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.     

莺-琼盆地三维压力场和油气运移

莺歌海和琼东南盆地具有高温高压地层特征.莺歌海盆地的异常压力分布显示,平面上异常高压自中央坳陷带向盆地两侧斜坡带逐渐减小并过渡为静水压力,纵向上中央坳陷带受底辟活动的影响,压力系数自上新统下部地层往下逐渐增大,向两侧斜坡带逐渐减小,呈现"圣诞树"的展布特征.底辟带中浅层及底辟带周缘压力过渡带、中深层压力回倾带均是油气运移的指向,是重要的天然气勘探区域.琼东南盆地的崖南凹陷和乐东凹陷的超压最高,宝岛凹陷的超压较低,地层压力的纵向分布揭示由浅至深地层压力系数逐渐增大,但存在着中新统三亚组和中新统陵水组三段2个明显的泄压带,这2个带也是重要的天然气聚集带.     

Diapir structure and its constraint on gas hydrate accumulation in the Makran accretionary prism,offshore Pakistan

The Makran accretionary prism is located at the junction of the Eurasian Plate, Arabian Plate and Indian Plate and is rich in natural gas hydrate (NGH) resources. It consists of a narrow continental shelf, a broad continental slope, and a deformation front. The continental slope can be further divided into the upper slope, middle slope, and lower slope. There are three types of diapir structure in the accretionary prism, namely mud diapir, mud volcano, and gas chimney. (1) The mud diapirs can be grouped into two types, namely the ones with low arching amplitude and weak-medium activity energy and the ones with high arching amplitude and medium-strong activity energy. The mud diapirs increase from offshore areas towards onshore areas in general, while the ones favorable for the formation of NGH are mainly distributed on the middle slope in the central and western parts of the accretionary prism. (2) The mud volcanoes are mainly concentrated along the anticline ridges in the southern part of the lower slope and the deformation front. (3) The gas chimneys can be grouped into three types, which are located in piggyback basins, active anticline ridges, and inactive anticline ridges, respectively. They are mainly distributed on the middle slope in the central and western parts of the accretionary prism and most of them are accompanied with thrust faults. The gas chimneys located at different tectonic locations started to be active at different time and pierced different horizons. The mud diapirs, mud volcanoes, and gas chimneys and thrust faults serve as the main pathways of gas migration, and thus are the important factors that control the formation, accumulation, and distribution of NGH in the Makran accretionary prism. Mud diapir/gas chimney type hydrate develop in the middle slope, mud volcano type hydrate develop in the southern lower slope and the deformation front, and stepped accretionary prism type hydrate develop on the central and northern lower slope. The middle slope, lower slope and deformation front in the central and western parts of the Makran accretionary prism jointly constitute the NGH prospect area.     

Structural Effects of Overpressure Fluid Activities in Yinggehai Basin

The characteristics and distribution of faults in Yinggehai basin discussed in this paper reveal the structural effects of the overpressure fluid expulsion. The rapid subsidence and mud-rich intervals of the marine rocks dominate the formation of the overpressure systems and the enormous volumes of the overpressure fluids in the basin. Triggered by some faults, the overpressure fluids were expulsed rapidly from the overpressure compartments to form a series of diapirs in the basin, resulting in the dense fractures or faults and folds in the limbs of diapirs. These fractures and faults provided the migration pathway for the vertical flow of hydrocarbons, so that the gas fields arising from this process might migrate upwards to the sandstone reservoir. Therefore, the hydrocarbon accumulations are usually located in the upper parts of diapiric structures.     

