Migration and accumulation of crude oils in the Qionghai Uplift, Pearl River Mouth Basin, Offshore South China Sea

Xie, Guangjie; Chen, Dongxia; Chang, Lu; Li, Jin‐Heng; Yin, Zhan

doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108943

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The Y-shaped and negative flower structures formed by the newly developed NWW-oriented faults and earlier faults in the profile, along with the right-stepping en echelon arrangement, suggest the evolution of the NW-oriented sinistral strikeslip faults. The NW-trending strike-slip activity was also highly developed in the uplift areas, such as the Qionghai Uplift, manifested as a single fault with a high angle and upright plane, cutting through the Hanjiang Formation upwards, even shallower strata, down to the basement, generally [11,59]. Furthermore, the Yangjiang-Yitong fault zone has been recognized as an active sinistral strike-slip fault zone since the Early Oligocene [17,[64][65][66].…”

Section: Genetic Types and Formation Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formation Mechanism of NW-Trending Faults and Their Significance on Basin Evolution in Zhu III Depression of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, SE China

Zhu,

Zhao,

Zhang

et al. 2024

JMSE

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The Zhu III Depression, situated in the northern Pearl River Mouth Basin, features a complex fault system composed of NE–SW-, nearly E–W-, and NW–SE-oriented faults. However, there is limited research on NW-trending faults, especially regarding their formation mechanisms. Through structural analysis of 3D seismic profiles, we have revealed the geometric and kinematic characteristics of NW-trending faults and categorized them into three types based on their formation mechanisms: extensional fault, dextral transtensional fault, and sinistral strike–slip fault. The extensional faults predominantly developed as boundary faults during the rifting I period, caused by tectonic inversion of the NW–NWW-trending basement faults since early Eocene. The transtensional fault resulted from the dextral strike–slip motion of the NE-trending basin-controlling faults since late Eocene, under the regional dextral extension stress setting. The sinistral strike–slip faults have been dominant during the post-rifting period since early Oligocene. This is due to the sinistral shearing action related to the southeastward lateral extrusion of the Indochina Block and slab pull southward by subduction of the proto-SCS. The NW-trending faults controlled the development of local tectonics and structures, the depocenter migration during the rifting period, and the trapping, migration, and preservation of oil and gas.

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Section: Genetic Types and Formation Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formation Mechanism of NW-Trending Faults and Their Significance on Basin Evolution in Zhu III Depression of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, SE China

Zhu,

Zhao,

Zhang

et al. 2024

JMSE

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“…These sedimentary features exhibit substantial disparities from the depositional evolution process observed during short-period transgressions (e.g., Zhou et al, 2014;Tang et al, 2018;Zhang et al, 2023), which primarily impact the distribution of depositional systems rather than their types. The marine transgression significantly influenced the depositional evolution, thereby impacting the distribution of hydrocarbon resources and the types of traps in the PRMB (Huang et al, 2003;Xie et al, 2021;Wu, 2022). Oil and gas reserves in the PRMB originated from the underlying Wenchang and Enping source rocks (Toc = 1.6~2.5%, HI = 233-332 mg/g TOC) (Quan et al, 2020;Fu et al, 2022;Yang et al, 2022).…”

Section: Sedimentological and Exploration Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB), situated on the northern margin of the South China Sea continental shelf, is particularly noteworthy as a hydrocarbonbearing basin (Huang et al, 2003;Quan et al, 2015). Recent drilling findings have revealed the remarkable potential of Eocene-Miocene strata in the PRMB, making it a focal point for hydrocarbon exploration (Xie et al, 2021;Fu et al, 2022). Previous studies (e.g., Xie et al, 2014;Liu et al, 2022a;Liu et al, 2022b; have extensively documented the complex structural evolution of the PRMB, spanning from the Eocene lacustrine environment to the Miocene marine environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is limited research on the Miocene Zhujiang Formation (Wang et al, 2021), and studies on its long-term evolutionary characteristics are scarce. Furthermore, the Miocene Zhujiang Formation has recently gained importance in hydrocarbon exploration, but the presence of oil and gas reservoirs in different types of depositional systems remains unclear (Xie et al, 2021;Fu et al, 2022). Hence, studying the depositional evolution process in the Miocene Zhujiang Formation can not only enhance the understanding of depositional evolution in response to marine transgressions but also provide valuable evidence for hydrocarbon exploration and development within the Miocene Zhujiang Formation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Depositional evolution in response to long-term marine transgression in the northern South China Sea

