Distribution and genesis of the anomalously high porosity zones in the middle-shallow horizons of the northern Songliao Basin

High-quality reservoirs occur in the middle-shallow horizons of the northern Songliao Basin. The distribution and genesis of their anomalously high porosity zones were studied using measured porosities, examination of ordinary thin sections and blue epoxy resin-impregnated thin sections and by SEM. The results show that there are three anomalously high porosity zones at the depth of 450–900 m, 1,300–1,900 m, 2,050–2,350 m respectively, named zone i, zone ii and zone iii from top to bottom. Horizontally, zone i and zone ii are distributed all over the basin except in the Southeastern Uplift, while zone iii is only distributed in the Central Depression. Zone i was formed by meteoric water leaching as well as organic acid dissolution. Zones ii and iii were dominantly formed by organic acid dissolution. Additionally, clay mineral transformation generating H⁺ and hydrocarbon emplacement retarding the cementation of sandstones are also important for the formation of zones ii and iii.