Ruthenium-ion-catalyzed oxidation of asphaltenes and oil-source correlation of heavy oils from the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields in the Tarim Basin, NW China

The identification of marine source rocks in the Tarim Basin is debated vigorously. The intention of this paper is to investigate the asphaltenes in heavy oils from the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields and Well TD2 with ruthenium-ions-catalyzed oxidation technique (RICO), in order to explore its role in oil-oil and oil-source correlations. The RICO products included n-alkanoic acids, α, ω-di-n-alkanoic acids, branched alkanoic acids, tricyclic terpanoic acids, hopanoic acids, gammacerane carboxylic acid , regular sterane carboxylic acids and 4-methylsterane carboxylic acids. The n-alkyl chains and biomarkers bounded on the asphaltenes were of unsusceptibility to biodegradation. The distribution and absolute concentrations of n-alkanoic acids in the RICO products of heavy oils from the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields are different from those of Well TD2. The biomarkers bounded on the asphaltenes, especially steranes, have a distribution trend similar to that of the counterparts in saturates. The sterane carboxylic acids and 4-methylsterane carboxylic acids in the RICO products of heavy oils from the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields, dominated by C-{30} sterane and C-{31} 4-methylsterane carboxylic acids, respectively, are significantly different from those of the heavy oils of Well TD2, whose dominating sterane and 4|methylsterane carboxylic acids are C-{28} sterane and C-{29} 4-methylsterane acids, respectively. The RICO products of the asphaltenes further indicate that the Middle-Upper Ordovician may be the main source rocks for heavy oils from the Lunnan and Tahe oilfields.

Preparation of a functional fracturing fluid with temperature-and salt-resistance,and low damage using a double crosslinking network

Fracturing fluids(FFs)have been widely used to stimulate the tight reservoir.However,current FFs will not only lose their rheological property at high temperatures and high salt but also show an incomplete gel-breaking property.Herein,a double crosslinking network FF with pretty superiorities in rheology and low damage to the core was constructed by introducing both physical crosslinking and chemical crosslinking into the system.The construction of double crosslinking networks enhanced the rheology of this functional FF.The particle sizes of gel-breaking fluids are mainly distributed in 1.0e10,000 nm;furthermore,for every 10,000 mg/L increase in salinity,the particle size of the gel-breaking fluid is decreased by almost half.The adsorption capacity(<1.0 mg/g)gradually decreased with the increase of salinity at 20℃.Moreover,the adsorption of gel-breaking fluids on the rock decreased first and then kept stable with temperature increasing at a salinity of ≤30,000 mg/L,however,showed the opposite trend at 40,000 mg/L.The results of rheology,particle size,static adsorption,and core damage showed that this functional FF could be an alternative for the stimulation of a tight reservoir with high temperature and recycling of produced water with high salinity.

Ultra-deep carbonate basement reservoirs formed by polyphase fracture-related karstification in the Offshore Bohai Bay Basin, China

The Palaeozoic carbonate basement of the Offshore Bohai Bay Basin (OBBB) presents considerable potential for hydrocarbon exploration. However, the multistage tectonism and complex superimposed palaeo-karstification in the area are unclear, which leads to a lack of understanding on the formation mechanism and distribution of the deep carbonate basement reservoirs. In this study, the occurrence of a fracture-vug network and its fillings in carbonate reservoirs were investigated based on borehole cores, thin sections, and image logs from the southwestern slope of the OBBB's Bozhong Sag. Then the diagenetic fluid properties of the carbonate matrix and fillings were analysed via the data of carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopes, and major, rare elements from coring intervals. The results revealed that fracture-related karst reservoirs have lithologic selectivity inclined toward dolomite strata. The intersecting relationships, widths, and strikes of the fractures and the regional tectonic background indicate three structural fracture families: NW-, NNE-, and NNW- trending, related to the Indosinian, middle Yanshanian, and late Yanshanian orogeny, respectively. The Indosinian NW- and end-Mesozoic NNE-trending fractures produced by compressional tectonic stress mainly contributed to the formation of the basement reservoirs. The geochemistry of the calcite veins filling these fractures suggests two main types of diagenetic fluids. The fluid of autogenic recharge related to the earlier fills is karstification diffuse flow dominated by internal runoff from rainfall in the highland setting of the Indosinian thrusting orogenic belt. The other fluid of allogenic recharge related to the later fills is the main lateral freshwater flow dominated by external runoff from the catchment in the setting of the horst-lowland within the rifting basin, induced by the Yanshanian destruction of the North China Craton. Finally, the relationship between the three fracture families and two kinds of related fluids is revealed. This allows us to propose a model to understand the polyphase-superimposed fracture-related karst reservoir complexes within the deep carbonate basement of tilting fault blocks that neighbour the Bozhong hydrocarbon kitchen and predict the formation of potential plays with high accuracy.

