Reservoir characterization and rock eval pyrolysis of clastic sedimentary rocks in the Geku Formation, Arunachal Pradesh, North-eastern India

Authors

  • Anannya Bordoloi Department of Geology, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam-781001
  • Ananya Chutia Department of Geology, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam-781001
  • Chaitra Dhar Taye Department of Geology, Jagannath Barooah College (Autonomous), Jorhat, Assam-785001

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51710/jias.v40iI.284

Abstract

The present investigation aims to decipher the reservoir quality and source rock potential of the sandstones and shales of the Geku Formation of the Yinkiong Group, Eastern Himalaya, NE India. To achieve the goal, sandstone petrography and rock-eval pyrolysis of shale aided with X-Ray diffraction have been employed. A petrographic study revealed that the detrital constituent of the sandstones is mainly quartz, feldspar, and lithic fragments. Authigenic cements such as carbonate and clay bind the detrital materials as indicated by petrographic as well as X-Ray diffraction study. Clay minerals include illite, smectite-montmorillonite and kaolinite. The studied sandstones underwent compaction as evidenced by the formation of concavo-convex and sutured grain contacts, which also suggest its phyllomorphic stage of diagenesis. The presence of calcite and clay cement has led to reduction of the porosity and permeability of sandstones, which is also substantiated by sorting and irregular grain shapes such as sub-angular, angular, and sub-rounded, thereby affecting reservoir quality. The rock eval pyrolysis data suggests that the Yinkiong shales have poor source rock potential with dominantly kerogen type III. The geochemical parameters of the studied shales suggest mostly immature and postmature organic matter and the very low TOC values indicate poor organic richness.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Ananya Chutia, Department of Geology, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam-781001

Assistant professor, Department of Geology

Chaitra Dhar Taye, Department of Geology, Jagannath Barooah College (Autonomous), Jorhat, Assam-785001

Assistant Professor, Department of Geology

References

Acharyya, S.K. (1994). The Cenozoic foreland basin and tectonics of the Eastern Sub-Himalaya: problems and prospects. Himalayan Geology, v.15, p.3–21.

Acharyya, S.K. (2007). Evolution of the Himalayan Paleogene foreland basin, influence of its litho-packet on the formation of thrust-related domes and windows in the Eastern Himalayas – A review. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, v.31, p.1–17.

Akinlua, A., Ngola, A., Fadipe, O.A., and Adekola, S.A. (2016). Petrography and geochemistry of sandstone samples of Vischkuil formation, Karoo Supergroup, South Africa. Petrol Explor Prod Technol, v.6, p.159-167, https://doi.org/10.1007/s132 02015-0199-1

Al-Harbi, O.A., and Khan, M. (2008). Provenance, diagenesis, tectonic setting and geochemistry of Tawil sandstone (Lower Devonian) in Central Saudi Arabia. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, v.33, p.278-287.

Al-Ramadan, K., Morad, S., and Plink-Bjorklund, P. (2012). Distribution of diagenetic alterations in relationship to depositional facies and sequence stratigraphy of a wave- and tide-dominated siliciclastic shoreline complex: Upper Cretaceous Chimney Rock Sandstones, Wyoming and Utah, USA. Int. Assoc. Sediment. Spec. Publ., v.45, p.271–296.

Baral, U., Lin, D., Goswami, T.K., Sarma, M., Qasim, M., and Bezbaruah, D. (2019). Detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology of a Cenozoicforeland basin in Northeast India: Implications for zircon provenance during the collision of the Indian and Asian plates. Terra Nova, v. 31, p. 18–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/ter.12364

Beaumont, C., Jamieson, R.A., Nguyen, M., and Lee, B. (2001). Himalayan tectonics explained by extrusion of a low viscosity crustal channel coupled to focused surface denudation. Nature, v.414, p.738?742.

Bordoloi, A., Chutia, A., Taye, C., and Gogoi, M.P. (2022). Petrography and geochemistry of palaeogene sandstones of Geku Formation, Yinkiong Group, Arunachal Pradesh, NE India: implications on provenance and tectonic setting, Journal of Sedimentary Environments. v. 7(4), p. 691-709. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-022-00116-4

Borgohain, P., Borah, C., and Gilfellon, G.B. (2010). Sandstone diagenesis and its impact on reservoir quality of the Arenaceous Unit of Barail Group of an oilfield of Upper Assam Shelf, India. Current Science, v.98(1), p.82-88.

