The mud volcanoes of Pakistan

Marine-geologic investigations on the Arabian Sea by Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR) in 1995 and 1998, and land expeditions in 1998 and 1999 to the coastal regions of the Makran Desert/Pakistan have extended the knowledge of the aerial distribution of mud volcanoes. These structures rise from under-compacted formations within the regional accretionary prism, which is built by the subduction of the oceanic crust of the Arabian Sea and its km-thick sedimentary load. The occurrence of mud volcanoes is limited to the abyssal plain near the accretionary front, to the coastal region of the Makran Desert and to a region in the interior of the Desert to the south to southeast of the so-called Hinglay Synform. The location of mud volcanoes in Pakistan is clearly tied to fault systems. Mud volcanoes are conspicuously absent on the lower slope of the accretionary prism, where thick gas hydrate layers have developed. The presence of large gas plumes emerging from the seafloor landward of the gas hydrate stability zone at water depths of less than 800 m points to a redirection of fluids from depth, which might explain the absence of mud volcanoes along the lower slope.     

The formation mechanism of mud diapirs and gas chimneys and their relationship with natural gas hydrates: insights from the deep-water area of Qiongdongnan Basin,northern South China Sea

ABSTRACT

Mud diapirs and gas chimneys are widely developed in continental slope areas, which can provide sufficient gas for hydrate formation, and they are important for finding natural gas hydrates. Based on the interpretation and analysis of high-resolution 2D and 3D seismic data covering the deep-water area in the Qiongdongnan Basin (QDNB), northern South China Sea, we studied the formation mechanism of mud diapirs and gas chimneys and their relationship with natural gas hydrates. Mud diapirs and gas chimneys are columnar and domelike in shape and the internal regions of these bodies have abnormal reflections characterized by fuzzy, chaotic, and blanking zones. The reflection events terminate at the rims of mud diapirs and gas chimneys with pull-up reflections and pull-down reflections, respectively. In addition, ‘bright spots’ and diapiric-associated faults occur adjacent to mud diapirs and gas chimneys. The rapidly deposited and deeply buried fine sediments filling in the Tertiary in deep-water areas of the QDNB and overpressure potential derived from undercompacted mudstones, as well as from the pressurization of organic matter and hydrocarbon generation, provide abundant materials and intensive driving forces for the formation of mud diapirs and gas chimneys. Bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) with strong amplitude and high or poor continuity were recognized atop the mud diapirs and gas chimneys and in the structural highs within the same region, indicating that they have a close relationship with each other. The mud diapirs and gas chimneys and associated high-angle faults provide favourable vertical pathways for the hydrocarbons migrating from deep strata to shallow natural gas hydrate stability zones where natural gas hydrates accumulate; however, some BSRs are characterized by weak amplitude and poor continuity, which can be affected by high temperature and overpressure in the process of the mud diapir and gas chimney activities. This mutually restricting relationship must be taken into consideration in the process of gas hydrate exploration in QDNB.     

构造控制型天然气水合物矿藏及其特征

构造环境是天然气水合物富集成藏的重要控制因素,增生楔、断裂体系、褶皱、(泥)底辟、滑塌等特殊构造体是影响天然气水合物成藏的主要地质载体。通过对这些特殊构造体与天然气水合物成藏关系的研究,结合流体活动对水合物形成的影响,总结出陆缘地区有增生楔型、盆缘斜坡型、埋藏背斜型、断褶型、滑塌型及底辟型等六类构造控制型水合物矿藏。南海位于欧亚板块、太平洋板块及印澳板块的交汇处,早期为活动陆缘,晚期演化为被动陆缘,其构造活动具有早期张裂、后期挤压的特点,这既不同于被动陆缘,也有别于活动陆缘,可视为“复合型”大陆边缘,兼具了“被动陆缘沉积速率高、活动陆缘构造活跃”的优点,从而形成了“增生楔型、断褶型、底辟型、滑塌型、盆缘斜坡型”等多种构造控制型水合物矿藏,是“复合型”大陆边缘水合物成藏地质模式的典型代表。     

