Home Oil & Gas Geology Article
PDF (6.7 MB)
Cite
EndNote(RIS) BibTeX
Collect
Submit Manuscript
Show Outline
Outline
Abstract
Keywords
References
Show full outline
Hide outline
Publishing Language: Chinese

Characteristics and evolution of the source-to-sink system of the Paleogene Wenchang Formation in Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin

Yangdong GAO1,2(), Guangrong PENG1,2, Xiangtao ZHANG1,2, Xudong WANG1,2, Hui SUN1,2, Taixun LIU3, Fengchun SUN3
Deepwater Development Ltd. , CNOOC，Shenzhen, Guangdong 518054, China
Shenzhen Branch of CNOOC, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518054, China
School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, Shandong 266580, China
Show Author Information

Abstract

The Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB) is a typical marginal sea basin to the east of the South China Sea. The Paleogene strata of the Baiyun Sag, a deep and large sag with well-developed Mesozoic-to-Cenozoic strata in the Zhu Ⅱ Depression of the PRMB, are the major targets for recent hydrocarbon exploration in the deep-water area. The Wenchang Formation is the hydrocarbon source rock sequence verified in exploration in the Baiyun Sag, and the provenances around the sag are also favorable for reservoir development. The quantitative characterization of the source-to-sink system, and the analysis of its characteristics and evolution of the formation provide a basis for predicting the distribution of the main hydrocarbon source rocks and large-scale sand bodies in the Baiyun Sag. A combination of zircon dating and heavy mineral analysis serves to determine the provenance system and its evolution. The types and distribution of transport channels are characterized by PSDM seismic data and palaeo-geomorphology. The characteristics of sedimentary system and sedimentary facies are depicted by well-tied seismic interpretation, while the source-channel-sink system is quantitatively coupled with the calculation results of palaeo-geomorphic relief, denudation thickness and sedimentary accumulation. The research results show that during the deposition of the Paleogene Wenchang Formation, there are four proximal provenance systems developed, that is, the Panyu low uplift, Yunli low uplift, Yundong low salient and Yunkai low salient, resulting in four complete suites of "source-channel-sink” systems with fault-related ditches and ravines as channels. The source-to-sink system tends to undergo significant changes in different sedimentary periods. Under the effect of differential provenances in different periods, near-provenance braided river delta and fan delta deposits of small-scale lacustrine facies are developed in the Wenchang Formation of the Baiyun Sag as controlled by paleo-grooves and large-scale tectonic transition zones. The deposits of shore-shallow lake facies are widely developed in the 5th, 4th and 3rd members of the Wenchang Formation under the control of the source-to-sink system of the Baiyun Sag. While the occurrence of semi-deep to deep lake facies is sparsely seen in the 5th member of the Wenchang Formation, and seen in the central of the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd members, which provide a basis for predicting the distribution of the main hydrocarbon source rocks. Under the control of wide and gentle rift structure and large provenances, the braided river delta of sand-rich sedimentary system is developed on the north slope of Baiyun Sag that controls the planar distribution of large-scale sand bodies; the braided river deltas and fan deltas in the east of the Baiyun Sag are small in scale with sand bodies of favorable facies widely seen.

Keywords

quantitative characterizationdistribution predictionlarge-scale sand bodiesmain hydrocarbon source rockssource-to-sink systemPalaeogeneBaiyun SagPearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB)
CLC number: TE121.3 Document code: A Article ID: 0253-9985(2023)03-0584-16

References

[1]

XU Changgui, DU Xiaofeng, XU Wei, et al. New advances of the "source-to-sink” system research in sedimentary basin[J]. Oil & Gas Geology, 2017, 38(1): 1-11.

Crossref Google Scholar
[2]
XU Changgui, DU Xiaofeng, ZHU Hongtao. Principle and application of sand control in source to sink system in continental rift basin[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2020: 1-5.
[3]

CAO Yingchang, XU Qisong, WANG Jian. Progress in "source-to-sink” system research[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2018, 25(4): 116-131.

Google Scholar
[4]

ZHU Hongtao, XU Changgui, ZHU Xiaomin, et al. Advances of the source to sink units and coupling model research in continental basin[J]. Earth Science, 2017, 42(11): 1851-1870.

Google Scholar
[5]

PENG Guangrong, DU Xiaodong, JIANG Suhua, et al. Source rock evaluation based on paleotopographic and source-to-sink analysis: An example of the Yangjiang Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2022, 29(5): 188-202.

Google Scholar
[6]

DU Jiayuan, ZHANG Xiangtao, LIU Pei, et al. Classification of Paleogene source-to-sink system and its petroleum geological significance in Zhuyi Depression of Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Earth Science, 2021, 46(10): 3690-3706.

Google Scholar
[7]

GONG Chenglin, QI Kun, XU Jie, et al. Process-product linkages and feedback mechanisms of deepwater source-to-sink responses to multi-scale climate changes[J]. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 2021, 39(1): 231-252.

Google Scholar
[8]
ZENG Zhiwei. Source-to-sink (S2S) system analysis of the Paleogene in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea[D]. Wuhan: China University of Geosciences, 2020.
[9]

JIANG Zaixing. Studies of depositional systems and sequence stratigraphy: The present and the future[J]. Oil & Gas Geology, 2010, 31(5): 535-541.

Google Scholar
[10]

XU Changgui. Controlling sand principle of source-sink coupling in time and space in continental rift basins: Basic idea, conceptual systems and controlling sand models[J]. China Offshore Oil and Gas, 2013, 25(4): 1-11, 21.

Google Scholar
[11]

ZHU Hongtao, YANG Xianghua, ZHOU Xinhuai, et al. Sediment transport pathway characteristics of continental lacustrine basins based on 3-D seismic data: An example from Dongying Formation of western slope of Bozhong Sag[J]. Earth Science (Journal of China University of Geosciences), 2013, 38(1): 121-129.

Crossref Google Scholar
[12]

LIN Changsong, XIA Qinglong, SHI Hesheng, et al. Geomorphological evolution, source to sink system and basin analysis[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2015, 22(1): 9-20.

Google Scholar
[13]

LIU Qianghu, ZHU Hongtao, SHU Yu, et al. Provenance systems and their control on the beach-bar of Paleogene Enping Formation, Enping Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 2015, 36(3): 286-299.

Google Scholar
[14]

LIU Qianghu, ZHU Xiaomin, LI Shunli, et al. Pre-Paleogene bedrock distribution and source-to-sink system analysis in the Shaleitian uplift[J]. Earth Science, 2016, 41(11): 1935-1949.

Google Scholar
[15]
LIU Qianghu. "Source-to-sink” system coupling analysis of the Paleogene, Shaleitian uplift, Bohai Bay Basin, China[D]. Beijing: China University of Petroleum (Beijing), 2016.
[16]

XU Changgui. Genetic types of Paleogene slope-break zones and their controls on depositional system in Bohai offshore[J]. China Offshore Oil and Gas, 2006, 18(6): 365-371.

Crossref Google Scholar
[17]

ZHU Xiaomin, KANG An, WANG Guiwen. Sequence stratigraphic models of depression and faulted-down lake basins[J]. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 2003, 21(2): 283-287.

Crossref Google Scholar
[18]
XIAO Fan. Characteristics of transport pathways in component units of source to sink systems and quantitative prediction on sedimentary bodies under its control[D]. Wuhan: China University of Geosciences, 2017.
[19]
ZENG Zhiwei. Source-to-sink systems analysis of the Paleogene Enping Formation, Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin[D]. Wuhan: China University of Geosciences, 2016.
[20]

CARTER L, ORPIN A R, KUEHL S A. From mountain source to ocean sink-the passage of sediment across an active margin, Waipaoa Sedimentary System, New Zealand[J]. Marine Geology, 2010, 270(1/4): 1-10.

