Recognition and depiction of special geologic bodies of Member 3 of Dongying Formation in Littoral Slope Zone,Qikou Sag

The purpose of this study is to forecast the profitable oil and gas reservoir,which is the key of finding hydrocarbon,based on the conception of special geologic bodies.With the guiding methodology of the research thinking of integration of point-line-surface by using the methods and techniques of logging,seismic,seismic attribute,and logging constrained inversion in 3D data volume,the special geologic bodies of Member 3 of Dongying Formation in Littoral Slope Zone of Qikou Sag,which has important hydrocarbon exploration potential,are recognized and described under the constraint of sequence stratigraphic framework.As a result,the developed scale,geometric shape and space distribution feature of the special geologic bodies are forecasted;the inner structure and sequence structure patterns of the geologic bodies are also ascertained.From the lowstand system tract (LST) and lacustrine expanding system tract (EST) to the highstand system tract (HST),the geologic bodies have evolved from relative centralization of lake basin reducing period to three relative dispersive isolated parts of broad lake basin period.According to the relevance and regularity of the development of geologic bodies,the conclusions can be obtained that three types of potential profitable reservoir traps,including the lithologic lens traps,lithologic updip pinchout traps and structural-lithologic composite traps,are forecasted.In addition,scientific basis for further hydrocarbon exploration in new area (few-well area and no-well area) is offered in the guidance of sequence stratigraphic model.

Migration and accumulation characteristics of natural gas hydrates in the uplifts and their slope zones in the Qiongdongnan Basin,China

Various factors controlling the accumulation of natural gas hydrates(NGHs)form various enrichment and accumulation modes through organic combination.This study mainly analyzes the geological and geophysical characteristics of the NGHs occurrence in the uplifts and their slope zones within the deep-water area in the Qiongdongnan(QDN)Basin(also referred to as the study area).Furthermore,it investigates the dominant governing factors and models of NGHs migration and accumulation in the study area.The results are as follows.(1)The uplifts and their slope zones in the study area lie in the dominant pressure-relief direction of fluids in central hydrocarbon-rich sags in the area,which provide sufficient gas sources for the NGHs accumulation and enrichment through pathways such as gas chimneys and faults.(2)The top and flanks of gas chimneys below the bottom simulating reflectors(BSRs)show high-amplitude seismic reflections and pronounced transverse charging of free gas,indicating the occurrence of a large amount of gas accumulation at the heights of the uplifts.(3)Chimneys,faults,and high-porosity and high-permeability strata,which connect the gas hydrate temperature-pressure stability zones(GHSZs)with thermogenic gas and biogenic gas,form the main hydrate migration system.(4)The reservoir system in the study area comprises sedimentary interlayers consisting of mass transport deposits(MTDs)and turbidites.In addition,the reservoir system has developed fissure-and pore-filling types of hydrates in the pathways.The above well-matched controlling factors of hydrate accumulation enable the uplifts and their slope zones in the study area to become the favorable targets of NGHs exploration.

Depositional Characteristics of Deltas and Their Relationship with Hydrocarbon Accumulation in the North Slope, Biyang Depression

Tectonic movements in the North Slope of Biyang Depression are comparatively mild and stable, thus generating two categories of deltas. Elementary reasons for the coexistence of deltas are the existence of the palaeodrainage pattern and the effect of palaeotopography. The sedimentary facies is the most elementary factor controlling the physical property of reservoirs. The layout and spatial combination model of the sand body and faults are the major influential factors on the occurrence of hydrocarbons. Comparative study on Houzhang and Yanglou Braided Deltas as well as Zhangchang and Gucheng Meandering Deltas suggests that the hydrocarbons distribute primarily in the mouth bar subfacies and secondarily in the distal bar subfacies of the braided delta, while the oil-water and aqueous layers are mainly found in the subaquatic distributary channel. Although the sand body of the meandering delta has excellent stratification and high porosity, the thickness is far less than that of the braided delta. Therefore, the yield of hydrocarbon is relatively low. The mudstone of the delta front subfacies is a kind of source rock with a high content of organic matter. The conducting system for oil/gas migration in the North Slope is a composite one comprising faults and sand- stone reservoirs. A large amount of oil/gas from the deep depression first migrated towards the slope along the sand body which stretches and connects with the source rocks, and then redistributed along the faults in the slope. After the movement reached a standstill, the faults formed the occlusion in the up-dip direction of the sand body, generating a great quantity of fault block hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Noah Slope.

