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Abstract:Hot dry rock (HDR) is an important geothermal resource and clean energy source that may play an increasingly important role in future energy management. High-temperature HDR resources were recently detected in deep regions of the Gonghe Basin on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, which led to a significant breakthrough in HDR resource exploration in China. This research analyzes the deep temperature distribution, radiogenic heat production, heat flow, and crustal thermal structure in the Qiaboqia Valley, Guide Plain, and Zhacanggou area of the Gonghe Basin based on geothermal exploration borehole logging data, rock thermophysical properties, and regional geophysical exploration data. The results are applied to discuss the heat accumulation mechanism of the HDR resources in the Gonghe Basin. The findings suggest that a low-velocity layer in the thickened crust of the Tibetan Plateau provides the most important source of constant intracrustal heat for the formation of HDR resources in the Gonghe Basin, whereas crustal thickening redistributes the concentrated layer of radioactive elements, which compensates for the relatively low heat production of the basal granite and serves as an important supplement to the heat of the HDR resources. The negative effect is that the downward curvature of the lithospheric upper mantle caused by crustal thickening leads to a small mantle heat flow component. As a result, the heat flows in the Qiaboqia Valley and Guide Plain of the Gonghe Basin are 106.2 and 77.6 mW/m2, respectively, in which the crust-mantle heat flow ratio of the former is 3.12:1, indicating a notably anomalous intracrustal thermal structure. In contrast, the crust-mantle heat flow ratio in the Guide Plain is 1.84:1, which reflects a typical hot crust-cold mantle thermal structure. The Guide Plain and Zhacanggou area show the same increasing temperature trend with depth, which reflects that their geothermal backgrounds and deep high-temperature environments are similar. These results provide important insight on the heat source mechanism of HDR resource formation in the Tibetan Plateau and useful guidance for future HDR resource exploration projects and target sites selection in similar areas.

Abstract:The Roosevelt Hot Springs Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA) is a Basin and Range-type geothermal resource, which is located in southwestern Utah. The integrated multicomponent geothermometry (IMG) approach is used to estimate the reservoir temperature at the Roosevelt Hot Springs KGRA. Geothermometric modeling results indicate the deep reservoir temperature is approximately 284.6°C. A conceptual model of the Roosevelt Hot Spring KGRA is provided through integrating the various pieces of exploration information, including the geological data, geothermometric results, temperature well log and field evidence. A two-dimensional cross-sectional model was thus built to quantitatively investigate the coupled thermal-hydraulic processes in the Roosevelt geothermal field. By matching the preproduction temperature log data of deep wells, parameters controlling flow and heat transport are identified. The method and model presented here may be useful for other geothermal fields with similar conditions.

Abstract:Hydraulic fracture (HF) propagation behavior is signi?cant when building enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). HF geometry is closely related to the structural planes (SPs) in hot dry rock (HDR), such as natural fractures (NFs), quartz veins (QVs) and lithologic interfaces (LIs). However, the HF behaviors in HDR have not been well understood, especially the influence of multiple SPs on the HF geometry. To clarify this mechanism, several groups of physical simulation experiments of hydraulic fracturing were conducted to investigate the intersection relationship between the HFs and the SPs. Results show that the HF geometry shows great differences when intersecting with different SPs. In summary, the HF geometry displays four basic patterns, namely, propagation along the SPs, branching, capture, penetration/non-dilation. The fluctuation degree of the pressure-time curve and the HF complexity show a positive correlation. The cementing strength of the SP and their different mechanical properties from rock matrix influence the HF behaviors significantly. Therefore, the HF shows diverse geometries when intersecting with the NFs and LIs, while propagating along the QV when intersecting with it. For the complex networks, it is favorable for the HF to penetrate through and dilate several SPs, rather than simply cross or propagate along the SP.

Abstract:It is more difficult for a hot dry rock to form a fracture network system than shale due to its special lithology, physical and mechanical properties under high temperature. The essential characteristics, rock mechanics and in-situ stress characteristics of a hot rock mass have been systematically studied by means of laboratory tests and true tri-axial physical simulation. The fracture initiation and propagation characteristics under different geological and engineering conditions are physically simulated, and the main controlling factors for the formation of a complex fracture network are revealed. The technology of low displacement for enhancing thermal cracking, gel fluid for expanding fracture and variable displacement cyclic injection for increasing a fracture network has been applied in the field, and good results have been achieved. Micro-seismic monitoring results demonstrate that complex fractures were formed in the field test, and the stimulation volume for heat exchanging reaches more than 3 million cubic meters. The research results play an important role in the stimulation technology of an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) and realize a breakthrough for power generation.