Liu,

Luo,

Yan

et al. 2023

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Research on the interaction between depositional evolution process and marine transgression is critical to understanding the transform mechanism of sedimentary systems and guiding hydrocarbon exploration. The early Miocene witnessed the most significant sea-level rise since the Cenomanian, which resulted in extensive marine-influenced deposits worldwide. However, the relationship between the process of depositional evolution and long-term marine transgressions (>1 Ma) remains poorly understood. The Pearl River Mouth Basin in the South China Sea offers a comprehensive deposition record of the early Miocene marine transgression. This study employs high-quality 3D seismic, well-logging, and core data to investigate the impact of the early Miocene transgression on the evolutionary dynamics of the sedimentary system. The regional sea level exhibited a prolonged rise of at least 100 m during the deposition period of the Miocene Zhujiang Formation, corresponding to the long-term marine transgressive in the South China Sea. Throughout this marine transgression, depositional systems developed in the study area include tidal flats, fan deltas, meandering river deltas, and shallow marine shelf sand bodies. The marine transgression process resulted in a significant change in depositional system types, which can be divided into seven units from Unit 1 at the bottom to Unit 7 at the top. The predominant deposition environment transitioned from tidal flats in Units 1-3 to meandering river deltas in Units 4-5, and finally to shallow marine shelf systems in Units 6-7. In the early stage (Units 1-3), the regional uplifts hindered sea level transgression and caused erosion, leading to the development of small-scale proximal fan deltas. In the middle stage (Units 4-5), these regional uplifts submerged, and meandering river deltas dominated with sediments derived from distant extrabasinal sources. During the late stage (Units 6-7), regional sea levels reached their peak, transforming the entire basin into a shallow marine shelf system. Additionally, this marine transgression significantly influenced the distribution of hydrocarbon resources. Notably, the shallow marine shelf sand bodies in Units 6-7 warrant substantial attention for future exploration. This study outlines the complicated transitional processes within depositional systems during long-term marine transgression events, holding relevance for the global evolution of marginal sea basins.

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“…Here, we illustrate the control of faults on hydrocarbon migration and accumulations in the extensional setting of the south western Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB), which is one of the most important petroliferous basins in the northern South China Sea [50][51][52][53]. The fault geometries, activity history, and fault sealing potential are used to create a migration pathway model, which is then validated with the locations of verified hydrocarbon accumulations and used to predict potential unidentified accumulations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fault Controls on Hydrocarbon Migration—An Example from the Southwestern Pearl River Mouth Basin

Xu,

Miocic,

Cheng

et al. 2024

Applied Sciences

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Faults play a pivotal role in controlling fluid migration and retention within sedimentary basins, particularly in the context of fault-bound hydrocarbon reservoirs. Assessing the stability and sealing capabilities of faults enhances our comprehension of these systems and aids in the identification of pathways for fluid migration. In this study, we focus on a series of fault-bound hydrocarbon accumulations located in the southern Wenchang A subbasin within the Pearl River Mouth Basin. We emphasize the significant influence of faults in governing the processes of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation. By leveraging 3D seismic data and well information, we have assessed the sealing potential of ten faults that either currently retain hydrocarbon columns or have the potential to do so. Our analysis reveals that even faults with a relatively low Shale Gouge Ratio (as low as 15%) can effectively support substantial column heights. Taking into account factors, such as the source rock maturity, fault activity, geometry, sealing potential, and the distribution of hydrocarbon accumulations, we have formulated a conceptual model for hydrocarbon migration and accumulation within the study area. This model underscores potential fluid traps within the rift basin, shedding light on the complex dynamics of hydrocarbon movement in this region.

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Migration and accumulation of crude oils in the Qionghai Uplift, Pearl River Mouth Basin, Offshore South China Sea

Cited by 9 publications

References 18 publications

Formation Mechanism of NW-Trending Faults and Their Significance on Basin Evolution in Zhu III Depression of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, SE China

Formation Mechanism of NW-Trending Faults and Their Significance on Basin Evolution in Zhu III Depression of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, SE China

Depositional evolution in response to long-term marine transgression in the northern South China Sea

Fault Controls on Hydrocarbon Migration—An Example from the Southwestern Pearl River Mouth Basin

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