--> Abstract: Evaluation of Ordos Basin in China, by J. G. Zhou; #90952 (1996).

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Abstract: Evaluation of Ordos Basin in China

Joe G. Zhou

Ordos basin lies in the north-central China, in a compression tectonic regime, with an area of approximately 250,000 km2, including several pay zones ranging from Cambrian to Jurassic. It is one of the earliest-formed marine to continental-superimposed basin in China, characterized by Proterozoic basin-marginal rifting and Lower-Paleozoic carbonate platform development followed by western thrusting and foreland depression during Mesozoic. It underwent several tectonic movements and is covered by several structural layers, with many play types developed, primarily thrust and anticlinal plays in the west, and differential compaction (river-channel sand lens) or drape as well as buried hill plays in the basin center and east.

Ordos basin is a prolific gas basin with an estimated resource potential of gas 656,091 billion m3 in the Paleozoic strata and oil 2.0474 billion tons in the Mesozoic strata. In 1986, in the western part of the basin, the well Tian-1 on the Tianchi structure tested gas at a rate of 16 × 104 m3/d (about 5.6496 MCF per day). By year-end 1991, only 26 wells had been drilled in the Jingbian to Hengshan areas (northeastern part of the basin), but 16 of them flowed commercial gas, ranging from 3.2 × 104 m3/d to 126 × 104m3/d. However, the gas pipe just starts building. Therefore, there will be a lot of gas yet to find, and the most critical factor for petroleum potential of each local structure or pl y in this basin is the reservoir development.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90952©1996 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, Billings, Montana