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Particle Migration and Patterning Behavior in a Gravel Pack

Due to its long lifespan and high sand-removal efficiency,gravel packing is one of the most applied sand control methods during the recovery of reservoirs with sanding problems.The blockage and retention of injected sand in a gravel pack is a complex process affected by multiple mechanisms.The majority of existing studies based on the phenomenological deep bed filtration(DBF)theory focused on the gravel pack’s overall permeability damage and failed to obtain the inner-pore particle distribution pattern.In this work,experiments and simulations were carried out to reveal the particle distribution in a gravel pack during flooding.In particular,through real-time monitoring of particle migration,the penetration depth and distribution pattern of invaded particles with different gravel-sand particle ratios,fluid viscosities and injection rates could be determined.By simplifying each unit bed element(UBE)into a pore-throat structure with four tunnels(two horizontals for discharge and two verticals for sedimentation),a new network simulation method,which combines deep bed filtration with a particle trajectory model,was implemented.Cross comparison of experimental and numerical results demonstrates the validity and accuracy of the model.

Simultaneous Removal of H_2S and Organosulfur Compounds from Liquefied Petroleum Gas Using Formulated Solvents: Solubility Parameter Investigation and Industrial Test

The performance of four formulated solvents(labeled as UDS-I, UDS-II, UDS-III, and UDS-IV) for removing methyl mercaptan from liquefied petroleum gas was predicted based on a two-dimensional solubility parameter theory. The calculation results show that UDS-IV has the closest solubility parameter to that of methyl mercaptan as compared with other tested solvents, indicating the strongest affinity and the highest solubility for methyl mercaptan. The industrial tests at a plant for desulfurization of LPG produced from the delayed coker have shown that the UDS solvents have the excellent performance for removal of organosulfur compounds(mainly methyl mercaptan). Although the sulfur loading dramatically increases, the total sulfur content of LPG treated with UDS-IV can be reduced by about 50% in comparison with N-methyl diethanolamine. In addition, UDS-IV has superior regeneration performance and selectivity for sulfur compounds over hydrocarbons. The industrial test and the solubility parameter calculation results are in good agreement with each other.

Formation mechanism of reservoir oolitic dolomite in Lower Triassic Feixianguan formation, northeastern Sichuan Basin, southwest China

A series of marine natural gas fields were recently discovered in oolitic dolomites of the Lower Triassic Feixianguan formation, northeastern Sichuan Basin, southwest China. The mechanism forming these reservoir dolomites is debatable, limiting the ability to characterize these reservoir successfully. Based on the investigation of the representative Dukouhe, Luojiazhai, and Puguang areas, this issue was addressed by examining the distribution, petrology, and geochemistry of the dolomites, the most comprehensive study to date was provided. Dolomitization occurred at a very early stage of diagenesis, as shown by the petrological features of the rock fabric. Vadose silt, which is composed primarily of dolomitic clasts, is found in the primary and secondary pores of the oolitic dolomite. This indicates that the overlying strata were subjected to dolomitization when the Feixianguan formation was located in the vadose zone. Therefore, it may be inferred that the dolomitization which occurred before the formation was exposed to meteoric conditions. The spatial distribution and geochemical characteristics of the dolomite indicate that dolomitization occurred as a result of seepage reflux. The degree of dolomitization decreases with increasing distance from the evaporative lagoon. Furthermore, the type and porosity of the dolomite vary in different zones of the upward-shoaling sequence, with the porosity gradually decreasing from the highest layer to the lowest layer. This reflects a close relationship between dolomitization and seawater evaporation during the formation of the dolomite. Geochemical analysis provided further evidence for the relationship between the dolomitization fluid and the coeval seawater. The 87Sr/86Sr and 813C isotopes, as well as the abundances of trace elements, Fe and Mn, indicate that seawater concentrated by evaporation acted as the dolomitization fluid. These results also show that dolomitization most likely occurred in a semi-closed diagenetic environment. Therefore, the main mechanism of oolitic dolomite formation is seepage reflux, which occurred at an early stage of diagenesis.