Forming condition of transient saturated zone and its distribution in residual slope under rainfall conditions

Rainfall, as one of the most significant factors triggering the residual soil slope failure, leads to not only the reduction of soil shear strength, but also the increase of soil weight and the decrease of matric suction as well. All these modifications in soil properties have important influence on the slope stability. The water infiltration and redistribution inside the slope are the preconditions of the slope stability under rainfall conditions. Based on the numerical simulation via finite element method, the water infiltration process under rainfall conditions was studied in the present work. The emphases are the formation, distribution and dissipation of transient saturated zone. As for the calculation parameters, the SWCC and the saturated permeability have been determined by pressure plate test and variable head test respectively. The entire process(formation, development, dissipation) of the transient saturated zone was studied in detail. The variations of volumetric water content, matric suction and hydraulic gradient inside the slope, and the eventually raise of groundwater table were characterized and discussed, too. The results show that the major cause of the formation of transient saturated zone is ascribed to the fact that the exudation velocity of rainwater on the wetting front is less than the infiltration velocity of rainfall; as a result, the water content of the soil increases. On the other hand, the formation and extension of transient saturated zone have a close relationship with rainfall intensity and duration. The results can help the geotechnical engineers for the deeper understanding of the failure of residual slope under rainfall condition. It is also suggested that the proper drainage system in the slope may be the cost-effective slope failure mitigation method.

Fluid Charging and Paleo-pressure Evolution in the Ledong Slope Zone of the Yinggehai Basin,South China Sea

Large numbers of gas reservoirs have been discovered in overpressure basins.Fluid charging has a close relationship with paleo-pressure evolution,affecting the migration of gas reservoirs.To study fluid charging and the related pressure system,we analyzed burial histories and fluid inclusion(PVTx)simulations and conducted basin modeling of the Ledong Slope Zone in the Yinggehai Basin as an example.On the basis of fluid-inclusion assemblages(FIAs),homogenization temperature(Th),final melting temperature(Tm,ice)and Raman spectroscopy in fluid inclusions,there are three stages of fluid charging:during the first and second stage,methane-dominated fluid was charged at 2.2–1.7 Ma and 1.7–0.9 Ma,respectively.In the third stage,CO_(2)-rich hydrothermal fluid was charged since 0.9 Ma.It could be concluded from the well-logging data that the disequilibrium compaction in the Yinggehai Fm.,along with the fluid expansion and clay diagenesis in the Huangliu and Meishan formations,resulted in the overpressure in the Ledong slope zone.The evolution of paleo-pressure was affected by the sedimentation rate of the Yinggehai Fm.,as well as the hydrocarbon generation rate.Additionally,the Ledong Slope Zone is less affected by diapir activity than the nearby diapir area.Based on fluid inclusions,paleo-pressure,basin modeling and geological background,the gas migration history of the Ledong Slope Zone can be divided into four stages:in the first stage,excess pressure was formed around 5 Ma;from 2.2 to 1.7 Ma,there was a reduction in the charging of hydrocarbon fluid and steadily increasing excess pressure;during the 1.7–0.9 Ma period a large amount of hydrocarbon was generated,excess pressure increasing significantly and hydraulic fractures forming in mudstones,With gas reservoirs developing in structural highs;since 0.9 Ma,CO_(2)-rich hydrothermal fluid accumulated in reservoirs adjacent to faults and the pressure coefficient remained stable.The research results are helpful in the study of fluid migration and accumulation mechanisms in overpressure basins.

Distribution and quantitative zonation of unloading cracks at a proposed large hydropower station dam Site

Rock mass unloading is an important rock engineering problem because unloading may impact the stability of a rock mass slope. Based on hydroelectric engineering principles, this study focuses on the classification of unloading zones to reflect the rock mass structure characteristics. Geological background and slope structure of the study region were considered to investigate the distribution and deformation of the unloading process. Quantitative indices were classified according to the formation mechanisms and the geological exhibition of unloading zones. The P-wave velocity(V_P), the ratio of the wave velocity(V_p) the ratio of the test P-wave velocity along the adit depth to the P-wave velocity of intact rock, the sum of joint openings every 2 meters(S_t), and the density of open joints(D_t) were calculated as quantitative indices for the rock mass unloading zone. The characteristics of the unloading zone of rock mass slopes at the dam site were successfully determined. The method of combining qualitative data with quantitative indices was found to be effective for the classification of slope unloading zones.

Syndepositional Fault Controlling on Depositional Filling of the Third Member of Shahejie Formation in Beitang Sag

In the continental lake basin whose structures were extraordinarily active, tectonism is an important factor in controlling the sequence and the depositional filling of the basin. This article reports the assemble patterns of syndepositional fault in the third member of Shahejie （沙河街） Formation in Beitang （北塘） sag. The results show that the comb-shape fracture system and the fracture transformation zone were developed in Beitang sag. These assemble patterns obviously controlled the sand-body and spatial distribution of sedimentary system. However, the steep slope belt of fault terrace, the multistage slope belt and the low uplift gentle slope belt controlled the development of sequence styles. Analyses of the spatial-temporal relationship of the assemble pattern of syndepositional faults and the sedimentary system help predict the favorable exploration zone.