Controls of Deep-Seated Faults and Folds on Hydrocarbon Fluid Migration and Accumulation in Sedimentary Basins: A Case Study from the Northwestern Sichuan Basin, China

Deep-seated faults and folds of foreland basin systems have become important exploration targets in the recent years because they are crucial in controlling fluid migration and hydrocarbon accumulation. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics and formation history of these structures in the n...

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Main Authors: Xi Wang, Yin Liu, Jian Cao, Yiduo Liu, Bing Luo, Kongyou Wu, Zheng Shi, Hongbin Kang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Geofluids
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5371021
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author Xi Wang
Yin Liu
Jian Cao
Yiduo Liu
Bing Luo
Kongyou Wu
Zheng Shi
Hongbin Kang
author_facet Xi Wang
Yin Liu
Jian Cao
Yiduo Liu
Bing Luo
Kongyou Wu
Zheng Shi
Hongbin Kang
author_sort Xi Wang
collection DOAJ
description Deep-seated faults and folds of foreland basin systems have become important exploration targets in the recent years because they are crucial in controlling fluid migration and hydrocarbon accumulation. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics and formation history of these structures in the northwestern Sichuan Basin using recently acquired two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) seismic data. The seismic interpretation revealed that the thrust sheets, tectonic wedges, and foredeep were well developed in the northwestern Sichuan Basin from the mountain to the basin. Forward thrusts, fault-bend folds, and wedges are the main types of structures in the thrust sheets and tectonic wedges. The deep-seated faults and folds were easily recognized in the high-resolution 3D seismic data. The imbricate thrust faults that merged into detachment layers of the Lower Cambrian are the main types of structures in the foredeep, and they show a prominent strike-slip influence in the horizontal direction. The formation of these structures in the foredeep in the northwestern Sichuan Basin mainly endured two stages of thrusting, including those during the Middle-to-Late Triassic and Cenozoic. Based on the tectonic evolution and seismic data, we infer that these deep-seated faults and folds in the foredeep may have formed earlier than the northern Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belts and they may have been initially active in the late of Early Triassic and reactive during the Cenozoic. Furthermore, evaporites in the Lower and Middle Triassic were crucial in forming these structures. The petroleum exploration data suggested that the deep-seated faults can facilitate hydrocarbon accumulation. The thrust faults in the foredeep were more likely to act as migration pathways for fluids instead of sealing barriers along the horizontal direction. The interconnected reservoirs of deep-seated folds possess a great potential to allow large-scale hydrocarbon accumulation. Our study provides a good example for evaluating the hydrocarbon exploration potential in the deeply buried area in the sedimentary basin.
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spelling doaj-art-a7d6c6fd1b3c4a649b7f477700bfcff62025-08-20T03:38:49ZengWileyGeofluids1468-81232021-01-01202110.1155/2021/5371021Controls of Deep-Seated Faults and Folds on Hydrocarbon Fluid Migration and Accumulation in Sedimentary Basins: A Case Study from the Northwestern Sichuan Basin, ChinaXi Wang0Yin Liu1Jian Cao2Yiduo Liu3Bing Luo4Kongyou Wu5Zheng Shi6Hongbin Kang7State Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits ResearchShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Oil & GasState Key Laboratory for Mineral Deposits ResearchDepartment of Earth and Atmospheric SciencesExploration and Development Research InstituteShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Oil & GasCollege of Resources and Environmental EngineeringShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Deep Oil & GasDeep-seated faults and folds of foreland basin systems have become important exploration targets in the recent years because they are crucial in controlling fluid migration and hydrocarbon accumulation. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics and formation history of these structures in the northwestern Sichuan Basin using recently acquired two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) seismic data. The seismic interpretation revealed that the thrust sheets, tectonic wedges, and foredeep were well developed in the northwestern Sichuan Basin from the mountain to the basin. Forward thrusts, fault-bend folds, and wedges are the main types of structures in the thrust sheets and tectonic wedges. The deep-seated faults and folds were easily recognized in the high-resolution 3D seismic data. The imbricate thrust faults that merged into detachment layers of the Lower Cambrian are the main types of structures in the foredeep, and they show a prominent strike-slip influence in the horizontal direction. The formation of these structures in the foredeep in the northwestern Sichuan Basin mainly endured two stages of thrusting, including those during the Middle-to-Late Triassic and Cenozoic. Based on the tectonic evolution and seismic data, we infer that these deep-seated faults and folds in the foredeep may have formed earlier than the northern Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belts and they may have been initially active in the late of Early Triassic and reactive during the Cenozoic. Furthermore, evaporites in the Lower and Middle Triassic were crucial in forming these structures. The petroleum exploration data suggested that the deep-seated faults can facilitate hydrocarbon accumulation. The thrust faults in the foredeep were more likely to act as migration pathways for fluids instead of sealing barriers along the horizontal direction. The interconnected reservoirs of deep-seated folds possess a great potential to allow large-scale hydrocarbon accumulation. Our study provides a good example for evaluating the hydrocarbon exploration potential in the deeply buried area in the sedimentary basin.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5371021
spellingShingle Xi Wang
Yin Liu
Jian Cao
Yiduo Liu
Bing Luo
Kongyou Wu
Zheng Shi
Hongbin Kang
Controls of Deep-Seated Faults and Folds on Hydrocarbon Fluid Migration and Accumulation in Sedimentary Basins: A Case Study from the Northwestern Sichuan Basin, China
Geofluids
title Controls of Deep-Seated Faults and Folds on Hydrocarbon Fluid Migration and Accumulation in Sedimentary Basins: A Case Study from the Northwestern Sichuan Basin, China
title_full Controls of Deep-Seated Faults and Folds on Hydrocarbon Fluid Migration and Accumulation in Sedimentary Basins: A Case Study from the Northwestern Sichuan Basin, China
title_fullStr Controls of Deep-Seated Faults and Folds on Hydrocarbon Fluid Migration and Accumulation in Sedimentary Basins: A Case Study from the Northwestern Sichuan Basin, China
title_full_unstemmed Controls of Deep-Seated Faults and Folds on Hydrocarbon Fluid Migration and Accumulation in Sedimentary Basins: A Case Study from the Northwestern Sichuan Basin, China
title_short Controls of Deep-Seated Faults and Folds on Hydrocarbon Fluid Migration and Accumulation in Sedimentary Basins: A Case Study from the Northwestern Sichuan Basin, China
title_sort controls of deep seated faults and folds on hydrocarbon fluid migration and accumulation in sedimentary basins a case study from the northwestern sichuan basin china
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5371021
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