Distribution and exploration direction of medium- and large-sized marine carbonate gas fields in Sichuan Basin, SW China

Abstract Based on the analysis of the basic characteristics of medium- and large-sized marine gas fields in Sichuan Basin, combined with the division of major reservoir forming geological units in the marine craton stage and their control on key hydrocarbon accumulation factors, the distribution law of medium- and large-sized marine carbonate gas fields in the basin was examined and the exploration direction was pointed out. Through the analysis of the periodic stretching-uplifting background, it is concluded that five large scale paleo-rifts, three large scale paleo-uplifts, five large scale paleo erosion surfaces were formed in the marine craton stage of Sichuan Basin, and these geological units control the key reservoir forming factors of medium and large sized gas fields: (1) Large-scale paleo-rifts control the distribution of high-quality hydrocarbon generation centers. (2) The margin of large-scale paleo-rifts, high position of paleo-uplifts and paleo erosion surfaces control the distribution of high-quality reservoirs. (3) Large-scale paleo-rifts, paleo-uplifts, paleo erosion surfaces and present tectonic setting jointly control the formation of many types of large and medium-sized traps. (4) Natural gas accumulation is controlled by the inheritance evolution of traps in large geological units. Based on the comparative analysis of the distribution characteristics of medium- and large-sized gas fields and large geological units, it is proposed that the superimposition relationship between single or multiple geological units and the present structure controls the distribution of medium- and large-sized gas fields, and the “three paleo” superimposed area is the most advantageous. According to the above rules, the main exploration fields and directions of medium- and large-sized marine carbonate gas fields in Sichuan Basin include periphery of Deyang-Anyue paleo-rift, eastern margin of Longmenshan paleo-rift, margins of Kaijiang-Liangping oceanic trough and Chengkou-western Hubei oceanic trough, the high part of the subaqueous paleo-uplifts around Central Sichuan, paleo erosion surfaces of the top boundary of Maokou Formation in eastern and southern Sichuan Basin, paleo erosion surfaces of the top boundary of the Leikoupo Formation in central and western Sichuan Basin.