Geometry and formation mechanism of tension gashes and their implication on the hydrocarbon accumulation in the deep-seated strata of sedimentary basin:A case from Shunnan area of Tarim Basin

With the theoretical and technological developments related to cratonic strike-slip faults,the Shuntuoguole Low Uplift in the Tarim Basin has attracted considerable attention recently.Affected by multi-stage tectonic movements,the strike-slip faults have controlled the distribution of hydrocarbon resources owing to the special fault characteristics and fault-related structures.In contrast,the kinematics and formation mechanism of strike-slip faults in buried sedimentary basins are difficult to investigate,limiting the discussion of these faults and hydrocarbon accumulation.In this study,we identified the characteristics of massive sigmoidal tension gashes(STGs)that formed in the Shunnan area of the Tarim Basin.High-resolution three-dimensional seismic data and attribute analyses were used to investigate their geometric and kinematic characteristics.Then,the stress state of each point of the STGs was calculated using seismic curvature attributes.Finally,the formation mechanism of the STGs and their roles in controlling hydrocarbon migration and accumulation were discussed.The results suggest that:(1)the STGs developed in the Shunnan area have a wide distribution,with a tensile fault arranged in an enéchelon pattern,showing an S-shaped bending.These STGs formed in multiple stages,and differential rotation occurred along the direction of strike-slip stress during formation.(2)Near the principal displacement zone of the strike-slip faults,the stress value of the STGs was higher,gradually decreasing at both ends.The shallow layer deformation was greater than the deep layer deformation.(3)STGs are critical for connecting source rocks,migrating oil and gas,sealing horizontally,and developing efficient reservoirs.This study not only provides seismic evidence for the formation and evolution of super large STGs,but also provides certain guidance for oil and gas exploration in this area.

Formation Mechanism of the Changxing Formation Gas Reservoir in the Yuanba Gas Field,Sichuan Basin,China

In a very gentle platform-margin paleogeographic environment, platform-margin reef flat facies carbonate reservoir rocks were developed in the Changxing Formation of Yuanba field. Later weak structural evolution and diagenetic evolution caused the Changxing Formation to form lithologic traps, with good reservoirs such as dissolved bioclastic dolostone and dissolved pore dolostone. The Changxing Formation gas reservoir is a pseudo-layered porous lithologic gas reservoir under pressure depletion drive, with high H2S and moderate CO2 contents. This paper predictes that the conducting system for the Changxing Formation gas reservoir is possibly composed of the pores and microfractures in the Changxing Formation reservoir, the top erosional surface of the Changxing Formation, as well as the micropores and microfractures in the underlying formations. The Changxing Formation reservoir has experienced 3 hydrocarbon charging stages. This paper suggests that diffusion is the major formation mechanism for this gas reservoir. In the Middle and Late Yanshanian, the Yuanba area entered the major gas charging stage. The gas migrated mainly through diffusion and with the assistance of seepage flow in small faults and microfractures from the source rocks and the other oil-bearing strata to the Changxing Formation carbonate reservoir rocks, forming lithologic gas pools. In the Himalayan Epoch, the lithologic traps were uplifted as a whole without strong modification or overlapping, and were favorable for gas preservation.

Reservoir differences and formation mechanisms in the Ke-Bai overthrust belt,northwestern margin of the Junggar Basin,China

There are some differences in reservoir quality of clastic rock between the hanging wall and the foot wall of the Ke-Bai overthrust belt, northwestern margin of the Junggar Basin, western China, which affect the efficient petroleum exploration in this highly mature exploration area. Based on a large number of thin-sections, cast thin-sections, and physical property analysis of cores, we systematically discuss the Permian-Jurassic reservoir differences between the hanging wall and the foot wall of the Ke- Bai overthrust fault from the aspects of structural evolution, time-space distribution of the depositional system, diagenesis characteristics, and reservoir quality and analyzed the reasons for the differences in reservoir properties. The overthrusting of the Ke-Bai fault directly results in different burial histories, diagenesis evolution, and porosity evolution between the hanging wall and the foot wall. The diflbrences of reservoir characteristics are mainly embodied in buried depth, grain size, sedimentary facies, diagenetic stage, and reservoir quality. The analysis results showed that burial history and depositional characteristics controlled by overthrusting are direct influencing factors of reservoir differences. Because of shallow burial depth of the hanging wall, the reservoir compaction is weak and primary pores are preserved well. The porosity of reservoir on the hanging wall is generally 10%-25%. The strata on the foot wall are deeply buried, and there are mainly mixed pores with the average porosity of 5%-20%. The favorable reservoir on the foot wall is generally developed near faults or in the channel sand bodies, which are usually dissolution development areas.