Fluid migration paths in the marine strata of typical structures in the western Hubei-eastern Chongqing area,China

The western Hubei-eastern Chongqing area is an important prospective zone for oil and gas exploration in the central Yangtze area. Three representative structures, the Xinchang structure, Longjuba gas-bearing structure and the Jiannan gas field, were selected to analyze biomarker parameters in marine strata and to examine various types of natural gas and hydrocarbon sources. Fluid inclusions; carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopic characteristics; organic geochemical analysis and simulation of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion history of source rocks were used for tracing fluid migration paths in marine strata of the study area. The Carboniferous-Triassic reservoirs in three typical structures all experienced at least two stages of fluid accumulation. All marine strata above the early Permian were shown to have fluids originating in the Permian rocks, which differed from the late stage fluids. The fluids accumulated in the late Permian reservoirs of the Xinchang structure were Cambrian fluids, while those in the late Carboniferous reservoirs were sourced from a combination of Silurian and Cambrian fluids. A long-distance and large-scale cross-formational flow of fluids destroyed the preservation conditions of earlier accumulated hydrocarbons. A short-distance cross-formational accumulation of Silurian fluids was shown in the late Permian reservoirs of the Longjuba structure with favorable hydrocarbon preservation conditions. The fluid accumulation in the Carboniferous reservoirs of the Jiannan structure mainly originated from neighboring Silurian strata with a small amount from the Cambrian strata. As a result, the Jiannan structure was determined to have the best preservation conditions of the three. Comparative analysis of fluid migration paths in the three structures revealed that the zone with a weaker late tectonism and no superimposition and modification of the Upper and Lower Paleozoic fluids or the Upper Paleozoic zone with the fluid charging from the Lower Paleozoic in the western Hubei-easteru Chongqing area are important target areas for future exploration.

Numerical simulation on proppant migration and placement within the rough and complex fractures

Hydraulic fracturing is a key technology for the development of unconventional hydrocarbon resources.The proppant placement morphology determines the fracture conductivity,thus affecting the reservoir stimulation effect.In this paper,the proppant migration and placement within complex fractures was studied by considering the fracture wall roughness through computational fluid mechanics-discrete element method(CFD-DEM)in numerical simulation,which is a key approach to study the proppant migration and placement.The results show that the proppant placement non-uniformity,proppant migration capacity,and proppant volume filled in the far-end and the secondary branched fracture are enhanced within the rough fracture compared with those within smooth fractures.The proppant migration capacity is increased within the fracture at low inclination angles(<60°)and low approach angles(<90°),and the proppant placement area is larger in the inclined fracture than that in the vertical fracture.The rise of injection rate and fracturing fluid viscosity causes more proppants migrate to far-end or secondary fractures,resulting in a non-proppant area within the near-wellbore fracture.An increase by 1.3 times in the injection rate and 3 times in the fracturing fluid viscosity leads to a decrease by 26.6%and 27%,respectively,in the proppant placement area within the near-wellbore fracture.The staged injection with small size proppants followed by large size proppants increases the proppant placement area in the primary fracture by 13%-26%,and that with large size proppants followed by small size proppants increases the proppant placement area by 19%-25%,which is due to that the latter method facilitates filling of the secondary branched fracture.The injection location mainly affects the proppant filling degree within the near-wellbore fractures.Compared with the upper injection,the middle and lower injection is not beneficial to filling of proppants within the near-wellbore fracture.

Water invasion and remaining gas distribution in carbonate gas reservoirs using core displacement and NMR

Water invasion is a common phenomenon in gas reservoirs with active edge-and-bottom aquifers.Due to high reservoir heterogeneity and production parameters,carbonate gas reservoirs feature exploitation obstacles and low recovery factors.In this study,combined core displacement and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)experiments explored the reservoir gas−water two-phase flow and remaining microscopic gas distribution during water invasion and gas injection.Consequently,for fracture core,the water-phase relative permeability is higher and the co-seepage interval is narrower than that of three pore cores during water invasion,whereas the water-drive recovery efficiency at different invasion rates is the lowest among all cores.Gas injection is beneficial for reducing water saturation and partially restoring the gas-phase relative permeability,especially for fracture core.The remaining gas distribution and the content are related to the core properties.Compared with pore cores,the water invasion rate strongly influences the residual gas distribution in fracture core.The results enhance the understanding of the water invasion mechanism,gas injection to resume production and the remaining gas distribution,so as to improve the recovery factors of carbonate gas reservoirs.