Abstract:Hot dry rock is becoming an important clean energy source. Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) hold great promise for the potential to make a contribution to the energy inventory. However, one controversial issue associated with EGS is the impact of induced seismicity. In August 2019, a hydraulic stimulation experiment took place at the hot dry rock site of the Gonghe Basin in Qinghai, China. Earthquakes of different magnitudes of 2 or less occurred during the hydraulic stimulation. Correlations between hydraulic stimulation and seismic risk are still under discussion. Here, we analyze the hydraulic stimulation test and microseismic activity. We quantify the evolution of several parameters to explore the correlations between hydraulic stimulation and induced seismicity, including hydraulic parameters, microseismic events, b-value and statistical forecasting of event magnitudes. The results show that large-magnitude microseismic events have an upward trend with an increase of the total fluid volume. The variation of the b-value with time indicates that the stimulation experiment induces small amounts of seismicity. Forecasted magnitudes of events can guide operational decisions with respect to induced seismicity during hydraulic fracturing operations, thus providing the basis for risk assessment of hot dry rock exploitation.

Abstract:A geothermal demonstration exploitation area will be established in the Enhanced Geothermal System of the Qiabuqia field, Gonghe Basin, Qinghai–Xizang Plateau in China. Selection of operational parameters for geothermal field extraction is thus of great significance to realize the best production performance. A novel integrated method of finite element and multi-objective optimization has been employed to obtain the optimal scheme for thermal extraction from the Gonghe Basin. A thermal-hydraulic-mechanical coupling model (THM) is established to analyze the thermal performance. From this it has been found that there exists a contraction among different heat extraction indexes. Parametric study indicates that injection mass rate (Qin) is the most sensitive parameter to the heat extraction, followed by well spacing (WS) and injection temperature (Tin). The least sensitive parameter is production pressure (pout). The optimal combination of operational parameters acquired is such that (Tin, pout, Qin, WS) equals (72.72°C, 30.56 MPa, 18.32 kg/s, 327.82 m). Results indicate that the maximum electrical power is 1.41 MW for the optimal case over 20 years. The thermal break has been relieved and the pressure difference reduced by 8 MPa compared with the base case. The optimal case would extract 50% more energy than that of a previous case and the outcome will provide a remarkable reference for the construction of Gonghe project.

Abstract:Investigation of a triple-pressure organic Rankine cycle (TPORC) using geothermal energy for power generation with the net power output of the TPORC analyzed by varying the evaporation pressures, pinch temperature differences (tpp) and degrees of superheat (tsup) aimed to find the optimum operation conditions of the system. The thermodynamic performance of the TPORC was compared with a dual-pressure organic Rankine cycle (DPORC) and a single-pressure ORC (SPORC) for geofluid temperatures ranging from 100°C to 200°C, with particular reference to the utilization of a hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal resource. Thermodynamic performances of the TPORC system using eight different organic working fluids have also been investigated in terms of the net power outputs. Results show that a higher geofluid mass flow rate can make a considerable contribution to shortening the payback period (PBP) as well as to decreasing the levelized electricity cost (LEC), especially when the geofluid temperature is low. For the temperature range investigated, the order from high to low based on thermodynamic and techno-economic performances is found to be TPORC > DPORC > SPORC. In terms of using geothermal resources within the given temperatures range (100°C–200°C), the TPORC system can be a better choice for geothermal power generation so long as the wellhead geofluid temperature is between 140°C and 180°C.