Salt-Gathering and Potassium Formation of Potassium-Rich Brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin, China

Potassium-rich brine in the Sichuan Basin has been much studied in recent years, but few studies have focused on the distribution and migration of salt basin and the differences of potassium formation mechanisms. This work examined the salt-gathering and potassium formation of potassiumrich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin using lithofacies palaeogeographic depiction and geochemical analyses.(1) The favorable sedimentary facies controlling the formation of potassium-rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin are evaporation platform and restricted platform, whereas the salt basin is one of the main factors controlling the poly-salt center.(2) The distribution and migration of this salt basin were affected by certain factors. The salt basin of the Jialingjiang Formation was mainly distributed in the east and central Sichuan Basin, whereas that of the Leikoupo Formation was mainly distributed in the central and west Sichuan Basin. The sedimentary centers have gradually moved westward and become smaller.(3) Three main formation mechanisms were identified for the potassium-rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin, i.e., evaporation and concentration of seawater, surface fresh water leaching, and deep water-rock reaction. Fresh water leaching was characterized by low anomaly δ18 O and δ13 C values. Water-rock reaction was mainly related to temperature, and high temperature environment(caused by burial depth, overthrust and deep hydrothermal fluids) was beneficial to water-rock reaction. The characteristics of water-rock reaction do not correspond to the increase ratio of K·103/Cl and Br·103/Cl in brine, and the Rb+ content of the brine was high.(4) The formation mechanisms of potassium-rich brine differed between different areas of the Sichuan Basin. In east Sichuan, the evaporation and concentration of seawater, together with meteoric fresh water leaching, was the main formation factor, whereas the evaporation and concentration of seawater and water–rock reaction predominated in west Sichuan. This study of the sedimentary environment and formation mechanisms is of significance to the exploration and exploitation of potassium-rich brine in the Sichuan Basin.

Mechanism of Silurian Hydrocarbon Pool Formation in the Tarim Basin

There are three formation stages of Silurian hydrocarbon pools in the Tarim Basin. The widely distributed asphaltic sandstones in the Tazhong （central Tarim） and Tabei （northern Tarim） areas are the results of destruction of hydrocarbon pools formed in the first-stage, and the asphaltic sandstones around the Awati Sag were formed in the second-stage. The hydrocarbon migration characteristics reflected by the residual dry asphalts could represent the migration characteristics of hydrocarbons in the Silurian paleo-pools, while the present movable oil in the Silurian reservoirs is related to the iater-stage （the third-stage） hydrocarbon accumulation.

Occurrence mechanism of lacustrine shale oil in the Paleogene Shahejie Formation of Jiyang Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

To determine the occurrence mechanism and mobility of shale oil in the Shahejie Formation in the Jiyang Depression, organic geochemistry analysis, thin-section petrological observation, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, high-pressure mercury intrusion porosimetry, field emission scanning electron microscopy experiments were conducted on shale samples to reveal its storage mechanism, including pore size, ratio of adsorbed oil to free oil, mobility and its influencing factors, and mode of storage. Residual shale oil is mainly present in pores less than 100 nm in diameter under the atmospheric temperature and pressure. The lower limit of pore size for free oil is 5 nm, and the lower limit of pore size for movable oil occurrence is about 30 nm. The light components, low TOC and high porosity are the main factors contributing to the high proportion of movable oil. Each type of pore can contain residual shale oil, but not all pores have shale oil. Pore connectivity and surface wettability are the determinants of shale oil enrichment degree and enrichment state.

Occurrences and Formation Mechanisms of Botryoidai Structures from the Sinian Dengying Formation,Sichuan Basin,China

ObjectiveThis study aims to characterize the occurrences and interior structural features of botryoidal structures from the Sinian Dengying Formation in the Sichuan Basin of Southwestern China, and to shed light on their formation mechanism.

