Geochemical characteristics, generation, and evolution mechanism of coalbed methane in the south-western Ordos Basin, China

The south-western Ordos Basin is rich in low-middle rank coalbed methane (CBM) resources; while the geochemical characteristics and genetic mechanism of CBM are not clear. Herein, according to geological and geochemical test data from gas and coal seam water from CBM wells in Bingchang, Jiaoxun, Huangling, Yonglong, and Longdong minging areas, we systematically studied the geochemical characteristics, generation, and evolution mechanism of CBM in Jurassic Yan’an Formation in the south-western Ordos Basin. The results show that the CH₄ content of whole gas is in the range of 42.01 %–94.72%. The distribution ranges of the δ¹³C-CH₄ value is −87.2‰ to −32.5‰, indicating diverse sources of thermogenic gas and biogenic gas. The microbial methane is mainly generated by a CO₂ reduction pathway, with certain methyl-type fermentation spots. The δ¹³C-CH₄ has a positive correlation with burial depth, indicating the obvious fractionation of CBM. The relationship between the genetic types and burial depth of the CBM reservoir indicates that the favorable depth of secondary biogenic gas is less than 660 m. The Late Cretaceous Yanshanian Movement led to the uplift of the Ordos Basin, and a large amount of thermogenic gas escaped from the edge of the basin. Since the Paleogene Period, the coal reservoir in the basin margin has received recharge from atmospheric precipitation, which is favorable for the formation of secondary biogenic methane. The deep area, generally under 1000 m, mainly contains residual thermogenic gas. The intermediate transition zone is mixed gas. Constrained by the tectonic background, the genetic types of CBM in different mining areas are controlled by the coupling of burial depth, coal rank, and hydrogeological conditions. The Binchang mining area contains biogenic gas, and the development of CBM has achieved initial success, indicating that similar blocks with biogenic gas formation conditions is key to the efficient development of CBM. The research results provide a scientific basis for searching for favorable exploration areas of CBM in the southwestern Ordos Basin.