Ordovician reservoirs in Fuxian area:Gas accumulation patterns and their implications for the exploration of lower Paleozoic carbonates in the southern Ordos Basin

In recent years,the Fuxian area in the southeastern Ordos Basin has undergone significant exploration,with industrial gas flow tested in wells drilled into the Ordovician marine carbonates.Despite this,the gas accumulation patterns of this area are not fully understood,posing challenges for further exploration.Our analysis of geological conditions indicates that the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in this area hosts two gas plays:one found in weathering crusts and the other found in interior of the formation.We investigated various typical gas reservoirs in the area,focusing on differentiating the geological conditions and factors controlling gas accumulation in the weathering-crust and interior gas reservoirs.The results suggest three primary gas accumulation patterns in the Majiagou Formation in the Fuxian area:(1)upper gas accumulation in weathering crusts,present in the high parts of landforms such as residual paleo-hills or buried paleo-platform(Pattern I);(2)the stereoscopic pattern with gas accumulation in both weathering crusts and strata interior,arising in high parts of landforms such as residual paleo-hills or buried paleo-platforms(Pattern II);(3)lower gas accumulation in strata interior,occurring in the upper reaches and on both sides of paleo-trenches(Pattern III).This study will serve as a geological basis for future exploration deployment in the Fuxian area.

Origin, hydrocarbon accumulation and oil-gas enrichment of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs: A case study of Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in South Tahe area of Halahatang oilfield, Tarim Basin

Based on comprehensive analysis of tectonic and fault evolution, core, well logging, seismic, drilling, and production data, the reservoir space characteristic, distribution, origin of fault-karst carbonate reservoir in Yueman block of South Tahe area, Halahatang oilfield, Tarim Basin, were studied systematically. And the regular pattern of hydrocarbon accumulation and enrichment was analyzed systematically based on development practice of the reservoirs. The results show that fault-karst carbonate reservoirs are distributed in the form of "body by body" discontinuously, heterogeneously and irregularly, which are controlled by the development of faults. Three formation models of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs, namely, the models controlled by the main deep-large fault, the secondary fault and the secondary internal fault, are built. The hydrocarbon accumulation and enrichment of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs is controlled by the spatiotemporal matching relation between hydrocarbon generation period and fault activity, and the size and segmentation of fault. The study results can effectively guide the well deployment and help the efficient development of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs of South Tahe area, Halahatang oilfield.

Sedimentary environment and organic matter accumulation of Wufeng-Longmaxi shales,southwest Yangtze Plate,China:Insights from geochemical and petrological evidence

Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation is the most developed strata of shale gas in southern China.Due to the complex sedimentary environment adjacent to the Kangdian Uplift,the favorable area for organic-rich shale development is still undetermined.The authors,therefore,focus on the mechanism of accumulation of organic matter and the characterization of the sedimentary environment of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Shales to have a more complete understanding and new discovering of organic matter enrichment and favorable area in the marginal region around Sichuan Basin.Multiple methods were applied in this study,including thin section identification,scanning electron microscopy(SEM)observations and X-ray diffraction(XRD),and elemental analysis on outcrop samples.Five lithofacies have been defined according to the mineralogical and petrological analyses,including mudstone,bioclastic limestone,silty shale,dolomitic shale,and carbonaceous siliceous shale.The paleo-environments have been reconstructed and the organic enrichment mechanism has been identified as a reduced environment and high productivity.The Wufeng period is generally a suboxic environment and the early Longmaxi period is a reducing environment based on geochemical characterization.High dolomite content in the study area is accompanied by high TOC,which may potentially indicate the restricted anoxic environment formed by biological flourishing in shallower water.And for the area close to the Kangdian Uplift,the shale gas generation capability is comparatively favorable.The geochemical parameters implied that new favorable areas for shale gas exploration could be targeted,and more shale gas resources in the mountain-basin transitional zone might be identified in the future.