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。     

南海北部陆坡高饱和度天然气水合物气源运聚通道控藏作用

气源运聚通道与天然气水合物富集成藏关系密切。利用准三维地震资料并结合钻探成果,深入研究了神狐海域GMGS3钻探区高饱和度水合物站位气源运移疏导通道地质地球物理特征及其控藏作用。结果表明:高饱和度水合物产出站位发育多种类型运移疏导通道,且与BSR空间耦合关系较好;紧邻BSR之下为强振幅反射,强振幅下部游离气体充注现象明显,表明水合物稳定域下部存在气体运移的通道,且深部气体向浅层发生了运移。深大断裂、底辟及气烟囱构成了沟通深部热解气及浅层生物气与浅层温压稳定域的垂向通道,在这些通道上方可以直接形成水合物;浅部滑塌面、水道砂及海底扇构成的高孔渗连续性砂体为浅层生物气及深部运移而来的部分热成因气横向运移通道,气体的侧向运移扩大了气体供给范围,增加了矿体横向展布规模。文章认为,天然气运移疏导系统与其他成藏要素匹配良好的构造和区域是勘探高饱和度水合物的有利目标。     

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     

南海北部边缘盆地泥底辟及泥火山特征及其与油气运聚关系

泥底辟与泥火山成因机制相同,发育演化特征相似,但最终地质形态及存在形式有所差异.通过深入分析南海西北部莺歌海盆地泥底辟与东北部台西南盆地泥火山发育展布特点及伴生天然气地球化学特征,指出莺歌海盆地泥底辟主要分布于盆地中部的莺歌海深大凹陷,且沿盆地NW方向呈五行雁行式排列,泥底辟发育演化具有明显的低密、低速和异常高温超压的特点;而台西南盆地泥火山主要展布于南部凹陷陆坡深水区和台湾陆上台南-高雄地区,陆上泥火山多沿深大断裂带分布,地面形态特征类似火山形态,多具有喷口,海域泥火山的海底形态亦与其相似,但研究程度较低.泥底辟及泥火山伴生烃类天然气成因类型较多,但以成熟-高熟煤型烃类气为主;伴生的非烃气CO₂和N₂丰富,但以无机壳源型CO₂为主.泥底辟及泥火山的泥源层均为中新世及上新世海相坳陷沉积的巨厚泥页岩,本身即具生烃潜力,其成熟生烃及其与泥底辟/泥火山运聚通道和底辟伴生构造的良好配置,则构成了其独特的泥底辟/泥火山油气运聚成藏系统,进而控制了这种“泥底辟/泥火山型油气藏”的分布.      

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。     

莺歌海盆地天然气底辟优势聚集规律及勘探意义

莺歌海盆地的高温高压环境、构造断裂不发育、泥-流体底辟发育及热流体活动强烈等独特的地质条件,决定了伸展-转换盆地的油气聚集规律与断陷盆地复式油气聚集具有明显的差异性。在分析天然气成藏主控因素的基础上,以天然气藏形成到天然气分布为主线,提出莺歌海盆地的天然气底辟优势聚集规律:即宏观上天然气聚集在盆地内成藏条件配置好的中央凹陷带底辟区,微观上天然气则聚集在底辟成藏条件配置好的顶部、两侧及周缘的构造和岩性圈闭中。天然气底辟优势聚集规律突破了以往紧邻凹陷带的斜坡带是油气聚集最有利区带的传统观点,使人们认识到只有符合优势聚集规律的构造带和圈闭才可能聚集天然气,这对于调整伸展-转换型盆地的油气勘探思路,针对性地解决莺歌海盆地勘探中存在的问题,进一步指明有利勘探方向具有重要的指导作用。     

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...     

