Oil migration through preferential petroleum migration pathway (PPMP) and polycyclic faults: A case study from the Shijiutuo Uplift, Bohai Bay basin, China

Abstract

The Shijiutuo uplift is an oil enriched uplift in the offshore Bohai Bay Basin. Petroleum migration is a key factor for oil enrichment in Neogene reservoirs far away from the hydrocarbon kitchen. In this article, an integration of geological, geophysical and geochemical analyses are employed to investigate the petroleum migration and accumulation on the Shijiutuo uplift. Hydrocarbons in the QHD32-6 and QHD33 oilfields are mainly originated from the third (E2s3) and first (E2s1) member of the Shahejie Formation. The shallow traps have significant contributions of late-stage E2s1-derived oil. Lateral petroleum migration is a major mechanism forming large oilfields on the Shijiutuo uplift. The large oilfields have multiple hydrocarbon kitchens, multiple source rocks, and numerous preferential petroleum migration pathways (PPMPs). Once petroleum arrives at the structural highs on the Shijiutuo uplift through the Guantao Formation (N1g) carrier-beds, neotectonic faults cutting through Guantao (N1g) and Minghuazhen (N1mL) formations could serve as effective conduits for vertical petroleum migration. Neotectonic faults have experienced polycyclic fault activities. Fluid inclusions indicate episodic hydrocarbon charging. Crude oils display duplex properties of biodegradation and non-biodegradation, which is strong evidence for multiple and episodic oil charging on the Shijiutuo uplift. Finally, episodic petroleum charging along polycyclic neotectonic faults causes the late-stage E2s1-derived oils to occur in the shallow reservoirs.