Evolution of Hydrodynamic Field, Oil-Gas Migration and Accumulation in Songliao Basin, China

The oil-gas migration and accumulation in the Songliao Basin were analyzed in the view of fluid dynamics by the authors. The key point of fluid dynamics is hydrodynamics. Oil-gas migration and accumulation are related closely with formation and evolution of hydrodynamic field. Based on abundant data, initial formation pressure and other parameters, such as water head were studied. They can be used to understand the present distribution of hydrodynamic field and its hydrochemical features. Generally, the hydrodynamic field in the basin is obviously asymmetrical. In its north and east part, there are the areas of centripetal flow caused by topographic relief when meteoric water permeate downwards. Its south part is an evaporation-concentration area. The central depression is an area of centrifugal flow driven by sediment compaction and its cross-formational flow area. Only at the basin margin and in the local uplifted and denudated area are the meteoric water permeating downwards areas. The centrifugal flow driven by sediment compaction is the main dynamic factor that induces oil-gas migration and accumulation and its formation period corresponding to the main stage of oil-gas migration and accumulation. Moreover, the evolution of hydrodynamic field has the cyclic property, which results in phased oil-gas migration by stages, and further dominates the terraced annular oil and gas distribution, concentric with their corresponding sags.

Geochronological Records of Oil-Gas Accumulations in the Permian Reservoirs of the Northeastern Ordos Basin

Geochronology of oil-gas accumulation （OGA） is a challenging subject of petroleum geology in multi-cycle superimposed basins.By K-Ar dating of authigenic illite （AI） and fluid inclusion （FI） analysis combined with apatite fission track （AFT） thermal modeling,a case study of constraining the OGA times of the Permian reservoirs in northeast Ordos basin （NOB） has been conducted in this paper.AI dating of the Permian oil-gas-bearing sandstone core-samples shows a wide time domain of 178-108 Ma.The distribution of the AI ages presents 2-stage primary OGA processes in the Permian reservoirs,which developed in the time domains of 175-155 Ma and 145-115 Ma with 2-peak ages of 165 Ma and 130 Ma,respectively.The FI temperature peaks of the samples and their projected ages on the AFT thermal path not only present two groups with a low and a high peak temperatures in ranges of 90-78℃ and 125-118℃,respectively corresponding to 2-stage primary OGA processes of 162-153 Ma and 140-128 Ma in the Permian reservoirs,but also appear a medium temperature group with the peak of 98℃ in agreement with a secondary OGA process of c.～30 Ma in the Upper Permian reservoirs.The integrated analysis of the AI and FI ages and the tectono-thermal evolution reveals that the Permian reservoirs in the NOB experienced at least 2-stage primary OGA processes of 165-153 Ma and 140-128 Ma in agreement with the subsidence thermal process of the Mid-Early Jurassic and the tectono-thermal event of the Early Cretaceous.Then,the Upper Permian reservoirs further experienced at least 1-stage secondary OGA process of c.～30 Ma in coincidence with a critical tectonic conversion between the slow and the rapid uplift processes from the Late Cretaceous to Neogene.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE LANKAO-LIAOCHENG FRACTURAL ZONE AND ITS OIL-GAS ACCUMULATION

The Lankao-Liaocheng Fractural Zone is a large-seade NNE-trending struetural zone in the North China Crustoblock. Dated from the Late Arehean-Early Proterozoie, it is stil1 active now. Its nature varied with time in its developing process. It has became a tensile ultralithospherie fraetural zone at present or in diwa residual-mobility period. Some cenozoic oil-gas-bearing basins are distributed along the fraetural zone which fomed an important oil-gas accumulating belt in the North China Ctustoblock.

A hydrocarbon enrichment model and prediction of favorable accumulation areas in complicated superimposed basins in China

The geologic conditions of superimposed basins in China are very complicated. This is mainly shown by multi-phase structural evolution, multiple sets of source-reservoir-cap rock combinations, multiple stages of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion from source rocks, multi-cycle hydrocarbon enrichment and accumulation, and multi-phase reservoir adjustment and reconstruction. The enrichment, accumulation and distribution of hydrocarbon is mainly controlled by the source rock kitchen, paleo- anticline, regional cap rock and intensity of tectonic movement. In this paper, the T-BCMS model has been developed to predict favorable areas of hydrocarbon accumulation in complicated superimposed basins according to time and spatial relationships among five key factors. The five factors include unconformity surface representing tectonic balancing （B）, regional cap rock representing hydrocarbon protection （C）, paleo-anticline representing hydrocarbon migration and accumulation （M）, source rock kitchen representing hydrocarbon generation and expulsion （S） and geological time （T）. There are three necessary conditions to form favorable areas of hydrocarbon accumulation. First, four key factors BCMS should be strictly in the order of BCMS from top to bottom. Second, superimposition of four key factors BCMS in the same area is the most favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation. Third, vertically ordered combination and superimposition in the same area of BCMS should occur at the same geological time. The model has been used to predict the most favorable exploration areas in Ordovician in the Tarim Basin in the main hydrocarbon accumulation periods. The result shows that 95% of the discovered Ordovician hydrocarbon reservoirs are located in the predicted areas, which indicates the feasibility and reliability of the key factor matching T-BCMS model for hydrocarbon accumulation and enrichment.

