LAPSE:2024.1824
Published Article
LAPSE:2024.1824
Helium Geochemical Characteristics and Favorable Zones in the Tarim Basin: Implications for Helium Exploration
August 23, 2024
Abstract
Helium is an irreplaceable ore resource for many applications, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, aviation, semiconductors, and nuclear energy. Extracting helium in a free state from natural gas is currently the only economical approach at the industrial level. In this study, we compiled geochemical data of 719 natural gas samples from 36 oil and gas fields in the Tarim basin that include experimental results and previously reported data. Helium is of primarily crustal origin in the Tarim Basin according to helium isotope characteristics (not exceeding 0.1 Ra), except in the Ake gas field that has not more than 7% of mantle helium. Helium concentrations in diverse tectonic units vary considerably. Oil-type gas, on the whole, has a higher helium concentration relative to coal-type gas. Abundant helium flux, a favorable fault system between the source-reservoir system, no strong charging of gaseous hydrocarbons, and the good sealing capacity are important factors that control the formation of helium-rich gas fields. Considering both the helium concentration and natural gas reserves, helium-rich gas fields located in the Southwest Depression and Tabei Uplift can be regarded as the major favorable zones of further deployment for helium extraction.
Helium is an irreplaceable ore resource for many applications, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, aviation, semiconductors, and nuclear energy. Extracting helium in a free state from natural gas is currently the only economical approach at the industrial level. In this study, we compiled geochemical data of 719 natural gas samples from 36 oil and gas fields in the Tarim basin that include experimental results and previously reported data. Helium is of primarily crustal origin in the Tarim Basin according to helium isotope characteristics (not exceeding 0.1 Ra), except in the Ake gas field that has not more than 7% of mantle helium. Helium concentrations in diverse tectonic units vary considerably. Oil-type gas, on the whole, has a higher helium concentration relative to coal-type gas. Abundant helium flux, a favorable fault system between the source-reservoir system, no strong charging of gaseous hydrocarbons, and the good sealing capacity are important factors that control the formation of helium-rich gas fields. Considering both the helium concentration and natural gas reserves, helium-rich gas fields located in the Southwest Depression and Tabei Uplift can be regarded as the major favorable zones of further deployment for helium extraction.
Record ID
Keywords
favorable zones, geochemical characteristics, helium, Natural Gas, Tarim Basin
Subject
Suggested Citation
Yang H, Li P, Zhang H, Lv J, Zhang W, Liu J, Huang S, Yang X, Yuan W, Wang X. Helium Geochemical Characteristics and Favorable Zones in the Tarim Basin: Implications for Helium Exploration. (2024). LAPSE:2024.1824
Author Affiliations
Yang H: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Li P: Institute of Energy, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources Research, Gansu Province, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Zhang H: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Lv J: State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Zhang W: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Liu J: Institute of Energy, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Huang S: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Yang X: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Yuan W: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Wang X: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Li P: Institute of Energy, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources Research, Gansu Province, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Zhang H: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Lv J: State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Zhang W: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Liu J: Institute of Energy, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Huang S: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Yang X: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Yuan W: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Wang X: R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Korla 841000, China; Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
12
Issue
7
First Page
1469
Year
2024
Publication Date
2024-07-13
ISSN
2227-9717
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PII: pr12071469, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2024.1824
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https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12071469
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[v1] (Original Submission)
Aug 23, 2024
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Aug 23, 2024
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