Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2019, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (5): 1011-1021.doi: 10.11743/ogg20190506

• Petroleum Geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research progress in fault transformation zones as lateral or vertical hydrocarbon migration pathways

Sun Tongwen1,2, Gao Xicheng1,2, Lyu Yanfang2, Fu Guang2, Wang Haixue2, Wang Haoran2   

  1. 1. School of Petroleum Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong 525000, China;
    2. School of Geosciences, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing, Heilongjiang 163318, China
  • Received:2018-11-12 Revised:2019-05-13 Online:2019-10-28 Published:2019-08-17

Abstract: Plenty of oil and gas exploration practices in faulted basins have shown that hydrocarbons are mainly distributed in fault transformation zones instead of the whole fault zone,including relay ramp,flexural turning point,intersection area and terminal,which show remarkable characteristics of migration pathways.In order to find out the advantageous conditions and mode of hydrocarbon migration in fault transformation zones,we made a systematic analysis of the characteristics of hydrocarbon migration based on the study of the formation and evolution of fault transformation zones.The results show that the fault transformation zones may serve as both lateral and vertical pathways for hydrocarbon migration at different evolution stages.When acting as lateral migration pathways,they are advantageous in terms of (1) the gradient of fluid potential,(2) well-developed sand bodies characterized by a higher probability of reservoir juxtaposition and better lateral connectivity,and (3) a relatively lower ratio of vertical to lateral permeability.There are two main modes of lateral migration:undamaged-laterally connected hydrocarbon migration and accumulation mode,and destroyed-vertically and laterally sealed hydrocarbon migration and accumulation mode,and hydrocarbon enrichment horizons are generally consistent with migration horizons.When acting as vertical migration pathways,they are advantageous in terms of (1) a higher activity intensity for the hard-linkage transformation zone,prone to be a migration pathway with episodic opening; (2) the fault plane of the hard-linkage transformation zone,usually a ridge-shaped low-potential area,favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation; (3) the stress concentration and fracture development,tending to destroy the caprock and resulting in vertical seepage.Similarly,there are also two main modes of vertical migration:incompletely destroyed-vertical hydrocarbon seepage through relay ramps,and destroyed-vertical hydrocarbon migration along fault planes,in which oil and gas tend to accumulate in shallower horizons.In addition,it can be proven that the fault transformation zone has once been the pathway of fluid migration in terms of mineral precipitation rate,diagenesis,groundwater seepage and water inrush in mine,etc.

Key words: fluid potential, sand body, permeability, stress, lateral migration, vertical migration, relay ramp, fault transformation zone, hydrocarbon migration pathway

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