), hi the forearc basins, the BSRs are identified at topographic highs, anticlines and basin margins (structural control).
The upward migration of gas-bearing fluids is carried out through permeable sand layers and as a result, the distribution of BSRs is confined to alternating beds of sand and mud facies (sedimentary control). However, if there is enough time for upward migration and accumulation of gas to the BGHS, the BSRs can be generated widely in low-permeable mud facies (time control).
Those results imply that structural, tectonic, sedimentary and time controls are primary factors to decide the distribution of BSRs in the Nankai Trough area.     

东海冲绳海槽天然气水合物成矿地质条件与资源潜力

冲绳海槽位于东海的东部,区内天然气水合物调查研究程度低。本文分析了冲绳海槽的区域地质背景和天然气水合物调查研究现状,根据已有资料和前人研究成果,分析了研究区天然气水合物形成的地形地貌、水深、温度、热流值特征,地层、沉积、构造、气源等条件,以及区内存在天然气水合物的地球物理、地球化学和其他证据,在此基础上推测区内天然气水合物成藏存在4种可能的地质类型。即成岩型、断裂构造型、底劈构造型和滑塌型。研究认为,冲绳海槽天然气水合物资源潜力巨大。     

西沙海槽研究区天然气水合物地球化学勘探

天然气水合物研究涵盖了地球物理、地球化学和地质等多门学科, 其中勘查地球化学方法技术可以从海底介质中获得与天然气水合物有关的痕量地球化学信息, 圈定水合物异常区域.依据2000年和2001年在中国南海西沙海槽工作区天然气水合物地球化学现场快速勘查实测和室内分析测试的多种烃类结果, 获得了海上工作区气态烃地球化学异常分布, 以及与该区水合物地震BSR和BZ的对比分析评价结果.同时根据现场实测同位素数据, 探讨了工作区形成水合物气态烃甲烷的成因.研究成果为工作区天然气水合物勘探提供了地球化学方面的直接证据.      

冲绳海槽天然气水合物稳定带厚度的计算

水合物稳定带（HSZ）的研究对天然气水合物的成矿与分布规律以及资源评价研究都具有重要的指导意义，文章根据天然气水合物的相平衡条件和相应的压力-温度方程，参照有关的身体算法，讨论了海底天然气水合物稳定带厚度的理论计算方法，并根据稳定带厚度的理论计算方法，在Windows中文平台上编制了简单实用的程序，利用该程序对冲绳海槽水合物稳定带的厚度进行了计算，并讨论了冲绳海槽水合物稳定带厚度的分布特征。     

Application of AVO Analysis to Seismic Data for Detection of Gas below Methane Hydrate Stability Zone in Nankai Trough Area

Abstract. For the purpose of development of methane hydrate, occurring in the deep marine subsurface, as a resource, the most important issue is to understand the methane hydrate system (generation, migration and accumulation) as well as to delineate the methane hydrate reservoir properties. We have applied the Amplitude Versus Offset (AVO) analysis to the seismic data acquired in the Nankai Trough, offshore Japan, in order to confirm the occurrence of gas just below the methane hydrate-bearing zone, assuming that gas will show a so-called Class-3 AVO response. Knowledge of the amount and occurrence of gas in the sediment below methane hydrate-bearing zone is one of the keys to understand the methane hydrate system.
We have utilized the qualitative analysis of AVO methodology to delineate how gas is located below the BSR, which is thought to be the reflection event from the interface between the methane hydrate-bearing zone and the underlying gas-bearing zone. In the region of MITI Nankai Trough Well PSW-3, we observe two BSRs separated by 25 ms. After AVO modeling using well data, we applied AVO attribute analysis and attribute crossplot analysis to the seismic data. Finally we applied an offset-amplitude analysis to CMP gather data at specific locations to confirm the results of AVO attribute analysis. The AVO analysis shows that there is very little gas located in the underlying sediment below methane hydrate-bearing zone. This result supports the fact that we could not obtain any clear evidence of gas occurrence just below the methane hydrate-bearing zone in the Nankai Trough well drilling.     