泥底辟输导流体机制及其与天然气水合物成藏的关系

摘要：详细阐述不同成因的泥底辟流体输导模式,探讨了泥底辟输导体系的演化与天然气水合物成藏之间的关系,并分析神狐海域泥底辟输导体系对天然气水合物成藏的影响。底辟核外部伴生断裂、底辟核内部流体压裂裂缝和边缘裂缝带均可作为输导流体的通道。根据运移通道和动力等差异性,提出泥底辟输导流体的2种端元模式：超压-流体压裂输导型和边缘构造裂缝输导型。在此基础上,讨论了泥底辟(泥火山)的不同演化阶段对水合物的形成、富集和分解的影响。早期阶段,泥底辟形成的运移通道可能未延伸到水合物稳定带,导致气源供给不够充分;中期阶段,水合物成藏条件匹配良好,利于天然气水合物生成;晚期阶段,泥火山喷发引起水合物稳定带的热异常,可能导致水合物分解,直至泥火山活动平静期,水合物再次成藏。神狐海域内泥底辟分为花冠状和穹顶状两类,花冠状泥底辟以超压-流体压裂输导型为主;穹顶状泥底辟以底辟边缘裂缝输导型为主。泥底辟输导体系的差异性可能是神狐海域天然气水合物非均质分布的影响因素之一。 关键词：泥底辟;输导体系;天然气水合物;成藏机制;神狐海域     

印度洋北部马克兰增生楔泥火山分布及主控因素探讨

为了探讨低角度俯冲背景下活动大陆边缘泥火山的分布及其主控因素,收集了大量印度洋北部马克兰增生楔地区的沉积地层、断裂构造及泥火山或泥底辟等资料。综合分析结果显示,研究区沉积地层主要由上、下两部分组成,其中,下部较细的半远洋泥质地层具有“东厚西薄”的特征,而上部较粗的马克兰砂地层具有高速沉积的特征。这种密度倒置且后期沉积速率很高的地层分布特征为该区泥底辟或泥火山的形成提供了物质基础。在马克兰增生楔,阿拉伯板块向欧亚板块汇聚的速率具有“东快西慢”的特点,而且东、西两侧走滑断层和泥火山发育。结合俯冲角度同样较低的地中海海岭板块汇聚速率与泥火山的分布特征认为,马克兰增生楔东、西两侧的泥火山主要受走滑断层的控制,而增生楔内部的泥火山主要受板块汇聚速率、逆冲断裂以及密度倒置等综合因素的控制,表现为“东多西少”的特征。     

Seismic characteristics and mechanism of fluid flow structures in the central depression of Qiongdongnan basin,northern margin of South China Sea

ABSTRACT

Understanding fluid flow structures in a rifted basin may enhance our knowledge of their origination and evolution. Through geochemical analysis and seismic interpretation, different fluid flow features are identified in the central depression of Qiongdongnan basin, northern South China Sea. These structures include mud diapir, gas chimney, hydrothermal pipes, faults, blowout pipes, and associated extrusions. Mud diapirs are primarily located on the slope belts, whereas gas chimneys are on the basement highs in the southwest of the study area. Their distribution appears closely controlled by tectonic stress field and overpressure, the later is caused by hydrocarbon generation and compaction disequilibrium. High sediment overloading, weak post-rift tectonic activity, and high average geothermal gradient may contribute to the compaction disequilibrium. The occurrence of gas chimneys on the basement high suggests that lateral transportation and relief of overpressure is a significant factor. Distribution of broad hydrothermal pipes is related with the thinning continental crust and pre-existing boundary faults in the central depression. They are probably attributed to intruded sills dissolution and were caused by hydrothermal fluids vertically. Geochemical data from gas reservoirs analysis indicates that mud diapirs and gas chimneys are critical pathways for thermogenic gases, whereas hydrothermal pipes and part of the faults may act as pathways of both thermogenic and inorganic gases. The blowout pipes mainly occur in the northwestern central depression near the continental slope, where fluid flows ascend gradually from a series of Pliocene-current prograding wedge-formed units with a hydraulic fracture in shallow. Hundreds of seafloor pockmarks and mounds associated with blowout pipes located above the NE-SW elongated Pliocene-Quaternary slope-break belts. These extrusive structures indicate that fluids ascend through blowout pipes and were expelled at the present seabed. Our results indicate that fluid flow structures are probably responsible for fluid activities and must be taken into account when assessing the hydrocarbon potential, geologic hazard, and benthic ecosystem.     