Characterization and formation mechanisms of fractures and their significance to hydrocarbon accumulation: A case study of Lower Ordovician mid-assemblage Formations in central Ordos Basin, China

The lower Ordovician mid-assemblage Formations in the central Ordos Basin of China host prolific gas resources,and most hydrocarbon reserves are stored in naturally-fractured reservoirs.Thus,fracture pathway systems may have a significant impact on reservoir performance.This article focuses on the core-and laboratory-based characterization of fractures.Through the developmental degrees,extended scale,output state and filling characteristics of various types of fractures,the results show that there are three distinct fracture types:1)nearly vertical fractures,2)oblique fractures,and 3)horizontal fractures.Based on a systematic study of the characterization of reservoir space,the main geologic setting of natural gas accumulation and the regional tectonic background,type 1 is mainly driven by the tectonic formation mechanism,and type 3 and parts of low-angle fractures in type 2 are induced by the diagenetic formation mechanism.While recovered paleopressure for methane-rich aqueous inclusions trapped in fracture-filling cement indicates that the fracture opening and growth are consistent with gas maturation and charge and such high-angle fractures in type 2 are caused by the compound formation mechanism.The fractures to hydrocarbon accumulation may play a more significant role in improving the quality of reservoir porosity.Furthermore,connected fractures,dissolved pores and cavities together constitute the three-dimensional pore-cave-fracture network pathway systems,with faults serving as the dominant charge pathways of highly pressurized gas in the study area.Our results demonstrate that protracted growth of a pervasive fracture system is not only the consequence of various formation mechanisms but also intrinsic to quasi-continuous accumulation reservoirs.

Redefining the Age of the Cenozoic Shanwang Formation in Shanwang Basin

The Shanwang Basin is a small Cenozoic sedimentary basin located in Linqu county, Shandong province.The Shanwang Formation, especially the diatomaceous shale member, contains diverse and finely preserved flora and fauna fossils （Fig. 1）. Previous paleontological study and radiometric dating show that it was formed in the Miocene. However, on the precise age of the formation, there are such different opinions as Late Miocene, Middle Miocene, Early stage of Middle Miocene, etc.

Fossil Scallops from the Cenozoic Duho Formation of the Pohang Basin,Korea

A great number of fossil scallops were found from the Duho Formation of the Pohang Basin,Korea.Most of the specimens are preserved as slightly altered original carbonate shells,and internal and external molds were also observed in the specimens whose calcareous materials were washed out.In particular, external and internal molds are more frequently observed from the thin and small(less than 1 cm

The Formation Mechanism and Geological Significance of Fluorite in Ordovician, Central Uplift of Tarim Basin

Based on analysisof karst fracture-vuggy filling mineralogy and geochemical fluorite in hercynian, this paper make further research about formation and significance of fluorite in central uplift of Tarim Basin. It is point out that the development of hercynian fracture-vuggy and filling succession of fracture-cave mineral was under the background of the mingling of low-temperature magma hydrotherm and the brine of upper strata. There are overlap or associate relations between generate of fluorite and buried dissolution or oil-gas migration. It was volume decreased 26.4% after calcite metasomatic by fluorite, this reaction made fluorite engender plentiful intergranular space. It’s created appreciable reservoir space. At same time, hydrotherm carried by fluorite generating could erode adjacent rock though fracture or fissure, forming irregular fracture-cave system, and also accompanied with hydrocarbon migration. The time of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation happened in late hercynian-indosinian is inosculates with the sedimentation time such as fluorite and several hydrothermal mineral.

Genetic Mechanism of the Dolomite in Dolomitic Glutenite of the Shahejie Formation—A Case Study of QHD 29-2 Oilfield in Bohai Bay Basin, China

The dolomite in dolomitic glutenite of the shahejie formation in the eastern steep slope of the Shijiutuo bulge in Bohai is a high-quality reservoir, and the content of dolomite is positively correlated with reservoir physical properties. In this paper, by using thin section, core, wall core, geochemical data and analyzing petrology and mineralogy characteristic, we systematically analyzed the paleogeographic environment and genetic mechanism of this kind of dolomite and established the genetic models. The dolomite in the glutenite body has many characteristics of development, which is formed by three kinds of genesis: quasi-synergy dolomitization, buried dolomitization and hydrothermal dolomitization. The dolomite in glutenite is produced in the form of matrix, grain (sandstone, oolith), biological skeleton (conch, ostracod), clastic shell and dolomite cement. The minor elements, carbon and oxygen isotopes, trace minerals and paleontological combinations reveal that the paleogeographic environment was closed continental salt-brackish water bay, the climate was arid and hot, and the evaporation was strong. It provides favorable conditions for the production of the dolomite in dolomitic glutenite. There are three genetic models of dolomite. The first model is penecontemporaneous dolomitization. The climate was arid and hot, the aragonite and high-magnesium calcite deposited with sand and gravel. Due to the effect of evaporation, dolomitization occurred. The second model is buried dolomitization. The water from dehydration of clay minerals causes the Mg2+ in the high-magnesium formation migrating into the rock, leading to the occurrence of dolomitization. The third model is hydrothermal dolomitization. Deep faults can bring geothermal fluids into the overlying reservoir and form the hydrothermal dolomite.

