Formation conditions and exploration direction of large and medium gas reservoirs in the Junggar Basin, NW China

The Junggar Basin is rich in oil but lacks natural gas, which is inconsistent with its geological background of natural gas. Based on the analysis of main source kitchens, and the evaluation of geological setting and controlling factors of gas accumulation, it is proposed that three significant fields for gas exploration should be emphasized. The first field is the Carboniferous volcanic rocks. The Carboniferous residual sags and large-scale reservoirs were developed in three active continental margins, i.e., the southeastern, northeastern and northwestern active continental margins. Gas accumulation is controlled by the favorable reservoir-caprock combinations composed of volcanic rocks and their superimposed lacustrine mudstones in the Upper Wuerhe Formation. Dinan, Eastern and Zhongguai uplifts are three favorable directions for natural gas exploration. The second field is the Lower combinations in the southern margin of Junggar Basin. Rows of structural traps were developed in this area with ideal preservation conditions and space-time configuration for trap-source combinations. Sets of clastic reservoirs and overpressured mudstones formed perfect reservoir-caprock combinations which are the main exploration direction for Jurassic coal-type gas reservoirs in this area. The seven large structural traps in the middle-east section are recently the most significant targets. The last field is the Central Depression. Large hydrocarbon generating centers, i.e., Mahu, Fukang and Shawan sags, were developed in this area, their source rocks were deeply buried and at highly-mature stage. Thus the Central Depression is a favorable exploration direction for Permian high-over mature gas fields (reservoirs). Great attentions should be paid to two types of targets, the deeply–buried structures and structural-lithologic traps. Based on three main gas systems, gas exploration is suggested be strengthened within three fields and on three levels.