Based on the practice of oil and gas exploration in the Huizhou Sag of the Pearl River Mouth Basin,the geochemical indexes of source rocks were measured,the reservoir development morphology was restored,the rocks and ...Based on the practice of oil and gas exploration in the Huizhou Sag of the Pearl River Mouth Basin,the geochemical indexes of source rocks were measured,the reservoir development morphology was restored,the rocks and minerals were characterized microscopically,the measured trap sealing indexes were compared,the biomarker compounds of crude oil were extracted,the genesis of condensate gas was identified,and the reservoir-forming conditions were examined.On this basis,the Paleogene Enping Formation in the Huizhou 26 subsag was systematically analyzed for the potential of oil and gas resources,the development characteristics of large-scale high-quality conglomerate reservoirs,the trapping effectiveness of faults,the hydrocarbon migration and accumulation model,and the formation conditions and exploration targets of large-and medium-sized glutenite-rich oil and gas fields.The research results were obtained in four aspects.First,the Paleogene Wenchang Formation in the Huizhou 26 subsag develops extensive and thick high-quality source rocks of semi-deep to deep lacustrine subfacies,which have typical hydrocarbon expulsion characteristics of"great oil generation in the early stage and huge gas expulsion in the late stage",providing a sufficient material basis for hydrocarbon accumulation in the Enping Formation.Second,under the joint control of the steep slope zone and transition zone of the fault within the sag,the large-scale near-source glutenite reservoirs are highly heterogeneous,with the development scale dominated hierarchically by three factors(favorable facies zone,particle component,and microfracture).The(subaqueous)distributary channels near the fault system,with equal grains,a low mud content(<5%),and a high content of feldspar composition,are conducive to the development of sweet spot reservoirs.Third,the strike-slip pressurization trap covered by stable lake flooding mudstone is a necessary condition for oil and gas preservation,and the NE and nearly EW faults obliquely to the principal stress have the best control on traps.Fourth,the spatiotemporal configuration of high-quality source rocks,fault transport/sealing,and glutenite reservoirs controls the degree of hydrocarbon enrichment.From top to bottom,three hydrocarbon accumulation units,i.e.low-fill zone,transition zone,and high-fill zone,are recognized.The main area of the channel in the nearly pressurized source-connecting fault zone is favorable for large-scale hydrocarbon enrichment.The research results suggest a new direction for the exploration of large-scale glutenite-rich reservoirs in the Enping Formation of the Pearl River Mouth Basin,and present a major breakthrough in oil and gas exploration.展开更多
The static flux chamber method was applied to study natural emissions of methane to the atmosphere in the Luntai fault region of Yakela Condensed Oil/Gas Field in the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Municipality, northwestern C...The static flux chamber method was applied to study natural emissions of methane to the atmosphere in the Luntai fault region of Yakela Condensed Oil/Gas Field in the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Municipality, northwestern China. Using an online method, which couples together a gas chromatography/high-temperature conversion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/MS), 13^C/12^C ratios of methane in flux chambers were measured and showed that methane gases are liable to migrate from deep oil/gas reservoirs to the surface through fault regions and that a part of the migrated methane, which remains unoxidized can be emitted into the atmosphere. Methane emission rates were found to be highest in the mornings, lowest in the afternoons and then increase gradually in the evenings. Methane emission rates varied dramatically in different locations in the fault region. The highest methane emission rate was 10.96 mg/m^2·d, the lowest 4.38 mg/m^2, and the average 7.55 mg/ m^2·d. The 13^C/12^C ratios of the methane in the flux chambers became heavier as the enclosed methane concentrations increased gradually, which reveals that methane released from the fault region might come from thermogenic methane of the deep condensed oil/gas reservoir.展开更多
A static flux chamber method was applied to study natural emissions of methane into the atmosphere in the Yakela condensed oil/gas field in Talimu Basin, Xinjiang, China. Using an online method, which couples a gas ch...A static flux chamber method was applied to study natural emissions of methane into the atmosphere in the Yakela condensed oil/gas field in Talimu Basin, Xinjiang, China. Using an online method, which couples a gas chromatography/high-temperature conversion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/MS) together, the 13C/12C ratios of methane in the flux chambers were measured. The results demonstrated that methane gases were liable to migrate from deep oil/gas reservoir to the surface through microseepage and p...展开更多
