Fault reactivation in No.4 structural zone and its control on oil and gas accumulation in Nanpu sag,Bohai Bay Basin,China

Based on seismic and drilling data,the reactivation mechanism of the pre-existing basement F4 strike-slip faultin Nanpu sag and its controlling effect on hydrocarbon accumulation difference are systematically studied.By defining fault activation stages,back-stripping fault throw and physical modeling,it is found that the Nanpu No.4 structural zone formed by the Cenozoic reactivity of the F4 fault grew from south to north,with strike-slip deformation dominated in the south and extensional deformation dominated in the north.Faults in the No.4 structural zone and those in the adjacent No.2 and No.3 structural zones were different fault systems,which grew separately,contacted and connected,and finally interwove under the action of unified stress field.By constructing the identification chart of deformation mechanisms of reactivation of pre-existing faults,it is concluded that during the sedimentary period of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation,F4 fault was reactivated by strike-slip faulting,and during the sedimentary period of Paleogene Dongying Formation and Neogene Guantao-Minghuazhen formations,it was reactivated by oblique extension.The controlling effects of Cenozoic reactivation of F4 fault on hydrocarbon accumulation include:(1)As the oil-source fault,it controlled the vertical cross-layer migration of oil and gas.(2)It gave rise to strike-slip transfer zone to control the distribution of sand bodies.(3)It grew upward and interacted with faults in the neighboring area,controlling the formation of two types of traps,and was favorable for oil and gas accumulation.

Evaluation of reservoir connectivity using whole-oil gas chromatographic fingerprint technology: A case study from the Es_3~3 reservoir in the Nanpu Sag, China

In this study, whole-oil gas chromatographic fingerprint analyses were performed on oils from the Es3^3 reservoir in the Liubei area of the Nanpu Sag. The gas chromatographic peaks of cyclic and branched alkanes with relatively high resolution from nCl0 to nC25 were selected to establish a database of whole-oil gas chromatographic peak height ratio fingerprints. Reservoir fluid connectivity was identified by using clustering analysis. This method can reflect the gas chromatography fingerprint information accurately and entirely, and avoid the one-sidedness of the star diagram method which only selects several fixed gas chromatographic peaks.

New model of linkage evolution for the transtensional fault systems in the Nanpu Sag of Bohai Bay Basin:Insight from seismic interpretation and analogue modelling

The evolution of faults within the same stress field is frequently influenced by numerous factors,involving the reactivation of pre-existing structures,stress transmission through ductile detachment layers,and the growth,interaction,as well as linkage of new fault segments.This study analyses a complex multi-phase oblique extension fault system in the Nanpu Sag(NPS)of the Bohai Bay Basin(BBB),China.High-resolution three-dimensional(3D)seismic data and analogue modelling indicate that the oblique extensional reactivation of pre-existing structures governs the sequential arrangement of fault segments in the caprock,and they dip synthetically to the reactivated fault at depth.During the NW-SE extension in the Eocene,the predominant movement of the pre-existing fault is strike-slip.Subsequently,during the N-S extension since the Oligocene,inclined at 20.to the pre-existing fault,forming splay fault segments and ultimately creating large en-echelon arcuate faults linked by relay ramps.Using fault throw-distance(T-D)and laser scanning,we reconstructed the fault evolution model of oblique extension reactivation in the presence of a ductile detachment basement.Our study illustrates that the arcuate faults can be categorized into linear master fault segments controlled by pre-existing structures,bending splay faults in the termination zone,and normal fault segments responding to the regional stress field.The interaction between faults occurs among normal faults and strike-slip faults,and the kinematic unification of the two fault systems is accomplished in the intersection zone.As the faults continue to evolve,the new fault segments tend to relinquish the control of pre-existing structures and concentrate more on the development of planar and continuous major faults.The ductile detachment layer significantly contributes to the uniform distribution of strain,resulting in narrow shear zones and discontinuous normal faults in its absence.

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.