Crossref Google Scholar
[21]

LIU Qianghu, ZHU Hongtao, SHU Yu, et al. Provenance identification and sedimentary analysis of the beach and bar systems in the Palaeogene of the Enping Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea[J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2016, 70: 251-272.

Crossref Google Scholar
[22]

HOU Yuanli, SHAO Lei, QIAO Peijun, et al. Provenance of the Eocene-Miocene sediments in the Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2020, 40(2): 19-28.

Google Scholar
[23]

GAO Yangdong, ZHANG Xiangtao, ZHANG Lili, et al. Geological characteristics and tectonic settings of Mesozoic continental margin magmatic arc in Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Earth Science, 2022, 47(7): 2317-2327.

Google Scholar
[24]

LIU Baojun, PANG Xiong, XIE Shiwen, et al. Control effect of crust-mantle detachment fault activity on deep large delta sedimentary system in Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Earth Science, 2022, 47(7): 2354-2373.

Google Scholar
[25]

ZHENG Jinyun, GAO Yangdong, ZHANG Xiangtao, et al. Tectonic evolution cycles and Cenozoic sedimentary environment changes in Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Earth Science, 2022, 47(7): 2374-2390.

Google Scholar
[26]

CUI Yuchi, CAO Licheng, QIAO Peijun, et al. Provenance evolution of Paleogene sequence (northern South China Sea) based on detrital zircon U-Pb dating analysis[J]. Earth Science, 2018, 43(11): 4169-4179.

Google Scholar
[27]

PANG Xiong, REN Jianye, ZHENG Jinyun, et al. Petroleum geology controlled by extensive detachment thinning of continental margin crust: A case study of Baiyun Sag in the deep-water area of northern South China Sea[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2018, 45(1): 27-39.

Crossref Google Scholar
[28]

WEN Jing, ZHAO Jingzhou, LI Jun, et al. Characteristics of Mid-Deep Paleogene sandstone reservoirs in Baiyun Sag and controlling effect of dissolution on high-quality reservoirs[J]. Special Oil & Gas Reserviors, 2022, 29(6): 47-55.

Crossref Google Scholar
[29]

SHAO Lei, MENG Xiaojie, ZHANG Gongcheng, et al. Feature of faults system and its influence on tectonic and sedimentary history of Baiyun Sag[J]. Journal of Tongji University (Natural Science), 2013, 41(9): 1435-1441.

Google Scholar
[30]

LIU Baojun, PANG Xiong, YAN Chengzhi, et al. An analysis of depositional evolution and its controls in Baiyun deep-water area, Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. China Offshore Oil and Gas, 2011, 23(1): 19-25.

Crossref Google Scholar
[31]

MI Lijun, ZHANG Gongcheng, SHEN Huailei, et al. Eocene-Lower Oligocene sedimentation characteristics of Baiyun Sag in the deep water area of Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 2008, 29(1): 29-34.

Crossref Google Scholar
[32]

MI Lijun, LIU Baojun, HE Min, et al. Petroleum geology characteristics and exploration direction in Baiyun deep water area, northern continental margin of the South China Sea[J]. China Offshore Oil and Gas, 2016, 28(2): 10-22.

Google Scholar
[33]

WU Yuxiang, LIU Baojun, ZHANG Chunsheng, et al. Flume simulation of response of deltaic sedimentary process to Paleogene flexural gentle slope belt in Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea[J]. Petroleum Geology and Experiment, 2022, 44(3): 476-486.

Google Scholar
[34]

DAI Xiangming, LI Zhigang, WANG Weitao, et al. The tectonic deformation characteristics of the pearl river mouth basin and tectonic-sedimentary forward modeling of the Baiyun Sag[J]. Geotectonica et Metallogenia, 2022, 46(3): 517-529.

Google Scholar
[35]

GE Jiawang, ZHU Xiaomin, ZHANG Xiangtao, et al. Tectono-sedimentation model of the Eocene Wenchang Formation in the Lufeng Depression, Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Journal of China University of Mining & Technology, 2018, 47(2): 308-322.