晚期泥底辟控制作用导致神狐海域SH5钻位未获水合物的分析

海底泥底辟构造与天然气水合物成藏关系密切,泥底辟既能为水合物提供充分的气源物质,同时又能促使地层温度场改变进而影响水合物成藏稳定性。南海北部神狐海域SH5站位虽然BSR明显,但钻探证实不存在天然气水合物。该钻位温度剖面异常高,温度场上移,同时在其下伏地层中发现泥底辟构造和裂隙通道。根据上述事实并结合泥底辟发育各个阶段中的特点,认为泥底辟构造对天然气水合物成藏具有控制作用。泥底辟发育早期和中期阶段,低热导率和低热量有机气体有利于天然气水合物生成;而在晚期阶段,高热量液体上侵稳定带底界,导致水合物分解迁移。SH5站位很可能由于受到处于晚期阶段的泥底辟上侵而未能获取天然气水合物。     

Reloca Slide: an ~24 km3 submarine mass‐wasting event in response to over‐steepening and failure of the central Chilean continental slope

Reloca Slide is the relict of an ~24‐km³ submarine slope collapse at the base of the convergent continental margin of central Chile. Bathymetric and seismic data show that directly to the north and south of the slide the lower continental slope is steep (~10°), the deformation front is shifted landwards by 10–15 km, and the frontal accretionary prism is uplifted. In contrast, ~80 km to the north the lower continental margin presents a lower slope angle of about 4° and a wide frontal accretionary prism. We propose that high effective basal friction conditions at the base of the accretionary prism favoured basal accretion of sediment and over‐steepening of the continental slope, producing massive submarine mass wasting in the Reloca region. This area also spatially correlates with a zone of low coseismic slip of the 2010 Maule megathrust earthquake, which is consistent with high basal frictional coefficients.     

天然气水合物发育的构造背景分析

大量的钻孔资料和地震剖面显示主动大陆边缘的增生楔和被动大陆边缘的俯冲-增生楔、断裂-褶皱系、底辟构造或泥火山、滑塌构造、海底扇、"麻坑"构造和陆地多年冻土区等多种地质构造背景是形成天然气水合物的有利场所,可形成构造圈闭型天然气水合物矿藏。这些地质构造背景一方面大多是深部热成因气、生物成因气或混合成因气体或流体向上运移到海底的通道,形成天然气水合物矿藏;另一方面也可能造成天然气水合物的温压环境改变,致使天然气水合物分解。海底滑塌亦可能是天然气水合物分解所致,是潜在的地质灾害。     

Liquefied vs stratified sediment mobilization processes: Insight from the South of the Barbados accretionary prism

This paper discusses the nature and origin of subsurface sediment mobilization processes in deep marine clay-rich environments. In the studied area of the southern Barbados accretionary prism, new geophysical acquisitions have emphasized the spectacular widespread development of mud volcanoes that are well-developed along ramp anticlines and along sigmoidal rises with trends that are oblique to the axes of the main folds of the accretionary wedge. On some active mud volcanoes, heat-flow measurements show high positive anomalies related to high fluxes of mud transfer. The mobilized solid fraction expelled by the mud volcanoes does not originate from a unique source bed but from various formations pierced by the mud conduits and is driven by the water phase. The area studied also exhibits trends of structures corresponding to sub-circular massive local uplifts of deformed but well-preserved stratified sediments (turbidites and hemipelagics). No piercing shale diapirs have been encountered in this area. Some of these local uplift structures are complicated by the development of collapses, calderas, and superimposed mud volcanoes. Mud volcanism corresponds fundamentally to fluid displacement (water and gas), whereas massive sedimentary uplift corresponds to large vertical displacements of stratified solid levels but for which the deep cause could be partly the intrusion of mud plugs. Both are dynamic phenomena controlled by the development of overpressure at depth, contributing to sedimentary mobilizations.     

