Geochemical characteristics and hydrocarbon generation potential of main source rocks in the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation, Sichuan Basin, China

In order to have a comprehensive understanding of the characterization and hydrocarbon generation potential of the source rock in the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation, Sichuan Basin, the geochemical data of more than 1,500 cuttings and 106 core samples were collected and analyzed. The T3x5 member of Xujiahe formation show the highest average TOC content (3.63%) followed by the T3x1+2 and T3x3 members. The TOC contents of different members show a general decreasing trend from the bottom to the top in Xujiahe formation. From the rock pyrolysis and kerogen d13C values, the source rock trend to be kerogen type III with minor amounts of type II2. According to the Ro values, the Xujiahe source rock shows high maturity in the northwest and low maturity in the southeast. Most of the source rock in T3x1+2 members are in high to overmature stage, while most of the source rock in the T3x3 and T3x5 member are in the mature to high mature stage. By comparing the burial history and hydrocarbon generation evolution history of source rocks in central and western Sichuan basin, it can be found that the sedimentation rate differences during the Cretaceous period is the main cause of the thermal evolution difference of the source rock. The gas generation intensity and quantity of different members are also compared. The T3x5 member show the highest gas generation potential followed by the T3x31 and the T3x1+2 members. In general, horizontally, the source rock of Xujiahe formation in Sichuan Basin is characterized by great thickness, high maturity, and high gas generation intensity in the northwest, which are gradually decrease to the southeast. Vertically, the T3x5 member show the highest gas generation content, which account for 39.6% of the total amount.

Automated summary

To comprehensively understand the characteristics and hydrocarbon generation potential of the source rock in the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation, Sichuan Basin, geochemical data from over 1,500 cuttings and 106 core samples were collected and analyzed. The T3x5 member of the Xujiahe Formation had the highest average total organic carbon (TOC) content, followed by the T3x1+2 and T3x3 members. There was a general decreasing trend in TOC content from bottom to top within the Xujiahe Formation. Rock pyrolysis and kerogen d13C values indicated that the source rock was predominantly kerogen type III, with minor amounts of type II2. Based on Ro values, the Xujiahe source rock showed high maturity in the northwest and low maturity in the southeast. The T3x1+2 members were mostly in the high to overmature stage, while the T3x3 and T3x5 members were mostly in the mature to high mature stage. The differences in sedimentation rates during the Cretaceous period were identified as the main cause of thermal evolution differences in the source rock. A comparison of gas generation intensity and quantity was also conducted, revealing that the T3x5 member had the highest gas generation potential, followed by the T3x31 and T3x1+2 members. Overall, the Xujiahe Formation source rock in the Sichuan Basin exhibited thick deposits, high maturity, and high gas generation intensity in the northwest, gradually decreasing towards the southeast. Vertically, the T3x5 member had the highest gas generation content, accounting for 39.6% of the total amount.