Features of fracture height propagation in cross-layer fracturing of shale oil reservoirs

Triaxial fracturing modeling experiments were carried out on whole diameter shale cores from different layers of Shahejie Formation in the Dongpu sag,Bohai Bay Basin to find out the vertical propagation shapes of hydraulic fractures in different reservoirs.A numerical simulation method of inserting global cohesive elements was adopted to build a pseudo-three-dimension fracture propagation model for multiple shale oil reservoirs considering interface strength,perforation location,and pump rate to research the features of hydraulic fracture(HF)penetrating through layers.The hydraulic fracture propagates in a cross pattern in tight sandstone layers,in a straight line in sandstone layers with natural fractures,forms ladder fracture in shale layers with beddings.The hydraulic fracture propagates in a stripe shape vertically in both sandstone and shale layers,but it spreads in the plane in shale layers after connecting beddings.Restricted by beddings,the hydraulic fractures in shale layers are smaller in height than those in sandstone layers.When a sandstone layer and a shale layer are fractured at the same time,the fracture extends the most in height after the two layers are connected.Perforating at positions where the sandstone-shale interface is higher in strength and increasing the pumping rate can enhance the fracture height,thus achieving the goal of increasing the production by cross-layer fracturing in multiple shale oil layers.

A fast space-time-domain Gaussian beam migration approach using the dominant frequency approximation

The Gaussian beam migration(GBM) is a steady imaging approach, which has high accuracy and efficiency. Its implementation mainly includes the traditional frequency domain and the recent popular space-time domain. Firstly, we use the upward ray tracing strategy to get the backward wavefields. Then,we use the dominant frequency of the seismic data to simplify the imaginary traveltime calculation of the wavefields, which can cut down the Fourier transform number compared with the traditional GBM in the space-time domain. In addition, we choose an optimized parameter for the take-off angle increment of the up-going and down-going rays. These optimizations help us get an efficient space-time-domain acoustic GBM approach. Typical four examples show that the proposed method can significantly improve the computational efficiency up to one or even two orders of magnitude in different models with different model parameters and produce good imaging results with comparable accuracy and resolution with the traditional GBM in the space-time domain.

Stress sensitivity of formation during multi-cycle gas injection and production in an underground gas storage rebuilt from gas reservoirs

Permeability sensitivity to stress experiments were conducted on standard core samples taken from Wen 23 Gas Storage at multi-cycle injection and production conditions of the gas storage to study the change pattern of stress sensitivity of permeability.A method for calculating permeability under overburden pressure in the multi-cycle injection and production process was proposed,and the effect of stress sensitivity of reservoir permeability on gas well injectivity and productivity in UGS was analyzed.Retention rate of permeability decreased sharply first and then slowly with the increase of the UGS cycles.The stress sensitivity index of permeability decreased with the increase of cycle number of net stress variations in the increase process of net stress.The stress sensitivity index of permeability hardly changed with the increase of cycle number of net stress variations in the decrease process of net stress.With the increase of cycle number of net stress variation,the stress sensitivity index of permeability in the increase process of net stress approached that in the decrease process of net stress.The lower the reservoir permeability,the greater the irreversible permeability loss rate,the stronger the cyclic stress sensitivity,and the higher the stress sensitivity index of the reservoir,the stronger the reservoir stress sensitivity.The gas zones with permeability lower than 0.3’10-3 mm2 are not suitable as gas storage regions.Stress sensitivity of reservoir permeability has strong impact on gas well injectivity and productivity and mainly in the first few cycles.

Determination of Salt Impurities in MDEA Solution Used in Desulfurization of Highly Sulphurous Natural Gas

The foaming phenomenon of N-methyldiethanolamine(MDEA) solution used in desulfurization process occurs frequently in the natural-gas purification plant. The foaming phenomenon has a strong impact on operation of the process unit. The salt impurities are the main reason for causing the foaming of MDEA solution, so the full analysis of salt impurities is necessary. A method for comprehensive analysis of salt impurities in MDEA solution used in desulfurization process was established. Anions and non-metallic cations of MDEA solution were determined by different conditions of ion chromatograph, respectively. Metallic cations of the solution were detected by atomic absorption spectrophotometer with the N2O-C2H2 flame absorption. The analytical results of salt impurities in the desulfurization solution can provide a theoretical basis for an accurate analysis of the factors affecting the foaming of MDEA to unveil further control measures.

