Influence of preexisting structures on salt structures in the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, Western China: Insights from seismic data and numerical simulations
2
Citation
71
Reference
10
Related Paper
Citation Trend
Abstract:
Abstract The preexisting structures that developed in the basement and subsalt strata play a key role in the salt structural deformation in the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin. The characteristics of preexisting structures and their controls on the salt structure are investigated via the latest three‐dimensional seismic data and numerical modelling. The results show that the preexisting structures that developed in the Kuqa Depression mainly consist of basement faults, palaeouplifts, subsalt slopes and early passive salt diapirs. Basement faults are mainly distributed in the Kelasu and Qiulitag structural belts and control the position of development and deformation style of the Miocene compressive salt structure. The differences in styles and reactivation degrees of basement faults lead to great diversity in the salt structure. The palaeouplifts mainly include the Wensu, western Qiulitag, Xinhe and Yaha‐Luntai palaeouplifts. The original sedimentary range and later deformation space of the salt layer are limited by the palaeouplift, resulting in strong salt thrusting in the Awate sag in the western part of the Kuqa Depression. The heterogeneous spatial distribution of the palaeouplift promoted the development of regional strike‐slip transform belts. Subsalt slopes are located mainly on the northern edge of the western Qiulitag low uplift and block the southward flow of the salt, causing the salt to form salt domes; the size of these domes is closely related to the subsalt slope. Early passive salt diapirs mainly developed in the Quele and Bozidun areas of the western Kuqa Depression, and they were preferentially active during the compression period, inducing the formation of a piercement salt nappe. Numerical modelling revealed that the preexisting structure strongly controlled the stress–strain distribution during the deformation of the salt structure. The spatial distribution heterogeneity of the basement structure is an important factor in the structural zonation along the north–south strike and segmentation along the west–east strike in the Kuqa Depression, as well as an important inducer of the piercement salt structure.Keywords:
Tarim basin
Gemology
Palaeogeography
Gisela Viegas, Adam Baig, Wade Coulter and Ted Urbancic show how enhancing a seismic network with high-sensitivity low-frequency accelerometers make it possible to correctly extend the recording range from –Mw3 to +Mw3 and properly assess the behaviour of reservoir-induced seismicity.
Igneous petrology
Passive seismic
Environmental geology
Geobiology
Gemology
Economic geology
Microseism
Geophone
Glaciology
Cite
Citations (18)
Lucy MacGregor1 and Richard Cooper suggest that for marine controlled source electromagnetic survey methods to achieve more general adoption in the E&P industry, the applications need to be refocused with more emphasis on prospect appraisal and reservoir monitoring rather than exploration.
Economic geology
Environmental geology
Geobiology
Gemology
Palaeogeography
Igneous petrology
Value (mathematics)
Glaciology
Cite
Citations (3)
John Brittan, Dan Whitmore, Shaoping Lu, Alejandro Valenciano and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl show that the separating of wavefields made possible by dual-sensor streamers can provide additional information to improve imaging of complex geological settings.
Environmental geology
Economic geology
Gemology
Igneous petrology
Geobiology
Palaeogeography
Cite
Citations (2)
The Permian Basin is the main target of exploration in western Poland. Porous Rotliegendes sandstone and two Zechstein carbonate formations are the most important reservoirs. Every depositional system includes different lithofacies, and interrelations create patterns of trap/reservoir and sealing horizons. Combination traps, with both structural and facial elements involved in their closure, create a comparatively high risk for exploration. Palaeogeographic analysis based on 3D seismic data presents opportunities for improved interpretation leading to a significant reduction of risk in exploration and development drilling. There is no direct information in 3D seismic data, but they allow us to reproduce the palaeogeography and successive stages of structural redevelopment by means of flattened seismic sections and construction of the corresponding maps, i.e. pseudo-palaeogeographical maps.
Palaeogeography
Environmental geology
Gemology
Economic geology
Tarim basin
Cite
Citations (2)
In the current challenging oil and gas environment it is now more important than ever to maximize return on investment. At a time when projects can face time and budget constraints, and the number of wells required to access both unconventional and conventional resources increases, improvements in the accuracy of seismic information can create significant value during the decision-making process.
Environmental geology
Economic geology
Geobiology
Gemology
Palaeogeography
Igneous petrology
Petroleum reservoir
Investment
Characterization
Cite
Citations (4)
Exhumation in the Eromanga Basin of South Australia and Queensland has been quantified using compaction methodology. All methods of estimating exhumation utilize rock properties that are affected by, and retain a memory of, burial in excess of that presently observed. The tool used for estimating the exhumation in this study is analysis of the degree of overcompaction of rock units. Since porosity describes compaction state, the sonic log, controlled strongly by the amount of porosity, is an appropriate indicator of compaction and, hence, is used for quantifying exhumation from compaction. The standard method of estimating exhumation based on the degree of overcompaction of a single shale unit has been modified, and seven units, predominantly shales ranging in age from the Cretaceous to the Jurassic, have been analysed. All units yield similar results. Burial at depth greater than currently observed is the most likely cause of overcompaction since it is unlikely that sedimentological and/or diagenetic processes are responsible for similar amounts of overcompaction in different lithologies. The results of the compaction analysis reveal that Late Cretaceous–Tertiary exhumation increases eastwards from the Patchawarra Trough, through the Gidgealpa–Merrimelia–Innamincka Trend and Nappamerri Trough into the Queensland sector of the basins. This study has major implications for hydrocarbon exploration. Predicted maturation of source rocks will be greater for any given geothermal history if exhumation is incorporated in maturation modelling. The exhumation study helps to quantify velocity anomalies associated with overcompaction. Exhumation values can also be used to improve porosity predictions of reservoir units in undrilled targets.
Geobiology
Environmental geology
Economic geology
Palaeogeography
Hydrocarbon exploration
Gemology
Igneous petrology
Glaciology
Cite
Citations (31)
Economic geology
Gemology
Environmental geology
Igneous petrology
Palaeogeography
Geobiology
Glaciology
Cite
Citations (2)
In western Kazakhstan there are several world class hydrocarbon fields, including the onshore Karachaganak Field. The geological setting is very challenging for the seismic imaging techniques where deep carbonate platform targets underlie a complex overburden including diapiric and detached salt structures. Furthermore, the extensive oil field infrastructure generates a noisy environment for seismic acquisition and reduced access for vibroseis trucks. KPO conducted an extensive integrated feasibility study for a new survey, complemented by a seismic acquisition test in 2008 which confirmed the need for dense source and receiver coverage, long offsets and wide azimuths to optimize imaging of the pre-salt targets. The survey was acquired in 2009 and survey execution exceeded local and international standards. It was the highest channel survey acquired in Kazakhstan and when fully depth image processed it will yield a high spatially sampled seismic volume, with improved resolution and structural definition. The application of the latest technology and techniques will enable better characterization of this complex carbonate reservoir, adding future value by better placement of wells and reducing overall costs for the ongoing development of the field.
Gemology
Economic geology
Environmental geology
Igneous petrology
Geobiology
Palaeogeography
Cite
Citations (0)