Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2022, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (6): 120-135.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2022.8.14

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“Hydrocarbon accumulation chain”—concept, characteristics and application

ZHAO Xianzheng1(), JIN Fengming1, PU Xiugang1, LUO Qun2, ZHOU Lihong1, JIANG Wenya1, DONG Xiongying1, SHI Zhannan1, HAN Wenzhong1, ZHANG Wei1, WANG Hu1   

  1. 1. PetroChina Dagang Oilfield Company, Tianjin 300280, China
    2. China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102200, China
  • Received:2022-07-07 Revised:2022-07-27 Online:2022-11-25 Published:2022-10-20

Abstract:

Mature basins still contain considerable oil and gas resources, but the current theory of oil and gas accumulation is increasingly inapplicable to the structurally complex, concealed reservoirs in mature basins. Inspired by the attributes of “chain”, this paper put forth the concept of “hydrocarbon accumulation chain” developed on the basis of existing theories, through a global-scale researching and comparison of hydrocarbon accumulation processes and distribution laws. A “hydrocarbon accumulation chain” refers to a series of oil and gas reservoir combinations that are closely related by formation mechanism and arranged in a specific way in space. “Hydrocarbon accumulation chain” accurately describes the pattern/process of hydrocarbon distribution/accumulation: It shows the beaded, chain-like distribution pattern of oil and gas reservoirs, and describes the process of oil/gas generation, migration, accumulation along dominant migration pathways. And, superposition of many such ‘hydrocarbon accumulation chains’ through the geological history gives rise to today's complex pattern of hydrocarbon accumulation. A complete ‘hydrocarbon accumulation chain’ contains the inner, middle and outer sections that have not only their own characteristics of but also continuity in the hydrocarbon accumulation background, condition, mechanism, enrichment law and distribution mode—and most of all, it is a compact, complete hydrocarbon generation-migration-accumulation system. The four main characteristics of “hydrocarbon accumulation chain” are source sharing by multiple chains; multiple reservoirs per chain; multi-chain network; and reservoir enrichment along dominant chains. The “hydrocarbon accumulation chain” concept has some unique practical advantages over other theories as it proposes “whole-chain thinking, entirety research, prospecting along the chain, and precision exploration”, which is of great significance for guiding exploration breakthroughs in new areas as well as maximizing the exploration potential of mature basins. This concept has been applied to the oil and gas exploration in the Jizhong-Huanghua depressions with great success.

Key words: hydrocarbon accumulation chain, connotation, characteristics, exploration practice, Jizhong Depression, Huanghua Depression

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