A New Gas-Content-Evaluation Method for Organic-Rich Shale Using the Fractionation of Carbon Isotopes of Methane

Gas content is a key parameter for the determination of the gas resources in unconventional reservoirs. In this study, we propose a novel method to evaluate the gas content of shale through a new perspective: fractionation of carbon isotopes of methane. At first, a bicomponent gas-convection/diffusion/adsorption model (BG-CDAM) is successfully built with consideration of the flow and adsorption difference between (CH4)-C-13 and (CH4)-C-12 in the nanoporous shale. A detailed understanding of the mechanism of fractionation of the isotopes is obtained for the first time and the Knudsen-diffusivity difference is identified as the dominant factor for fractionation according to the different molecular weights of the isotopes. Then, the simulated results of BG-CDAM and the measured data from an isotope-logging test are combined to determine the unknown parameters for gas-content calculation. The proposed method for organic shale is valid and useful to obtain the quantitative component proportion in gas content, such as lost gas, degassing gas and residual gas, or free gas and adsorption gas. Thus, this method could provide a promising means for the identification of sweet spots in shale-gas reservoirs. Moreover, the method might have the potential to economically and rapidly evaluate the remaining resources in producing wells in future applications

Effects of Rumen-Protected Niacin on Dry Matter Intake, Milk Production, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility, and Faecal Bacterial Community in Multiparous Holstein Dairy Cow during the Postpartum Period

Extensive studies about rumen-protected niacin (RPN) supplementation on dairy cows in early-lactation have been done, but the effects of RPN on changes in dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, feed digestibility, and fecal bacterial community were conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate them affected by RPN in postpartum cows. Multiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 12, parity = 3.5 ± 0.5, body weights = 740 ± 28 kg) were divided into two groups supplemented with either 0 (CON) or 20 g/d RPN (RPN). Our results showed that RPN supplementation increased DMI and milk production of cows during the first three weeks after calving (p p p > 0.05). The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that RPN had no impact on the alpha and beta diversity, although 4 genera were changed in cow feces at 14 days after calving. Overall, 20 g/d RPN added to the diet could improve DMI and milk yield up to two weeks after calving with little influence on feed digestibility

Features and origin of oil degraded gas of Santai field in Junggar Basin, NW China

Based on comprehensive analysis of the natural gas composition, carbon isotopes and associated oil carbon isotopes, saturated hydrocarbon chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrography, the features and formation mechanisms of natural gas in Santai area, Junggar Basin are studied. The Jurassic natural gas in Santai area is characterized by light ethane carbon isotopes, and the features of associated oil are light carbon isotopes, low Pr/Ph ratio, high C29 and C28 sterane value and low C27 sterane value, which shows that the hydrocarbons were mainly derived from the sapropelic source rock of the Permian Pingdiquan Formation in Fukang sag. The natural gas composition is dominated by methane. The methane carbon isotope value of the natural gas is higher than that of biogenic gas, but it is lower than that of thermogenic gas. Natural gas reservoirs were buried shallowly and always associated with or close to heavy oil which was subjected to serious biodegradation, with occurrence of 25-norhopane. All above indicate that the natural gas in Santai area is typical oil degraded gas by bacteria. Biodegradation was a process of water-hydrocarbon reaction which was affected by the bacteria and thermodynamics. The methane bacteria made use of CO2 and H2 to reduce light carbon isotopes preferentially to generate methane of light carbon isotopic compositions. Biodegraded heavy oil and oil sand are widely distributed in the petroliferous basin, therefore, reservoir oil degradation gas has good exploration prospects. Key words: Junggar Basin, Santai field, oil degraded gas, natural gas origin, carbon isotopic composition, biodegradation, water-hydrocarbon reactio

Factors controlling Oiliness of Jurassic Lianggaoshan tight sands in central Sichuan Basin, SW China

By comprehensively analyzing oil-bearing and non-oil-bearing tight sandstone reservoir properties, pore structure characteristics and contact between source rock and reservoir, reservoir fluorescent photographs of typical wells of Jurassic Lianggaoshan Formation in central Sichuan Basin, the research tries to find out factors controlling the oiliness of the Jurassic Lianggaoshan tight sandstone reservoir. The oiliness of the Jurassic Lianggaoshan tight sandstone reservoir in central Sichuan Basin is controlled by the following factors: (1) The migration pathway between the source rock and reservoir: when there exist sandstone and mudstone transition zones with high mud content and poor physical property between the source rock and reservoir, without fracture connection, it is difficult for oil and gas to migrate into the overlying reservoir; (2) The reservoir physical property: if the reservoir contacts directly with source rock and has good physical properties, oil and gas can migrate and accumulate directly in the reservoir. (3) Development degree of fractures: when the reservoir physical properties are poor, rich fractures can improve porosity and permeability of the reservoir, oil and gas can still migrate and accumulate in the reservoir; if the reservoir physical property is poor and no fractures developed, oil and gas are difficult to migrate and accumulate in the reservoir. Based on the sedimentary and reservoir characteristics of Jurassic Lianggaoshan Formation in central Sichuan Basin and the distribution of source rocks, Yingshan-Guang'an and Hechuan-Baimiao-Luodu two favorable exploration zones are selected. Key words: central Sichuan Basin, Lianggaoshan Formation, tight oil, oiliness, migration pathway, controlling factor

Controlling factors of Jurassic Da'anzhai Member tight oil accumulation and high production in central Sichuan Basin, SW China

Based on observation of cores and casting thin sections, reservoir fluorescence, hydrocarbon geochemical characteristics and oil production test data, the factors controlling the tight oil accumulation and high production in the Da'anzhai Member in the Jurassic Ziliujing Formation in central Sichuan Basin are studied. The shelly limestone, muddy shell limestone and tight limestone are all oil-bearing in the Da'anzhai Member. The dissolved pores and fractures in shelly limestone and the matrix pores (microfractures, intercrystal pores) in tight limestone are all oil-bearing in large area, which is the reason why oil wells can keep low production for a long period of time. On the basis of the extensive oil-bearing, natural gas from the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation provided the major power for oil migration and accumulation in the Da'anzhai low amplitude, water-free tight limestone reservoirs, driving the dispersed oil from the matrix pores into an accumulation, so the oil is more enriched in the western structures of central Sichuan Basin where oil wells are higher in gas-oil ratio. In contrast, in the east of central Sichuan, the Huayingshan major faults generally cut through Da'anzhai Member, allowing gas to migrate to the formations above Da'anzhai Member along fractures to accumulate or dissipate, without gas as driving force, as a result, the oil is less enriched than that in the west part of central Sichuan. Key words: tight oil, central Sichuan Basin, Jurassic Da'anzhai Member, enrichment and high production, gas drive, faul