Abstract:
China's deep coalbed methane (CBM) resources, with the burial depths exceeding 1 500 m, are abundant and coexist with adsorbed and free gases. The occurrence state, accumulation characteristics, and development laws of deep CBM differ significantly from those of mid-shallow CBM, and the unclear evolution patterns have restricted its efficient exploration and development. Taking the No.8 deep coal seam in Daning-Jixian block on the eastern margin of Ordos Basin for example, this study finely characterizes the accumulation characteristics of deep CBM and simulates the burial evolution history, thermal evolution history, and hydrocarbon generation history of deep coal seams, thus improving the deep CBM enrichment and accumulation laws and patterns; moreover, the targeted exploration and development strategies are proposed. The results show that the No.8 deep coal seam is widespread in Daning-Jixian block, with high organic matter thermal maturity and Type III kerogen. This indicates significant hydrocarbon generation potential, with the total hydrocarbon intensity of (20.2-34.7) ×10
8m
3/km
2. The deep coal reservoir develops cleats, fractures, texture pores, cell pores, gas pores, intergranular pores, and dissolution pores, providing favorable conditions for the accumulation of deep free-state CBM. The structural-lithologic-hydrodynamic coupling closure is favorable for the preservation of deep CBM. The evolution stages of hydrocarbon accumulation in deep coal seams in the study area include the initial hydrocarbon generation stage (Stage I, 306-251 Ma), the first thermal hydrocarbon generation stage (Stage II, 251-203 Ma), the decreasing stage of organic matter thermal evolution (Stage III, 203-145 Ma), the hydrocarbon generation peak stage (Stage IV, 145-130 Ma), and the final formation stage of the oil/gas accumulation pattern (Stage V, 130 Ma to present). The deep CBM under free and adsorbed states coexist in the study area. On this basis, the paper proposes the hydrocarbon enrichment and accumulation pattern of "wide covering hydrocarbon generation, box-type closure, microstructure adjustment, self-generation and self-storage, and blanket-type accumulation", and establishes three types of deep CBM accumulation models:microfold and physical property coupling control (Type I), microfault monocline and hydrodynamic force coupling control (Type II), and physical property and hydrodynamic force coupling control (Type III) on reservoir accumulation. These understandings can effectively guide the selection of favorable areas for deep CBM exploration in Daning-Jixian block, establish an evaluation index system for favorable areas in deep coal reservoirs, propose differentiated development plans for exploration areas with different accumulation models, and help achieve the truly efficient and low-cost development of deep CBM in the study area. The research findings have important reference significance for carrying out deep CBM exploration and development in other blocks in China.