Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2004, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (4): 444-447,454.doi: 10.11743/ogg20040414

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Episodic expulsion of hydrocarbons in overpressured systems in Dongying depression

Chen Zhonghong, Zha Ming, Jin Qiang   

  1. University of Petroleum, Dongying, Shandong
  • Received:2004-04-16 Online:2004-08-25 Published:2012-01-16

Abstract:

Source rocks in Dongying depression are characterized by rapid and continuous deposition and large thickness, as well as high heat flow, high geotherm and high content of organic matters. Large thickness of mudstones are developed in the main source rock intervals(3rd and 4th members of Shahejie Formation). Source rocks are mainly deposited in the forms mudstone inlaid with sandstone, sandstone enclosed within mudstone and pure mudstones. As a result, overpressured systems are well developed in mature source rock intervals, and episodic expulsion becomes the fundamental mode of hydrocarbon expulsion in Dongying depression. The episodic expulsion of hydrocarbons in the overpressured systems in the depression can be classified into "tectonic episode" and "pressure episode".The mechanism of "tectonic episode" is destruction caused by tectonic activities, and hydrocarbons migrate along fault planes and tectoclase, while the mechanism of "pressure episode" is the accumulation and release of the "residual energy" in the overpressured systems, and hydrocarbons migrate along microfissures induced from fracturing. Hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency and hydrocarbon index in the overpressured systems with episodic expulsion are remarkably higher than that in the upper source rock interval, and they are remarkably lower than that in the lower source rock interval. Episodic expulsion of hydrocarbon has important significance in petroleum exploration, due to its characteristics of high energy and rapid migration.

Key words: Dongying depression, episodic hydrocarbon expulsion, overpressured system, mechanism of hydrocarbon expulsion

CLC Number: