Attenuating gradient of residual stratigraphic pressure and its controls on hydrocarbon migration and accumulation

Abstract

Abnormal stratigraphic pressure is highly significant for hydrocarbon migration and accumulation for the exploration and exploitation of exploratory fields. However, the relationship between abnormal pressure and hydrocarbon migration processes is difficult to characterize quantitatively. In this paper, a new parameter, the attenuating gradient of residual pressure (AGRP), which is defined as the variation in residual stratigraphic pressure over a unit distance in a certain direction, is introduced to characterize hydrocarbon migration forced by residual pressure and hydrocarbon accumulation influenced by fault seals in the Huimin Depression, Bohai Bay Basin. The AGRP against the geological background can be calculated by the formation pressure of the source region by equivalent depth method using well log data (sonic travel time/velocity and resistivity) formation pressure of hydrocarbon reservoirs by drill stem tests of 32 exploration wells. For the Huimin Depression, the calculation results of the third member of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation (Es3) reservoir interval show that the northern tectonic uplift belt (NTUB) and parts of the central deep sag zone (CDSZ) and southern slope belt (SSB) are characterized by stepped distributions of high AGRP values ranging from 1.2 to 2.5 MPa/km with developed faults. The other parts of the Huimin Depression are characterized by continuously distributed low AGRP values from 0.5 to 1.0 MPa/km. The AGRP is effective for characterizing and evaluating hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in structural hydrocarbon traps with AGRP values higher than 1.0 MPa/km, which indicates that these reservoirs are dominated by residual pressure as the main driving force. For these traps, oil and gas tend to migrate to the high-AGRP areas, which indicates a large driving force by residual pressure. Furthermore, the stepped distribution of the AGRP suggests a well-sealed fault and hence good preservation conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation. This study shows that the AGRP can characterize hydrocarbon migration and accumulation more precisely and hence provide guidance for petroleum exploration and exploitation, especially in rift petroliferous basins with abnormal pressure and developed faults.