Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2020, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (5): 1017-1027.doi: 10.11743/ogg20200512

• Petroleum Geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Structural characteristics of Qiyueshan Fault and shale gas preservation at the southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin

Xiusong Tuo1,2(), Kongquan Chen1,*(), Shunshe Luo1, Jiguang Tang2, Douzhong Zhang1,2, Junjun Shen1   

  1. 1. Hubei Cooperative Innovation Center of Unconventional Oil and Gas, Yangtze University, Wuhan, Hubei 430100, China
    2. College of Geosciences, Yangtze University, Wuhan, Hubei 430100, China
  • Received:2019-11-25 Online:2020-10-28 Published:2020-10-22
  • Contact: Kongquan Chen E-mail:2766052886@qq.com;30760410@qq.com

Abstract:

Exploration activities show that the Qiyueshan Fault at the southeast margin of the Sichuan Basin is behind the significant differences in shale gas accumulations on both sides of the basin margin.Based on the latest seismic data and regional geological data, this study applied fault-related fold theories to a systematic discussion on the structural deformation features of the Qiyueshan Fault, particularly the fault's geometry, formation and evolution, and influence on the preservation of shale gas.The results show that the laterally S-shaped Qiyueshan Fault is composed of several discontinuous sub-faults in a right-stepping en echelon arrangement from the left to the north, and a left-stepping en echelon arrangement from the right to the south.The Qiyueshan Fault served to control the formation of two transition zones on the west side (the anticline and slope), and facilitated the development of two structural deformation patterns, namely the "basement thrust→fault-related folds→decollement", and "basement thrust→decollement".In addition, the throw of the Qiyueshan Fault gradually decreases from Jiaoshiba to Gulin.The fault took shape during the transition from trough-like folds to comb folds triggered by the uplift of the main detachment zone in the Late Jurassic.A later transformation by the central Guizhou block in the Late Cretaceous and the differential uplift at the end of Neogene helped the fault to take the present shape.Controlled by the Qiyueshan Fault, the preservation conditions in the severely deformed fold belt on the east side are so poor that only some gentle and broad synclines contain some normal pressure shale gas reservoirs.However, four anticlines, formed by the uplift of layers of interest due to detachment of the basement branch faults on the west side, are potential exploration targets with their moderate burial depths and gradually improving preservation conditions from south to north.

Key words: differential structural deformation, shale gas, preservation condition, transform fault, Qiyueshan Fault, Sichuan Basin

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