Tectonic-Hydrocarbon Accumulation of Laoyemiao Region in the Nanpu Sag,Bohai Bay Basin

This paper aims to gain insight into Laoyemiao （LYM） tectonic features and utilizes the tectonic-hydrocarbon accumulation model by integrated analysis tectonic controls on suitable reservoirs, trap styles, and hydrocarbon migration. On the basis of 3-D seismic data interpretation and the Xi＇nanzhuang （XNZ） Fault geometry analysis, it has been assessed that the LYM tectonics is essentially a transverse anticline produced by flexure of the XNZ Fault surface and superimposed by Neocene north-east-trending strike-slip faults. Transverse anticline is found to exert controls both on major sediment transportation pathways and sedimentary facies distribution. Fan-delta plains that accumulated on the anticline crest near the XNZ Fault scrap and fan-delta front on the anticline front and the upper part of both limbs slumps on synclines and the Linque subsag. In combination with the reservoir properties, suitable reservoirs are predicted in the subfacies of subaqueous distributary channel and mouth bar deposited on the anticline crest. The LYM-faulted anticline accounts for the following trap groups： faulted-block and anticline-dominated trap, fault-dominated traps, and combined and stratigraphic traps. Evidence from biomarkers of crude oil and hydrocarbon-filling period simultaneous, or a little later to the strike-slip fault activity, reveal that the strike.slip faults penetrating into the deep source rock, by connecting with shallow reservoirs, provide the major hydrocarbon migration pathways.

Limitation of fault-sealing and its control on hydrocarbon accumulation——An example from the Laoyemiao Oilfi eld of the Nanpu Sag

Based on previous studies on the internal structures of fault belts, the fault belts in the Laoyemiao Oilfield of the Nanpu Sag can be divided into three units, a crushed zone, an upper induced fracture zone and a lower induced fracture zone according to the log response characteristics. The upper induced fracture zone is characterized by the development of pervasive fractures and has a poor sealing or non-sealing capability. It therefore can act as pathways for hydrocarbon migration. The lower induced fracture zone consists of fewer fractures and has limited sealing capability. The crushed zone has a good sealing capability comparable to mudstone and can thus prevent lateral migration of fluid. Through physical modeling and comparing laboratory data with calculated data of oil column heights of traps sealed by faults, it is concluded that the fault-sealing capability for oil and gas is limited. When the oil column height reaches a threshold, oil will spill over from the top of reservoir along the lower induced fracture zone under the action of buoyancy, and the size of reservoir will remain unchanged. Analysis of the formation mechanisms of the fault-sealed reservoirs in the Nanpu Sag indicated that the charging sequence of oil and gas in the reservoir was from lower formation to upper formation, with the fault playing an important role in oil and gas accumulation. The hydrocarbon potential in reverse fault-sealed traps is much better than that in the consequent fault-sealed traps. The reverse fault-sealed traps are favorable and preferred exploration targets.

Origin and Source of Deep Natural Gas in Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Natural gas exploration in Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, has achieved breakthroughs in recent years, and a number of natural gas and condensate wells with high yield have been found in several structures in the beach area. Daily gas production of single wells is up to 170,000 m3, and high-yield wells are mainly distributed in？the Nanpu No. 1 structural belt.？Studies have shown that these natural gases are mainly hydrocarbon gases, with methane content about 80% to 90% and ethane 6%-9%, so they are mainly wet gas; and non-hydrocarbons are at a low level.？Carbon isotopes of methane range from -42‰ to -36‰, and ethane from -28‰ to -26‰. Calculated maturity based on the relationship between δ13C and Ro of natural gas, the gases are equivalent to those generated from organic matter when Ro is 1.0%-1.7% （mainly 1.25%-1.32%）. The natural gas is oil-type gas generated from the source rocks at mature to high mature stage, associated with condensate, so carbon isotopes of the gases are heavier. Natural gas in the Nanpu No.1 structural belt is mainly associated gas with condensate. The analysis of the origin and source of natural gas and condensate, combined with the monomer hydrocarbon carbon isotopes and biomarker, indicated that the main source rocks in the Nanpu No.1 structural belt were Es3 （the lower member of the Shahejie Formation）, followed by Es1 （the upper member of the Shahejie Formation）.？The high-mature hydrocarbons from source rocks in the deep sag mainly migrated through deep inherited faults into shallow traps and accumulated to form oil and gas pools. Therefore, there is a great potential for exploring gas in deep layers.