Abstract:China has been the leading country worldwide in direct geothermal utilization for a rather long time, which has contributed significantly to reducing carbon emissions. But the installed capacity of geothermal power generation in China is very small, and there are only a few geothermal power plants in China, specifically in Tibet, including the well-known Yangbajing geothermal power plant. Therefore, it is anticipated that more high-temperature geothermal resources will be discovered in order to promote China’s power generation. There is potential for high-enthalpy geothermal in the Eastern Linqing Depression in Shandong Province, where geothermal energy is stored in Ordovician and Cambrian carbonate strata. Based on the geothermal gradient in Cenozoic strata and the depth of the target geothermal reservoir, the temperature distribution pattern of the reservoir was analyzed, and two “sweet points” were identified in the Yucheng geothermal field and the Guanxian geothermal field, where the reservoir temperature is predicted to be higher than 200°C at a depth of less than 8000 m. Due to the low karst fissure ratio and the insufficient geothermal fluid in the geothermal reservoir, it is recommended that an enhanced geothermal system be set up, to increase the permeability of the natural fracture system in the carbonate formations and provide sufficient fluid for power generation through reinjection of used geothermal fluid. The power generation capacity of the two geothermal fields was estimated using a volumetric method, revealing a power generation capacity of 1621.02 MWe for the Yucheng geothermal field, and 1287.19 MWe for the Guanxian geothermal field.

Abstract:It is common sense that a deeper well implies higher temperature in the exploration of deep geothermal resources, especially with hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal resources, which are generally exploited in terms of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). However, temperature is always different even at the same depth in the upper crust due to different heat sources. This paper summarizes the heat sources and classifies them into two types and five sub-types: crust-origin (partial melting, non-magma-generated tectonic events and radiogenic heat production), and mantle-origin (magma and heat conducted from the mantle). A review of global EGS sites is presented related to the five sub-types of heat sources. According to our new catalog, 71% of EGS sites host mantle-origin heat sources. The temperature logging curves indicate that EGS sites which host mantle-origin magma heat sources have the highest temperature. Therefore, high heat flow (>100 mW/m2) regions with mantle-origin magma heat sources should be highlighted for the future exploration of EGS. The principle to identify the heat source is elucidated by applying geophysical and geochemical methods including noble gas isotope geochemistry and lithospheric thermal structure analysis. This analytical work will be helpful for the future exploration and assessment of HDR geothermal resources.

Abstract:Geothermal resource is indispensable as a clean, renewable, stable and cheap resource. Nowadays in China, the Gonghe Basin, located in northeastern Qinghai Province, has been thought to be a promising geothermal area. To explore geothermal energy potential in and around the Gonghe Basin, geophysical means including magnetic and gravity methods were used to plot distribution. Firstly, we inversed Moho depth and Curie point depth in and around the basin using gravity and magnetic data, respectively, through an improved Parker–Oldenburg algorithm. Secondly, seven different thermal models were established, considering radiogenic heat, basement depth, anomalous heat source and simulated corresponding temperature field and heat flow. These were analyzed numerically and we found the high heat flow in the Gonghe Basin co-acted with radiogenic heat, an anomalous heat source and conductive heat. The distribution of seismic activities indicates that the Langshan–Wuwei–Gonghe Fault might have provided channels for transporting heat effectively.

Abstract:Geothermal energy plays an important role in urban construction of the Xiong’an New Area. Geothermal reservoir fracture distribution of the Mesoproterozoic Jixianian Wumishan Formation (Fm.) carbonate reservoir in the Rongcheng geothermal field are evaluated based on FMI log from Wells D19 and D21. The results show carbonate reservoir fracture density of Well D19 is 15.2/100 m, greater than that of Well D21 with a value of 9.2/100 m. Reservoir porosity and permeability of Well D19 are better than that of Well D21, and the water saturation is bimodally distributed. The movable fluid volume ratio (BVM) of Well D19 is 2% to 8% with some zones exceeding 20%, while the value of Well D21 is less than 4%. Therefore, reservoir fractures in Well D19 are more conducive to fluid flow. Reservoir fractures have a similar occurrence to normal faults, indicating that the tensile stress field controlled the formation of such fractures. Developed reservoir fractures provide a good channel for groundwater convection. The circulation of regional groundwater and the heat exchange between water and rock and the multiple heat accumulation patterns form a stable and high potential heat reservoir in the Rongcheng geothermal field.

