Application of helium-bearing strata identification technology in the Gushi Sag, Weihe Basin,and implications for exploration and development

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-6535.2026.03.006

Abstract

Abstract: Helium is a scarce strategic resource,and it is imperative to advance helium resource exploration and related technological research.The Weihe Basin is well endowed with helium resources,but its overall exploration level remains low.The lack of mature identification techniques and evaluation criteria for helium-bearing strata has constrained the large-scale exploration and development of helium resources.To slove this problem,and in combination with the conditions for helium accumulation and helium-content detection methods,this study established a set of identification techniques and evaluation criteria for helium-bearing strata based on the latest exploration results from the southern slope of the Gushi Sag in the Weihe Basin.The results show that helium reservoirs strictly follow the three core elements of “generation-migration-accumulation”,which control the entire process of helium generation,migration,and accumulation.By integrating while-drilling helium detection,conventional mud logging procedures for oil and gas wells,and well-log interpretation and evaluation,a technical standard system for identifying helium-bearing strata was established.The key parameter indicators were defined as helium content of 0.050‰-0.100‰,total hydrocarbon content of 2%-3%,P-/S-wave velocity ratio of 1.6-1.8,gas saturation of 20%-30%,acoustic travel time of 330-380 μs/m,bulk density of 2.2-2.4 g/cm³,and lithologies including siltstone,sandstone,and mudstone.Through field application,multiple Class Ⅰ,Class Ⅱ,and Class Ⅲ helium-bearing reservoirs were delineated in several exploration wells on the southern slope of the Gushi Sag.The establishment and application of the helium-bearing strata identification technology further demonstrate the local occurrence of helium reservoirs on the southern slope of the Gushi Sag,and provide useful guidance for the future direction of helium resource exploration and development in the Weihe Basin.

Key words: helium exploration, helium-bearing strata, identification technical standards, exploration implications, Gushi Sag, Weihe Basin

CLC Number:

TE122.2

CAI Xinlei, LI Qianyi, ZHANG Yang, FAN Mingpu, LI Zheng, ZHANG Guoqiang, LI Mengyao. Application of helium-bearing strata identification technology in the Gushi Sag, Weihe Basin,and implications for exploration and development[J]. Special Oil & Gas Reservoirs, 2026, 33(3): 55-61.

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