Types of biogenic quartz and its coupling storage mechanism in organic-rich shales: A case study of the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation to Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin, SW China

Biogenic quartz in the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation to Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation(WufengLongmaxi)shale layers in the Sichuan Basin and its periphery is qualitatively analyzed and quantitatively characterized by organic petrologic,mineralogic,and geochemical methods to find out the coupling effect between organic matter and quartz.(1)There are two types of biogenic quartz in the shale layers:Type I quartz is submicron quartz appearing in clusters around the organic matter.Type II quartz is in nano-scale grain size and floats in spherical shape on organic matter,with grains in point-to-point or surface-to-surface contact;this type of quartz is mainly biologic origin and slightly affected by hydrothermal activity in local parts.(2)The reservoirs in the Wufeng-Longmaxi formations is consistent in distribution with biogenic silica content in them,and mainly concentrated at the bottom of the Wufeng-Longmaxi formations,and is thinner in the Changning and Weiyuan regions,while thicker in the Fuling region.(3)The biogenic quartz in the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale worked through the entire evolution process of hydrocarbon generation.The presence of biogenic quartz can enhance the development of organic matter pores and microcracks,and can effectively preserve the organic matter pores and residual intergranular pores,forming"biological silicon intergranular pores,organic pores and micro-fractures".This would benefit later hydraulic fracturing and result in high production/stable production of well.The coupling effect between biogenic quartz development and organic matter evolution and hydrocarbon generation is a critical factor for high-quality shale reservoir development.

Characteristics and Formation Mechanism of the Geothermal Field in the North China Downfaulted Basin

The geothermal field is mainly controlled by the regional tectonic framework characterized by alternationsof uplifted and depressed basement. and exhibits a similar zoned distribution of temperatures. In the upliftedarea the geothermal gradient （G） and terrestrial heat flow value（q） of the Cenozoic sedimentary cover are rela-tively high, with G=3.5-5.0℃/100m and q=63-84mW/m;; whereas in the depressions they are rela-tively low, with G=2.7-3.5℃/100m and q=46-59mW/m;. In the whole region, G=3.58℃/100m and q=61.5±13.4nW/m;, indicating a comparatively high geothermal background and the presence of localgeothermal anomalies. A comparison of the results of mathematical simulation of the geothermal field with themeasured values shows a good agrecment between them. The geothermal difference between various tectonicunits is caused chiefly by the lateral and vertical variation of thermal properties of shallow crustal rocks. Thisphenomenon can be regarded as the result of redistribution of relatively uniform heat flows from the deep crustin the surficial part of the crust in the process of their upward conduction.

Differences in and factors controlling organic matter enrichment in the Ziliujing Formation shale in the Sichuan Basin

Lacustrine shale oil and gas are important fields for unconventional exploration and development in China,and organic-rich shale deposition lays down the critical foundation for hydrocarbon generation.There are two sets of shale,the Dongyuemiao and Da’anzhai Members,in the Ziliujing Formation in the Sichuan Basin.To identify the differential enrichment characteristics of organic matter and clarify its controlling factors,geochemical analyses of organic and inorganic geochemical analyses were performed.The results showed that the total organic carbon content of the Dongyuemiao shale(1.36%)is slightly higher than that of the Da’anzhai shale(0.95%).The enrichment of organic matter in the two shales resulted from the comprehensive controls of paleoproductivity,paleoenvironment,and terrigenous input,but different factors have different effects.In addition,driven by climate,the change in the sulfate concentration in the bottom water further led to the different intensities of bacterial sulfate reduction in early diagenesis.This made a great difference regarding organic matter accumulation in the two members.In general,climate may have played a dominant role in organic matter enrichment in the two sets of shale.

