Genetic mechanisms and control on hydrocarbon accumulation in transtensional structures: A case study of Gaoqing area, northern Dongying Sag, China

Broom-shaped structures are widely seen in transtensional basins, including those discovered in many sags of the Bohai Bay Basin. Broom-shaped transtensional structural zones are generally petroliferous and thus important targets for hydrocarbon exploration. This study analyzed the evolution and genetic mechanisms of the broom-shaped transtensional structures in the Gaoqing area of the Dongying Sag using the 3D seismic flattening technique and a physical simulation experiment. Furthermore, the control effects of the broom-shaped transtensional structures on hydrocarbon accumulation and distribution were discussed. The research results are as follows. The Gaoqing area is of a broom-shaped transtensional structure in planar view, composed of several arc-shaped secondary faults intersecting with high-level main fault in the same direction. On the seismic section, it appears as a typical semi-flower-like structure. In the early stage (that is, during the deposition of the Kongdian Formation to the lower submember of the 4th member of the Shahejie Formation, Es4(L)), single-fault pattern consisting of single or multiple faults in alignment was developed under extensional stress. While with the change of structural stress (that is, during the deposition of the Es4(U) to the Es2(L)), more secondary faults were formed, and came in a pattern of broom-shaped structure together with the major fault. In the late stage (that is, during the deposition of the Es1 to the Guantao Formation), the en echelon fault pattern was formed, as the major fault broke into multiple secondary faults. The divergent end of the broom-shaped transtensional structure has many secondary faults developed, the fault planes are gentle, and small-scale fan deltas are the predominant type of deposits. The hydrocarbon tends to laterally migrate far away and accumulate mianly in structural and lithologic-structural traps. On the other hand, in the convergent end, the fault planes are relatively steep, resulting in small-scale subaqueous fans or large-scale deltas deposited along the major fault, with hydrocarbon accumulating minaly in structural-lithologic traps proximal to the provenances.

Structure kinematics of a transtensional basin:An example from the Linnan Subsag, Bohai Bay basin,Eastern China

The Linnan subsag is a petroliferous, secondary tectonic unit of the Huimin sag that is located in the western part of the Jiyang depression in the Bohai Bay basin, eastern China. In this study, the authors calculated basin extensional rate and slipping displacement of boundary faults in the dip and strike directions, using seismic and drilling data. The evolution of the Linnan transtensional basin from the Eogene through the Quaternary is quantitatively described, and a dynamic model is established. The Linshan and Xiakou boundary faults of the Linnan subsag are used as a case study to describe a method to calculate the strike and dip slipping displacements of active faults under oblique extension. The results quantitatively illustrate the behavior of the Linnan subsag boundary faults over time. The Linnan subsag transtensional basin experienced four stages of evolution: weak extension during the Kongdian Formation, rapid extension and fault depression during the fourth member of the Shahejie Formation,intensive transtension and fault depression during the third member of the Shahejie Formation-Dongying Formation, and weakening fault depression during the Guantao Formation-Pingyuan Formation.The results of this study provide further understanding of the processes of petroleum migration and accumulation in the region.

Petrogenesis and geochemistry of the host monzogranite and mafic enclaves from the Triassic Wulong pluton in South Qinling, central China

The Wulong pluton was emplaced in the metamorphic complex of the Mesoproterozoic Foping Group, South Qinling. A few mafic enclaves which are rounded in shape with sharp boundaries with the host granites in the southern part of the pluton. Based on petrography, geochemistry and chronology data, it is indicated that the Wulong pluton shows some adakitic affinities with depletion in HREE (Yb=0.33–0.96 μg/g, Y=4.77–11.2 μg/g); enrichment in Sr (643–1115 μg/g) and Ba (775–1386 μg/g), high Sr/Y ratios (57.3–160) and Y/Yb ratios (11.0–14.3), and slightly negative Eu anomaly (δEu=0.70–0.83). These patterns suggest a feldspar-poor and garnet±amohibole-rich fractionation mineral assemblage. The mafic enclaves have high concentrations of Mg (MgO=4.15%–8.13%), Cr (14.8–371 μg/g), and Ni (20.0–224 μg/g), and high Nb/Ta ratios (15.42–21.9). It seems that the underplating mantle magma was responsible for the generation of the mafic magma. Companied with the results of investigations for the Qinling Orogenic Belt, it was found that partial melting of the thickened lower crust, which was triggered by the underplated mantle-derived magmas, had generated the felsic magma. The Wulong pluton provided evidence for a mixing and mingling process of two kinds of mamma. Its formation probably represents the oceanic slab breakoff during the late orogenic stage in the Qinling area.

Deformation characteristics and analog modeling of transtensional structures in the Dongying Sag,Bohai Bay Basin

Hydrocarbon exploration in the Dongying Sag is constrained by the development of many Cenozoic transtensional structures with complex patterns and dynamic mechanisms.This study uses seismic interpretation and analog modeling to investigate these transtensional structures.Significant results include dividing these transtensional structures into boundary fault,oblique rifting,and deep strike-slip fault controlled structures,according to the relationships between main and secondary faults.They developed in the steep slope zone,the central sag zone,and the slope zone,respectively.In profile,the transtensional structures formed appear to be semi-flower-like,step-like,or negative-flower-like.In plan-view,they appear to be broom-like,soft-linked,or en-echelon structures.Further,these transtensional structures are controlled by the oblique normal slip of boundary faults,by the oblique extension of sub-sags,and by the later extension of deep strike-slip faults.The geometric deformation of these transtensional structures is controlled by the angles between the regional extension direction and the strike of boundary faults,deep faults,or sub-sags,where a larger angle corresponds to less developed transtensional structures.Further,the transtensional structures in the Dongying Sag were created by multi-phase and multi-directional extensions in the Cenozoic—which is also controlled by pre-existing structures.The strike of newborn secondary faults was determined by the regional extension direction and pre-existing structures.