Sedimentary architecture of submarine channel-lobe systems under different seafloor topography:Insights from the Rovuma Basin offshore East Africa

Seafloor topography plays an important role in the evolution of submarine lobes.However,it is still not so clear how the shape of slope affects the three-dimensional(3-D)architecture of submarine lobes.In this study,we analyze the effect of topography factors on different hierarchical lobe architectures that formed during Pliocene to Quaternary in the Rovuma Basin offshore East Africa.We characterize the shape,size and growth pattern of different hierarchical lobe architectures using 3-D seismic data.We find that the relief of the topographic slope determines the location of preferential deposition of lobe complexes and single lobes.When the topography is irregular and presents topographic lows,lobe complexes first infill these depressions.Single lobes are deposited preferentially at positions with higher longitudinal(i.e.across-slope)slope gradients.As the longitudinal slope becomes higher,the aspect ratio of the single lobes increases.Lateral(i.e.along-slope)topography does not seem to have a strong influence on the shape of single lobe,but it seems to affect the overlap of single lobes.When the lateral slope gradient is relatively high,the single lobes tend to have a larger overlap surface.Furthermore,as the average of lateral slope and longitudinal slope gets greater,the width/thickness ratio of the single lobe is smaller,i.e.sediments tend to accumulate vertically.The results demonstrate that the shape of slopes more comprehensively influences the 3-D architecture of lobes in natural deep-sea systems than previously other lobe deposits and analogue experiments,which helps us better understand the development and evolution of the distal parts of turbidite systems.

Failure mechanism and influencing factors of cement sheath integrity under alternating pressure

The failure of cement sheath integrity can be easily caused by alternating pressure during large-scale multistage hydraulic fracturing in shale-gas well.An elastic-plastic mechanical model of casing-cement sheath-formation(CSF)system under alternating pressure is established based on the Mohr-Coulomb criterion and thick-walled cylinder theory,and it has been solved by MATLAB programming combining global optimization algorithm with Global Search.The failure mechanism of cement sheath integrity is investigated,by which it can be seen that the formation of interface debonding is mainly related to the plastic strain accumulation,and there is a risk of interface debonding under alternating pressure,once the cement sheath enters plasticity whether in shallow or deep well sections.The matching relationship between the mechanical parameters(elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio)of cement sheath and its integrity failure under alternating pressure in whole well sections is studied,by which it has been found there is a“critical range”in the Poisson's ratio of cement sheath.When the Poisson's ratio is below the“critical range”,there is a positive correlation between the yield internal pressure of cement sheath(SYP)and its elastic modulus.However,when the Poisson's ratio is above the“critical range”,there is a negative correlation.The elastic modulus of cement sheath is closely related to its Poisson's ratio,and restricts each other.Scientific and reasonable matching between mechanical parameters of cement sheath and CSF system under different working conditions can not only reduce the cost,but also protect the cement sheath integrity.

Stability analysis of seabed strata and casing structure during the natural gas hydrates exploitation by depressurization in horizontal wells in South China Sea

Natural gas hydrates(NGHs)are a new type of clean energy with great development potential.However,it is urgent to achieve safe and economical NGHs development and utilization.This study established a physical model of the study area using the FLAC^(3D) software based on the key parameters of the NGHs production test area in the South China Sea,including the depressurization method,and mechanical parameters of strata,NGHs occurrence characteristics,and the technological characteristics of horizontal wells.Moreover,this study explored the law of influences of the NGHs dissociation range on the stability of the overburden strata and the casing structure of a horizontal well.The results are as follows.With the dissociation of NGHs,the overburden strata of the NGHs dissociation zone subsided and formed funnelshaped zones and then gradually stabilized.However,the upper interface of the NGHs dissociation zone showed significant redistribution and discontinuity of stress.Specifically,distinct stress concentration and corresponding large deformation occurred in the build-up section of the horizontal well,which was thus prone to suffering shear failure.Moreover,apparent end effects occurred at the end of the horizontal well section and might cause the deformation and failure of the casing structure.Therefore,it is necessary to take measures in the build-up section and at the end of the horizontal section of the horizontal well to prevent damage and ensure the wellbore safety in the long-term NGHs exploitation.