Early burial mud diapirism and its impact on stratigraphic architecture in the Carboniferous of the Shannon Basin,County Clare,Ireland

Delta fronts are often characterized by high rates of sediment supply that result in unstable slopes and a wide variety of soft‐sediment deformation, including the formation of overpressured and mobile muds that may flow plastically during early burial, potentially forming mud diapirs. The coastal cliffs of County Clare, western Ireland, expose Pennsylvanian (Namurian) delta‐front deposits of the Shannon Basin at large scale and in three dimensions. These deposits include decametre‐scale, internally chaotic mudstone masses that clearly impact the surrounding sedimentary strata. Evidence indicates that these were true mud (unlithified sediment) diapirs that pierced overlying strata. This study documents a well‐exposed ca 20 m tall mud diapir and its impact on the surrounding mouth‐bar deposits of the Tullig Cyclothem. A synsedimentary fault and associated rollover dome, evident from stratal thicknesses and the dip of the beds, define one edge of the diapir. These features are interpreted as recording the reactive rise of the mud diapir in response to extensional faulting along its margin. Above the diapir, heterolithic sandstones and siltstones contain evidence for the creation of localized accommodation, suggesting synsedimentary filling, tilting and erosion of a shallow sag basin accommodated by the progressive collapse of the diapir. Two other diapirs are investigated using three‐dimensional models built from ‘structure from motion’ drone imagery. Both diapirs are interpreted to have grown predominantly through passive rise (downbuilding). Stratal relationships for all three diapirs indicate that they were uncompacted and fluid‐rich mud beds that became mobilized through soft‐sediment deformation during early burial (i.e. <50 m, likely <10 m depth). Each diapir locally controlled the stratigraphic architecture in the shallow subsurface and potentially influenced local palaeocurrents on the delta. The mud diapirs studied herein are distinct from deeper ‘shale diapirs’ that have been inferred from seismic sections worldwide, now largely disputed.     

Turbidite system architecture and sedimentary processes along topographically complex slopes: the Makran convergent margin

This study investigates the morphology and Late Quaternary sediment distribution of the Makran turbidite system (Makran subduction zone, north‐west Indian Ocean) from a nearly complete subsurface mapping of the Oman basin, two‐dimensional seismic and a large set of coring data in order to characterize turbidite system architecture across an active (fold and thrust belt) margin. The Makran turbidite system is composed of a dense network of canyons, which cut into high relief accreted ridges and intra‐slope piggyback basins, forming at some locations connected and variably tortuous paths down complex slopes. Turbidite activity and trench filling rates are high even during the Holocene sea‐level highstand conditions. In particular, basin‐wide, sheet‐like thick mud turbidites, probably related to major mass wasting events of low recurrence time, drape the flat and unchannellized Oman abyssal plain. Longitudinal depth profiles show that the Makran canyons are highly disrupted by numerous thrust‐related large‐scale knickpoints (with gradients up to 20° and walls up to 500 m high). At the deformation front, the strong break of slope can lead to the formation of canyon‐mouth ‘plunge pools’ of variable shapes and sizes. The plunge pools observed in the western Makran are considerably larger than those previously described in sub‐surface successions; the first insights into their internal architecture and sedimentary processes are presented here. Large plunge pools in the western Makran are associated with large scoured areas at the slope break and enhanced sediment deposition downstream: high‐amplitude reflectors are observed inside the plunge pools, while their flanks are composed of thin‐bedded, fine‐grained turbidites deposited by the uppermost part of the turbidity flows. Thus, these architectural elements are associated with strong sediment segregation leading to specific trench‐fill mechanisms, as only the finer‐grained component of the flows is transferred to the abyssal plain. However, the Makran accretionary prism is characterized by strong along‐strike variability in tectonics and fluvial input distribution that might directly influence the turbidite system architecture (i.e. canyon entrenchment, plunge pool formation or channel development at canyon mouths), the sedimentary dynamics and the resulting sediment distribution. Channel formation in the abyssal plain and trench‐fill characteristics depend on the theoretical ‘equilibrium’ conditions of the feeder system, which is related closely to the balance between erosion rates and tectonic regime. Thus, the Makran turbidite system constitutes an excellent modern analogue for deep‐water sedimentary systems with structurally complex depocentres, in convergent margin settings.     