Hydrocarbon migration and accumulation along the fault intersection zone-a case study on the reef-flat systems of the No.1 slope break zone in the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin

Understanding hydrocarbon migration and accumulation mechanisms is one of the key scientif ic problems that should be solved for effective hydrocarbon exploration in the superimposed basins developed in northwest China. The northwest striking No.1 slope break zone, which is a representative of superimposed basins in the Tarim Basin, can be divided into five parts due to the intersection of the northeast strike-slip faults. Controlled by the tectonic framework, the types and properties of reservoirs and the hydrocarbon compositions can also be divided into five parts from east to west. Anomalies of all the parameters were found on the fault intersection zone and weakened up-dip along the structural ridge away from it. Thus, it can be inferred that the intersection zone is the hydrocarbon charging position. This new conclusion differs greatly from the traditional viewpoint, which believes that the hydrocarbon migrates and accumulates along the whole plane of the No.1 slope break zone. The viewpoint is further supported by the evidence from the theory of main pathway systems, obvious improvement of the reservoir quality （2-3 orders of magnitude at the intersection zone） and the formation mechanisms of the fault intersection zone. Differential hydrocarbon migration and entrapment exists in and around the strike- slip faults. This is controlled by the internal structure of faults. It is concluded that the more complicated the fault structure is, the more significant the effects will be. If there is a deformation band, it will hinder the cross fault migration due to the common feature of two to four orders of magnitude reduction in permeability. Otherwise, hydrocarbons tend to accumulate in the up-dip structure under the control of buoyancy. Further research on the internal fault structure should be emphasized.

Geological conditions of natural gas accumulation and new exploration areas in the Mesoproterozoic to Lower Paleozoic of Ordos Basin, NW China

Based on field outcrop investigation,interpretation and analysis of drilling and seismic data,and consulting on a large number of previous research results,the characteristics of ancient marine hydrocarbon source rocks,favorable reservoir facies belts,hydrocarbon migration direction and reservoir-forming law in the Ordos Basin have been studied from the viewpoints of North China Craton breakup and Qilian-Qinling oceanic basin opening and closing.Four main results are obtained:(1)Controlled by deep-water shelf-rift,there are three suites of source rocks in the Ordos Basin and its periphery:Mesoproterozoic,Lower Cambrian and Middle-Upper Ordovician.(2)Controlled by littoral environment,paleo-uplift and platform margin,four types of reservoirs are developed in the area:Mesoproterozoic-Lower Cambrian littoral shallow sea quartz sandstone,Middle-Upper Cambrian–Ordovician weathering crust and dolomitized reservoir,and Ordovician L-shape platform margin reef and beach bodies.(3)Reservoir-forming assemblages vary greatly in the study area,with"upper generation and lower storage"as the main pattern in the platform,followed by"self-generation and self-storage".There are both"upper generation and lower storage"and"self-generation and self-storage"in the platform margin zone.In addition,in the case of communication between deep-large faults and the Changchengian system paleo-rift trough,there may also exist a"lower generation and upper reservoir"combination between the platform and the margin.(4)There are four new exploration fields including Qingyang paleo-uplift pre-Carboniferous weathering crust,L-shape platform margin zone in southwestern margin of the basin,Ordovician subsalt assemblage in central and eastern parts of the basin,and Mesoproterozoic–Cambrian.Among them,pre-Carboniferous weathering crust and L-shape platform margin facies zone are more realistic replacement areas,and Ordovician subsalt assemblage and the Proterozoic-Cambrian have certain potential and are worth exploring.