Abstract:Enhanced geothermal system (EGS) is an effective method for developing and utilizing hot dry rock (HDR). The key to the effectiveness of EGS is the construction of an artificial fracture network. The permeability of fractures has severe effects on the heat transfer efficiency and sustainability of geothermal energy. However, the evolution characteristics of hydraulic conductivity under different failure modes have not been adequately studied for HDR. To clarify this, rocks with different failure modes were investigated by conducting thermal triaxial compression experiments, and the fluid seepage related to different rock failure modes was comprehensively investigated. The results showed that the characteristic stresses and crack surface roughness of the rock increased as the confining pressure increased. The permeability in the composited failure mode was the largest (11.4 μm2), followed by that in the Y-shaped shear failure mode (9.7 μm2), and that in the single-shear failure mode was the smallest (7.2 μm2). The confining pressures had an inhibitory effect on permeability. As the confining pressure increased from 5 to 30 MPa, the permeability decreased by 88.8%, 88.4%, and 89.9%, respectively. In contrast, the permeability was significantly enhanced by 128.3%, 94.6%, and 131% as the flow rate increased from 3 to 7 mL/min.

Abstract:The Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) is an artificial geothermal system that aims to economically extract heat from hot dry rock (HDR) through the creation of an artificial geothermal reservoir. Chemical stimulation is thought to be an effective method to create fracture networks and open existing fractures in hot dry rocks by injecting chemical agents into the reservoir to dissolve the minerals. Granite is a common type of hot dry rock. In this paper, a series of chemical stimulation experiments were implemented using acid and alkaline agents under high temperature and pressure conditions that mimic the environment of formation. Granite rock samples used in the experiments are collected from the potential EGS reservoir in the Matouying area, Hebei, China. Laboratory experimental results show that the corrosion ratio per unit area of rock is 3.2% in static acid chemical experiments and 0.51% in static alkaline chemical experiments. The permeability of the core is increased by 1.62 times in dynamic acid chemical experiments and 2.45 times in dynamic alkaline chemical experiments. A scanning electron microscope analysis of the core illustrates that secondary minerals, such as chlorite, spherical silica, and montmorillonite, were formed, due to acid-rock interaction with plagioclase being precipitated by alkaline-rock interactions. Masking agents in alkaline chemical agents can slightly reduce the degree of plagioclase formation. A chemical simulation model was built using TOUGHREACT, the mineral dissolution and associated ion concentration variation being reproduced by this reactive transport model.

Abstract:Micro-seismic monitoring is one of the most critical technologies that guide hydraulic fracturing in hot dry rock resource development. Micro-seismic monitoring requires high precision detection of micro-seismic events with a low signal-to-noise ratio. Because of this requirement, we propose a recurrent neural network model named gated recurrent unit and support vector machine (GRU_SVM). The proposed model ensures high accuracy while reducing the parameter number and hardware requirement in the training process. Since micro-seismic events in hot dry rock produce large wave amplitudes and strong vibrations, it is difficult to reverse the onset of each individual event. In this study, we utilize a support vector machine (SVM) as a classifier to improve the micro-seismic event detection accuracy. To validate the methodology, we compare the simulation results of the short-term-average to the long-term-average (STA/LTA) method with GRU_SVM method by using hot dry rock micro-seismic event data in Qinghai Province, China. Our proposed method has an accuracy of about 95% for identifying micro-seismic events with low signal-to-noise ratios. By ignoring smaller micro-seismic events, the detection procedure can be processed more efficiently, which is able to provide a real-time observation on the types of hydraulic fracturing in the reservoirs.

Abstract:The Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) is a recognized geothermal exploitation system for hot dry rock (HDR), which is a rich resource in China. In this study, a numerical simulation method is used to study the effects of geothermal fluid dryness and non-condensable gas content on the specific enthalpy of geothermal fluid. Combined with the organic Rankine cycle (ORC), a numerical model is established to ascertain the difference in power generation caused by geothermal fluid dryness and non-condensable gas content. The results show that the specific enthalpy of geothermal fluid increases with the increase of geothermal fluid temperature and geothermal fluid dryness. If the dryness of geothermal fluid is ignored, the estimation error will be large for geothermal fluid enthalpy. Ignoring non condensable gas will increase the estimation of geothermal fluid enthalpy, so the existence of the non-condensable gas tends to reduce the installed capacity of a geothermal power plant. Additionally, both mass flow of the working medium and net power output of the ORC power generation system are increased with increasing dryness of geothermal fluid, however there is some impact of geothermal fluid dryness on thermal efficiency.

