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Abstract

AAPG Bulletin, V. 107, No. 7 (July 2023), P. 1017-1036.

Copyright ©2023. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1306/10242221067

Heterogeneity in siliciclastic carrier beds: Implications for hydrocarbon migration and accumulation

Xiaorong Luo,1 Liqiang Zhang,2 Likuan Zhang,3 Yuhong Lei,4 Jun Li,5 Wan Yang,6 Ming Cheng,7 Hui Shi,8 and Binfeng Cao9

1Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
2Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; [email protected]
3School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, China; [email protected]
4Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; [email protected]
5Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; [email protected]
6School of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China; [email protected]
7Geology and Geophysics Program, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri; [email protected]
8Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; [email protected]
9Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China; [email protected]
10Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi’an, China; [email protected]

Abstract

The heterogeneity of siliciclastic carrier beds is characterized by the compartmentalization of low permeability interbeds. A geologic and fluid dynamic model of siliciclastic carrier beds with architectural heterogeneity was constructed to numerically simulate and analyze the characteristics of oil and gas migration and accumulation. The formation and distribution of hydrocarbon migration pathways and eventual accumulations are strongly heterogeneous, forming a pattern that is significantly different from those in macroscopically homogeneous models. In carrier beds with architectural heterogeneity, hydrocarbons generally migrate upward and in the updip direction. However, the vertical migration pathways are commonly blocked and deviated by low-permeability barriers, so that lateral migration pathways and local accumulations can occur in any part of the carrier beds. The updip structural traps are still the favorable target of migration, but hydrocarbons can accumulate anywhere as small pools along the pathways from the source to trap. Although the volume of individual pools is small, the pools are numerous and widely distributed. Thus, the total amount of accumulation can be much greater than that in the structural trap. The simulation results of hydrocarbon migration pathways and accumulation in architecturally heterogeneous carrier beds improve our understanding of the hydrocarbon migration and accumulation processes and shed new light on the relationship between reservoir, seal, and trap. The spectrum of exploration targets should be expanded to include those along migration pathways.

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