Study on Hydrocarbon Accumulation Periods Based on Fluid Inclusions and Diagenetic Sequence of the Subsalt Carbonate Reservoirs in the Amu Darya Right Bank Block
Authors: Shan Yunpeng , Wang Hongjun , Zhang Liangjie , Su Penghui , Cheng Muwei , Bai Zhenhua 
Published: January 2022

In order to provide paleofluid evidence of hydrocarbon accumulation periods in the Amu Darya Right Bank Block, microexperiments and simulations related to the Middle-Upper Jurassic Callovian-Oxfordian carbonate reservoirs were performed. On the basis of petrographic observation, the diagenetic stages were divided by cathodoluminescence, and the entrapment stages of fluid inclusions were divided by laser Raman experiment and UV epifluorescence. The hydrocarbon generation (expulsion) curve and burial (thermal) history curve of source rocks were simulated by using real drilling data coupled with geochemical parameters of source rocks, such as total organic carbon (TOC) and vitrinite reflectance (

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). The above results were integrated with microthermometry of fluid inclusions by inference the timing of hydrocarbon migration into the carbonate reservoirs. The horizon-flattening technique was used to process the measured seismic profile and restore the structural evolution profile. Four diagenetic periods and three hydrocarbon accumulation periods were identified. (i) For Syntaxial stage, the fluid captured by the overgrowing cement around particles is mainly seawater; (ii) for (Early) Mesogenetic burial stage, the calcite cements began to capture hydrocarbon fluids and show yellow fluorescence under UV illumination; (iii) for (Late) Mesogenetic burial stage, two sets of cleavage fissures developed in massive calcite cements, and oil inclusions with green fluorescence were entrapped in the crystal; (iv) for Telogenetic burial stage, blue fluorescent inclusions along with hydrocarbon gas inclusions developed in dully luminescent calcite veins. Based on the accurate division of hydrocarbon migration and charging stages, combined with the structural evolution history of the traps, the hydrocarbon accumulation model was established. Because two of the three sets of source rocks are of marine origin, resulting in the lack of vitrinite in the kerogen of those source rocks, there may be some deviation between the measured value of

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and the real value. Some systematic errors may occur in the thermal history and hydrocarbon generation (expulsion) history of the two sets of source rocks. Due to the limitations of seismic horizon-flattening technique—such as the inability to accurately recover the inclined strata thickness and horizontal expansion of strata—the final shape of the evolution process of structural profile may also deviate from the real state in geological history. The accumulation model established in this study was based upon the fluid inclusion experiments, which can effectively characterize the forming process of large condensate gas reservoirs in the Amu Darya Right Bank Block and quantify the timing of hydrocarbon charging. However, the hydrocarbon migration and accumulation model does not take the oil-source correlation into account, but only the relationship between the mature state of source rocks and the timing of hydrocarbon charging into the reservoirs. Subsequent research needs to conduct refined oil-source correlation to reveal the relationship between gas, condensate, source rocks, and recently discovered crude oil and more strictly constrain and modify the accumulation model, so as to finally disclose the origin of the crude oil and oil reservoir forming process in the Amu Darya Right Bank Block, evaluate the future exploration potential, and point out the direction of various hydrocarbon resources (condensate gas and crude oil).