In this review on the exploration and development process of the Shunbei ultra-deep carbonate oil and gas field in the Tarim Basin, the progress of exploration and development technologies during the National 13th Fiv...In this review on the exploration and development process of the Shunbei ultra-deep carbonate oil and gas field in the Tarim Basin, the progress of exploration and development technologies during the National 13th Five-Year Plan of China has been summarized systematically, giving important guidance for the exploration and development of ultra-deep marine carbonate reservoirs in China and abroad. Through analyzing the primary geological factors of “hydrocarbon generation-reservoir formation-hydrocarbon accumulation” of ancient and superposed basin comprehensively and dynamically, we point out that because the Lower Cambrian Yuertusi Formation high-quality source rocks have been located in a low-temperature environment for a long time, they were capable of generating hydrocarbon continuously in late stage, providing ideal geological conditions for massive liquid hydrocarbon accumulation in ultra-deep layers. In addition, strike-slip faults developed in tectonically stable areas have strong control on reservoir formation and hydrocarbon accumulation in this region. With these understandings, the exploration focus shifted from the two paleo-uplifts located in the north and the south to the Shuntuoguole lower uplift located in between and achieved major hydrocarbon discoveries. Through continuing improvement of seismic exploration technologies for ultra-deep carbonates in desert, integrated technologies including seismic acquisition in ultra-deep carbonates,seismic imaging of strike-slip faults and the associated cavity-fracture systems, detailed structural interpretation of strike-slip faults, characterization and quantitative description of fault-controlled cavities and fractures, description of fault-controlled traps and target optimization have been established. Geology-engineering integration including well trajectory optimization,high efficiency drilling, completion and reservoir reformation technologies has provided important support for exploration and development of the Shunbei oil and gas field.展开更多
The effect of HCO3^- concentration on CO2 corrosion was investigated by polarization measurement of potentiodynamic scans and weight-loss method, Under the conditions of high pressure and high temperature, the corrosi...The effect of HCO3^- concentration on CO2 corrosion was investigated by polarization measurement of potentiodynamic scans and weight-loss method, Under the conditions of high pressure and high temperature, the corrosion rate of steel X65 decreased with the increase of HCO3^- concentration, while pH of solution increased. SEM, EDS, and XRD results of the corrosion scales indir cated that the typical FeCO3 crystallite was found at low HCO3^- concentration but Ca(Fe,Mg)(CO3)2 was found at high HCO3^- con- centration. Ca^2+ and Mg^2+ are precipitated preferential to Fe^2+ at high pH value. Potentiodynamic polarization curves showed that the cathodic current density decreases with the increase of HCO3^- concentration at low HCO3^- concentration. When the HCO3^- concentration reaches 0.126 mol/L, increasing HCO3^- concentration promotes cathodic reactions. Anodic behavior is an active process at low HCO3^- concentration and the anodic current density decreases with the increase of HCO3^- concentration. An evident active-passive behavior is exhibited in anodic process at 0.126 mol/L HCO3^-.展开更多
There are rich oil and gas resources in marine carbonate strata worldwide.Although most of the oil and gas reserves discovered so far are mainly distributed in Mesozoic,Cenozoic,and upper Paleozoic strata,oil and gas ...There are rich oil and gas resources in marine carbonate strata worldwide.Although most of the oil and gas reserves discovered so far are mainly distributed in Mesozoic,Cenozoic,and upper Paleozoic strata,oil and gas exploration in the Proterozoic–Lower Paleozoic(PLP)strata—the oldest marine strata—has been very limited.To more clearly understand the oil and gas formation conditions and distributions in the PLP marine carbonate strata,we analyzed and characterized the petroleum geological conditions,oil and gas reservoir types,and their distributions in thirteen giant oil and gas fields worldwide.This study reveals the main factors controlling their formation and distribution.Our analyses show that the source rocks for these giant oil and gas fields are mainly shale with a great abundance of type I–II organic matter and a high thermal evolution extent.The reservoirs are mainly gas reservoirs,and the reservoir rocks are dominated by dolomite.The reservoir types are mainly karst and reef–shoal bodies with well-developed dissolved pores and cavities,intercrystalline pores,and fractures.These reservoirs arehighly heterogeneous.The burial depth of the reservoirs is highly variable and somewhat negatively correlated to the porosity.The cap rocks are mainly thick evaporites and shales,with the thickness of the cap rocks positively correlated to the oil and gas reserves.The development of high-quality evaporite cap rock is highly favorable for oil and gas preservation.We identified four hydrocarbon generation models,and that the major source rocks have undergone a long period of burial and thermal evolution and are characterized by early and long periods of hydrocarbon generation.These giant oil and gas fields have diverse types of reservoirs and are mainly distributed in paleo-uplifts,slope zones,and platform margin reef-shoal bodies.The main factors that control their formation and distribution were identified,enabling the prediction of new favorable areas for oil and gas exploration.展开更多