Abstract:As a potentially viable renewable energy, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGSs) extract heat from hot dry rock (HDR) reservoirs to produce electricity and heat, which promotes the progress towards carbon peaking and carbon neutralization. The main challenge for EGSs is to reduce the investment cost. In the present study, thermo-economic investigations of EGS projects are conducted. The effects of geofluid mass flow rate, wellhead temperature and loss rate on the thermo-economic performance of the EGS organic Rankine cycle (ORC) are studied. A performance comparison between EGS-ORC and the EGS combined heating and power system (CHP) is presented. Considering the CO2 emission reduction benefits, the influence of carbon emission trading price on the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) is also presented. It is indicated that the geofluid mass flow rate is a critical parameter in dictating the success of a project. Under the assumed typical working conditions, the LCOE of EGS-ORC and EGS-CHP systems are 24.72 and 16.1 cents/kWh, respectively. Compared with the EGS-ORC system, the LCOE of the EGS-CHP system is reduced by 35%. EGS-CHP systems have the potential to be economically viable in the future. With carbon emission trading prices of 12.76 USD/ton, the LCOE can be reduced by approximately 8.5%.

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Abstract:New well-preserved rudist materials come from the Barremian–Turonian marine formations in the Yelleg, Minsherah, Maaza, and Raghawi sections in North Sinai, northern Egypt. There, 17 discovered rudist species belonging to 13 genera and seven taxonomic families are described in detail as follows: Eoradiolites plicatus (Conrad), Eoradiolites liratus (Conrad), Praeradiolites ponsianus (?Archiac), Archaeoradiolites sp., Bournonia africana Douvillé, Bournonia fourtaui Douvillé, Biradiolites lombricalis (?Orbigny), Biradiolites zumoffeni Douvillé, Radiolites lewyi lewyi Parnes, Radiolites sauvagesi (?Hombres-Firmas), Durania arnaudi (Choffat), Toucasia carinata (Matheron), Toucasia sp., Neocaprina raghawiensis Steuber and Bachmann, Sellaea sp., Ichthyosarcolites sp. and Horoiopleura sp.. The Cenomanian deposits in the northern Eastern desert of Egypt only contain E. liratus. The domination of the Cenomanian rudist species in North Sinai, however, is attributed to changes in the platform, which passes mainly from carbonate in the north to siliciclastics in the south. The presence of Horiopleura sp. in the late Barremian–early Aptian deposits is documented for the first time, which suggests the expansion of taxa of the genus Horiopleura Douvillé to North Sinai during this interval. The age of the rudist species is documented from the late Barremian–Turonian formations, with their geographic distribution in the Mediterranean region considered..

Abstract:The Permian radiolarian zones and their correlations with conodont zones or other chronostratigraphic schemes are still under debate. In this study, four genera, 21 species and two subspecies of radiolarians together with one genus and six species of conodonts were recovered from the Linghao Formation cropping out at the Longwangpo (LWP) section, northwestern Guangxi, South China. Six radiolarian interval zones and one abundance zone are recognized in the section, namely in ascending order, the Follicucullus scholasticus, Albaillella cavitata, A. protolevis, A. levis, A. excelsa, A. triangularis Interval zones and A. yaoi Abundance Zone. They are correlated with the Clarkina dukouensis, C. guangyuanensis and C. orientalis conodont zones recognized at the same section. Based on our data, the F. scholasticus Interval Zone and the lowermost part of A. cavitata Interval Zone are recognized to be upper Capitanian age, whereas the four Albaillella Interval zones are of Lopingian age (Wuchiapingian to the late Changhsingian). Two previously known Changhsingian radiolarian zones, namely the A. triangularis and A. yaoi Interval zones, should be extended down to the uppermost Wuchiapingian in this studied section.

Abstract:Structural transfer zones in a half-graben rift basin play a significant role in controlling sandy sediments and providing a target for hydrocarbon exploration. Previous studies have classified the transfer zone in lacustrine environments into two different patterns: synthetic approaching transfer zones and synthetic overlapping transfer zones. However, the evolution of the depositional pattern and the controlling factors of the above transfer zones are still unclear. In the Fushan Sag, the northern South China Sea, an overlapping transfer zone developed in the early Eocene Epoch, while a synthetic approaching transfer zone developed in the late Eocene, due to tectonic uplift. This evolutionary process provided an opportunity to study the stacking pattern of strata architectural variability and facies distribution in the structural transfer zone of the Eocene lacustrine basin. In this study, following the indications of the oriented sedimentary structures in core samples and heavy mineral assemblages of 18 wells, the evolution of the paleo-hydrodynamic distribution during the early and late Eocene has been reconstructed. The sequence-stratigraphy was then divided and the sand body parameters calculated, according to the seismic data and well log interpretations. During the early Eocene, the lake level was at a low stand, the faults broken displacement in the East block being over 50?m. The prograding delta and turbidites are oriented perpendicular to the structural transfer zone. According to the quantitative analysis of the flow rate and the depositional parameters, we speculate that gravity transportation of the sediment and the sediment-supply are the dominating factors during this period. Up to the late Eocene, the rising lake level and the decreased fault displacement leads the flow to divert to a NE-direction, resulting in it being parallel to the axis of the transfer zone. Thus, we speculate that the accommodation space is predominant in this period. In comparison with the above two periods, a braided river delta with an isolated sand body and turbidites developing in the deep area is prominent in the overlapping transfer zone, while a meandering river delta is characteristic of the synthetic approaching transfer zone.