Dynamic Systems of Petroleum Accumulation in the Nanpu Depression,Bohai Bay Basin,China

It is significant to distinguish the dynamic systems of petroleum accumulation （DSPA） for the understanding of petroleum accumulation and distribution. According to the formation pressure framework, genetic types of petroleum and characteristics of conduit systems, three dynamic systems of petroleum accumulation were identified in the vertical profile in the Nanpu depression, Bohai Bay basin. The deeper DSPA （including formations Es3 to Es2） is a sealed system with high-overpressure and high-mature self-sourced oil. Most of the crude oil in the system accumulated in the periods of late Oligocene （23.5 Ma） and late Pliocene （2.4 Ma）. The middle DSPA （including formations Es~ to Edl） is an overpressured half-sealed system with mature or lower-mature self-sourced oil. The accumulation of oil in the system also occurred in the late Oligocene （23.5 Ma） and late Pliocene （2.4 Ma）. The shallower DSPA （including formations Ed2 to Q） is a hydrostatic system with lower-mature aliensourced oil from the middle system. Oil within this system accumulated only in the late Pliocene period. The oil in the shallower system migrated vertically along the faults from the formerly accumulated oil in the middle system by lateral migration along the sandbodies, whereas petroleum accumulation in the deeper system was mainly derived from the system itself by lateral migration along the sandbodies and rarely migrated out of the system. In this case, it seems that the deeper system is a more potential exploration prospect in addition to the other two proved favorable systems.

Characteristics and Genesis of the Es_(1) Productive Sandstone Reservoir(Paleogene),Nanpu Sag,East China

The Shahejie Formation is a fundamental rock unit for hydrocarbon exploration and production in the Nanpu Sag,Bohai Bay Basin.Methodology including thin sectioning,core observations,fluorescence,scanning electron microscopy,cathodoluminescence,fluid inclusion,laser scanning confocal microscopy and geochemical analysis(C,O isotopes)were all utilized to investigate the reservoir characteristics and origin of the Es_(1)Sandstone.Thin section study showed that the reservoir rock consisted of feldspathic litharenite and lithic arkose.The reservoir pores are categorized as intergranular pores,fracture pores,dissolution pores and intergranular cement dissolution pores.The studied sandstone had good porosity(0.05%–35%)and permeability(0.006–7000 mD).The Es_(1) reservoir is classified as a fractured reservoir,a primary intergranular pore-associated reservoir and a dissolution reservoir.Deposition,diagenesis and tectogenesis are the main factors that played important roles in the development of the reservoir.Sedimentation is the foundation and assumption for reservoir development,but the effective reservoir is primarily controlled by primary pores,fractures,lithofacies,tectonic elements and dissolution pores.Moreover,compaction,fracture filling and cementation were the primary sources of reservoir densification.The reservoir was progressively formed through the influence of different geological and diagenetic events.The present study provides significant information and references for hydrocarbon exploration and development in the Nanpu Sag.

Diagenetic evolution and formation mechanisms of middle to deep clastic reservoirs in the Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, East China

The reservoir properties, diagenetic features and evolution of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation(Es) in the Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin were analyzed based on mineralogical and petrological data, and the main controlling factors and formation mechanisms of medium to deep high-quality reservoir were revealed by multiple regression analysis. The results show that the sedimentary microfacies, rigid grains content, and dissolution process are the key factors controlling the formation of high-quality clastic reservoir in middle to deep depth in the Nanpu sag. The formation mechanisms of middle to deep sandstones of the Es in different structural belts differ widely in formation mechanism. The Es1(uppermost member of Es) sandstone reservoirs in the Nanpu No.3 structural belt is low porosity, moderate to high permeability reservoir in the mesodiagenesis A2 stage on the whole, and the formation of high-quality reservoirs is mainly attributed to strong compaction resistance ability primarily, and dissolution process secondarily. The Es3(third member of Es) sandstones in Gaoshangpu structural belt is classified as tight sandstones in the mesodiagenesis A1 stage, in which the development of favorable reservoirs is primarily controlled by dissolution. This study provides references for reservoir evaluation of deep clastic reservoirs and exploration deployment in the Bohai Bay rift basin. As there are high-quality reservoirs, it is believed that the deep clastic reservoirs in the eastern of China, such as Bohai Bay Basin still have significant exploration potential.

