Study on crustal thickness and the prediction of prolific depressions:the Bohai Basin as an example

The deep crustal structure is closely related to oil and gas reserves.Predicting the oil and gas enrichment of depressions based on the Moho depth and crustal thickness is a promising research topic with significant implications for guiding exploration in petroliferous basins.In this study,seismic data were used as a constraint on the use of satellite gravity anomaly inversion to obtain the distribution of Moho depth and crustal thickness in the Bohai Basin.Stretching factors were calculated to analyze the differential distribution of deep crustal structural activity.Four indicators,including the minimum Moho depth,minimum crustal thickness,sum of Moho stretching factors,and sum of crustal stretching factors,were selected.Principal component analysis was applied to reduce the dimensionality of the multi-indicator system and obtain an oil and gas enrichment score for quantitative prediction of favorable prolific depressions.The deviation between the inverted Moho depth and seismic constraints was small;thus,the data effectively reflect the variations in the characteristics of each depression.The analysis revealed significant statistical features related to the minimum Moho depth/crustal thickness and the sum of Moho/crustal stretching factors associated with prolific depressions.Based on the oil and gas enrichment score,the depressions were classified into four categories related to their different deep crustal structural characteristics.Highly active ClassⅠ,ClassⅡ,and ClassⅢdepressions are predicted to be favorable prolific depressions.This study expands the research on quantitatively predicting favorable prolific depressions in the Bohai Basin using the deep crustal structure and can contribute to reducing production costs and improving exploration efficiency in future explorations.

Mechanism of carbonate cementation and its influence on reservoir in Pinghu Formation of Xihu Sag

Carbonate cements are the most abundant authigenic mineral and impact on physical properties greatly in sandstone reservoir.In this paper,Pinghu Formation of Xihu Sag was taken as a target.Characteristics,distribution and formation of carbonate cements were investigated via optical microscopy,cathodoluminescence(CL),electron probe and in-situ carbon-oxygen isotope.The results showed that carbonate cements varied in types and shapes.Calcite/dolomite mainly present as poikilotopic cements,while ferrocalcite/ferrodolomite/ankerite generally present as pore-filling cements.Carbon isotope(δ^(13)C)values of carbonate cements were ranging from–7.77‰to–2.67‰,with an average of–4.52‰,while oxygen isotope(δ^(18)O)values were ranging from–18.94‰to–12.04‰,with an average of–14.86‰.Theδ^(13)C/δ^(18)O indicated that the paleo-fluid of carbonate cement was mainly freshwater.Organic carbon mainly came from organic matter within mature source rocks,and inorganic carbon came from dissolution of carbonate debris and early carbonate cements.Distinctiveδ^(13)C/δ^(18)O values manifest that carbonate cements with different types formed in different periods,which make different contributions to the reservoir properties.Calcite/dolomite formed during eodiagenesis(70–90℃)and early mesodiagenesis stage(90–120℃),and were favorable to reservoir owing to their compacted resistance and selective dissolution.Ferrocalcite/ferrodolomite/ankerite formed during middle-late mesodiagenetic stage(above 120℃),and were unfavorable to reservoir due to cementing the residual intergranular pores.Hence,in order to evaluate the reservoir characteristics,it is of significantly important to distinguish different types of carbonate cements and explore their origins.

The gradual subduction-collision evolution model of Proto-South China Sea and its control on oil and gas

