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Abstract

AAPG Bulletin, V. 105, No. 8 (August 2021), P. 1511-1533.

Copyright ©2021. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved.

DOI:10.1306/01282119044

Prediction of multiple origin overpressure in deep fold-thrust belt: A case study of Kuqa subbasin, Tarim Basin, northwestern China

Changyu Fan,1 Gang Wang,2 Zhenliang Wang,3 Xiaojie Han,4 Jie Chen,5 Kuaile Zhang,6 and Baoshou Zhang7

1State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics and Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Lacustrine Shale Gas Accumulation and Exploitation, Xi’an, China; National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Carbon Capture and Sequestration Technology, Xi’an, China; [email protected], [email protected]
2Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an, China; [email protected]
3Hydrocarbon Accumulation Branch Laboratory of State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics and Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an, China; [email protected]
4Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an, China; [email protected]
5Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an, China; [email protected]
6Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an, China; [email protected].
7Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina Tarim Oilfield Company, Korla, Xinjiang, China; [email protected].

ABSTRACT

The accurate prediction of overpressure before drilling is important for hydrocarbon exploration. It is almost impossible to directly predict the multiple origin overpressures via the existing methods that are related to anomalous porosity in a deep fold-thrust belt. Considering the Kelasu thrust belt (KTB) as an example, the compacting and loading curves in the KTB at the maximum burial period were restored. The measurements of fluid pressure obtained from drill-stem tests carried out at depth were then used to calculate the vertical effective stress offset (ΔVES) away from the restored loading curve. The unknown ΔVES was then predicted using the quantitative relationship between ΔVES, the distance from the axial surface of the fold forelimb or the distance to the thrust fault cutoff (FDIST), and the erosion thickness (ΔH). Finally, the vertical effective stress and overpressure were predicted using the predicted ΔVES, overburden stress, and loading curve. We found that mudstones formed at different rates of deposition would have different loading curves, which is a piecewise function that alternates between convex and concave functions. The convex function is more suitable for describing the loading and compaction behavior of strata with limited porosity strata (<3.5%), whereas the loading and compaction behavior of the strata with more significant porosity (>3.5%) can be better expressed by the concave function. The ΔVES induced by tectonic compression, transfer, and exhumation was found to present an inverse relationship with the FDIST but showed a positive relationship with the ΔH. Compared to Eaton’s method, the method developed in this study produces more accurate results and is, therefore, more appropriate for predicting the overpressure of intense tectonic compression, faulting, and exhumation fields in deep fold-thrust belts.

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