Geochemistry of natural gases in deep strata of the Songliao Basin, NE China

Chemical composition and stable carbon isotopic studies were undertaken for 27 gas samples from deep strata of the Xujiaweizi Depression in the Songliao Basin to investigate their origin. Gas molecular and carbon isotopic compositions show great variety. Methane is the main component for all studied samples and its content ranges from 57.4% to 98.2% with an average of 90.1%. Gas wetness ranges from 0.8% to 16.7% with an average of 2.7%. The main non-hydrocarbon gases are carbon dioxide and nitrogen with an average of 4.0% and 3.2%, respectively. Carbon isotope data suggest that these deep strata gases are mainly coal-type gases mixed with minor amounts of associated (oil-type) gases. Coal-type gases are characterized by heavier carbon isotopic values and drier chemical compositions. These gases were generated from the Lower Cretaceous Shahezi Formation coals interbedded shales with type III kerogen during the postmature stage of hydrocarbon generation. Oil-type gases are characterized by lighter carbon isotope and higher wetness, which were generated from the Lower Cretaceous shales with type II kerogen in the shallow strata during the early mature stage of hydrocarbon generation. Mixing of two different gases causes unusual carbon isotopic distribution patterns, with lighter isotopic values in higher numbered carbons in most gases. The discovery of coal-type gases in the Songliao Basin provides new prospects for the exploration in this region. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.