To cooperate with the five ministries and commissions of the state to carry out joint investigation on the environmentally sensitive areas involved in oil and gas exploration and development,for the problems found in ...To cooperate with the five ministries and commissions of the state to carry out joint investigation on the environmentally sensitive areas involved in oil and gas exploration and development,for the problems found in survey,containing complex type and numerous amount of ecologically sensitive space and ecological red line involved in oil and gas field enterprises,scientific nature of delimitation,lack of strong support of laws and regulations for forced withdrawal of oil and gas production facilities in these areas,some countermeasures and suggestions were proposed,such as further evaluating and combing scope and functional zoning of existing environmentally sensitive areas and ecological red lines,treating differently,enhancing pertinence of prohibition in ecologically sensitive regions,declining blindness of the withdrawal of oil and gas facilities in environmentally sensitive areas,strengthening seriousness of approval of exploration and mining rights of oil and gas resources,and establishing strategic reserve exploration and hierarchical development mechanism. Moreover,oil and gas field enterprises should integrate more efforts to ① accelerate to find out the current situation of environmental quality,② adhere to developing in protection,and protecting in development,③ increase attention and participation strengthen of providing technical support for national oil and gas exploration and development strategy evaluation,④ accelerate communication and docking with local governments on the ecological red line,⑤ actively strive to be included in the positive list management of local governments,⑥ accelerate to establish and perfect primary database of oil and gas production and facilities construction,and ⑦ document management information system of the ecological red line.展开更多
Complicated oil and gas fields occupy an important position in oil and gas exploration. In this paper, complicated oil and gas fields are grouped into four types: fault-block, lithologic, stratigraphic and fissure typ...Complicated oil and gas fields occupy an important position in oil and gas exploration. In this paper, complicated oil and gas fields are grouped into four types: fault-block, lithologic, stratigraphic and fissure types. On the basis of the new theory of petroleum geological exploration in composite oil and gas accumulation areas within continental basins, a new exploration sequence suitable for complicated oil and gas fields has been established, which comprises four stages:(1) initial exploration;(2) preliminary exploration;(3) early step-by-step exploration and development: and(4) late step-by-step exploration and development. The idea of cybernetics has been taken to control various links of a systematic exploration project so as to fully, effectively and comprehensively utilize the new exploration techniques, eventually realizing the optimization of exploration with the aim of raising the efficiency of exploration of complicated oil and gas fields.展开更多
To develop energy audits in oil and gas field enterprises has important and realistic significance. Chinese energy audit in oil and gas field enterprises is still in the exploratory stage, the paper puts forward some ...To develop energy audits in oil and gas field enterprises has important and realistic significance. Chinese energy audit in oil and gas field enterprises is still in the exploratory stage, the paper puts forward some countermeasures and proposals through the analysis on status quo to identify the shortcomings.展开更多
The commissioning of Nanbao-Tangshan gas pipeline started to transported natural gas from East Hebei Oil Field to Tangshan City, Hebei Province since June 16th. More than 20 000 households in Tangshan have completed
Based on a Lagrangian integral technique and Lagrangian particle-tracking technique,a numerical model was developed to simulate the underwater transport of oil from a deepwater spill. This model comprises two submodel...Based on a Lagrangian integral technique and Lagrangian particle-tracking technique,a numerical model was developed to simulate the underwater transport of oil from a deepwater spill. This model comprises two submodels: a plume dynamics model and an advection-diffusion model. The former is used to simulate the stages dominated by the initial jet momentum and plume buoyancy of the spilled oil,while the latter is used to simulate the stage dominated by the ambient current and turbulence. The model validity was verified through comparisons of the model predictions with experimental data from several laboratory flume experiments and a field experiment. To demonstrate the capability of the model further,it was applied to the simulation of a hypothetical oil spill occurring at the seabed of a deepwater oil/gas field in the South China Sea. The results of the simulation would be useful for contingency planning with regard to the emergency response to an underwater oil spill.展开更多
基金Supported by the CNOOC Major Technology Project During the 14th FIVE-YEAR PLAN PERIOD(KJGG2022-0403)CNOOC Major Technology Project(KJZH-2021-0003-00).
