Characteristics of effective helium source rocks and releasing mechanism of helium

Xiaofeng Wang, Dong Zhao, Dongdong Zhang, Xiaofu Li, Keyu Chen, Wenhui Liu
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Abstract

Different helium source rocks exhibit varying characteristics, including differences in the content and occurrence states of precursor elements such as uranium (U) and thorium (Th). In sedimentary rocks, U and Th mainly exist in adsorbed and (or) complexed states of organic matter and clay minerals. The primary migration of helium generated in sediments is liable to occur due to the lack of mineral crystal restraint. Hence, source rocks and reservoir rocks in gas pools act as the primary effective helium source rocks in sediments. In contrast, other sedimentary rocks are less effective as helium sources due to the fact that high porosity results in prolonged helium saturation, thereby restraining the desolubilization and secondary migration of helium. In igneous rocks, isomorphous U and Th are mainly enriched in silicate and phosphate minerals. Temperature is the main controlling factor affecting their primary migration. Granite, characterized by low porosity and limited helium solubility, can experience large-scale release helium under conditions of tectonic uplift and abnormally high temperatures, acting as an effective helium source rock for helium-rich natural gases. Various forms of U and Th can exist in metamorphic rocks, which have higher porosity and higher soluble helium contents than granite, but this result in greater difficulty in helium release. Although the direct source rocks and reservoirs of natural gas reservoirs are effective helium source rocks, it is difficult to form He-rich natural gas due to the influence of hydrocarbon dilution. Sufficient He supply from basin basement or mantle-derived sources is a key condition for natural gas reservoirs to be rich in He.
有效氦源岩特征及氦释放机制
不同的氦源岩具有不同的特征,包括铀(U)、钍(Th)等前驱元素的含量和赋存状态的差异。在沉积岩中,U和Th主要以吸附态和(或)络合态存在于有机质和粘土矿物中。由于缺乏矿物晶体约束,沉积物中生成的氦容易发生初次迁移。因此,气藏中的烃源岩和储层岩是沉积物中主要的有效氦源岩。而其他沉积岩的高孔隙度导致氦饱和度延长,抑制了氦的脱溶和二次运移,因此作为氦源的效果较差。在火成岩中,U和Th主要富集于硅酸盐和磷矿物中。温度是影响其初次运移的主要控制因素。花岗岩孔隙度低,氦溶解度有限,在构造隆升和异常高温条件下可大规模释放氦,是富氦天然气的有效氦源岩。变质岩中可存在多种形式的U和Th,其孔隙度和可溶性氦含量均高于花岗岩,但这导致氦释放难度较大。气藏的直接烃源岩和储层虽然是有效的氦源岩,但受烃稀释作用的影响,难以形成富氦天然气。盆地基底或幔源充足的氦供应是油气富集的关键条件。
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