Geochemical Characteristics and Geological Significance of Mud Shale of the Second Member, Permian Lucaogou Formation, Jimsar Sag, Junggar Basin, NW China

Abstract

––The Lucaogou Formation in Jimsar sag is an important shale oil-producing layer in the Junggar basin. In this paper, core data, organic carbon, rock pyrolysis, biomarker compounds, and organic matter group component separation were used to study the sedimentary environment, parent material type, organic maturity and oil-bearing property of mud shale of the Second member of the Lucaogou Formation. The results showed that the sedimentary environment is a semi-oxidation and semi-reduction environment. The parent material is mainly aquatic with minor input of higher plants. The average TOC is 7.43%, the average value of hydrocarbon generation potential (S1+S2) is 50.54 mg/g, and the average value of Tmax is 446 °C, showing high maturity of the mud shale. The chloroform bitumen “A” features high saturated hydrocarbon content (34.10% on average), low aromatic hydrocarbon content (15.39% on average), and high saturated/aromatic ratio (2.54). The carbon number of saturated hydrocarbons is distributed between n-C13 and n-C33. Their peak are mainly n-C17 and n-C23, which are biased toward medium-low molecular weight alkanes. The average of the ΣC21–/ΣC22+ is 1.19, indicating that the alkane has advantage of short chain. The mud shale in the Second member of the Lucaogou Formation has a large sedimentary thickness, high organic matter content, and high oil generation potential. It is an important replacement target for shale oil in Jimsar sag and has important exploration significance in the future.