This study involved outcrop,drilling,seismic,gravity,and magnetic data to systematically document the geological records of the subduction process of Proto-South China Sea(PSCS)and establish its evolution model.The results indicate that a series of arc-shaped ophiolite belts and calcalkaline magmatic rocks are developed in northern Borneo,both of which have the characteristics of gradually changing younger from west to east,and are direct signs of subduction and collision of PSCS.At the same time,the subduction of PSCS led to the formation of three accretion zones from the south to the north in Borneo,the Kuching belt,Sibu belt,and Miri belt.The sedimentary formation of northern Borneo is characterized by a three-layer structure,with the oceanic basement at the bottom,overlying the deep-sea flysch deposits of the Rajang–Crocker group,and the molasse sedimentary sequence that is dominated by river-delta and shallow marine facies at the top,recording the whole subduction–collision–orogeny process of PSCS.Further,seismic reflection and tomography also confirmed the subduction and collision of PSCS.Based on the geological records of the subduction and collision of PSCS,combined with the comprehensive analysis of segmented expansion and key tectonic events in the South China Sea,we establish the“gradual”subduction-collision evolution model of PSCS.During the late Eocene to middle Miocene,the Zengmu,Nansha,and Liyue–Palawan blocks were separated by West Baram Line and Balabac Fault,which collided with the Borneo block and Kagayan Ridge successively from the west to the east,forming several foreland basin systems,and PSCS subducted and closed from the west to the east.The subduction and extinction of PSCS controlled the oil and gas distribution pattern of southern South China Sea(SSCS)mainly in three aspects.First,the“gradual”closure process of PSCS led to the continuous development of many large deltas in SSCS.Second,the deltas formed during the subduction–collision of PSCS controlled the development of source rocks in the basins of SSCS.Macroscopically,the distribution and scale of deltas controlled the distribution and scale of source rocks,forming two types of source rocks,namely,coal measures and terrestrial marine facies.Microscopically,the difference of terrestrial higher plants carried by the delta controlled the proportion of macerals of source rocks.Third,the difference of source rocks mainly controlled the distribution pattern of oil and gas in SSCS.Meanwhile,the difference in the scale of source rocks mainly controlled the difference in the amount of oil and gas discoveries,resulting in a huge amount of oil and gas discoveries in the basin of SSCS.Meanwhile,the difference of macerals of source rocks mainly controlled the difference of oil and gas generation,forming the oil and gas distribution pattern of“nearshore oil and far-shore gas”.

Cenozoic giant coal-bearing basin belt discovered in China's sea and its adjacent areas

Sea area is an important area of oil and gas exploration in China.It has been found that China's sea area mainly consists of coal type oil and gas,and the exploration of coal-bearing series source rocks has become an important part of oil and gas exploration there.Through years of comprehensive geological research in China's sea area,it has been revealed that it has undergone multiple occurrences of tectonic opening and closing movements in varying degrees in the Paleogene,forming 26 Cenozoic sedimentary basins of various types,such as active continental margin,passive continental margin,transitional continental margin and drift rift basins.In the present study,it is observed for the first time that coal type source rocks are mainly developed in 14 continental margin basins in China's sea area,revealing that a very large C-shaped coal-bearing basin group developed there in the Cenozoic.Next,based on the coupling analysis of paleoclimate,paleobotany,paleogeography and paleostructure,it is observed that there are five coal-forming periods in China's sea area,namely the Paleocene,Eocene,early Oligocene,late Oligocene and Miocene-Pliocene,and the coal-forming age is gradually new from north to south.It is also found that the coal seams in the sea area are mainly developed in three coal-forming environments in Cenozoic,namely delta,fan delta and tidal flat-lagoon.The coal seams developed in different environments are characterized by thin thickness,many layers and poor stability.However,the coal-bearing series source rocks in China's sea area have a wide distribution range,very high thickness and large amount,thus forming a material basis for the formation of rich coal type oil and gas.

Differences of polygonal faults related to upper Miocene channels:a case study from the Beijiao sag of Qiongdongnan basin,South China Sea