Reservoir characteristics and hydrocarbon accumulation of Carboniferous volcanic weathered crust of Zhongguai high area in the western Junggar Basin, China

Based on the drilling,cores,logs,seismic,laboratory analysis and so on,reservoir characteristics and hydrocarbon accumulation of Carboniferous volcanic weathered crust in Zhongguai high area are studied.Volcanic rocks were formed in an island arc environment.The lithology is mainly andesite and tuff;Reservoir spaces are mainly secondary pore,fracture and their combination forms,fractures have a better effect on reservoir seepage;There are four layer structures of volcanic weathered crust,weathered clay layer,strongly weathered zone,weakly weathered zone and unweathered zone and strongly weathered zone is the best,which is the main reservoir development zone;The development of reservoir is mainly affected by weathering-leaching,lithology and lithofacies,and fault(fracture);Effective reservoirs could reach to 480 m thickness(high quality reservoirs are within 240 m).Carboniferous volcanic reservoirs are distributed along three zones,which are near the fault zone,high structural part,favorable lithofacies development zone,and one plane,which is near the unconformity.

Vertical Differential Structural Deformation of the Main Strike-slip Fault Zones in the Shunbei Area,Central Tarim Basin:Structural Characteristics,Deformation Mechanisms,and Hydrocarbon Accumulation Significance

Vertical differential structural deformation(VDSD),one of the most significant structural characteristics of strike-slip fault zones(SSFZs)in the Shunbei area,is crucial for understanding deformation in the SSFZ and its hydrocarbon accumulation significance.Based on drilling data and high-precision 3-D seismic data,we analyzed the geometric and kinematic characteristics of the SSFZs in the Shunbei area.Coupled with the stratification of the rock mechanism,the structural deformations of these SSFZs in different formations were differentiated and divided into four deformation layers.According to comprehensive structural interpretations and comparisons,three integrated 3-D structural models could describe the VDSD of these SSFZs.The time-space coupling of the material basis(rock mechanism stratification),changing dynamic conditions(e.g.,changing stress-strain states),and special deformation mechanism of the en echelon normal fault array uniformly controlled the formation of the VDSD in the SSFZs of the Shunbei area.The VDSD of the SSFZs in this area controlled the entire hydrocarbon accumulation process.Multi-stage structural superimposing deformation influenced the hydrocarbon migration,accumulation,distribution,preservation,and secondary adjustments.

Characteristics of Paleozoic clastic reservoirs and the relationship with hydrocarbon accumulation in the Tazhong area of the Tarim Basin, west China

In order to predict favorable exploration areas of the Paleozoic, Carboniferous and Silurian clastic reservoirs in the Tazhong area of the Tarim Basin, west China, we studied the basic characteristics of Paleozoic clastic reservoirs in the Tazhong area based on a lot of data. Several issues about the hydrocarbon accumulation related to the reservoirs were also discussed. The results were concluded that： the high-value areas of the porosity and permeability of clastic reservoirs were located in the southeast of the Tazhong area; the content of cement （carbonate cement in particular） was the main factor controlling the porosity and permeability of clastic reservoirs; the hydrocarbon distributions of Carboniferous and Silurian clastic reservoirs were closely related to the porosity and permeability; the favorable hydrocarbon accumulation areas of the two sets of strata were located in the southeast of this area, especially in the updip pinch-out area.

Source Rock and Cap Rock Controls on the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation–Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation Shale Gas Accumulation in the Sichuan Basin and its Peripheral Areas

Objective The Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation is one of the priority interval for shale gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin and its peripheral areas, and commercial shale gas has been discovered from this interval in Jiaoshiba, Changning and Weiyuan shale gas fields in Sichuan Province. However, there is no significant discovery in other parts of the basin due to the different quality of black shale and the differences of tectonic evolution. Based on the progress of shale gas geological theory and exploration discoveries, as well as the theory of ＂source rock and cap rock controls on hydrocarbon accumulation＂, of the Upper Ordovician the main controlling factors Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale gas enrichment in the Sichuan Basin and its peripheral areas were analyzed, and the source rock and cap rock controls on the shale gas were also discussed. The results can provide new insights for the next shale gas exploration in this area.

Simulation of the Accumulation Process of Biogenic Gas Hydrates in the Shenhu Area of Northern South China Sea

Previous work has largely discussed the relations between sediment structures and accumulation of gas hydrates in the Shenhu area of South China Sea, but has not documented why the gas hydrates occurred at the seafloor topographic highs. Many gas hydrate exploration examples abroad also indicate that the saturation of gas hydrates was higher at seafloor topographic highs. This work aims to understand why gas hydrates accumulated at topographic highs and why their saturation is higher.