Subsurface Occurrence of Natural Gas Hydrate in the Nankai Trough Area: Implication for Gas Hydrate Concentration

Abstract. The Nankai Trough runs along the Japanese Islands, where extensive BSRs have been recognized in its forearc basins. High resolution seismic surveys and site-survey wells undertaken by the MITI have revealed the gas hydrate distribution at a depth of about 290 mbsf. The MITI Nankai Trough wells were drilled in late 1999 and early 2000. The highlights were successful retrievals of abundant gas hydrate-bearing cores in a variety of sediments from the main hole and the post survey well-2, keeping the cored gas hydrate stable, and the obtaining of continuous well log data in the gas hydrate-dominant intervals from the main hole, the post survey well-1 and the post survey well-3. Gas-hydrate dominant layers were identified at the depth interval from 205 to 268 mbsf. Pore-space hydrate, very small in size, was recognized mostly filling intergranular pores of sandy sediments. Anomalous chloride contents in extracted pore water, core temperature depression, core observations as well as visible gas hydrates confirmed the presence of pore-space hydrates within moderate to thick sand layers. Gas hydrate-bearing sandy strata typically were 10 cm to a meter thick with porosities of about 40 %. Gas hydrate saturations in most hydrate-dominant layers were quite high, up to 90 % pore saturation.
All the gas hydrate-bearing cores were subjected to X-ray CT imagery measurements for observation of undisturbed sedimentary textures and gas-hydrate occurrences before being subjected to other analyses, such as (1) petrophysical properties, (2) biostratigraphy, (3) geochemistry, (4) microbiology and (5) gas hydrate characteristics.     

琼东南盆地天然气水合物成矿远景

琼东南盆地最新的水合物调查研究发现了大量疑似BSR（bottom simulating reflector）特征的地震反射界面,但BSR特征并不典型。为了解决在BSR特征不甚明显的地区进行天然气水合物识别和成矿远景研究的问题,本文首先通过对调查所取得的第一手资料的综合分析,指出了琼东南盆地海域天然气水合物地球物理标识——BSR识别的局限性;然后从天然气水合物成藏所必须具备的气源、运移通道、有利沉积条件等几个方面出发,探讨了琼东南盆地天然气水合物成藏必须具备的气源、气体运通道和储层等特征,对琼东南盆地天然气水合物地球物理识别标志——BSR判识提供了良好佐证。综合分析认为：琼东南盆地海域的中央坳陷带内发育了大量气烟囱的位置及其附近海底浅层应是天然气水合物发育的重点目标区。     

海洋天然气水合物成藏系统研究进展

在系统总结海洋天然气水合物形成的物质来源及成因机理、物理化学响应、形成环境及成藏模式、分布规律和资源评价进展的基础上,提出了我国开展天然气水合物成藏机理研究的方向和科学问题。2007年4—6月通过钻探获得了测井、原位测量、沉积物岩心及其顶空气、孔隙水、微生物、水合物等样品和资料。南海北部陆坡神狐海域是研究天然气水合物成藏机理和分布规律的理想区域。采用重点分析天然气水合物成藏的物质基础、形成环境、成藏过程、响应机理和成藏系统等研究思路,针对天然气水合物成藏系统中气—水—沉积物—水合物体系的相互作用机理、天然气水合物成藏过程中的物理化学响应机理、天然气水合物成藏要素的耦合控矿机理等3个关键科学问题,开展天然气水合物成藏物源、地质与温压场等成藏条件、成藏演化热动力学机理、成藏响应机理和天然气水合物成藏系统等5个方面研究。     

南海天然气水合物稳定带厚度及资源量估算

中国的南海一直被人们认为蕴藏着丰富的天然气水合物资源,综合中国南海的水深、地热梯度及底部水温等地质资料,运用VisualBasic.Net编程分析在该海域范围内天然气水合物稳定带厚度,讨论其分布特征,并以此来评估该区域的水合物资源量.结果表明当地热梯度为0.06℃/m,在区域1中可能存在天然气水合物,其稳定带的最大厚度可达400 m,天然气水合物分布较为规则,从外向内逐渐增厚.但在区域2中由于受到水深和地热等因素的影响不存在天然气水合物,此时天然气水合物的资源量约为0.55×104 km3;当地热梯度随机取值时,该区的天然气水合物资源量约为0.57×104 km3.通过对地热梯度取不同的值,估算得到在该研究区天然气水合物的资源量约为0.6×104 km3.      

羌塘盆地天然气水合物钻探试验井取样技术与施工实践

羌塘盆地天然气水合物钻探试验井工程位于羌塘盆地西北部,海拔4998～5100 m。羌塘盆地是青藏高原年平均地温最低、冻土层相对较厚的地区,所处的水文地质及工程地质环境极其复杂,多年冻土层经反复冻胀融沉,地层破碎。另外,该处地层节理、裂隙、小断层和地下水极其发育,施工条件十分恶劣和困难。从取心钻具结构改进、钻头设计、冲洗液配方以及钻孔结构等方面总结了近年在羌塘盆地实施天然气水合物钻探试验井工程的实践和经验,为未来高海拔地区天然气水合物及其他矿产资源勘探提供参考。