Tectonic-Hydrocarbon Accumulation Analysis of Laoyemiao Region in Nanpu Sag,Bohai Bay Basin

Nanpu sag lies in the northwest part of the Bohai bay basin.Laoyemiao structural zone is located in the northwest part of the sag,to the north bound by basin-bounding master fault-Xi’nanzhuang fault (XNZF).This paper aims to gain insight into Laoyemiao tectonic features and set up its tectonic -hydrocarbon accumulation model by

Prediction of petroleum exploration risk and subterranean spatial distribution of hydrocarbon accumulations

Investigation of spatial distribution of oil and gas resource and accurate prediction of the geographic location of its undiscovered resource is significant for reducing exploration risk and improving exploration benefit.A new method for predicting spatial distribution of oil resource is discussed in this paper.It consists of prediction of risk probability in petroleum exploration and simulation of hydrocarbon abundance. Exploration risk probability is predicted by multivariate statistics,fuzzy mathematics and information processing techniques.A spatial attribute database for sample wells was set up and the Mahalanobis distance and Fuzzy value of given samples were obtained.Then,the Bayesian formula was used to calculate the hydrocarbon-bearing probability at the area of exploration wells.Finally,a hydrocarbon probability template is formed and used to forecast the probability of the unknown area. The hydrocarbon abundance is simulated based on Fourier integrals,frequency spectrum synthesis and fractal theory.Firstly,the fast Fourier transformation（FFT） is used to transform the known hydrocarbon abundance from the spatial domain to the frequency domain,then,frequency spectrum synthesis is used to produce the fractal frequency spectrum,and FFT is applied to get the phase information of hydrocarbon-bearing probability.Finally,the frequency spectrum simulation is used to calculate the renewed hydrocarbon abundance in the play. This method is used to predict the abundance and possible locations of the undiscovered petroleum accumulations in the Nanpu Sag of the Bohai Bay Basin,China.The prediction results for the well-explored onshore area of the northern Nanpu Sag agree well with the actual situations.For the less-explored offshore areas in the southern Nanpu Sag,the prediction results suggest high hydrocarbon abundance in Nanpu-1 and Nanpu-2,providing a useful guiding for future exploration.

Tectonics-palaeogeomorphology in rift basins: controlling effect on the sequence architecture

The relationship between deposition and tectonics of sedimentary basins has been a significant subject in recent years.Using typical rift basins such as the Nanpu Sag as an example,combined with the analysis of the tectonics-palaeogeomorphology of basins,we undertook a detailed study of the differences of the third-order sequences in different basins,the combination of depositional systems within the sequence framework and the distribution of depocenters and subsidence centers.Our results revealed a significant relationship between the tectonics-palaeogeomorphology of rift basins and the filling styles of sedimentary sequences.The basin structure plays a primary role in controlling the development of the third-order sequences and the boundary of these sequences is easily formed in basins with gentle slopes,shallow water and a small area.The characteristics of the tectonics-palaeogeomorphology of rift basins are dominated by half-grabens of extensional faults,which affect the temporal and spatial combination of sedimentary systems within the sequences as well as the distribution of depocenters and subsidence centers.Based on the development rules of the faults dominating the half-grabens of extensional faults,rift basins are classified into two types： the single fault segmented-linkage type and the multi-fault combination type.The main controlling factors of the temporal and spatial combination of sedimentary systems and the distribution of depocenters and subsidence centers in different basins are different.The characteristics of early segmentation and later linkage of the faults play a critical role in controlling the sedimentary system combination within the sequence framework and the temporal and spatial differences of depocenters and subsidence centers of the single fault segmented-linkage rift basins,while the differences in fault activities are the dominating factors of the multi-fault combination rift basins.

3D numerical simulation of heterogeneous in situ stress field in low-permeability reservoirs

Analysis of the in situ stress orientation and magnitude in the No.4 Structure of Nanpu Sag was performed on the basis of data obtained from borehole breakout and acoustic emission measurements.On the basis of mechanical experiments,logging interpretation,and seismic data,a 3 D geological model and heterogeneous rock mechanics field of the reservoir were constructed.Finite element simulation techniques were then used for the detailed prediction of the 3 D stress field.The results indicated that the maximum horizontal stress orientation in the study area was generally NEE-SWW trending,with significant changes in the in situ stress orientation within and between fault blocks.Along surfaces and profiles,stress magnitudes were discrete and the in situ stress belonged to theⅠa-type.Observed inter-strata differences were characterized as five different types of in situ stress profile.Faults were the most important factor causing large distributional differences in the stress field of reservoirs within the complex fault blocks.The next important influence on the stress field was the reservoir’s rock mechanics parameters,which impacted on the magnitudes of in situ stress magnitudes.This technique provided a theoretical basis for more efficient exploration and development of low-permeability reservoirs within complex fault blocks.