文摘Based on the practice of oil and gas exploration in the Huizhou Sag of the Pearl River Mouth Basin,the geochemical indexes of source rocks were measured,the reservoir development morphology was restored,the rocks and minerals were characterized microscopically,the measured trap sealing indexes were compared,the biomarker compounds of crude oil were extracted,the genesis of condensate gas was identified,and the reservoir-forming conditions were examined.On this basis,the Paleogene Enping Formation in the Huizhou 26 subsag was systematically analyzed for the potential of oil and gas resources,the development characteristics of large-scale high-quality conglomerate reservoirs,the trapping effectiveness of faults,the hydrocarbon migration and accumulation model,and the formation conditions and exploration targets of large-and medium-sized glutenite-rich oil and gas fields.The research results were obtained in four aspects.First,the Paleogene Wenchang Formation in the Huizhou 26 subsag develops extensive and thick high-quality source rocks of semi-deep to deep lacustrine subfacies,which have typical hydrocarbon expulsion characteristics of"great oil generation in the early stage and huge gas expulsion in the late stage",providing a sufficient material basis for hydrocarbon accumulation in the Enping Formation.Second,under the joint control of the steep slope zone and transition zone of the fault within the sag,the large-scale near-source glutenite reservoirs are highly heterogeneous,with the development scale dominated hierarchically by three factors(favorable facies zone,particle component,and microfracture).The(subaqueous)distributary channels near the fault system,with equal grains,a low mud content(<5%),and a high content of feldspar composition,are conducive to the development of sweet spot reservoirs.Third,the strike-slip pressurization trap covered by stable lake flooding mudstone is a necessary condition for oil and gas preservation,and the NE and nearly EW faults obliquely to the principal stress have the best control on traps.Fourth,the spatiotemporal configuration of high-quality source rocks,fault transport/sealing,and glutenite reservoirs controls the degree of hydrocarbon enrichment.From top to bottom,three hydrocarbon accumulation units,i.e.low-fill zone,transition zone,and high-fill zone,are recognized.The main area of the channel in the nearly pressurized source-connecting fault zone is favorable for large-scale hydrocarbon enrichment.The research results suggest a new direction for the exploration of large-scale glutenite-rich reservoirs in the Enping Formation of the Pearl River Mouth Basin,and present a major breakthrough in oil and gas exploration.
基金This study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 40273034)the Science Foundation of Hongzhou Danzi University.
文摘The static flux chamber method was applied to study natural emissions of methane to the atmosphere in the Luntai fault region of Yakela Condensed Oil/Gas Field in the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Municipality, northwestern China. Using an online method, which couples together a gas chromatography/high-temperature conversion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/MS), 13^C/12^C ratios of methane in flux chambers were measured and showed that methane gases are liable to migrate from deep oil/gas reservoirs to the surface through fault regions and that a part of the migrated methane, which remains unoxidized can be emitted into the atmosphere. Methane emission rates were found to be highest in the mornings, lowest in the afternoons and then increase gradually in the evenings. Methane emission rates varied dramatically in different locations in the fault region. The highest methane emission rate was 10.96 mg/m^2·d, the lowest 4.38 mg/m^2, and the average 7.55 mg/ m^2·d. The 13^C/12^C ratios of the methane in the flux chambers became heavier as the enclosed methane concentrations increased gradually, which reveals that methane released from the fault region might come from thermogenic methane of the deep condensed oil/gas reservoir.