Igneous intrusion contact metamorphic system and its reservoir characteristics:A case study of Paleogene Shahejie Formation in Nanpu sag of Bohai Bay Basin,China

Taking the Paleogene Shahejie Formation in Nanpu sag of Bohai Bay Basin as an example,this study comprehensively utilizes seismic,mud logging,well logging,physical property analysis and core thin section data to investigate the metamorphic reservoir formed by contact metamorphism after igneous rock intrusion.(1)A geological model of the igneous intrusion contact met amorphic system is proposed,which can be divided into five structural layers vertically:the intrusion,upper metamorphic aureole,lower metamorphic aureole,normal sedimentary layers on the roof and floor.(2)The intrusion is characterized by xenoliths indicating intrusive facies at the top,regular changes in rock texture and mineral crystallization from the center to the edge on a microscopic scale,and low-angle oblique penetrations of the intrusion through sedimentary strata on a macroscopic scale.The metamorphic aureole has characteristics such as sedimentary rocks as the host rock,typical palimpsest textures developed,various low-temperature thermal metamorphic minerals developed,and medium-low grade thermal metamorphic rocks as the lithology.(3)The reservoir in contact metamorphic aureole has two types of reservoir spaces:matrix pores and fractures.The matrix pores are secondary"intergranular pores"distributed around metamorphic minerals after thermal metamorphic transformation in metasandstones.The fractures are mainly structural fractures and intrusive compressive fractures in metamudstones.The reservoirs generally have three spatial distribution characteristics:layered,porphyritic and hydrocarbon impregnation along fracture.(4)The distribution of reservoirs in the metamorphic aureole is mainly controlled by the intensity of thermal baking.Furthermore,the distribution of favorable reservoirs is controlled by the coupling of favorable lithofacies and thermal contact metamorphism,intrusive compression and hydrothermal dissolution.The proposal and application of the geological model of the intrusion contact metamorphic system are expected to promote the discovery of exploration targets of contact metamorphic rock in Nanpu sag,and provide a reference for the study and exploration of deep contact metamorphic rock reservoirs in the Bohai Bay Basin.

The Impact of the Linked Factors of Provenance,Tectonics and Climate on Potash Formation:An Example from the Potash Deposits of Lop Nur Depression in Tarim Basin,Xinjiang,Western China

Potash deposits commonly accumulate in highly restricted settings at the final stage of brine evaporation. This does not mean that potash deposits are formed simply as a result of the evaporation concentration of seawater or lake water, but rather as a coupling result of particular provenance, tectonics and climate activities. In this paper, we focus on the formative mechanism of the potash deposits of Lop Nur depression in Tarim Basin to interpret the detailed coupling mechanism among provenance, tectonics and climate. In terms of the provenance of Lop Nur Lake, the water of the Tarim River which displays ＂potassium-rich＂ characteristics play an important role. In addition, the Pliocene and Lower-Middle Pleistocene clastic beds surrounding Lop Nur Lake host a certain amount of soluble potassium and thus serves as ＂source beds＂ for potash formation. During the late Pliocene, the Lop Nur region has declined and evolved into a great lake from the previous piedmont and diluvial fan area. Since the mid Pleistocene, the great-united Lop Nur Lake has been separated and has generated a chain system consisting of Taitema Lake, Big Ear Lake and Luobei Lake which has turned into the deepest sag in Lop Nur Lake. Dry climate in Lop Nur region has increased since the Pliocene, and became extreme at the late Pleistocene. The study implies that potash formation in Lop Nur Lake depends on the optimal combination of extreme components of provenance, tectonics and climate during a shorter-term period. The optimal patterns of three factors are generally characterized by the long-term accumulation and preliminary enrichment of potassium, the occurrence of the deepest sub-depression and the appearance of an extremely arid climate in Lop Nur region. These factors have been interacting synergistically since the forming of the saline lake and in the later stages strong ＂vapor extraction＂ caused by extremely arid climate is needed to trigger large scale mineralization of potash deposits.

Hydrocarbon generation and storage mechanisms of deepwater shelf shales of Ordovician Wufeng Formation–Silurian Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin, China