Abstract:The Chaihulanzi area in eastern Inner Mongolia is tectonically situated on the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). The main Precambrian lithologies of the area have been referred to the Archean Jianping Group meta-supracrustal sequences. Based on field observations, petrographic, whole-rock geochemical, and zircon U-Pb geochronological results, a magmatic origin for the units is proposed. Our results show that the Chaihulanzi gneisses are mainly of granitic, dioritic and granodioritic compositions, and show typical magmatic rock textures and mineral assemblages. The dioritic and granodioritic gneisses show Na-rich tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG)-like affinity with zircon U-Pb dates of ca. 2.57–2.59 Ga, representing a juvenile continental growth for the northeastern NCC. The granitic gneiss is indeed potassic granite and yielded a zircon U-Pb date of ~2.50 Ga, which is contemporaneous with the Jining–Jiaoliao microblock collision (2.53–2.49 Ga), implying another crustal growth event. The well-developed gneissosity in 2.57–2.59 Ga dioritic and granodioritic gneisses together with the 2.5 Ga potassic granite, which crosscuts the gneissosity implies a 2.57–2.50 Ga (mainly 2.53–2.51 Ga) collisional orogeny, probably related to the Jining–Jiaoliao microblock collision. Our new geology and chronological results provide new evidence for the early Precambrian tectonic evolution of the NCC.

Abstract:Crystalline basement and Precambrian crustal growth of the continental massifs within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) are still pending problems. Our geological and geochemical investigations identified an Archean (2606 Ma) granitic pluton in the Biliya area of the Erguna Massif. The Neoarchean granitoids show high and positive in-situ zircon εHf(t) (+0.3 to +10.0), whole-rock εNd(t) (+4.8) and whole-rock εHf(t) values (+2.1). They are characterized by high Y + Ce + Zr + Nb (> 220 ppm) and Zr contents and could be classified as A-type granites. These granitoids are characterized by high Zr saturation temperatures (TZr) (796–836°C). They were derived from partial re-melting of juvenile mafic lower crust in an intracontinental back-arc extensional environment. This newly identified Neoarchean granitic pluton may represent the crystalline basement of the several continent massifs within the CAOB, and their high ?Hf(t)–?Nd(t) values may also indicate the occurrence of lateral crustal growth events in these massifs during the Neoarchean.

Abstract:The Wadi Ibib area is situated in the northern part of the Neoproterozoic Hamisana Shear Zone (HSZ), which is a high strain zone evolved during the late stages of the Pan-African orogeny, likely as a tectonic escape structure. Amphibolite facies pelitic metasedimentary windows crop out in the axial parts of the HSZ and are noticeably associated with numerous N-trending pegmatite dikes. Whole-rock geochemistry of the pegmatites reveals a peraluminous (S-type) affinity, with low K/Rb ratios and elevated concentrations of U, Th, REE, Rb, Li, Cs, Y, Nb and Ta. Structurally, the pegmatite sets intrude along the shear plane of the HSZ, corresponding to the regional N-trending tectonic fabrics, such as axial planar foliation and dextral-shearing in the metasedimentary host rock. Field relationships, including structural context, coupled with geochemical characteristics of the Wadi Ibib pegmatites, do not support their formation as a complementary part of evolved granitic magmas. Space-localized decompression-induced partial melting of peraluminous garnet-bearing metapelites was alternatively the underlying process for formation of these pegmatites. Such decompression was associated with regional escape tectonics and stress axes permutations during the late deformation stage (D3) in the evolution of the south Eastern Desert terrane, due to end-orogeny system pressure-release.

