Abstract
Abstract The analysis of structural deformation characteristics in the Lower Yangtze area of South China is of great significance to petroleum exploration and development in this area. Based on the geological and geophysical data, the structural deformation characteristics of the Lower Yangtze area are systematically discussed. Structural physical simulation experiments are further conducted to model the typical structural deformation systems and to discuss their dynamic mechanism. The results show that the hedging system is characterized by “asymmetric opposite hedging in the south and north” of the study area. The structural deformation on the northwest of the hedging system mainly occurred in the Middle-Late Triassic and was controlled by southeaster compression in the Indo-Chinese Period. The deformation of southeastern side of the hedging system mainly occurred in Middle-Late Jurassic and was controlled by northwester strong compression in the early period of the Yanshanian Movement. According to the development and evolution sequence of the hedging structure system in the Lower Yangtze area, Wuxi area has weak structural deformation and has not undergone intensive transformation in later periods. Also, the other factors of petroleum accumulation, including the source rock, reservoir, and sealing conditions, are superior, which make a potential area for exploration.
Highlights
The Lower Yangtze area is an important part of the Eastern Yangtze paraplatform
With well source rock conditions, the Lower Yangtze area is considered to be a potential area for petroleum exploration
Many studies have focused on the tectonic framework and evolution of the Lower Yangtze area and showed that north margin of the area had undergone three stages of evolution: passive continental margin, transformation from marine foreland basin to continental foreland basin, and intracontinental foreland basin
Summary
The Lower Yangtze area is an important part of the Eastern Yangtze paraplatform. Affected by multiphasic tectonic events such as the movement of the North China Plate, South China Plate, and Pacific Plate, it has been a hot subject for tectonics studies [1,2,3,4]. The multi-stage structural movement occurred and strongly transforms primary oil and gas reservoir and the complexity of hydrocarbon accumulation in marine Mesozoic and Paleozoic [5,6]. The Mesozoic and Paleozoic strata in the basins of this area were rich in shale gases [7,8,9]. It is still controversial about the formation time of the thrust nappe zone and the hedge zone and deformation mechanisms within the plates, and the comprehensive research on this subject is needed. With the aforementioned analysis of tectonic setting, we try to provide a strong basis for petroleum exploration in the Lower Yangtze area
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