Farewell faults in complex fault blocks with multi-technological integration

In the middle and second half of oilfield development,further exploration and development of petroleum reservoirs in complex fault blocks are major tasks.Based on the characteristics of fully developed farewell faults in the Wenweigu oil field and the data from 3D earthquakes,RFT,HDT and other techniques,farewell faults and their distribution were identified.Conformation of the fault blocks has been provided and the precision of describing the farewell faults improved.Research technology of farewell faults has applied these methods in this region.

Broad Prospect for Chinese-Russian Energy Cooperation

The Chinese-Russian bilateral energy cooperation is an important part of the Sino-Russian Strategic Partnership of Cooperation,which is developing at a high level, and is of important significance for further deepening bilateral economic ties. Both China and Russia follow the

Controls of strike-slip fault on fractures:Insight from 3D discrete element simulation

The fracture-cave reservoirs controlled by strike-slip faults are the main targets for oil and gas exploration of ultradeep carbonate in the Tarim Basin.It is of great significance to clarify the distribution rules of fractures related to strike-slip faults for guiding the exploration and development of ultra-deep oil and gas.In this study,six groups of strike-slip fault 3D models based on discrete element numerical simulation method have been created to investigate characteristics of fault-related fracture development and distribution law.In addition,we compared the modeling results to the measurement of fractures from the outcrop of a strike-slip fault in the Northern Tarim Basin to verify their validity.The results show that the stress environment is stable in the simple strike-slip section,and fractures intersecting with the strike-slip direction at a small angle are the principal fracture.In the releasing stepover and double-bend sections,the maximum principal stress changes from horizontal to vertical during the formation of pull-apart zones,where the principal fractures intersect the strike-slip direction at a large angle.The maximum principal stress in the restraining stepover and double-bend section remains horizontal,but their strikes change significantly with the increment of fault displacement.Thus,fractures intersecting the strike-slip direction at a small angle will become principal fractures early on,while those parallel to or anti-intersecting the strike-slip direction at a small angle will become principal fractures later.There are obvious differences in the development of fractures in different structural positions of strike-slip faults.Fractures are mainly concentrated in the fault tips,connections,and fault plane,and the magnitude of the fault damage zone is relatively larger in the first two.Compared with fault displacement,the principal damage zone(PDZ)shows stronger control on the distribution and development intensity of fractures.With the increment of fault displacement,the width of the fault damage zone and the fracture density first rapidly increases before the formation of PDZ and then slows down.Moreover,the formation time of PDZ in the restraining double-bend and stepover section is earlier than the simple strike-slip,releasing double-bend,and releasing stepover sections,and absorb more strain before the formation of the principal displacement zone.Thus,the restraining sections have the highest fracture intensity,followed by the pull-apart sections,then the simple strikeslip section.The results play an important role in understanding the development law of fractures related to strike-slip faults in different arrangements and move modes.

Characteristics and genesis of the Feixianguan Formation oolitic shoal reservoir, Puguang gas field, Sichuan Basin, China

The Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation at the well-known Puguang gasfield in the northeastern Sichuan Basin of southwest China produces a representa- tive oolitic reservoir, which has been the biggest marinesourced gasfield so far in China （discovered in 2003 with proven gas reserves greater than 350× 10^8 m3）. This study combines core, thin section, and scanning electron microscopy observations, and geochemical analysis （C, O, and Sr isotopes） in order to investigate the basic characteristics and formation mechanisms of the reservoir. Observations indicate that platform margin oolitic dolomites are the most important reservoir rocks. Porosity is dominated by intergranular and intragranular solution, and moldic pore. The dolomites are characterized by medium porosity and permeability, averaging at approximately 9% and 29.7 mD, respectively. ^87Sr/^86Sr （0.707536-0.707934） and δ^13CpDB （1.8 ‰--3.5 ‰） isotopic values indicate that the dolomitization fluid is predominantly concentrated seawater by evaporation, and the main mechanism for the oolitic dolomite formation is seepage reflux at an early stage of eodiagenesis. Both sedimentation and diagenesis （e.g., dolomitization and dissolution） have led to the formation of high-quality rocks to different degrees. Dolomite formation may have little contribution, karst may have had both positive and negative influences, and burial dissolution-TSR （thermochemical sulfate reduction） may not impact widely. The preservation of primary intergranular pores and dissolution by meteoric or mixed waters at the early stage of eogenesis are the main influences. This study may assist oil and gas explorationactivities in the Puguang area and in other areas withdolomitic reservoirs.

