Geochemical evaluation of shale formations in the northern Song Hong basin, Vietnam

• Main Authors: V. T. H. Quan, P. H. Giao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2019-05-01
• Series: Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology
• Subjects: Shale gas; The northern Song Hong basin; TOC–Rock-Eval pyrolysis; Vitrinite reflectance; Kerogen type
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13202-019-0667-0
• ISSN: 2190-0558; 2190-0566

Abstract Petroleum exploration and production of conventional reservoirs have been strongly developed over the years in Vietnam since 1987. However, with the decrease in petroleum production in recent years, a certain attention has started to be given to the unconventional reservoirs. This study presents the results of a comprehensive geochemical evaluation of three main shale formations in the northern Song Hong basin (also known as the Red River basin) of Vietnam. Over 200 cutting samples of Lower Miocene, Oligocene and Triassic shales from two onshore and two offshore wells were collected and tested for total organic carbon (TOC), hydrocarbon generation potential (S2), hydrogen index (HI), production index (PI), T max and vitrinite reflectance (R o). Lower Miocene shales are characterized by HI of 94 to 591 mgHC/gTOC, TOC of 0.14 to 1.65 wt% and S2 of 0.34 to 4.62 mg HC/g rock, indicating a poor-to-fair source rock of mixed gas-prone kerogen types II and III. Their T max of 425 to 437 °C and R o of 0.35 to 0.66% suggested an immaturity to early-maturity HC generation. Oligocene shales have HI of 164 to 602 mgHC/gTOC, TOC of 0.52 to 3.18 wt% and S2 of 0.63 to 5.61 mg HC/g rock, indicating a fair-to-good potential source rock with a gas- and oil-prone kerogen of mixed types II and III. Their T max values of 427 to 476 °C and R o of 0.43 to 1.73% suggested an optimum thermal maturity. Triassic shales are characterized by HI < 50 mgHC/gTOC, TOC from 1.04 to 14.10 wt% and S2 from 0.03 to 1.11 mg HC/g rock, showing little remaining source or no potential for hydrocarbon generation in the late to post-mature stages with R o of 1.79 to 2.10%. The newly obtained geochemical data and analysis results of this study are expected to improve the knowledge on the main source rocks in the northern Song Hong basin, in particular in the onshore part and to provide with the useful background information for further assessment of shale gas potential in Vietnam.