Deep-water coarse-grained channels are embedded within a polygonal fault tier,and the polygonal faults(PFs)present non-polygonal geometries rather than classic polygonal geometry in plan view.However,PFs present differences when they encounter deep-water(coarse-grained vs.fine-grained)channels with different lithology,which has not been further studied to date.Three-dimensional(3D)seismic data and a drilling well from Beijiao sag of Qiongdongnanbasin,South China Sea were utilized to document the plan view and cross-sectional properties of the PFs and their differences and genetic mechanism were investigated.Results show that,first,PFs can be divided morphologically into channel-segmenting PFs and channel-bounding PFs in plan view.The former virtually cuts or segments the axes of channels in highand low-amplitudes,and the latter nearly parallels the boundaries of the channels.Both are approximately perpendicular to each other.Secondly,channel-bounding PFs that related to low-amplitude channels are much longer than those of high-amplitude ones;channel-segmenting PFs related to low-amplitude channels are slightly longer than the counterparts related to high-amplitude channels.Lastly,the magnitudes(e.g.,heights)of the PFs are proportional to the scales(e.g.,widths and heights)of low-amplitude channels,whereas the magnitudes of the PFs are inversely proportional to the scales of high amplitude channels.Coarse-grained(high amplitude)channels act as a mechanical barrier to the propagation of PFs,whereas fine-grained(low-amplitude)channels are beneficial to the propagation and nucleation of PFs.Additionally,the genetic mechanism of PFs is discussed and reckoned as combined geneses of gravitational spreading and overpressure hydrofracture.The differences of the PFs can be used to reasonably differentiate coarse-grained channels from fine-grained channels.This study provides new insights into understanding the different geometries of the PFs related to coarse-grained and fine-grained channels and their genetic mechanism.

The geological characteristics of the large-and medium-sized gas fields in the South China Sea

By the end of 2019,more than 220 gas fields had been discovered in the South China Sea.In order to accurately determine the geological characteristics of the large-and medium-sized gas fields in the South China Sea,this study conducted a comprehensive examination of the gas fields.Based on the abundant available geologic and geochemical data,the distribution and key controlling factors of the hydrocarbon accumulation in the South China Sea were analyzed.The geological and geochemical features of the gas fields were as follows:(1)the gas fields were distributed similar to beads in the shape of a"C"along the northern,western,and southern continental margins;(2)the natural gas in the region was determined to be composed of higher amounts of alkane gas and less CO2;(3)the majority of the alkane gas was observed to be coal-type gas;(4)the gas reservoir types included structural reservoirs,lithologic reservoirs,and stratigraphic reservoirs,respectively;(5)the reservoir ages were mainly Oligocene,Miocene,and Pliocene,while the lithology was mainly organic reef,with some sandstone deposits;and(6)the main hydrocarbon accumulation period for the region was determined to be the late Pliocene-Quaternary Period.In addition,the main controlling factors of the gas reservoirs were confirmed to have been the development of coal measures,sufficient thermal evolution,and favorable migration and accumulation conditions.

Geochemistry and zircon U-Pb ages of the Oligocene sediments in the Baiyun Sag, Zhujiang River Mouth Basin

In this study,element geochemistry and zircon chronology are used to analyze the Oligocene sediments in the Baiyun Sag,Zhujiang River Mouth Basin.The experimental results are discussed with respect to weathering conditions,parent rock lithologies,and provenances.The chemical index of alteration and the chemical index of weathering values of mudstone samples from the lower Oligocene Enping Formation indicate that clastic particles in the study area underwent moderate weathering.Mudstone samples exhibit relatively enriched light rare earth elements and depleted heavy rare earth elements,"V"-shaped negative Eu anomalies,and negligible Ce anomalies.The rare earth element distribution curves are obviously right-inclined,with shapes and contents similar to those of post-Archean Australian shale and upper continental crust,indicating that the samples originated from acid rocks in the upper crust.The Hf-La/Th and La/Sc-Co/Th diagrams show this same origin for the sediments in the study area.For the samples from the upper Enping deltas,the overall age spectrum shows four major age peaks ca.59–68 Ma,98–136 Ma,153–168 Ma and 239–260 Ma.For the Zhuhai Formation samples,the overall age spectrum shows three major age peaks ca.149 Ma,252 Ma and 380 Ma.The detrital zircon shapes and U-Pb ages reveal that during Oligocene sedimentation,the sediments on the northwestern margin of the Baiyun Sag were supplied jointly from two provenances:Precambrian-Paleozoic metamorphic rocks in the extrabasinal South China fold zone and Mesozoic volcanic rocks in the intrabasinal Panyu Low Uplift,and the former supply became stronger through time.Thus,the provenance of the Oligocene deltas experienced a transition from an early proximal intrabasinal source to a late distal extrabasinal source.

