Hydrocarbon migration and accumulation along the fault intersection zone-a case study on the reef-flat systems of the No.1 slope break zone in the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin

Understanding hydrocarbon migration and accumulation mechanisms is one of the key scientif ic problems that should be solved for effective hydrocarbon exploration in the superimposed basins developed in northwest China. The northwest striking No.1 slope break zone, which is a representative of superimposed basins in the Tarim Basin, can be divided into five parts due to the intersection of the northeast strike-slip faults. Controlled by the tectonic framework, the types and properties of reservoirs and the hydrocarbon compositions can also be divided into five parts from east to west. Anomalies of all the parameters were found on the fault intersection zone and weakened up-dip along the structural ridge away from it. Thus, it can be inferred that the intersection zone is the hydrocarbon charging position. This new conclusion differs greatly from the traditional viewpoint, which believes that the hydrocarbon migrates and accumulates along the whole plane of the No.1 slope break zone. The viewpoint is further supported by the evidence from the theory of main pathway systems, obvious improvement of the reservoir quality （2-3 orders of magnitude at the intersection zone） and the formation mechanisms of the fault intersection zone. Differential hydrocarbon migration and entrapment exists in and around the strike- slip faults. This is controlled by the internal structure of faults. It is concluded that the more complicated the fault structure is, the more significant the effects will be. If there is a deformation band, it will hinder the cross fault migration due to the common feature of two to four orders of magnitude reduction in permeability. Otherwise, hydrocarbons tend to accumulate in the up-dip structure under the control of buoyancy. Further research on the internal fault structure should be emphasized.

Artificial Neural Network Model of Hydrocarbon Migration and Accumulation

Based on the dynamic simulation of the 3 D structure the sedimentary modeling, the unit entity model has been adopted to transfer the heterogeneous complex passage system into limited simple homogeneous entity, and then the traditional dynamic simulation has been used to calculate the phase and the drive forces of the hydrocarbon , and the artificial neural network(ANN) technology has been applied to resolve such problems as the direction, velocity and quantity of the hydrocarbon migration among the unit entities. Through simulating of petroleum migration and accumulation in Zhu Ⅲ depression, the complex mechanism of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation has been opened out.

Tight sandstone gas accumulation mechanisms and sweet spot prediction, Triassic Xujiahe Formation, Sichuan Basin, China

The prediction of continental tight sandstone gas sweet spots is an obstacle during tight sandstone gas exploration. In this work, the classic physical fluid charging experimental equipment is improved, the combination of the gas migration and accumulation process with the pore network numerical simulation method is investigated, and application of the permeability/porosity ratio is proposed to predict the gas saturation and sweet spots of continental formations. The results show that (1) as the charging pressure increases, the permeability of the reservoir increases because more narrow pore throats are displaced in the percolation process;and (2) based on pore network numerical simulation and theoretical analysis, the natural gas migration and accumulation mechanisms are revealed. The gas saturation of tight sandstone rock is controlled by the gas charging pressure and dynamic percolation characteristics. (3) The ratio of permeability/porosity and fluid charging pressure is proposed to predict the gas saturation of the formation. The ratio is verified in a pilot and proven to be applicable and practical. This work highlights the tight sandstone gas migration and accumulation mechanisms and narrows the gap among microscale physical experiments, numerical simulation research, and field applications.

Hydrocarbon Generation, Migration, and Accumulation in the Eocene Niubao Formation in the Lunpola Basin, Tibet, China: Insights from Basin Modeling and Fluid Inclusion Analysis

The Eocene Niubao Formation is the primary research target of oil exploration in the Lunpola Basin.Crude oil was extracted from Well Z1 on the northern margin of the basin in 1993.In this study,an integrated evaluation of the source rock geothermal,and maturity histories and the fluid inclusion and fluid potential distributions was performed to aid in predicting areas of hydrocarbon accumulation.Due to the abundance of organic matter,the kerogen types,maturity,and oil-sources correlate with the geochemical data.The middle submember of the second member of the Niubao Formation(E2n^2-2)is the most favorable source rock based on the amount of oil produced from the E2n^2-3and E2n^3-1reservoirs.One-and twodimensional basin modeling,using BasinMod software,shows that the E2n^2-2source rock started to generate hydrocarbon at 35-30 Ma,reached a maturity of Ro=0.7%at 25-20 Ma,and at present,it has reached the peak oil generation stage with a thermal maturity of Ro=0.8%to less than Ro=1.0%.By using fluid inclusion petrography,fluorescence spectroscopy,and microthermometry,two major periods of oil charging have been revealed at 26.1-17.5 and 32.4-24.6 Ma.The oil accumulation modeling results,conducted by using the Trinity software,show a good fit of the oil shows in the wells and predict that the structural highs and lithologic transitions within the Jiangriaco and Paco sags are potential oil traps.

Origin of Oils in“Subtle pools”in the Dongying Depression,Bohai Bay Basin, China

Subtle traps or oil pools have become an important exploration play in the Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, east China. Despite recent successes in exploration, the formation mechanisms of subtle traps are still not well understood. The majority of subtle oil pools in the Dongying Depression are developed in the middle interval of the Es3 Member of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation with the subtle traps being primarily of lenticular basin-floor turbidite sands encompassed in mudstones. Oil in the subtle traps was previously thought to have migrated directly from the surrounding source rocks of the same formation （Es3）. Detailed geochemical investigation of 41 oils and 41 rock samples from the depression now indicates that the oils from the subtle traps cannot be correlated well with the surrounding Es3 source rocks, which are characterized by high Pr/ Ph （〉1）, low Gammacerane/C30hopane, representing a freshwater lacustrine setting. In contrast the oils features low Pr/Ph （〈1） and relatively high Gammacerane content, showing a genetic affinity with the underlying Es4 source rocks, which also have the same qualities, indicating a brackish lacustrine setting. Oils in the Es3 subtle traps are probably derived from mixed sources with the contribution from the upper Es4 source rocks predominating. Therefore unconventional oil migration and accumulation mechanisms need to be invoked to explain the pooling of oils from the ES4 source rocks, which probably came through a thick low interval of the Es3 source rocks with no apparent structural or stratigraphic pathways. We suggest that the subtle oil migration pathway probably plays an important role here. This finding may have significant implications for future exploration and the remaining resource evaluation in the Dongying Depression.

Paleogene geological framework and tectonic evolution of the central anticlinal zone in Lufeng 13 sag,Pearl River Mouth Basin

The Paleogene geological framework and evolution process in the central anticline zone in the Lufeng 13 sag in Pearl River Mouth Basin is well analyzed through seismic data and drilling data,and control of tectonic evolution on hydrocarbon accumulation is also discussed.The results show that the central anticline zone in the Lufeng 13 sag develops the upper deformation layer and lower deformation layer.The“arched graben system”is developed in the upper deformation layer,and the magmatic diapir structure and flowing deformation of plastic strata is developed in the lower deformation layer.The evolution process of the central anticline zone can be divided into four stages,i.e.fault block uplifting stage,prototype stage,strengthening stage and finalization stage.The geological framework and tectonic evolution of the central anticline zone control Paleogene hydrocarbon accumulation.The Paleogene twolayer geological framework is favorable for development of structural traps and composite traps;the paleostructure highs are the direction of hydrocarbon migration,and the gravitational gliding faults are the main carrier bed for vertical hydrocarbon migration;the tectonic uplift is a key factor for reservoir diagenesis improvement and preservation of primary pores,and also controls distribution of high-quality reservoirs.