Coupling Mechanisms of Qualitative-Quantitative and Macro-Micro Analyses for Helium Reservoir Characteristics in Northern Huazhou Area, Weihe Basin
Research Article  ·  Published: 12 June 2026
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Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
Volume 2, Issue 3, 2026: 185-202
Research Article Open Access

Coupling Mechanisms of Qualitative-Quantitative and Macro-Micro Analyses for Helium Reservoir Characteristics in Northern Huazhou Area, Weihe Basin

1 Shaanxi Gas Group Co., Ltd., Xi'an, Shaanxi 710016, China
2 Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China
* Corresponding Author: Xinlei Cai, [email protected]
Volume 2, Issue 3

Article Information

Abstract

The North Huazhou area in Weihe Basin, a transition zone between the Ordos Block and Qinling Orogenic Belt, hosts multiple Cenozoic reservoirs critical for helium, geothermal, and tight oil/gas exploration. Based on Well H1 core, logging, and laboratory data, multi-scale analyses of the Sanmen, Zhangjiapo, Lantian-Bahe Formations, and Gaoling Group reveal significant lithological differentiations: the Zhangjiapo Formation is a medium-porosity, medium-permeability reservoir, whereas the Lantian-Bahe Formation exhibits low porosity and permeability. X-ray diffraction confirms dominant siliceous minerals with clay fluctuations reflecting strong hydrodynamic environments. Moderately strong velocity ($D_{\mathrm{v}} = 55.53%$) and acid sensitivity ($D_{\mathrm{ac}} = 57.68%$) necessitate reservoir-protective development strategies. The Lantian-Bahe gas-water zone (76.5\,m, 20.6%) displays dominant positive rhythms macroscopically, while residual intergranular and dissolution pores with sheet-like and necked throats restrict fluid flow microscopically. Noble gas isotopes ($^{4}\mathrm{He}/^{20}\mathrm{Ne} = 37{,}164$) confirm anomalous $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ from uranium-rich Qinling granites. A ``multi-source supply--fault transport--exsolution enrichment'' model is proposed, whereby coal-type gas drives helium exsolution from pore-fracture waters into the free gas phase. The Gaoling Group and Lantian-Bahe Formation are identified as primary targets, providing a geological basis for helium evaluation and multi-energy development in Weihe Basin.

Graphical Abstract

Coupling Mechanisms of Qualitative-Quantitative and Macro-Micro Analyses for Helium Reservoir Characteristics in Northern Huazhou Area, Weihe Basin

Keywords

weihe basin qualitative-quantitative evaluation macro-micro coupling mechanism reservoir characteristics

Data Availability Statement

Data will be made available on request.

Funding

This work was supported without any funding.

Conflicts of Interest

Xinlei Cai, Qianyi Li, Yang Zhang, Zheng Li, Guoqiang Zhang, Mingpu Fan are affiliated with the Shaanxi Gas Group Co., Ltd., Xi'an, Shaanxi 710016, China. The authors declare that this affiliation had no influence on the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or the decision to publish, and that no other competing interests exist.

AI Use Statement

The authors declare that no generative AI was used in the preparation of this manuscript.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