Characteristics and origins of middle Miocene mounds and channels in the northern South China Sea

Numerous elongated mounds and channels were found at the top of the middle Miocene strata using 2D/3D seismic data in the Liwan Sag of Zhujiang River Mouth Basin(ZRMB)and the Beijiao Sag of Qiongdongnan Basin(QDNB).They occur at intervals and are rarely revealed by drilling wells in the deepwater areas.Origins of the mounds and channels are controversial and poorly understood.Based on an integrated analysis of the seismic attribute,palaeotectonics and palaeogeography,and drilling well encountering a mound,research results show that these mounds are dominantly distributed on the depression centres and/or slopes of the Liwan and Beijiao sags and developed in a bathyal sedimentary environment.In the Liwan and Beijiao sags,the mounds between channels(sub)parallel to one another are 1.0–1.5 km and 1.5–2.0 km wide,150–300 m and 150–200 m high,and extend straightly from west to east for 5–15 km and 8–20 km,respectively.Mounds and channels in the Liwan Sag are parallel with the regional slope.Mounds and channels in the Beijiao Sag,however,are at a small angle to the regional slope.According to internal geometry,texture and external morphology of mounds,the mounds in Beijiao Sag are divided into weak amplitude parallel reflections(mound type I),blank or chaotic reflections(mound type II),and internal mounded reflections(mound typeⅢ).The mounds in Liwan Sag,however,have the sole type,i.e.,mound type I.Mound type I originates from the incision of bottom currents and/or gravity flows.Mound type II results from gravity-driven sediments such as turbidite.Mound typeⅢis a result of deposition and incision of bottom currents simultaneously.The channels with high amplitude between mounds in the Beijiao and Liwan sags are a result of gravity-flow sediments and it is suggested they are filled by sandstone.Whereas channels with low-mediate amplitudes are filled by bottom-current sediments only in the Beijiao Sag,where they are dominantly composed of mudstone.This study provides new insights into the origins of the mounds and channels worldwide.

Calcareous nannofossil changes in the Early Oligocene linked to nutrient and atmospheric CO2

Rapid changes on nutrient supply and CO2 concentration that occurred in the northern South China Sea(SCS)during the Early Oligocene,provides an ideal natural laboratory,allowing us to peer into the coccolithophores’physiology in the geological records.In this study,we established a new nannofossil assemblage index,termed as E^*ratio,which is calculated by the relative abundance of eutrophic taxa and meso-oligotrophic taxa(E^*=e/e+c,where e is eutrophic taxa,and c is meso-oligotrophic taxa)Eutrophic taxa include small Reticulofenestra,Reticulofenestra lockeri group,Reticulofenestra bisecta group and Coccolithus pelagicus group,while meso-oligotrophic taxa include Cyclicargolithus spp.The E^*ratio is well correlated with nutrient proxy during the Early Oligocene,while with different covarying patterns under the higher and lower CO2 condition.By comparing the assemblage changes to the published data,we suggest that coccolithophores may change the way they use carbon source and nutrient with the decline of CO2.Furthermore,this implies a possible initiation of the carbon concentrating mechanism.

Reservoir forming conditions and key exploration technologies of Lingshui 17-2 giant gas field in deepwater area of Qiongdongnan Basin

