The delta-fluvial evolution of a lacustrine basin with gentle slope and low sedimentation rate: A case study of the Fudong Slope, Junggar Basin, Northwest China

Abstract

Gentle slope belts of lacustrine basins are important areas for the generation of stratigraphic petroleum reservoirs controlled by sedimentary systems. Based on coring, well logging, 3D seismic and analytical test data, the sedimentary system and sandbody distribution characteristics of the Jurassic Toutunhe Formation (J2t) in the Fudong slope of the Junggar Basin were analysed. The results indicated that the Fudong slope showed the characteristics of low sediment input. Sediments mainly originated from the Shaqi uplift, and the sediment input gradually weakened from the early to the late J2t stages. The sedimentary system evolved from a delta to a meandering river, resulting in a delta front facies in the 1st member (J2t1) and a meandering river facies in the 2nd (J2t2) and 3rd (J2t3) members of the Toutunhe Formation. A sedimentary evolution pattern for the gentle slope with low sediment input was established. Thick deltaic sandbodies developed locally in the J2t1 stage. However, meandering rivers with high sinuosities predominantly developed and resulted in a striped geometry in the J2t2 and J2t3 members. Moreover, the meandering sandbodies exhibited an anastomosing morphology after multistage superposition. The channel and point bar facies in J2t2 were more developed than those in J2t3 because of sediment input differences. Under low-sediment input conditions, the sedimentary environment of the gentle slope belt in the lacustrine basin was controlled by changes in the palaeoclimate, palaeogeomorphology, gradient (slope) and base level. Palaeoclimate was the main factor controlling the evolution of the sedimentary environment. Palaeogeomorphology and slope controlled the distribution of sedimentary microfacies, channel sinuosity and sandbodies. Base-level change restricted the sandbody superimposition style. Under the low sediment input conditions of the Fudong slope, the subaqueous distributary channels of the delta environment and the point bars of the meandering river environment in the transitional belt of the Fudong slope are the main potential targets for stratigraphic petroleum reservoirs, whilst the 2nd member of the Toutunhe Formation (J2t2) is the main favourable interval for stratigraphic reservoir exploration.