Minerals Filling in Anhydrite Dissolution Pores and Their Origins in the Ordovician Majiagou Formation of the Southeastern Ordos Basin, China

Mold pore cementation is the key factor constraining the reservoir property in the study area. The anhydrite dissolution pores in the Ordovician Majiagou Formation of southeastern Ordos Basin are commonly filled by minerals such as dolomite, calcite, pyrite, and quartz accounting for more than 90% of the total molds resulting in significant porosity volume reduction. The anhydrite dissolution pores in the Jingbian Gas Field in the middle east of the basin, however, are rarely filled by minerals with more than 30% molds, remaining open to become good reservoir space. Studies reveal that the calcite filling in anhydrite dissolution pores has a relatively negative delta O-18 value (-15.58 parts per thousand similar to-8.96 parts per thousand VPDB) and negative delta C-13 value (-7.56 parts per thousand similar to 0.26 parts per thousand VPDB), which is interpreted to be caused by thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). The higher homogenization temperatures (140-234 degrees C) and high salinity (19.13-23.18 wt.% NaCl equivalent) of the primary inclusions in calcite confirm the above interpretation. Dolomite is the second most abundant carbonate formed as by-product of TSR, which is promoted by the precipitation of calcite and resulted enriched in Mg2+/Ca2+ ratio in the pore water. Pyrite forms by the reaction of H2S released from TSR with the Fe2+ in the horizon, which is supported by its cubic habit and relatively high delta S-34 value (10.50 parts per thousand similar to 24.00 parts per thousand VCDT). Quartz with relatively high homogenization temperature (113-154 degrees C) is considered to precipitate in low-pH solution from calcite and pyrite precipitation after TSR. The southeastern Ordos Basin is much lower than the Jingbian Gas Field in paleogeographic location, which is submerged in the sea water of marine phreatic environments for a long time when sea water flooded from the southeastern direction. TSR occurs due to calcium sulfate enriched in pore water resulting in the minerals of dolomite, calcite, pyrite, and quartz filling in the molds leading to the low porosity and permeability of the study area.

Automated summary

The pore cementation of anhydrite is crucial in determining reservoir properties, with different mineral fillings in different regions. Negative isotopic values of calcite filling suggest an influence of thermochemical sulfate reduction.