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Maceral Control on the Hydrocarbon Generation Potential of Lacustrine Shales: A Case Study of the Chang 7 Member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, North China

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  • Bei Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Shale Oil and Gas Enrichment Mechanisms and Effective Development, Beijing 100083, China
    Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
    School of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Juan Teng

    (College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China)

  • Maria Mastalerz

    (Indiana Geological and Water Survey, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-2208, USA)

Abstract

Organic matter (OM) type critically controls the hydrocarbon generation potential and organic pore development in black shales. However, maceral variation in lacustrine shales and its control on hydrocarbon generation potential and organic pore development are not yet well understood. In this study, 15 Chang 7 Member shale samples of the Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, were investigated with organic petrography, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and a scanning electron microscope to study the maceral composition, hydrocarbon generation potential, and organic pores in this black shale succession. The results show that the studied shales are in the oil window (R o ~0.70%). OM belongs to Type I and Type III kerogen, as demonstrated by Rock-Eval pyrolysis. Macerals in the Chang 7 Member shales are composed of amorphous OM, alginite, sporinite, liptodetrinite, vitrinite, inertinite, and solid bitumen. Amorphous OM and alginite are major hydrocarbon-generating macerals, and their content determines the hydrocarbon potential of shales. Secondary organic pores were not observed in the studied Chang 7 Member shales due to either a low thermal maturity or a dominance of terrigenous OM. Maceral variation can affect the reliability of using Rock-Eval Tmax as a thermal maturity indicator. This study provides important insights into maceral control on hydrocarbon generation and organic pore development in black shales, calling for a critical evaluation of OM in black shale successions with organic petrography.

Suggested Citation

  • Bei Liu & Juan Teng & Maria Mastalerz, 2023. "Maceral Control on the Hydrocarbon Generation Potential of Lacustrine Shales: A Case Study of the Chang 7 Member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, North China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:2:p:636-:d:1025738
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    1. Bei Liu & Juan Teng & Chen Li & Baoqing Li & Shizhen Bie & Yinlong Wang, 2022. "The Control of Shale Composition on the Pore Structure Characteristics of Lacustrine Shales: A Case Study of the Chang 7 Member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, North China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-13, November.
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