Abstract:The Xilin Group, composed of the Chenming, Laodaomiaogou, Qianshan and Wuxingzhen formations, is one of the Early Paleozoic terranes in the eastern Songliao Massif, mainly consisting of thick layers of fine clastic and carbonate rocks. This study presents LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb geochronological data for the Laodaomiaogou and Qianshan formations, further constraining their provenance and the Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Songliao Massif on the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Most zircons from the Laodaomiaogou and Qianshan formations show magmatic oscillatory zoning and high Th/U ratios (0.26–2.41). Zircon U-Pb dating results indicate that the detrital zircons from the silty mudstone of the Laodaomiaogou Formation yield peak ages of 634 Ma, 775 Ma, 820 Ma, 880 Ma and 927 Ma, as well as multi-episodic Archean to Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic ages (1405–643 Ma), implying its deposition time is younger than ~634 Ma. Furthermore, the occurrence of Early Cambrian fossils indicates that the Laodaomiaogou Formation was deposited during the late stage of the Early Cambrian (~514 Ma). The zircons from the K-bentonite of the Qianshan Formation show four peak ages of 444 Ma, 471 Ma, 489 Ma and 518 Ma and the youngest age peak of 444 ± 4 Ma (n = 6) indicates that the Qianshan Formation was deposited during the Late Ordovician. In addition, the peak ages of the detrital zircons in the silty mudstone of the Qianshan Formation are 472 Ma and 498 Ma, as well as two other concordant points with 207Pb/206Pb apparent ages of 1824 Ma and 1985 Ma. The dating results in this study, together with published data, indicate the absence of Pan-African magmatic events in the Songliao Massif prior to the initial deposition of the Xilin Group, in contrast to those distributed widely in the Jiamusi Massif. Taken together, we conclude that the depositional provenance of the Laodaomiaogou and Qianshan formations was derived from the Songliao Massif. Furthermore, the characteristics of the detrital zircon age composition and rock associations indicate that the Laodaomiaogou Formation formed in a passive continental margin environment, in contrast to the Qianshan Formation, which formed in an active continental margin environment. The above results also imply that the Songliao and Jiamusi massifs might not have collided before the Late Ordovician.

Abstract:The Bayinqinggeli deposit in the northern Ordos Basin, northwestern of China, is a recently discovered sandstone-type uranium deposit. The uranium (U) orebodies are generally hosted in the lower member of the Jurassic Zhiluo Formation (Fm.), and are primarily tabular or irregular in shape. In the study area, 23 sandstone samples were collected from the Zhiluo Fm. and analyzed for major, trace, and rare earth elements (REEs). The geochemical characteristics of these sandstones are used to evaluate the factors controlling U mineralization. The source rocks of the Zhiluo Fm. sandstones are mainly volcanic and felsic magmatic rocks formed in continental arc and active continental-marginal arc environments, and they provided the material required for the mineralization. The index of compositional variability ranges from 1.02 to 3.29 (average1.38), indicating that the Zhiluo Fm. sandstones are immature and composed of first-cycle sediments. The corrected chemical index of alteration averages 56, suggesting that the source rocks underwent weak chemical weathering. The ore host rocks are loose, providing favorable conditions for epigenetic oxidation and U precipitation and enrichment. Ferrous iron in minerals such as chlorite, biotite, ilmenite, and pyrite might have played a role either in adsorbing or reducing the uranium.

Abstract:The Lower Carboniferous sediments at Wadi Abu El Mogheirat consist of four stratigraphic formations, from base upwards: Um Bogma, El Hashash, Magharet El Maiah and Abu Zarab formations. The most-concentrated radioactive anomalies at Wadi Abu El Mogheirat are in the middle member of the Um Bogma Formation. The gibbsitic marl in this formation shows the highest uranium contents (around 710 ppm). Gibbsitic marl and black gibbsite of the middle Um Bogma Formation show higher enrichment in Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, U, V, Ce and Th. Black gibbsite contains the highest total rare earth elements concentration, especially in terms of LREEs, while gibbsitic marl contains the highest content of HREEs. Anomalous contents of gold at Wadi Abu El Mogheirat are recorded for the first time in the gibbsitic marl (content: 10.4 ppm), black gibbsite (2.8 ppm) of the middle member of the Um Bogma Formation and in the siltstones of the El Hashash Formation (0.6 ppm). Gibbsitic marl shows the presence of uranothorite, celestite, zircon, atacamite, barite, xenotime and rutile. These characteristic demonstrate that the middle member of the Um Bogma Formation constitutes a potential source for gold. This conclusion is reinforced by the potential to exploit other metals such as Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, U, V, Th and Ce as by-products.