Ages, Trace Elements and Hf-Isotopic Compositions of Zircons from Claystones around the Permian-Triassic Boundary in the Zunyi Section, South China: Implications for Nature and Tectonic Setting of the Volcanism

A growing body of evidence shows that volcanism near the Permian-Triassic boundary（PTB） may be crucial in triggering the Permian–Triassic（P–Tr） mass extinction. Thus, the ash beds near the PTB in South China may carry information on this event. Three volcanic ash layers, altered to clay, outcropped in the PTB beds in Zunyi Section, Guizhou Province, Southwest China. The U-Pb ages, trace elements, and Hf-isotope compositions of zircon grains from these three ash beds were analyzed using LA-ICPMS and LA-MC-ICPMS. The zircons are mainly magmatic in origin（241-279 Ma） except for two inherited/xenocrystic zircons（939 and 2 325 Ma）. The ages of these magmatic zircons indicate three episodes of magmatism which occurred around the MiddleLate Permian boundary（-261.5 Ma, MLPB）, the Wuchiapingian-Changhsingian boundary（-254.5 Ma, WCB）, and the PTB（-250.5 Ma）, respectively. The first two episodes of magmatism near the MLPB and WCB may be attributed to magmatic inheritance or re-deposition. All magmatic zircons share similar trace-element and Hf-isotope compositions. They have Y, Hf, Th and U contents and Nb/Ta ratios are typical of zircons from silicic calc-alkaline magmas. These zircons also exhibit enriched Hf-isotope compositions with _（εHf）（t） values of-11.4 to ＋0.2, which suggests that the three magmatic episodes involved melting of the continental crust. The more enriched Hf-isotope composition （_（εHf）（t）=-11.4--4.8） of Bed ZY13（-250.5 Ma） implies more input of ancient crustal material in the magma. Integration of the Hf-isotope and trace-element compositions of magmatic zircons suggest that these three episodes of magmatism may take place along the convergent continent margin in or near southwestern South China as a result of the closure of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean.

Petroleum System of the Fula Depression at the Muglad Basin in the Central African Fault Zone

Petroleum system theory has been used to study characteristics of the Fula depression in the Central African fault zone.In this system,deep lacustrine facies mudstone in the Abu Gabra For-mation of the Lower Cretaceous is a very good source rock,thick deltaic facies sandstone of the Abu Gabra Formation and fluvial facies sandstone of the Bentiu Formation are good reservoir beds,and the mudstone in the Upper Cretaceous Darfur Group is the regional cap rock.The oil search mode and fault block trap seal-off conditions are considered here for passive rift basins.Particularly with respect to oil source rock distribution,successive development of reverse fault block and faulted anticlinal traps on low relief structures could have accumulated hydrocarbons because of lateral sealing by down-thrown mudstone along the up-dipping reservoir beds.At present,discoveries in this system are all large-duty oil fields.In 2009,proved reserves exceeded 2×108 t,and about 3×106 t annual throughput of crude oil was obtained.Risk exploration of the Fula depression is of short cycle and high benefit,which will be of great help for exploration in the Muglad basin.

Overpressure Evolution Recorded in Fluid Inclusions in the Dongpu Depression,Bohai Bay Basin,North China

The Dongpu depression,like other depressions in the Bohai Bay Basin,is characterized by overpressure,however,the published studies have not clearly given the overpressure formation mechanism and paleo-pressure evolution history in the Dongpu depression.In addition,the current researches are mainly focused on the northern Dongpu depression,while rare investigation has been conducted in the southern part.In this context,it is urgent to explore the comprehensive overpressure evolution and formation mechanism in the Dongpu depression in academic and industrial fields.This paper provided a systematic analysis of fluid inclusions,including fluid inclusion petrography,microthermometry,vapor phase filling degree measurement and PVT-x modeling.By using homogenization temperature-burial history projection,the trapping time of the oil inclusions are determined.Four pressure evolution stages are identified in both the northern and the southern Dongpu depression.The results indicate that the pressure accumulation stage is derived by disequilibrium compaction and hydrocarbon generation in the northern part because of the salt rock distribution,while the stage is only derived by hydrocarbon generation in the southern part because of no salt rock distribution.The pressure release stages are mainly caused by the tectonic uplifting movements at the end of Dongying and Minghuazhen Formation.The overpressure in most areas in the northern part has been preserved till now,which is considered as a result of the good plasticity and sealing ability of salt rock that prevent the pressure leakage by smearing on the fault.Areas without salt rock distribution show normal pressure,which means the salt rock is an important factor that contributes to the overpressure preservation.However,there are exceptions that in Baimiao and Qiaokou,the overpressure still exists even without salt rock distribution,which is due to fault closure.