On September 15,2014,China National Offshore Oil Co.,Ltd announced that a high production of oil and gas flow of 1.6
106 m3/d was obtained in Well LS17-2-1 in deepwater area in northern South China Sea,which is the first great oil and gas discovery for self-run deepwater exploration in China sea areas,and a strategic breakthrough was made in natural gas exploration in deepwater area of Lingshui sag in Qiongdongnan Basin.Under the combined action of climax of international deepwater exploration,high oil prices,national demands of China,practical needs of exploration,breakthroughs in seismic exploration and testing technologies,innovations in geological cognition and breakthroughs in deepwater operation equipment,Lingshui 17-2 gas field is discovered.Among these factors,the innovation in reservoir forming geological cognition directly promotes the discovery.The quality of seismic data in the early time is poor,so key reservoir forming conditions such as effective source rocks,high quality reservoirs and oil-gas migration pathways are unable to be ascertained;with support of new seismic acquisition and processing technology,some researches show that Lingshui sag is a successive large and deep sag with an area of 5000 km2 and the maximum thickness of Cenozoic stratum of 13 km.In the Early Oligocene,the Lingshui sag was a semi-closed delta-estuarine environment,where the coalmeasure and marine mudstones in Lower Oligocene Yacheng Formation were developed.The Lingshui sag is a sag with high temperature,and the bottom temperature of source rocks in Yacheng Formation can exceed 250C,but the simulation experiment of hydrocarbon generation at high temperature indicates that the main part of this set of source rock is still in the gas-generation window,with resources of nearly 1 trillion cubic meters,so the Lingshui sag is a hydrocarbon-rich generation sag.In the Neogene,the axial canyon channel from the Thu Bon River in Vietnam passed through the Lingshui sag,and five stages of secondary channels were developed in the axial canyon channel,where four types of reservoirs with excellent physical properties including the axial sand,lateral accretion sand,natural levee sand as well as erosion residual sand were developed,and lithologic traps or structural-lithologic traps were formed.The diapiric zone in the southern Lingshui sag connects deep source rocks in Yacheng Formation and shallow sandstones in the channels,and the migration pattern of natural gas is a T-type migration pattern,in other words,the natural gas generated from Yacheng Formation migrates vertically to the interior of the channel sandbody,and then migrates laterally in the channel reservoirs and forms the reservoirs.Innovations of geophysical exploration technologies for complicated geological conditions of deepwater areas are made,such as the detuning comprehensive quantitative amplitude hydrocarbon detection technology,which greatly improves the success rate of deepwater exploration;key technologies of deepwater safety exploratory well testing represented by the platform-dragged riser displacement technology are developed,which greatly reduces the drilling test cost.The above key exploration technologies provide a strong guarantee for the efficient exploration and development of Lingshui gas field.

Hydrocarbon accumulation in the deep waters of South China Sea controlled by the tectonic cycles of marginal sea basins

The tectonic cycle of the marginal sea basins in South China Sea(SCS)includes two cycles,i.e.,the formation and contraction of Palaeo-SCS and Neo-SCS.The northern part of SCS is a rift basin on a passive continental margin,while the the Nansha Block is a drifting rift basin.The southern part is a compound compressional basin on an active continental margin;the western part is a shear-extensional basin on a transform continental margin;the eastern part is an accretionary wedge basin on a subduction continental margin.The deep-water basins are mainly distributed on the continental slope and the the Nansha Block.There are three sets of source rocks in the deep-water areas of the northern continental margin in SCS,i.e.,Eocene terrestrial facies,early Oligocene transitional facies and late Oligocene marine facies.A set of Late Cretaceous-Early Oligocene terrestrial marine facies source rocks are developed in the drift-rift basin of SCS.Three sets of Oligocene,early Miocene and Mid-Miocene marine-terrestrial transitional facies source rocks are developed in the deep-water areas of both the southern and western continental margins of SCS.Four sets of reservoirs developed in the northern deep waters of SCS are dominated by deep sea fans.Two sets of reservoirs developed in the the Nansha Block are dominated by delta and biogenic reef.The southern part of SCS is dominated by deep sea fan and biogenic reef.Reservoirs of large channels and other clastic facies were developed in front of the estuaries,while biogenic reef bank was formed in the uplift zone.The hydrocarbon accumulation assemblages are mainly presented as Oligocene-Pliocene in the deep waters on the northern continental margin of SCS,Eocene-Lower Oligocene in the the Nansha Block,Oligocene-Pliocene and Oligocene-Miocene in the deep waters on the southern and western continental margin of SCS,respectively.The major hydrocarbon reservoir types in the deep waters of SCS are related to structural traps,deep water fans and biogenic reefs.The formation of basin,hydrocarbon and reservoir in the deep waters of SCS are controlled by the tectonic cycles of the marginal sea basins,revealing a great potential for hydrocarbon exploration.