As the hydrocarbon generation and storage mechanisms of high quality shales of Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation– Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation remain unclear, based on geological conditions and experimental modelling of shale gas formation, the shale gas generation and accumulation mechanisms as well as their coupling relationships of deep-water shelf shales in Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation of Sichuan Basin were analyzed from petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry. The high quality shales of Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation in Sichuan Basin are characterized by high thermal evolution, high hydrocarbon generation intensity, good material base, and good roof and floor conditions;the high quality deep-water shelf shale not only has high biogenic silicon content and organic carbon content, but also high porosity coupling. It is concluded that:(1) The shales had good preservation conditions and high retainment of crude oil in the early times, and the shale gas was mainly from cracking of crude oil.(2) The biogenic silicon(opal A) turned into crystal quartz in early times of burial diagenesis, lots of micro-size intergranular pores were produced in the same time;moreover, the biogenic silicon frame had high resistance to compaction, thus it provided the conditions not only for oil charge in the early stage, but also for formation and preservation of nanometer cellular-like pores, and was the key factor enabling the preservation of organic pores.(3) The high quality shale of Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation had high brittleness, strong homogeneity, siliceous intergranular micro-pores and nanometer organic pores, which were conducive to the formation of complicated fissure network connecting the siliceous intergranular nano-pores, and thus high and stable production of shale gas.

The geothermal formation mechanism in the Gonghe Basin: Discussion and analysis from the geological background

The Gonghe Basin,a Cenozoic down-warped basin,is located in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau,and spread over important nodes of the transfer of multiple blocks in the central orogenic belt in the NWW direction.It is also called “Qin Kun Fork” and “Gonghe Gap”.The basin has a high heat flow value and obvious thermal anomaly.The geothermal resources are mainly hot dry rock and underground hot water.In recent years,the mechanism of geothermal formation within the basin has been controversial.On the basis of understanding the knowledge of predecessors,this paper proposes the geothermal formation mechanism of the “heat source–heat transfer–heat reservoir and caprock–thermal system”of the Gonghe Basin from the perspective of a geological background through data integrationintegrated research-expert,discussion-graph,compilation-field verification and other processes: (1) Heat source: geophysical exploration and radioisotope calculations show that the heat source of heat in the basin has both the contribution of mantle and the participation of the earth's crust,but mainly the contribution of the deep mantle.(2) Heat transfer: The petrological properties of the basin and the exposed structure position of the surface hot springs show that one transfer mode is the material of the mantle source upwells and invades from the bottom,directly injecting heat;the other is that the deep fault conducts the deep heat of the basin to the middle and lower parts of the earth's crust,then the secondary fracture transfers the heat to the shallow part.(3) Heat reservoir and caprock: First,the convective strip-shaped heat reservoir exposed by the hot springs on the peripheral fault zone of the basin;second,the underlying hot dry rock layered heat reservoir and the upper new generation heat reservoir and caprock in the basin revealed by drilling data.(4) Thermal system: Based on the characteristics of the “heat source-heat transfer-heat reservoir and caprock”,it is preliminarily believed that the Gonghe Basin belongs to the non-magmatic heat source hydrothermal geothermal system (type II21) and the dry heat geothermal system (type II22).Its favorable structural position and special geological evolutionary history have given birth to a unique environment for the formation of the geothermal system.There may be a cumulative effect of heat accumulation in the eastern part of the basin,which is expected to become a favorable exploration area for hot dry rocks.

Complex genesis of multiperiod fractures in the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation in the Pengzhou gas field, western Sichuan Basin, China

The cumulative expression of multistage deformation is complex multiperiod fractures,which are commonly seen in tectonic zones.The Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation in the western Sichuan Basin Depression,China,is a typical marine carbonate reservoir with natural fractures caused mainly by tectonic movements.According to outcrops,drill cores,image logging,and fluid inclusions,the fracture characteristics,types of natural fractures,and interactions of fractures are determined.In total,419 natural fractures in 493.2 m of cores from 7 wells are investigated,which are mainly shear and tensile fractures with a small number of weathering generated fractures.Meanwhile,the results of the stable isotope analysis of δ13C and δ18O,as well as the flow fluid inclusion data,reveal four tectonic periods of fractures with different occurrences.Based on the history of regional tectonic evolution,indicating one period of weathering fractures ascribable to stratal uplift and three periods of structural fractures related to the sequential tectonic movements of the Longmenshan fault belt.By analyzing the interaction relationships of fractures,three types of fracture interaction relationships are observed:cutting,restraining,and overlapping.The four stages fractures are chronologically assigned to(1)the early Indosinian N-S trending compression,(2)the late Indosinian NW-SE compression,(3)the middle Yanshanian NE-SE compression,and(4)the early Himalayan E-W compression.The influence of natural fractures on gas migration and well production in marine carbonates is discussed,and indicates that tectonic fractures could provide seepage channels for gas migration and accumulation from near or distant hydrocarbon source rocks into the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation.This study utilizes a pragmatic approach for understanding the fracture genesis mechanism in oil and gas field with multiperiod fractures.