Chima, P., Baiyegunhi, C., Liu, K., and Gwavava, O. (2018). Diagenesis and rock properties of sandstones from the Stormberg Group, Karoo Supergroup in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Open Geosciences, v.10, p.740–771. https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2018-0059

Chutia, A., Taye, C. D., Nath, D., and Chutia, D. (2019). Provenance of the Yinkiong Group exposed along Pasighat-Mariyang road section, East Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh: A petrographic, heavy mineral and clay mineralogical approach. Indian Journal of Geosciences, v.73(4), p.253–264.

Cook, K.L., and Royden, L.H. (2008). The role of crustal strength variations in shaping orogenic plateaus, with application to Tibet. Journal of Geophysical Research, Solid Earth, v.113.

Dapples, E.C. (1962). Stages of Diagenesis in the Development of Sandstones. GSA Bulletin, v.73 (8), p.913-934.

Davis, H.R., C.W. Byers., and Pratt, L.M. (1989). Depositional Mechanisms and Organic Matter in Mowry Shale (Cretaceous), Wyoming, AAPG Bulletin, v.73(9), p.1103-1116.Espitalie, J., Deroo, G., and Marquis, F. (1985). Rock–Eval pyrolysis and its application. Rev. Inst. Fr. Petrol., v.72.

Goodchild, M.W., and Whitaker, J.H.McD. (1986). A petrographic study of the Rotliegendes sandstone reservoir (Lower Permian) in the rough gas field. Clay Minerals, v.21, p.459-477.

Gordon, J.B. (2021). Geochemistry, Diagenesis and Secondary Porosity Development of Late Jurassic strata, Offshore Newfoundland, Canada. University of Calgary. Ph.D thesis.

Hafiz, M., Hakhoo, N., Bhat, G., Kanungo, S., Thusu, B., Craig, J., Ahmed, W., and Magotra, R. (2022). An assessment of the source potential and reservoir characterization for tight gas exploration in the Subathu Formation shale, Himalayan Foreland Basin, Northwestern India. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, v.230, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2022.10520

Houseman, G., and England, P. (1993). Crustal thickening versus lateral expulsion in the Indian–Asian continental collision. Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth, v.98, p.12233?12249.

Hunt, M. (1995). Petroleum Geochemistry and Geology. Chapter-10, p.322-353.

Hussain, M., El Hassan, W.M., and Abdul Raheen, A. (2006). Control of grain size distribution on geochemical properties of reservoir rocks—a case study: Cretaceous Kahafji member, Zuluf field, offshore Arabian Gulf. Marine and Petroleum Geology, v.23, p.703–713

Jafar, S. A. and Singh, O. P. (1992). K/T boundary species with Early Eocene nannofossils discovered from Subathu Formation, Shimla Himalaya, India. Current Science, v.62(5), p.409-413.

Jiang, T., Aitchison, J. C. and Wan, X. (2016). The youngest marine deposits preserved in southern Tibet and disappearance of the Tethyan Ocean. Gondwana Research, v.32, p.64-75.

Kumar, G. (1997). Geology of Arunachal Pradesh. Geological Society of India, p. 217.

Lafargue, E., Espitalie, J., Marquis, F., and Pillot, D. (1998). Rock-Eval 6 Applications in Hydrocarbon Exploration, Production and Soil Contamination Studies, In Rev. Inst. Fr. Pétrol., v.53(4), p.421-437. DOI: 10.2516/ogst:1998036

Lambiase, J.J., and Morley, C.K. (1999). Hydrocarbons in rift basins: the role of stratigraphy. Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society A, Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences, v.357 (1753).

Morley, C. K. (1999). Comparison of hydrocarbon prospectivity in rift systems. In Continental rifting in East Africa, structural and sedimentary geometries, processes and evolution: as revealed by hydrocarbon exploration (ed. C. K. Morley), American Association of Petroleum Geologists Special Publication.

Nuñez-betelu., and Baceta, J.I. (1995). Basics and Application of Rock-Eval/TOC Pyrolysis: an example from the uppermost Paleocene/lowermost Eocene in The Basque Basin, Western Pyrenees. MUNIBE (Ciencias Naturales - Natur Zientziak), p.43-62.

Olaussen, S., Dalland, A., Gloppen, T.G., and Johannesen, E. (1984). Depositional environment and diagenesis of Jurassic reservoir sandstones in the eastern part of Troms I area. In Spencer, A.M., Holter, E.,Johnsen, S.O., Mørk, A., Nysaether, E., Songstad, P. and Spinnangr, Å. (Eds.), Petroleum geology of the North European Margin. Norwegian Petroleum Society (NPF), Graham and Trotmanp, p.61-79.

