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Geochemical characteristics and reasons for the carbon isotopic reversal of natural gas in the southern Jingbian gas field, Ordos Basin, China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2019

Wenxue Han Open the ORCID record for Wenxue Han [Opens in a new window] ,
Xiangchun Chang ,
Weijiao Ma ,
Shizhen Tao ,
Jingli Yao ,
Lianhua Hou  and
Weiwei Yang
Wenxue Han*
Affiliation:
College of Earth Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao266590, China Laboratory for Marine Mineral Resources, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao266071, China
Xiangchun Chang*
Affiliation:
College of Earth Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao266590, China Laboratory for Marine Mineral Resources, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao266071, China
Weijiao Ma*
Affiliation:
School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
Shizhen Tao
Affiliation:
Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing100083, China
Jingli Yao
Affiliation:
Exploration and Development Research Institute of PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an, Shaanxi710021, China
Lianhua Hou
Affiliation:
Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing100083, China
Weiwei Yang
Affiliation:
Exploration and Development Research Institute of PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an, Shaanxi710021, China
*
*Authors for correspondence: Wenxue Han, Xiangchun Chang, and Weijiao Ma, Emails: vincerham@qq.com;xcchang@sina.com;maweijiao_cug@126.com
*Authors for correspondence: Wenxue Han, Xiangchun Chang, and Weijiao Ma, Emails: vincerham@qq.com;xcchang@sina.com;maweijiao_cug@126.com
*Authors for correspondence: Wenxue Han, Xiangchun Chang, and Weijiao Ma, Emails: vincerham@qq.com;xcchang@sina.com;maweijiao_cug@126.com
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Abstract

The carbon isotope value of ethane in the southern part of the Jingbian gas field is lower than that in the northern part, indicating a carbon isotopic reversal in the southern Jingbian gas field (δ13Cmethane > δ13Cethane). Through comparing the geochemical characteristics of gases in the southern and northern parts of the gas field, the reasons for the carbon isotopic reversal in the southern Jingbian gas field were determined to be high thermal maturity and mixing action. When thermal maturity reaches a critical value, the carbon isotope value of ethane becomes relatively more depleted with thermal maturity. Although the carbon isotope value of methane increases with thermal maturity, the extent is relatively smaller. Finally, the rare phenomenon of δ13Cmethane > δ13Cethane occurs. High thermal maturity leads to the secondary thermal cracking of gases. Mixing of the cracked gases and primary gases also leads to carbon isotopic reversal. Both of the above mechanisms share a common premise, which is high thermal maturity.

Keywords

geochemical characteristicshigh thermal maturitymixing actioncarbon isotopic reversalJingbian gas field
Type
Original Article
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 157 , Issue 4 , April 2020 , pp. 527 - 538
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019

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