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Cite This Article

APA Style
Cai, X., Li, Q., Zhang, Y., Li, Z., Zhang, G., Fan, M., Shi, S., & Lv, J. (2026). Coupling Mechanisms of Qualitative-Quantitative and Macro-Micro Analyses for Helium Reservoir Characteristics in Northern Huazhou Area, Weihe Basin. Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment, 2(3), 185-202. https://doi.org/10.62762/JGEE.2026.503413
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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Cai, Xinlei
AU  - Li, Qianyi
AU  - Zhang, Yang
AU  - Li, Zheng
AU  - Zhang, Guoqiang
AU  - Fan, Mingpu
AU  - Shi, Shiling
AU  - Lv, Junbo
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/12
TI  - Coupling Mechanisms of Qualitative-Quantitative and Macro-Micro Analyses for Helium Reservoir Characteristics in Northern Huazhou Area, Weihe Basin
JO  - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
T2  - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
JF  - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
VL  - 2
IS  - 3
SP  - 185
EP  - 202
DO  - 10.62762/JGEE.2026.503413
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JGEE.2026.503413
KW  - weihe basin
KW  - qualitative-quantitative evaluation
KW  - macro-micro
KW  - coupling mechanism
KW  - reservoir characteristics
AB  - The North Huazhou area in Weihe Basin, a transition zone between the Ordos Block and Qinling Orogenic Belt, hosts multiple Cenozoic reservoirs critical for helium, geothermal, and tight oil/gas exploration. Based on Well H1 core, logging, and laboratory data, multi-scale analyses of the Sanmen, Zhangjiapo, Lantian-Bahe Formations, and Gaoling Group reveal significant lithological differentiations: the Zhangjiapo Formation is a medium-porosity, medium-permeability reservoir, whereas the Lantian-Bahe Formation exhibits low porosity and permeability. X-ray diffraction confirms dominant siliceous minerals with clay fluctuations reflecting strong hydrodynamic environments. Moderately strong velocity ($D_{\mathrm{v}} = 55.53%$) and acid sensitivity ($D_{\mathrm{ac}} = 57.68%$) necessitate reservoir-protective development strategies. The Lantian-Bahe gas-water zone (76.5\,m, 20.6%) displays dominant positive rhythms macroscopically, while residual intergranular and dissolution pores with sheet-like and necked throats restrict fluid flow microscopically. Noble gas isotopes ($^{4}\mathrm{He}/^{20}\mathrm{Ne} = 37{,}164$) confirm anomalous $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ from uranium-rich Qinling granites. A ``multi-source supply--fault transport--exsolution enrichment'' model is proposed, whereby coal-type gas drives helium exsolution from pore-fracture waters into the free gas phase. The Gaoling Group and Lantian-Bahe Formation are identified as primary targets, providing a geological basis for helium evaluation and multi-energy development in Weihe Basin.
SN  - 3069-3268
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  - 
BibTeX Format
Compatible with LaTeX, BibTeX, and other reference managers
@article{Cai2026Coupling,
  author = {Xinlei Cai and Qianyi Li and Yang Zhang and Zheng Li and Guoqiang Zhang and Mingpu Fan and Shiling Shi and Junbo Lv},
  title = {Coupling Mechanisms of Qualitative-Quantitative and Macro-Micro Analyses for Helium Reservoir Characteristics in Northern Huazhou Area, Weihe Basin},
  journal = {Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment},
  year = {2026},
  volume = {2},
  number = {3},
  pages = {185-202},
  doi = {10.62762/JGEE.2026.503413},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JGEE.2026.503413},
  abstract = {The North Huazhou area in Weihe Basin, a transition zone between the Ordos Block and Qinling Orogenic Belt, hosts multiple Cenozoic reservoirs critical for helium, geothermal, and tight oil/gas exploration. Based on Well H1 core, logging, and laboratory data, multi-scale analyses of the Sanmen, Zhangjiapo, Lantian-Bahe Formations, and Gaoling Group reveal significant lithological differentiations: the Zhangjiapo Formation is a medium-porosity, medium-permeability reservoir, whereas the Lantian-Bahe Formation exhibits low porosity and permeability. X-ray diffraction confirms dominant siliceous minerals with clay fluctuations reflecting strong hydrodynamic environments. Moderately strong velocity (\$D\_{\mathrm{v}} = 55.53\%\$) and acid sensitivity (\$D\_{\mathrm{ac}} = 57.68\%\$) necessitate reservoir-protective development strategies. The Lantian-Bahe gas-water zone (76.5\,m, 20.6\%) displays dominant positive rhythms macroscopically, while residual intergranular and dissolution pores with sheet-like and necked throats restrict fluid flow microscopically. Noble gas isotopes (\$^{4}\mathrm{He}/^{20}\mathrm{Ne} = 37{,}164\$) confirm anomalous \$^{4}\mathrm{He}\$ from uranium-rich Qinling granites. A ``multi-source supply--fault transport--exsolution enrichment'' model is proposed, whereby coal-type gas drives helium exsolution from pore-fracture waters into the free gas phase. The Gaoling Group and Lantian-Bahe Formation are identified as primary targets, providing a geological basis for helium evaluation and multi-energy development in Weihe Basin.},
  keywords = {weihe basin, qualitative-quantitative evaluation, macro-micro, coupling mechanism, reservoir characteristics},
  issn = {3069-3268},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}

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