New areas and series of strata on the periphery of Songliao Basin: The progress and recognition based on foundational geological survey for oil and gas resources

Abstract

In order to explore new areas and target strata of oil and gas resources, the authors delineated five potential Mesozoic basins covered with volcanic rocks, i.e., Longjiang, Tuquan, Zhalut, Linxi and Wulangai as new areas on the periphery of Songliao Basin, based on field mapping, outcrop profile, geo-physical survey and geological drilling. Geological characteristics of the new areas and associated new strata were described. Tuquan basin, characterized by an integrated system of source-reservoir-cap, great thickness of mudstones of the Middle and Low Jurassic, rich organic matter content and proper thermal evolution, is expected to be a new Jurassic prospective area with new stratigraphic exploration breakthrough on the periphery of Songliao Basin. The perspective of shale gas resources associated with the Upper Permian Linxi Formation is expounded in this paper in the aspects of the distribution, accumulation thickness and biogeochemical characteristics of the dark argillutite. The western part of Songliao Basin associated with the Middle and Low Jurassic, the Upper Permian, possess of huge potential in the oil and gas exploration.