Peters, K.E., and Cassa, M. R. (1994). Applied source rock geochemistry, in Magoon, L. B. and W. G. Dow, Eds. The petroleum system — from source to trap, AAPG Memoir, v.60, p.93–120.

Pitman, J.K., Spencer, C.W., and Pollastro, R.M. (1989). Petrography, Mineralogy, and Reservoir Characteristics of theUpper Cretaceous Mesaverde Group in the East-Central Piceance Basin, Colorado, USGS bulletin 1787, Evolution of sedimentary basins- Uinta and Piceance basins, Chapter-G, https://doi.org/10.3133/b1787G

Ramadan, K.A., Hussain. M., Badrul, I., and Salih. S. (2004). Lithologic characteristics and diagenesis of the Devonian Jauf sandstone at Ghawar Field, Eastern Saudi Arabia. Marine and Petroleum Geology, v.21, p.1221–1234.

Sarma, M., Bezbaruah, D., Goswami, T.K., and Baral, U. (2020). Geologic and Tectonic Evolution of the Yinkiong Group and Abor Volcanic Rocks in the Eastern Himalaya: An Overview of Geologic Data. Geotectonics, v.54(3), p.395–409.

Sengupta, S., Acharyya, S.K., and Smeth, B.D. (1996). Geochemical characteristics of the Abor volcanic rocks, N.E. Himalaya, India: nature and Early Eocene magmatism, Journal of Geological Society of London, v.153, p.695–704.

Shar, A.M., Mahesar, A.A., Narejo, A.A., and Fatima, N. (2021). Petrography and Geochemical Characteristics of Nari Sandstone in Lower Indus Basin, Sindh, Pakistan, Mehran University. Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, v.40 (1), p.82-92, DOI: 10.22581/muet1982.2101.08

Singh, S. (1984). A reappraisal of Yinkiong Formation with reference to Dalbuing area, East Siang district Arunachal Himalaya. Indian Minerals, v.38(2), p.34–38.

Taye, C. D. (2015). Petrography and Geochemistry of the Volcanic and Metavolcanic Rocks of Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India (Ph.D. Thesis, Dibrugarh University), p.34, http://hdl.handle.net/10603/212919.

Taye, C. D., and Bhattacharyya, P. (2017). Mineral chemistry and thermobarometry of the Mafic Igneous Rocks of Yamne Valley, Arunachal Pradesh India. Journal of Applied Geochemistry, v.19(4), p.400–415.

Thakur, O.P. and Dogra, N.N. (2011). Palynofacies characterization for hydrocarbon source rock evaluation in the Subathu Formation of Marhighat, Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh. Journal of Earth System Science, v.120(5), p.933. DOI: 10.1007/s12040-011-0110-5.

Tissot, B. P., Durand, B., Espitalie, J. and Combaz, A. (1974). Influence of nature and diagenesis of organic matter in formation of petroleum. AAPG Bull. v.58, p.499 506.

Tripathi, C., Dungrakoti, B. D., and Ghosh, R. N. (1979). Note on discovery of Nummulites from Dihang Valley, Siang district Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Minerals, v.33(1), p.43–44.

Tripathi, C., Gaur, R. K. and Singh, S. (1981). A note on the occurrence of Nummulites in East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, Indian Minerals, v.35 (1), p.36-38.

Tripathi, C. and Mamgain, V. D., 1986: The larger foraminifera from the Yinkiong Formation (Early Eocene) of East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India, v.31, p.76-84.

Tucker, M. (1988). Techniques in sedimentology. Blackwell Scientific Publication, Ch-7, p.206-208.

Van Krevelen, D.W. (1961). Coal Typology - Physics - Chemistry – Constitution. Elsevier Publishing Company, New York, p.113 120

Worden, R. H. and Morad, S. (2000). Quartz cementation in oil field sandstones: a review of the key controversies. In: Quartz cementation in sandstones. Special publications of International Association of Sedimentologists, v.29, p.1-20.

Worden, R.H., and Burley, S.D. (2009). Sandstone Diagenesis: The Evolution of Sand to sandstone, In book: Sandstone Diagenesis. Recent and Ancient, Chapter: 1. DOI: 10.1002/9781444304459.

Downloads

Published

2023-06-30

How to Cite

Bordoloi, A., Chutia, A., & Taye, C. D. (2023). Reservoir characterization and rock eval pyrolysis of clastic sedimentary rocks in the Geku Formation, Arunachal Pradesh, North-eastern India. Journal of The Indian Association of Sedimentologists (peer Reviewed), 40(I), 43–54. https://doi.org/10.51710/jias.v40iI.284
Share |