Analysis of tight oil and gas charging characteristics by the carbon isotope on-site detection technology: A case study of the northern slope of the Minfeng Subsag in the Bohai Bay Basin

Abstract Studying hydrocarbon charging is quite important for searching exploration targets and confirming well locations. In this paper, the north slope of the Minfeng sub-sag in the Bohai Bay Basin was taken as an example. The Wells Yanxie 233, Yongxie 932 and Yan 22 were selected for on-site carbon isotope detection. Then, based on sufficient carbon isotope data which were acquired on the drilling site using the brand-new carbon isotopic measuring instrument, the carbon isotope data and composition data of natural gas produced in this area were compared. And combined with the evolution of source rocks, the geochemical characteristics of crude oil, the depositional environment of reservoirs and the physical properties, single-well charging characteristics and regional charging area of natural gas were analyzed. Finally, the feasibility of on-site carbon isotope detection method to discriminate hydrocarbon charging was discussed. And the following research results were obtained. First, deep hydrocarbon charging happened in the Purely Purely Lower Sha 4 Member in Well Yanxie 233, and its natural gas is the mixture of the oil cracking gas of deep layers and the thermal cracking gas of autochthonous source rocks. Second, the natural gas in the third and fourth Members of Shahejie Formation in Well Yongxie 932 is the thermal cracking gas of autochthonous source rocks, but deep gas charging occurred in particular hole sections. Third, the carbon isotope of associated gas in Well block Yan 22 is high in the central area and low in both sides and high in the south and low in the north, which is accordant with the distribution characteristics of reservoir physical properties, indicating that the charging of high-maturity natural gas is under the control of reservoir physical properties. Fourth, the oil in Well block Yan 22 is the product of autochthonous source rocks in the mature stage while the natural gas is the autochthonous oil-associated gas combined with the charging of deep high-maturity product. It is concluded that there is a high-maturity hydrocarbon charging area in the northwest of the northern slope of the Minfeng sub-sag, and it is a favorable hydrocarbon exploration target. What's more, the on-site carbon isotope rapid detection technology can provide a large number of continuous three-dimensional carbon isotope data, and it can be used to quickly analyze the characteristics of hydrocarbon charging and determine the source and origin of hydrocarbon, so as to provide reference for hydrocarbon development deployment.