The structure, depositional style and accumulation characteristics of continental margin with diachronous breakup in the northern South China Sea

Abstract

ABSTRACT A typical diachronous breakup developed in the South China Sea (SCS); the breakup has been unequivocally identified, and gradually decreases in age from NE to SW. To illustrate the influence of a diachronous breakup on hydrocarbon accumulation, we used seismic profiles from CNOOC, and analysed crustal extension characteristics, sedimentary style and source rock accumulation. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Because of the diachronous breakup in the SCS, various tectonic units developed in different positions on the northern continental margin with different degrees of extension. The Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB) is closer to the central sea basin of the SCS and has been affected by regional tension stress for a longer time. Tectonic units of proximal domain, necking zone, and distal margin types developed, and the crust structure thinned from the land towards the sea. The Qiongdongnan Basin (QB) is closer to the Southwest Sub-basin. There are symmetrical proximal domains on the southern and northern sides of the QB, with a necking zone in the central part. It presents as an abandoned passive continental margin. (2) The PRMB exhibited rifted cells first, followed by canyon type extensional faulting and horizontal axial transportation, and then by a longitudinal shelf-slope sedimentary style. But the QB has only rifted cells and canyon type faulting stages, no longitudinal shelf-slope sedimentary stage. The major source rocks in the northern SCS become younger from east to west, and the sedimentary facies change from lacustrine facies to marine-continental transitional facies. (3) The diachronous breakup process ultimately affecting oil and gas migration and accumulation process. The PRMB is dominated by deep-water shelf break accumulation with deep-water fan reservoir bodies. The QB is dominated by canyon type accumulation with channels.