基金the National Natural Sci-ence Foundation of China (No. 40273034)the Science Foundation of Hangzhou Dianzi University
文摘A static flux chamber method was applied to study natural emissions of methane into the atmosphere in the Yakela condensed oil/gas field in Talimu Basin, Xinjiang, China. Using an online method, which couples a gas chromatography/high-temperature conversion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/MS) together, the 13C/12C ratios of methane in the flux chambers were measured. The results demonstrated that methane gases were liable to migrate from deep oil/gas reservoir to the surface through microseepage and p...
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Enterprise Innovation and Development Joint Fund Project(U19B6003)。
文摘In this review on the exploration and development process of the Shunbei ultra-deep carbonate oil and gas field in the Tarim Basin, the progress of exploration and development technologies during the National 13th Five-Year Plan of China has been summarized systematically, giving important guidance for the exploration and development of ultra-deep marine carbonate reservoirs in China and abroad. Through analyzing the primary geological factors of “hydrocarbon generation-reservoir formation-hydrocarbon accumulation” of ancient and superposed basin comprehensively and dynamically, we point out that because the Lower Cambrian Yuertusi Formation high-quality source rocks have been located in a low-temperature environment for a long time, they were capable of generating hydrocarbon continuously in late stage, providing ideal geological conditions for massive liquid hydrocarbon accumulation in ultra-deep layers. In addition, strike-slip faults developed in tectonically stable areas have strong control on reservoir formation and hydrocarbon accumulation in this region. With these understandings, the exploration focus shifted from the two paleo-uplifts located in the north and the south to the Shuntuoguole lower uplift located in between and achieved major hydrocarbon discoveries. Through continuing improvement of seismic exploration technologies for ultra-deep carbonates in desert, integrated technologies including seismic acquisition in ultra-deep carbonates,seismic imaging of strike-slip faults and the associated cavity-fracture systems, detailed structural interpretation of strike-slip faults, characterization and quantitative description of fault-controlled cavities and fractures, description of fault-controlled traps and target optimization have been established. Geology-engineering integration including well trajectory optimization,high efficiency drilling, completion and reservoir reformation technologies has provided important support for exploration and development of the Shunbei oil and gas field.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Key Program (No.50231020)the National Key Basic Research and Development Plan Program (No. G1999065004)
文摘The effect of HCO3^- concentration on CO2 corrosion was investigated by polarization measurement of potentiodynamic scans and weight-loss method, Under the conditions of high pressure and high temperature, the corrosion rate of steel X65 decreased with the increase of HCO3^- concentration, while pH of solution increased. SEM, EDS, and XRD results of the corrosion scales indir cated that the typical FeCO3 crystallite was found at low HCO3^- concentration but Ca(Fe,Mg)(CO3)2 was found at high HCO3^- con- centration. Ca^2+ and Mg^2+ are precipitated preferential to Fe^2+ at high pH value. Potentiodynamic polarization curves showed that the cathodic current density decreases with the increase of HCO3^- concentration at low HCO3^- concentration. When the HCO3^- concentration reaches 0.126 mol/L, increasing HCO3^- concentration promotes cathodic reactions. Anodic behavior is an active process at low HCO3^- concentration and the anodic current density decreases with the increase of HCO3^- concentration. An evident active-passive behavior is exhibited in anodic process at 0.126 mol/L HCO3^-.
基金sponsored by the National Key Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2012CB214806)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41372144)
文摘There are rich oil and gas resources in marine carbonate strata worldwide.Although most of the oil and gas reserves discovered so far are mainly distributed in Mesozoic,Cenozoic,and upper Paleozoic strata,oil and gas exploration in the Proterozoic–Lower Paleozoic(PLP)strata—the oldest marine strata—has been very limited.To more clearly understand the oil and gas formation conditions and distributions in the PLP marine carbonate strata,we analyzed and characterized the petroleum geological conditions,oil and gas reservoir types,and their distributions in thirteen giant oil and gas fields worldwide.This study reveals the main factors controlling their formation and distribution.Our analyses show that the source rocks for these giant oil and gas fields are mainly shale with a great abundance of type I–II organic matter and a high thermal evolution extent.The reservoirs are mainly gas reservoirs,and the reservoir rocks are dominated by dolomite.The reservoir types are mainly karst and reef–shoal bodies with well-developed dissolved pores and cavities,intercrystalline pores,and fractures.These reservoirs arehighly heterogeneous.The burial depth of the reservoirs is highly variable and somewhat negatively correlated to the porosity.The cap rocks are mainly thick evaporites and shales,with the thickness of the cap rocks positively correlated to the oil and gas reserves.The development of high-quality evaporite cap rock is highly favorable for oil and gas preservation.We identified four hydrocarbon generation models,and that the major source rocks have undergone a long period of burial and thermal evolution and are characterized by early and long periods of hydrocarbon generation.These giant oil and gas fields have diverse types of reservoirs and are mainly distributed in paleo-uplifts,slope zones,and platform margin reef-shoal bodies.The main factors that control their formation and distribution were identified,enabling the prediction of new favorable areas for oil and gas exploration.