Abstract:Asphaltenes have always been an attractive subject for researchers. However, the application of this fraction of the geochemical field has only been studied in a limited way. In other words, despite many studies on asphaltene structure, the application of asphaltene structures in organic geochemistry has not so far been assessed. Oil-oil correlation is a well-known concept in geochemical studies and plays a vital role in basin modeling and the reconstruction of the burial history of basin sediments, as well as accurate characterization of the relevant petroleum system. This study aims to propose the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique as a novel method for oil-oil correlation and investigate its reliability and accuracy for different crude oils. To this end, 13 crude oil samples from the Iranian sector of the Persian Gulf region, which had previously been correlated by traditional geochemical tools such as biomarker ratios and isotope values, in four distinct genetic groups, were selected and their asphaltene fractions analyzed by two prevalent methods of XRD and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). For oil-oil correlation assessment, various cross-plots, as well as principal component analysis (PCA), were conducted, based on the structural parameters of the studied asphaltenes. The results indicate that asphaltene structural parameters can also be used for oil-oil correlation purposes, their results being completely in accord with the previous classifications. The average values of distance between saturated portions (dr) and the distance between two aromatic layers (dm) of asphaltene molecules belonging to the studied oil samples are 4.69? and 3.54?, respectively. Furthermore, the average diameter of the aromatic sheets (La), the height of the clusters (Lc), the number of carbons per aromatic unit (Cau), the number of aromatic rings per layer (Ra), the number of sheets in the cluster (Me) and aromaticity (fa) values of these asphaltene samples are 10.09?, 34.04?, 17.42?, 3.78?, 10.61? and 0.26?, respectively. The results of XRD parameters indicate that plots of dr vs. dm, dr vs. Me, dr vs. fa, dm vs. Lc, Lc vs. La, and fa vs. La perform appropriately for distinguishing genetic groups. A comparison between XRD and FTIR results indicated that the XRD method is more accurate for this purpose. In addition, decision tree classification, one of the most efficacious approaches of machine learning, was employed for the geochemical groups of this study for the first time. This tree, which was constructed using XRD data, can distinguish genetic groups accurately and can also determine the characteristics of each geochemical group. In conclusion, the obtaining of structural parameters for asphaltene by the XRD technique is a novel, precise and inexpensive method, which can be deployed as a new approach for oil-oil correlation goals. The findings of this study can help in the prompt determination of genetic groups as a screening method and can also be useful for assessing oil samples affected by secondary processes.

Abstract:The Late Permian succession of the Upper Indus Basin in northeastern Pakistan is represented by the carbonate-dominated Zaluch Group, which consists of the Amb, Wargal and Chhidru formations, which accumulated on the southwestern shelf of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, north of the hydrocarbon-producing Permian strata of the Arabian Peninsula. The reservoir properties of the mixed clastic-carbonate Chhidru Formation (CFm) are evaluated based on petrography, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The diagenetic features are recognized, ranging from marine (isopachous fibrous calcite, micrite), through meteoric (blocky calcite-I, neomorphism and dissolution) to burial (poikilotopic cement, blocky calcite-II-III, fractures, fracture-filling, and stylolites). Major porosity types include fracture and moldic, while inter- and intra-particle porosities also exist. Observed visual porosity ranges from 1.5%–7.14% with an average of 5.15%. The sandstone facies (CMF-4) has the highest average porosity of 10.7%, whereas the siliciclastic grainstone microfacies (CMF-3) shows an average porosity of 5.3%. The siliciclastic mudstone microfacies (CMF-1) and siliciclastic wacke-packestone microfacies (CMF-2) show the lowest porosities of 4.8% and 5.0%, respectively. Diagenetic processes like cementation, neomorphism, stylolitization and compaction have reduced the primary porosities; however, processes of dissolution and fracturing have produced secondary porosity. On average, the CFm in the Nammal Gorge, Salt Range shows promise and at Gula Khel Gorge, Trans-Indus, the lowest porosity.