Structural features and exploration targets of platform margins in Sinian Dengying Formation in Deyang-Anyue Rift, Sichuan Basin, SW China

Based on the seismic, logging, drilling and other data, the distribution, structural types and mound-shoal hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics of platform margins of the Sinian Dengying Formation in the Deyang-Anyue Rift and its periphery were analyzed. Four types of platform margins are developed in the Dengying Formation, i.e., single-stage fault-controlled platform margin, multi-stage fault-controlled platform margin, gentle slope platform margin, and overlapping platform margin. In the Gaoshiti West-Weiyuan East area, single-stage fault controlled platform margins are developed in the Deng 2 Member, which trend in nearly NEE direction and are shielded by faults and mudstones, forming fault-controlled–lithologic traps. In the Lezhi-Penglai area, independent and multi-stage fault controlled platform margins are developed in the Deng 2 Member, which trend in NE direction and are controlled by synsedimentary faults;the mound-shoal complexes are aggraded and built on the hanging walls of the faults, and they are shielded by tight intertidal belts and the Lower Cambrian source rocks in multiple directions, forming fault-controlled–lithologic and other composite traps. In the Weiyuan-Ziyang area, gentle slope platform margins are developed in the Deng 2 Member, which trend in NW direction;the mound-shoal complexes are mostly thin interbeds as continuous bands and shielded by tight intertidal belts in the updip direction, forming lithologic traps. In the Gaoshiti-Moxi-Yanting area, overlapping platform margins are developed in the Deng 2 and Deng 4 members;the mound-shoal complexes are aggraded and overlaid to create platform margin buildup with a huge thickness and sealed by tight intertidal belts and the Lower Cambrian mudstones in the updip direction, forming large-scale lithologic traps on the north slope of the Central Sichuan Paleouplift. To summarize, the mound-shoal complexes on the platform margins in the Dengying Formation in the Penglai-Zhongjiang area, Moxi North-Yanting area and Weiyuan-Ziyang area are large in scale, with estimated resources of 1.58×1012 m3, and they will be the key targets for the future exploration of the Dengying Formation in the Sichuan Basin.

Exploration Experience and Problem concerning Deep Basin Gas in the Ordos Basin

Deep basin gas (DBG) reservoirs, in view of the characteristics of their main parts containing gas, are a type of subtle stratigraphic lithologic traps. But they have different reservoir-forming principles, especially in the distribution of oil, gas and water. DBG is characterized by gas-water invertion, namely the water located above the gas; however, normal non-anticline subtle reservoirs have normal distribution of gas and water, namely the water located under the gas. The theory of DBG broke the conventional exploration idea that gas is usually found in the high part of reservoir and water is under the gas. So, it provided a wide field and a new idea for the exploration of natural gas. Recently Ben E. Law (2002), in his article entitled "Basin-centered Gas Systems", discussed global DBG systemically. He listed 72 basins or areas containing known or suspected DBG, covering North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South Asia, Middle East and Africa. Ordos basin, the Sichuan basin and the Jungar basin in China are presented and assumed to be of very high possibility. In China more attention has been paid to the research and exploration of DBG in the past years. The symposiums on DBG were held twice, in Guangzhou in 1998 and in Xi'an in 2000 respectively. In 2002 in particular, the publication of the book named Deep Basin Gas in China by Professor Wangtao indicated that China has entered a new stage in the research on DBG Meanwhile, it is more cheering that the exploration of DBG in the Ordos Basin has achieved remarkable success. Therefore, analyzing the exploration experiences and problems regarding the Ordos basin will promote the exploration and research of DBG in China.

Formation Conditions and Exploration-favoring Areas of Subtle Reservoirs in West Taibei Sag

At the initial stage of subtle reservoir exploration in the shallow to medium formations of the Taibei Sag, Tuha Basin, so far, three kinds of subtle reservoirs (stratigraphic, lithologic and structural-lithologic reservoirs) have been found. Since both the amount and reserve of the discovered subtle reservoirs are small, a great exploration potential remains in the Taibei Sag. The shallow to medium formations in the west of the Taibei Sag were divided into three second-order sequences and ten third-order sequences, of which the rising cyclothems of SQ(J2q) and SQ8 (J2s2) datum level are major exploration targets for the subtle reservoirs (lithologic). The depositional systems of Qiquanhu and Subashi braided river delta were developed there, where the sedimentary sand body is dominated by the regional slopes and slope break belts. There are four main modes the formation of lithologic traps: deltaic front onlap on the slope belt, deltaic front toplap on the slope break belt, lately tilted frontal sand body and sublacustrine fan—slope fan on the slope break belt, of which the first three modes are the major styles of the formation of subtle reservoirs. Major targets for subtle reservoir exploration in the near future include Putaogou Member on the north slope of Huoyanshan, the east slope of Pubei, the nose-like palaeohigh regions of Huobei, Subashi and Lianmuqin, around the Shengbei secondary sag.