Tight gas charging and accumulation mechanisms and mathematical model

The gas-water distribution and production heterogeneity of tight gas reservoirs have been summarized from experimental and geological observations, but the charging and accumulation mechanisms have not been examined quantitatively by mathematical model. The tight gas charging and accumulation mechanisms were revealed from a combination of physical simulation of nuclear magnetic resonance coupling displacement, numerical simulation considering material and mechanical equilibria, as well as actual geological observation. The results show that gas migrates into tight rocks to preferentially form a gas saturation stabilization zone near the source-reservoir interface. When the gas source is insufficient, gas saturation reduction zone and uncharged zone are formed in sequence from the source-reservoir interface. The better the source rock conditions with more gas expulsion volume and higher overpressure, the thicker the gas saturation stabilization and reduction zones, and the higher the overall gas saturation. When the source rock conditions are limited, the better the tight reservoir conditions with higher porosity and permeability as well as larger pore throat, the thinner the gas saturation stabilization and reduction zones, but the gas saturation is high. The sweet spot of tight gas is developed in the high-quality reservoir near the source rock, which often corresponds to the gas saturation stabilization zone. The numerical simulation results by mathematical model agree well with the physical simulation results by nuclear magnetic resonance coupling displacement, and reasonably explain the gas-water distribution and production pattern of deep reservoirs in the Xujiaweizi fault depression of the Songliao Basin and tight gas reservoirs in the Linxing-Huangfu area of the Ordos Basin.

Geochemistry of borehole cutting shale and natural gas accumulation in the deepwater area of the Zhujiang River Mouth-Qiongdongnan Basin in the northern South China Sea

The Qiongdongnan Basin and Zhujiang River（Pearl River） Mouth Basin, important petroliferous basins in the northern South China Sea, contain abundant oil and gas resource. In this study, on basis of discussing impact of oil-base mud on TOC content and Rock-Eval parameters of cutting shale samples, the authors did comprehensive analysis of source rock quality, thermal evolution and control effect of source rock in gas accumulation of the Qiongdongnan and the Zhujiang River Mouth Basins. The contrast analysis of TOC contents and Rock-Eval parameters before and after extraction for cutting shale samples indicates that except for a weaker impact on Rock-Eval parameter S2, oil-base mud has certain impact on Rock-Eval S1, Tmax and TOC contents. When concerning oil-base mud influence on source rock geochemistry parameters, the shales in the Yacheng/Enping,Lingshui/Zhuhai and Sanya/Zhuhai Formations have mainly Type Ⅱ and Ⅲ organic matter with better gas potential and oil potential. The thermal evolution analysis suggests that the depth interval of the oil window is between 3 000 m and 5 000 m. Source rocks in the deepwater area have generated abundant gas mainly due to the late stage of the oil window and the high-supper mature stage. Gas reservoir formation condition analysis made clear that the source rock is the primary factor and fault is a necessary condition for gas accumulation. Spatial coupling of source, fault and reservoir is essential for gas accumulation and the inside of hydrocarbon-generating sag is future potential gas exploration area.

Hydrocarbon Accumulation Process in the Marine Strata in Jianghan Plain Area, Middle China

Marine strata in the Jianghan Plain area are widely distributed with a total depth of more than 8,000 m from the Upper Sinian to the Middle Triassic. Six reservoir caprock units, named Z-C2, C2-O, S, D--C, P and T1, can be identified with each epoch. The geology, stratigraphy, drilling, oil testing and other basic data as well as the measured inclusion and strontium isotope data in the study area are used in the analysis of the formation and evolution process of marine petroliferous reservoirs in the Jianghan Plain area. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the further exploration of hydrocarbons in the Jianghan Plain and reduce the risks by analyzing the key factors for hydrocarbon accumulation in the marine strata. Our findings show that in the Lower Palaeozoic hydrocarbon reservoir, oil/gas migration and accumulation chiefly occurred in the early period of the Early Yanshanian, and the hydrocarbon reservoir was destroyed in the middle-late period of the Early Yanshanian. In the Lower Triassic-Carboniferous hydrocarbon reservoir, oil/gas migration and accumulation chiefly occurred in the Early Yanshanian, and the hydrocarbon reservoir suffered destruction from the Late Yanshanian to the Early Himalayanian. The preservation conditions of the marine strata in the Jianghan Plain area have been improved since the Late Himalayanian. However, because all source beds have missed the oil/gas generation fastigium and lost the capacity to generate secondary hydrocarbon, no reaccumulation of hydrocarbons can be detected in the study area＇s marine strata. No industrially exploitable oil/gas reservoir has been discovered in the marine strata of Jianghan Plain area since exploration began in 1958. This study confirms that petroliferous reservoirs in the marine strata have been completely destroyed, and that poor preservation conditions are the primary factor leading to unsuccessful hydrocarbon exploration. It is safely concluded that hydrocarbon exploration in the marine strata of the study area is quite risky.

