China Petroleum Exploration ›› 2016, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (1): 15-27.

• PETROLEUM GEOLOGY • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Discussion on the theories of the hydrocarbon formation and distribution of the deep-seated marine carbonates in the Sichuan superposed basin, China

Liu Shugen1, Sun Wei1, Zhong Yong2, Tian Yanhong1, Wu Juan1, Wang Guozhi1, Song Jinmin1, Deng Bin1, Ran Bo1, Li Zhiwu1   

  1. 1 State key laboratory of oil and gas reservoir geology and exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology
    2 Sichuan geophysical company of CNPC Chuanqing drilling engineering company limited
  • Online:2016-01-07 Published:2016-01-15

Abstract: In this paper, a comprehensive geology-geophysics-geochemistry research method was used to reveal the theories of oil and gas formation and distribution in deep marine carbonates in Sichuan superimposed basin under the effect of (ancient) deep burial depth and longterm (multi-phase) structural difference with multi-stage structural evolution and multi-phase reservoir formation process in superimposed basins as the main research line. And two theories were proposed on the formation of marine oil and gas in deep zones in the Sichuan superimposed basin and they are the four-center coupling reservoir formation theory and the three-level three-element joint control theory. It is indicated that the formation of gas reservoirs is controlled by the coupling relationship of four hydrocarbon centers (hydrocarbon generating center, gas generating center, gas storage center and gas retention center) under the effect of multi-phase tectonism, and the ultimate distribution of oil and gas is dominated by the spatial distribution relationship of three centers (gas generating center, gas storage center and gas retention center). Oil and gas distribution is controlled in terms of basic conditions and exploration prospects by three basin-scale (the first level) factors (developed source rocks, highly matured organic and high-quality sealing conditions). The favorable hydrocarbon distribution zones are jointly controlled by three play-scale (the second level) factors (intracratonic sags, paleo-uplifts and basin-orogenic belt systems). And the distribution of large-scale gas fields is dominated by three trap-scale or reservoir-scale (the third level) factors (trap closure, seal strength and hydrocarbon infilling richness). Both four-center coupling reservoir formation theory and three-level three-element joint control theory are significant for the exploration and development of deep gas in Sichuan superimposed basin and other superimposed basins in China.

Key words: superimposed basin, deep zone, carbonates, superimposed basin, deep zone, carbonates, marine oil and gas, formation, distribution, marine oil and gas, formation, distribution