Genetic mechanisms and control on hydrocarbon accumulation in transtensional structures: A case study of Gaoqing area, northern Dongying Sag, China

Abstract

Broom-shaped structures are widely seen in transtensional basins, including those discovered in many sags of the Bohai Bay Basin. Broom-shaped transtensional structural zones are generally petroliferous and thus important targets for hydrocarbon exploration. This study analyzed the evolution and genetic mechanisms of the broom-shaped transtensional structures in the Gaoqing area of the Dongying Sag using the 3D seismic flattening technique and a physical simulation experiment. Furthermore, the control effects of the broom-shaped transtensional structures on hydrocarbon accumulation and distribution were discussed. The research results are as follows. The Gaoqing area is of a broom-shaped transtensional structure in planar view, composed of several arc-shaped secondary faults intersecting with high-level main fault in the same direction. On the seismic section, it appears as a typical semi-flower-like structure. In the early stage (that is, during the deposition of the Kongdian Formation to the lower submember of the 4th member of the Shahejie Formation, Es4(L)), single-fault pattern consisting of single or multiple faults in alignment was developed under extensional stress. While with the change of structural stress (that is, during the deposition of the Es4(U) to the Es2(L)), more secondary faults were formed, and came in a pattern of broom-shaped structure together with the major fault. In the late stage (that is, during the deposition of the Es1 to the Guantao Formation), the en echelon fault pattern was formed, as the major fault broke into multiple secondary faults. The divergent end of the broom-shaped transtensional structure has many secondary faults developed, the fault planes are gentle, and small-scale fan deltas are the predominant type of deposits. The hydrocarbon tends to laterally migrate far away and accumulate mianly in structural and lithologic-structural traps. On the other hand, in the convergent end, the fault planes are relatively steep, resulting in small-scale subaqueous fans or large-scale deltas deposited along the major fault, with hydrocarbon accumulating minaly in structural-lithologic traps proximal to the provenances.