Geological characteristics, evaluation criteria and discovery significance of Paleogene Yingxiongling shale oil in Qaidam Basin, NW China

Major breakthroughs of shale oil exploration have been made recently in the upper member of Paleogene Lower Ganchaigou Formation of Yingxiongling area, Qaidam Basin. However, the low total organic carbon content of saline-lacustrine source rock, and unclear genetic mechanism, evaluation criteria and resources potential of the shale oil have restricted the exploration and evaluation of Yingxiongling shale oil. Through analysis of large amounts of cores, well drilling, seismic, laboratory test data and integrated study, focusing on the shale and mixed types of shale oil reservoirs characterized by high-frequency interbedded organic-rich laminated shale and limy dolomite, it is concluded that the shale oil in the upper member of Lower Ganchaigou Formation in the Yingxiongling area have six geological characteristics: (1) two-stage hydrocarbon generation of hydrogen-rich source rock and large amount of retained oil; (2) multiple types of reservoir space and good reservoir properties; (3) source-reservoir integration, thick “sweet spot” and high oil-bearing grade; (4) high pressure coefficient between and under salt layers, and sufficient formation energy; (5) high content of light components, high gas-oil ratio, and good quality of the crude oil; (6) high content of brittle minerals and good fracability. The evaluation criterion of shale oil is preliminarily established based on the eight parameters: total organic carbon content, maturity, effective porosity, oil saturation, brittle mineral content, pressure coefficient, lamellation density, and burial depth. Combined with parameters of E32 source rock thickness, area, vertical distribution of oil layers, and free hydrocarbon content, the shale oil resources have been preliminarily estimated as 21×108 t. The structurally stable area is the predominant objective of shale oil exploration and the favorable exploration area for Yingxiongling shale oil is nearly 800 km2.