Google Scholar
[36]

PANG Xiong, ZHENG Jinyun, REN Jianye, et al. Structural evolution and magmatism of fault depression in Baiyun Sag, northern margin of South China Sea[J]. Earth Science, 2022, 47(7): 2303-2316.

Google Scholar
[37]

WANG Jiahao, PANG Xiong, LIU Baojun, et al. The Baiyun and Liwan sags: Two supradetachment basins on the passive continental margin of the northern South China Sea[J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2018, 95: 206-218.

Crossref Google Scholar
[38]

YE Qing, MEI Lianfu, SHI Hesheng, et al. The Late Cretaceous tectonic evolution of the South China Sea area: An overview, and new perspectives from 3D seismic reflection data[J]. Earth-Science Reviews, 2018, 187: 186-204.

Crossref Google Scholar
[39]

WU Wei, BAI Xiaojing, LIU Weiqing, et al. Characteristics of sedimentary reservoirs trace fossils and sedimentary evolution in the Lower Zhujiang Formation on north slope of Baiyun Sag[J]. Journal of China University of Petroleum (Edition of Natural Science), 2023, 47(1): 12-24.

Google Scholar
[40]

DAI Zong, ZHANG Qingqing, HENG Liqun, et al. Sequence stratigraphy and sand body development model of Zhujiang Formation in Panyu 4 Subsag, Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Journal of China University of Petroleum (Edition of Natural Science), 2021, 45(1): 12-22.

Crossref Google Scholar
[41]

YUAN Liping, JIANG Wenmin, LI Yun, et al. A comparison of geochemical features of source rocks of Eocene Wenchang Formation in the deep and shallow water zones of Pearl River Mouth Basin, SE China[J]. Petroleum Geology and Experiment, 2022, 44(5): 866-876.

Google Scholar
[42]

SUN Hui, FAN Guozhang, SHAO Dali, et al. Depositional characteristics of locally restricted channel complex in deep water and its influence on reservoir properties: A case study of the Eocene series, Rovuma Basin[J]. Oil & Gas Geology, 2021, 42(6): 1440-1450.

Google Scholar
[43]

CHEN Weitao, XU Shaohua, SUN Zhen, et al. Application of standardized sequence stratigraphy theory in the shelf break-to-slope area: A case study of the Middle Miocene sedimentary sequence in the PRMB[J]. Oil & Gas Geology, 2021, 42(6): 1414-1422.

Google Scholar
[44]

ZHAO Meng, SHAO Lei, QIAO Peijun. Characteristics of detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology of the Pearl River sands and its implication on provenances[J]. Journal of Tongji University (Natural Science), 2015, 43(6): 915-923.

Google Scholar
[45]

CAO Yingchang, SONG Ling, WANG Jian, et al. Application of heavy mineral data in the analysis of sediment source: A case study in the Paleogene lower submember of the third member of the Liushagang Formation, Weixinan Depression[J]. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 2011, 29(5): 835-841.

Google Scholar
[46]

JIA Langbo, JI Youliang, ZHONG Dakang, et al. Depositional filling model of the Eocene Wenchang Formation in rift stage of L Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin[J]. Journal of Palaeogeography, 2017, 19(3): 525-540.

Google Scholar
[47]

LI Jinbu, WANG Jiping, WANG Long, et al. Paleogeomorphologic restoration and its controlling effect on deposition of delta-front sand bodies: A case study of Shan 13 sub-member of the Permian Shanxi Formation, Qingyang gas field, Ordos Basin[J]. Oil & Gas Geology, 2021, 42(5): 1136-1145, 1158.

Google Scholar
Oil & Gas Geology
Volume 44 Issue 3,
June 2023
Pages 584-599
DOI: 10.11743/ogg20230305
Cite this article:
GAO Y, PENG G, ZHANG X, et al. Characteristics and evolution of the source-to-sink system of the Paleogene Wenchang Formation in Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin. Oil & Gas Geology, 2023, 44(3): 584-599. https://doi.org/10.11743/ogg20230305
Metrics & Citations  
Article History
Copyright
Return