Comparison of hydrocarbon generation conditions between Sichuan Basin in southwestern China and Uinta Basin in western USA

Abstract

A study of hydrocarbon generation condition has been carried out because energy is a vital part in the world and people could not live without energy. The shale gas in Sichuan Basin and the oil shale in Green River Formation of Uinta Basin have attracted worldwide attention and explored rapidly in the past years, although there are still lots of difficulties and barriers such as complex geological background, water shortage and limited technology. In this project, the objective was to compare the hydrocarbon conditions from marine depositional environment in Sichuan Basin in Southwest China and lacustrine depositional environment in Green River formation of Uinta Basin on several different aspects including geological background, distribution characters, sedimentary environment and facies, organic geochemical features, as well as hydrocarbon generation mode and condition. Meanwhile, I will simple evaluate the potential minable reservoirs in these two places based on the implications of hydrocarbon generation.

By comparison with these geological conditions, it can help us to understand the difference on marine and lacustrine source rock, and clearly know the source-reservoircap assemble in these two places. This can not only help people get some experience on hydrocarbon exploration to do the further scientific research and forecast prospect, but also guide industry sustainable development and may improve the energy structure.