Factors controlling the reservoir accumulation of Triassic Chang 6 Member in Jiyuan-Wuqi area,Ordos Basin,NW China

In the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Jiyuan-Wuqi area, Ordos Basin, the Chang 6 reservoir is contacted to the Chang 7 high-quality source rock, but the oil pools are unevenly distributed, and complex in oil and water distribution. Through cores observation and fracture statistics, combined with comprehensive analyses of physical property, mercury injection, logging and geochemical data, and comparisons of the sandbodies scales, reservoir physical properties, argillaceous laminae and fractures between source and reservoir in the eastern and western oil-bearing areas and in the central water producing area, it is found that the hydrocarbon accumulation patterns are different in the eastern, central and western areas, and the characteristics of hydrocarbon migration under the background of double-provenance were sorted out. The study results show that the crude oil in the eastern area has different Pr/Ph and sterane distribution from that in the western area. The oil and gas primarily migrated vertically. The high-quality source rocks and favorable source-reservoir-cap combinations lay the foundation for large-scale oil and gas accumulations. Vertically, the oil and gas enrichment is controlled by the scale of sandbody and the difference of physical properties, while on the plane, it is controlled by the connectivity of sandbodies, the argillaceous laminae between source rock and reservoir, the reservoir physical property and the fractures. The sandbodies of oil-rich zones in the eastern and western areas have large thickness, low shale content, good physical properties, weak heterogeneity, few argillaceous laminae and abundant fractures, all of which are favorable for the vertical migration and accumulation of oil and gas. In contrast, in the middle area with converging provenances, the reservoirs, composed of thin sandbodies, features rapid variation in lithology and physical properties, strong heterogeneity, poor continuity of sandbodies, abundant argillaceous laminae between source rock and reservoir, and few fractures, makes it difficult for the oil and gas to migrate vertically, and results in low oil enrichment degree ultimately. For the exploration of continental multiple-provenance tight reservoirs, not only the good-property source rocks and reservoirs, but more importantly the source-reservoir contact relationship and the effect of fractures on the hydrocarbon migration and accumulation should be considered.

Large Gas Accumulation Area discovered in South China Sea

About 150000 km^(2) of area is available for exploration in the continental shelf of northern South China Sea.As a potential area,Yingqiong Basin(Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan)has effective exploration area of 90000 km^(2).

Hydrocarbon accumulation and exploration prospect of mound-shoal complexes on the platform margin of the fourth member of Sinian Dengying Formation in the east of Mianzhu-Changning intracratonic rift, Sichuan Basin, SW China

Drilling,seismic and logging data were used to evaluate the hydrocarbon accumulation conditions of the mound-shoal complexes in the platform margin of the fourth member of Sinian Dengying Formation in the east side of the Mianzhu-Changning intracratonic rift in the Sichuan Basin.The four understandings are:(1)The platform margin belt of the Deng 4 Member can be divided into three sections,northern,middle and southern;the middle section is at the core of the Gaoshiti-Moxi paleouplift and the structural high now,while the southern and northern sections are at the slope of the paleouplift and the structural lows now;the three sections have similar development characteristics and reservoir features of platform margin mound-shoal complex.(2)In the margin of the east side of the rift,there are several faults nearly perpendicular to the platform margin belt,the faults divide the platform margin belt into rugged paleo-landform,and the high part developed platform margin mound-shoal complexes and the reservoirs are good in physical properties,while the low part developed inter-beach depression and no mound-shoal complexes,where the reservoirs are poor in physical properties.(3)The six groups of faults nearly perpendicular to the platform margin belt divide the platform margin belt into seven large mound-shoal complexes which have similar hydrocarbon accumulation conditions and accumulation evolution process and are rich in petroleum.(4)The inter shoal depressions between the mound-shoal complexes are characterized by tighter lithology,which can block the updip direction of the mounds and shoals at the lower part of the slope of the paleouplift and are favorable for the later preservation of mound-shoal gas reservoirs.This has been proved by Well Jiaotan 1 and Heshen 2 drilled successfully.The mound-shoal complexes on the platform margin of the structural slope area have a good exploration prospect.