天然气水合物与油气成藏的相关性研究

对天然气水合物的形成机理与分布特征、现今和地质历史时期天然气水合物的识别标志及其与油气成藏的相关性等方面的主要研究进展与实例的分析显示,天然气水合物在主动陆缘俯冲带增生楔和被动陆缘的陆隆台地断褶区非常发育,以似海底反射、特殊自生碳酸盐岩矿物、非搬运成因的局部沉积破坏或杂乱堆积、大型圆形凹陷和巨大规模的海底滑坡为识别标志,与油气成藏具有共生组合关系.深部气藏渗漏或油藏裂解形成的大量天然气为浅层外源成藏天然气水合物提供气源;古天然气水合物的形成有利于页岩气的保存和成藏;古天然气水合物分解可为浅层气藏提供气源.     

南海北部陆坡区神狐海域构造特征及对水合物的控制

通过对南海北部陆坡区神狐海域高精度2D和3D地震资料的精细解释,在研究区共识别出4种构造类型,分别为气烟囱(流体底辟)、区域大尺度断层、深水扇中的正断层和滑移体中的滑脱断层。气烟囱具有直立的通道形态,其内部结构可划分为杂乱反射带、模糊反射带和顶部强振幅区域。大尺度断层位于水合物钻探区的西北部和东北部,断层规模大,对深部地层表现出明显的控制作用。深水扇中的正断层广泛发育于上新世的深水扇中,特别是在水合物钻探区西部进积特征明显的深水扇中,正断层的数量更多。滑移体中的滑脱断层在神狐海域的第四纪地层中非常常见,在剖面上呈雁列式分布。研究结果表明,大尺度断层由于和水合物钻探区的距离较远,对于水合物的成藏可能不起控制作用。气烟囱和规模小数量多的断裂体系为含气流体的运移提供了垂向和侧向的输送通道,构成了水合物的流体运移体系。当富含甲烷气体的流体通过这些垂向-侧向的运移通道时,在合适的温压条件下,被适于水合物聚集的沉积体所捕获,就有可能形成水合物。水合物钻探区内东西部构造特征的差异,使得研究区内形成了不同的流体运移体系,这可能是控制钻探区水合物不均匀性分布的一个关键因素。     

Reservoir Potential Assessment of the Tortonian–Calabrian Sediments from Offshore Makran(Southwest Pakistan) through a Multidisciplinary Approach

The Tortonian–Calabrian strata of Offshore Makran(Pakistan) is investigated for the purpose of reservoir assessment. The stratigraphy and petrophysics indicate that the Neogene sediments have tight reservoir potential with porosities in the range of 3%–9% and 40%–50% water saturation. The mineralogical cross plots indicate a mixed lithology with an abundance of dolomite and calcite, together with minor quartz content and shale. The seismic interpretation demonstrates medium–high amplitude reflec...     

东海与泥底辟构造有关的天然气水合物初探

根据所获得的高分辨率地震资料分析,发现冲绳海槽南部西侧槽坡附近以及海槽内部发育有一系列泥火山（底辟）构造,在地形上表现为泥火山地貌,在穿过泥火山的地震剖面上,表现出典型的泥底辟构造。对穿过泥底辟构造的DMS01-5地震剖面进一步的处理和解释发现,泥底辟构造顶部存在明显的似海底反射（BSR）,其与海底反射波组极性相反,在BSR之上存在振幅空白带,在速度谱上出现速度异常,指示存在与泥火山有关的天然气水合物。从世界广泛发现的与泥底辟构造有关的天然气水合物来看,天然气水合物既可以在泥底辟构造的丘状外围成藏,也可以在其外围的海底沉积物中产出。在泥底辟构造的丘状外围附近,天然气水合物的形成机制类似于传统的矿物低温热液的形成;在泥底辟构造外围海底沉积物中,其形成过程类似于传统的矿物交代形成机制。冲绳海槽泥底辟构造的发育与很高的沉积速率和槽坡的活动断层有关。在冰期期间,长江携带大量的陆源物质直接输送到大陆坡地区,沉积速率达300 m/Ma,产生异常高压,同时张性断层极为发育,为流体的迁移提供了良好的通道,在异常压力以及上覆地层压力作用下大量流体向上运移,从而发育大量的泥底辟构造。富含甲烷的流体易在其外围及外围海底沉积物中形成天然气水合物藏。     