文摘To cooperate with the five ministries and commissions of the state to carry out joint investigation on the environmentally sensitive areas involved in oil and gas exploration and development,for the problems found in survey,containing complex type and numerous amount of ecologically sensitive space and ecological red line involved in oil and gas field enterprises,scientific nature of delimitation,lack of strong support of laws and regulations for forced withdrawal of oil and gas production facilities in these areas,some countermeasures and suggestions were proposed,such as further evaluating and combing scope and functional zoning of existing environmentally sensitive areas and ecological red lines,treating differently,enhancing pertinence of prohibition in ecologically sensitive regions,declining blindness of the withdrawal of oil and gas facilities in environmentally sensitive areas,strengthening seriousness of approval of exploration and mining rights of oil and gas resources,and establishing strategic reserve exploration and hierarchical development mechanism. Moreover,oil and gas field enterprises should integrate more efforts to ① accelerate to find out the current situation of environmental quality,② adhere to developing in protection,and protecting in development,③ increase attention and participation strengthen of providing technical support for national oil and gas exploration and development strategy evaluation,④ accelerate communication and docking with local governments on the ecological red line,⑤ actively strive to be included in the positive list management of local governments,⑥ accelerate to establish and perfect primary database of oil and gas production and facilities construction,and ⑦ document management information system of the ecological red line.
文摘Complicated oil and gas fields occupy an important position in oil and gas exploration. In this paper, complicated oil and gas fields are grouped into four types: fault-block, lithologic, stratigraphic and fissure types. On the basis of the new theory of petroleum geological exploration in composite oil and gas accumulation areas within continental basins, a new exploration sequence suitable for complicated oil and gas fields has been established, which comprises four stages:(1) initial exploration;(2) preliminary exploration;(3) early step-by-step exploration and development: and(4) late step-by-step exploration and development. The idea of cybernetics has been taken to control various links of a systematic exploration project so as to fully, effectively and comprehensively utilize the new exploration techniques, eventually realizing the optimization of exploration with the aim of raising the efficiency of exploration of complicated oil and gas fields.
文摘To develop energy audits in oil and gas field enterprises has important and realistic significance. Chinese energy audit in oil and gas field enterprises is still in the exploratory stage, the paper puts forward some countermeasures and proposals through the analysis on status quo to identify the shortcomings.
文摘The commissioning of Nanbao-Tangshan gas pipeline started to transported natural gas from East Hebei Oil Field to Tangshan City, Hebei Province since June 16th. More than 20 000 households in Tangshan have completed
基金Supported by the 12th Five-Year Project of Science and Technology of China National Offshore Oil Corporation “Development of Underwater Oil Spill Numerical Simulation in Deep Water”(No.CNOOC-KJ 125 ZDXM 00 000 00 NFCY 2011-03)
文摘Based on a Lagrangian integral technique and Lagrangian particle-tracking technique,a numerical model was developed to simulate the underwater transport of oil from a deepwater spill. This model comprises two submodels: a plume dynamics model and an advection-diffusion model. The former is used to simulate the stages dominated by the initial jet momentum and plume buoyancy of the spilled oil,while the latter is used to simulate the stage dominated by the ambient current and turbulence. The model validity was verified through comparisons of the model predictions with experimental data from several laboratory flume experiments and a field experiment. To demonstrate the capability of the model further,it was applied to the simulation of a hypothetical oil spill occurring at the seabed of a deepwater oil/gas field in the South China Sea. The results of the simulation would be useful for contingency planning with regard to the emergency response to an underwater oil spill.