Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2023, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (5): 1279-1289.doi: 10.11743/ogg20230516

• Petroleum Geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Exploring the dynamic hydrocarbon accumulation process of the Enping 17 sub-sag in the Enping Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin

Yuling SHI1,2(), Zulie LONG1,2, Xiangtao ZHANG1,2, Huahua WEN1,2, Xiaonan MA1,2   

  1. 1.Shenzhen Branch of CNOOC (China) Limited,Shenzhen,Guangdong 518054,China
    2.Deepwater Development Limited,CNOOC,Shenzhen,Guangdong 518054,China
  • Received:2023-03-30 Revised:2023-07-04 Online:2023-10-19 Published:2023-10-19

Abstract:

In this study, we determine the hydrocarbon sources and distribution in the Enping 17 sub-sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB) through geochemical analyses. Using the selected optimal fault attributes, we quantitatively evaluate the hydrocarbon transport capacity of faults during different geologic periods. Furthermore, we reproduce the paleotectonic morphologies of primary seismic reflectors in the Enping 17 sub-sag since 23.03 Ma with the aid of the MOVE software, revealing the influence of the paleotectonic morphological changes of seismic reflector T70 on hydrocarbon redistribution in the vertical direction and among various tectonic zones. Finally, we reconstruct the dynamic hydrocarbon accumulation process and predict potential hydrocarbon exploration targets. The results are as follows. (1) The crude oil of the Enping 17 sub-sag originates primarily from source rocks in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th members of the Eocene Wenchang Formation. Faults with throws ranging from 100—130 m can transport hydrocarbons to the Enping Formation, while those with throws exceeding 130 m may create conducive conditions for hydrocarbons to migrate vertically toward the medium and shallow reservoirs through the Enping Formation. (2) The hydrocarbons in the sub-sag underwent three migration and accumulation stages: the migration and accumulation near sources in the early stage, the southward migration and accumulation in the middle stage, and the S-N two-way migration and accumulation in the late stage. Due to the weak vertical hydrocarbon transport capacity of faults in the late stage, the Enping Formation served as a hub for hydrocarbon redistribution in the vertical direction and among various tectonic zones. Prior to 10.00 Ma, hydrocarbon migration and accumulation primarily occurred near sources under the paleostructural surface on seismic reflector T70. From 10.00 Ma to 5.33 Ma, hydrocarbons migrated to and accumulated in the southern tectonic zones along the carrier beds of the Enping Formation. After 5.33 Ma, hydrocarbon migration was diverted northward under the paleostructural surface on T70, signaling the general commencement of S-N two-way migration and accumulation. In conclusion, the favorable exploration targets in the Enping 17 sub-sag include the Paleogene structural traps along NW-trending structural ridges, as well as the tectono-lithologic or stratigraphic-lithologic traps in the Enping Formation at the edge of the northern paleo-uplift.

Key words: genetic type of crude oil, morphology of the paleostructural surface, migration pathway, accumulation process, Enping 17 sub-sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB)

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