泥火山——天然气水合物存在的活证据

海底天然气水合物大多与通过切穿沉积盖层的断裂的上升烃类流体相关，这些高渗透带包括泥火山和底辟等侵入构造，所以泥火山、底辟和海底断裂等构造周围可能赋存水合物；实际钻探结果也证实，泥火山和水合物的形成与聚集有较为密切的关系。泥火山，它是地层内部圈闭气体由于压力释放上冲的结果，也是气体向上运移的通道。文章初步总结了泥火山与水合物的成矿关系，认为泥火山是水合物赋存的标志之一，是水合物存在的活证据。本文对我国泥火山与水合物的发育和赋存进行了分析预测，并对泥火山构造中水合物的成矿模式进行了初步探讨。     

浅表层天然气水合物区的海底地形特征——以鄂霍次克海为例

使用重力取样器、渔网、深潜器等手段已经在海底及以下浅表层区域采获天然气水合物样品。但关于浅表层水合物的发育机制、分布规律及与海底地形的关系等问题还缺乏基本认识。根据2006年鄂霍次克海天然气水合物调查航次的调查数据,介绍了浅表层天然气水合物区的海底地形特征。萨哈林东北陆坡区,特别是中、下陆坡区发育大量海底凸起,这些凸起一般呈不对称的丘形,宽几百米,高几十米。不同于海底沙波、沙脊,海底凸起为孤立海底地形,在南北方向上并不连续。海底凸起和浅表层天然气水合物的发育密切相关。在海底剖面仪测量结果剖面上清楚地显示古陆坡凸起的发育。普遍地,现今海底陆坡凸起的幅度要小于古陆坡凸起的幅度,个别地方古、今陆坡凸起的形态有所变化,但大部分古、今陆坡凸起是一一对应的,基本形态没有根本变化。在萨哈林陆坡地区存在两个方向的挤压应力场,分别是由德鲁根盆地向萨哈林陆坡方向的挤压应力场、萨哈林陆坡沿萨哈林走滑断裂向南的挤压应力场。海底陆坡凸起是这两大应力场复合作用的结果。浊反射区中的游离气是底辟构造中的超高压多相物质向上迁移形成的。浊反射区上方对应的海底凸起应该是宏观构造挤压和局部底辟发育叠合的结果。浊反射区上方的海底凸起,在形态等方面应该和其他仅由挤压构造原因形成的凸起有所区别,比如顶部发育裂口等。在底辟构造中,由于游离气体的向上迁移,在整个水合物稳定域中从下到上,直至海底都可能形成水合物,从而使我们有机会使用重力采样器这样的设备也能采获天然气水合物样品。     

不同注热水温度下水合物开采实验研究

天然气水合物(NGH)是目前备受关注的新型洁净优质能源,注热法是其有效开采方式之一。为了经济有效地进行注热开采,采用自制的一维天然气水合物开采模拟实验装置,在填砂模型中生成相同初始条件的天然气水合物藏, 然后注入热盐水进行开采模拟实验,分析不同注热水温度对开采动态的影响。结果表明：注热水温度越高,水合物开始分解的越早,注热阶段的平均产气速率也越大;不同注热水温度下,热前缘的移动接近于线性,注热温度从40 ℃到100 ℃时,平均热前缘移动速度从015 cm/min增加到02 cm/min,说明注热水温度对热前缘的移动影响不大。注热前期,注热水温度越高,能量效率越高,但注热后期,注热水温度越高,能量效率反而越低。在本组实验条件下,注热水温度从40 ℃增加到100 ℃时,注热开采的能量效率由67减小到24,而平均热前缘移动速度并没有明显降低。因此,为保证注热开采的经济有效,建议在注热前期注高温水,在中后期采用低温水驱替。