Formation of overpressure system and its relationship with the distribution of large gas fields in typical foreland basins in central and western China

Based on the data of measured formation pressure, drilling fluid density of key exploration wells and calculated pressure by well logging, combined with the analysis of natural gas geological conditions, the characteristics and formation mechanisms of formation fluid overpressure systems in different foreland basins and the relationship between overpressure systems and large-scale gas accumulation are discussed.(1) The formation mechanisms of formation overpressure in different foreland basins are different. The formation mechanism of overpressure in the Kuqa foreland basin is mainly the overpressure sealing of plastic salt gypsum layer and hydrocarbon generation pressurization in deep–ultra-deep layers, that in the southern Junggar foreland basin is mainly hydrocarbon generation pressurization and under-compaction sealing, and that in the western Sichuan foreland basin is mainly hydrocarbon generation pressurization and paleo-fluid overpressure residual.(2) There are three common characteristics in foreland basins, i.e. superimposed development of multi-type overpressure and multi-layer overpressure, strong–extremely strong overpressure developed in a closed foreland thrust belt, and strong–extremely strong overpressure developed in a deep foreland uplift area.(3) There are four regional overpressure sealing and storage mechanisms, which play an important role in controlling large gas fields, such as the overpressure of plastic salt gypsum layer, the overpressure formed by hydrocarbon generation pressurization, the residual overpressure after Himalayan uplift and denudation, and the under-compaction overpressure.(4) Regional overpressure is an important guarantee for forming large gas fields, the sufficient gas source, large-scale reservoir and trap development in overpressure system are the basic conditions for forming large gas fields, and the overpressure system is conducive to forming deep to ultra-deep large gas fields.

Multi-Stage Hydrocarbon Accumulation and Formation Pressure Evolution in Sinian Dengying FormationCambrian Longwangmiao Formation, Gaoshiti-Moxi Structure, Sichuan Basin

Sichuan Basin is a typical superimposed basin, which experienced multi-phase tectonic movements, meanwhile Sinian–Cambrian underwent complex hydrocarbon accumulation processes, causing exploration difficulties in the past 60 years. Based on the microscopic evidence of fluid inclusions, combined with basin-modelling, this paper determines stages and time of hydrocarbon accumulation, reconstructs evolution of formation pressure and dynamic processes of hydrocarbon accumulation in Sinian Dengying Formation-Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation of Gaoshiti-Moxi structure. Three stages of inclusions are detected, including a stage of yellow-yellowgreen fluorescent oil inclusions, a stage of blue fluorescent oil-gas inclusions and a stage of non-fluorescent gas inclusions, reflecting the study area has experienced a series of complex hydrocarbon accumulation processes, such as formation of paleo-oil reservoirs, cracking of crude oil, formation of paleo-gas reservoirs and adjustment to present gas reservoirs, which occurred during 219–188, 192–146 and 168–0 Ma respectively. During the period of crude oil cracking, Dengying Formation-Longwangmiao Formation showed weak overpressure to overpressure characteristics, then after adjustment of paleo-gas reservoirs to present gas reservoirs, the pressure in Dengying Formation changed into overpressure but finally reduced to normal pressure system. However, due to excellent preservation conditions, the overpressure strength in Longwangmiao Formation only slightly decreased and was still kept to this day.