Quantitative evaluation of lateral sealing of extensional fault by an integral mathematical-geological model

To evaluate the lateral sealing mechanism of extensional fault based on the pressure difference between fault and reservoir, an integral mathematical-geological model of diagenetic time on diagenetic pressure considering the influence of diagenetic time on the diagenetic pressure and diagenetic degree of fault rock has been established to quantitatively calculate the lateral sealing ability of extensional fault. By calculating the time integral of the vertical stress and horizontal in-situ stress on the fault rock and surrounding rock, the burial depth of the surrounding rock with the same clay content and diagenesis degree as the target fault rock was worked out. In combination with the statistical correlation of clay content, burial depth and displacement pressure of rock in the study area, the displacement pressure of target fault rock was calculated quantitatively. The calculated displacement pressure was compared with that of the target reservoir to quantitatively evaluate lateral sealing state and ability of the extensional fault. The method presented in this work was used to evaluate the sealing of F_(1), F_(2) and F_(3) faults in No.1 structure of Nanpu Sag, and the results were compared with those from fault-reservoir displacement pressure differential methods without considering the diagenetic time and simple considering the diagenetic time. It is found that the results calculated by the integral mathematical-geological model are the closest to the actual underground situation, the errors between the hydrocarbon column height predicted by this method and the actual column height were 0–8 m only, proving that this model is more feasible and credible.

Convex-up Style of Deformation within Grabens in Regions of Incomplete Crossing Conjugate Normal Faults: A Numerical Simulation Investigation and Case Study

Crossing conjugate normal faults(CCNFs)are extensively developed in many hydrocarbon-producing basins,generally existing in the form of incomplete CCNFs.Nevertheless,the effect of the non-conjugate zone of the CCNFs on the conjugate relay zone post late tectonic action has not been previously studied.We use 3D elastic-plastic modeling to investigate the influence of incomplete(i.e.,partially intersecting)CCNFs on the pattern of deformation of strata in the intersection region.A series of model simulations were performed to examine the effects of horizontal tectonic extension,fault size,and fault depth on the deformation of conjugate relay zones of incomplete CCNFs.Our analyses yielded the following results.(1)The model of incomplete conjugation predicts a convex-up style of deformation in the conjugate graben region superimposed on overall subsidence under applied horizontal tectonic extension.(2)The degree of convex-up deformation of the conjugate graben depends on the influence of the non-conjugate zone on the conjugate relay zone,which varies with the amount of horizontal tectonic extension,fault size,and fault burial depth.(3)Our results indicate that incomplete CCNFs can form convex-up deformation,similar to that in the Nanpu Sag area and provide a sound understanding of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation.

Nanpu Sag of the Bohai Bay Basin:A Transtensional Fault-Termination Basin

The Nanpu（南堡） sag has previously been modeled as（1） a pull-apart basin,（2） a rift ba-sin,without significant strike-slip deformation,and（3） a transtensional basin.We present a new model for the Nanpu sag in which the basin is a transtensional fault-termination basin.Although transten-sional fault-termination basins is an important basin type,it is not as well studied as other classic basin types.On the base of 3D seismic data interpretation,the faults geometries and kinematics and their controls on depocenters are presented.The Nanpu sag is developed in the context of dextral transten-sion of the Bohai（渤海） Bay basin and attributed to a transtensional fault-termination basin.During deposition of the Es3-Es2 members,the basin border Xi＇nanzhuang（西南庄） fault and Baigezhuang（柏各庄） fault linked to a mixed normal and strike-slip fault system,or a linked fault system controlled the basin by dominant extension and weak strike-slip and created fan-shaped depocenters surrounded by the two faults.From Es1 Member to Dongying（东营） Formation,two major depocenters controlled by two mixed normal and sinistral strike-slip fault systems are located on the Linque（林雀） and Caofeidian（曹妃甸） subsags.During deposition of the Guantao（馆陶）-Minghuazhen（明化镇） Forma-tion,the Nanpu sag successively developed and significantly expanded.