Characteristics of Overpressure Systems and Their Significance in Hydrocarbon Accumulation in the Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan Basins, China

Overpressure systems are widely developed in the central depression and paleo-uplift in the Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan basins. They can be divided into three types according to the origin of abnormally high formation pressure in the reservoirs, i.e. the autochthonous, vertically-transmitted and laterally-transmitted types. The autochthonous overpressure system results from rapid disequilibrium sediment loading and compaction. In the allochthonous overpressure system, the increase of fluid pressure in sandstone originates from the invasion of overpressured fluid flowing vertically or laterally through the conduit units. The autochthonous overpressure system occurs in the deep-lying strata of Neogene age in the central depression of the Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan basins. The vertically transmitted overpressure system is developed in the shallow strata of Late Miocene and Pliocene ages in the diapiric zone of the central Yinggehai basin, and the laterally transmitted overpressure system occurs in the Oligo     

渤海湾盆地渤中坳陷储层超压特征与成因机制

对储层超压的分析, 有助于理解渤中坳陷油气晚期快速成藏机理.利用RFT实测储层压力资料分析了渤中坳陷储层超压的特征和成因.渤中坳陷存在3套储层超压系统: 浅层明化镇组-馆陶组储层超压系统、中层东营组-沙河街组-孔店组储层超压系统、基底(中生界及以下地层) 储层超压系统.渤中坳陷的储层超压可能主要是由3种机制综合引起的, 即不均衡压实作用、超压传递作用和裂解气的生成作用.少量保存的传递超压是深部超压流体注入的“化石”, 它是超压背景下油气快速充注成藏的结果.      

Development of Diapirs and Accumulation of Natural Gases in Yinggehai Basin

Ｏｖｅｒｐｒｅｓｓｕｒｅｈａｓｂｅｅｎｆｏｕｎｄｉｎａｂｏｕｔ 180ｓｅｄｉｍｅｎｔａｒｙｂａｓｉｎｓ(ＬａｗａｎｄＳｐｅｎｃｅｒ,1998;Ｈｕｎｔ,1990 ) .Ｔｈｅｍｅｃｈａｎｉｓｍｓｆｏｒｔｈｅｏｖｅｒｐｒｅｓｓｕｒｅｄｇｅｎｅｒａｔｉｏｎａｎｄｔｈｅｆｌｕｉｄｆｌｏｗａｃｔｉｖｉｔｉｅｓｉｎｏｖｅｒｐｒｅｓ ｓｕｒｅｄｂａｓｉｎｓｈａｖｅｂｅｅｎｔｈｅｓｕｂｊｅｃｔｓｏｆａｎｕｍｂｅｒｏｆｓｔｕｄｉｅｓ (Ｈｕｎｔ,1996 ;Ｏｒｔｏｌｅｖａ ,1994) .Ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ ,ｔｈｅｍｏｓｔｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔａｓｐ…     

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。     

莺歌海盆地晚第三纪构造特征的三维泥料模拟实验及其动力学意义

莺歌海盆地是发育在古红河断裂带之上的新生代盆地，晚第三纪的构造运动触发了盆地中热流体自超压封存箱向外大规模突破，使热流体及泥质的活动具有规律性成群成带的特征。本次实验基于相似理论，在对盆地的演化史及区域构造应力场充分分析的基础上，进行了晚第三纪盆地构造应力场的三维泥料模拟，证实了红河断裂右旋走滑派生的拉分效应控制了莺歌海盆地晚第三纪的构造活动，而晚第三纪的构造活动又是雁列式断裂展布及底辟体分布的主导因素。     

Distribution and characters of the mud diapirs and mud volcanoes off southwest Taiwan

In order to identify the mud diapirs and mud volcanoes off SW Taiwan, we have examined ∼1500 km long MCS profiles and related marine geophysical data. Our results show ten quasi-linear mud diapirs, oriented NNE–SSW to N–S directions. Thirteen mud volcanoes are identified from the multibeam bathymetric data. These mud volcanoes generally occur on tops of the diapiric structures. Moreover, the active mud flow tracks out of mud volcanoes MV1, MV3 and MV6 are observed through the high backscatter intensity stripes on the sidescan sonar images. The heights of the cone-shaped mud volcanoes range from 65 m to 345 m, and the diameters at base from 680 m to 4100 m. These mud volcanoes have abrupt slopes between 5.3° and 13.6°, implying the mudflow is active and highly viscous. In contrast, the flat crests of mud volcanoes are due to relative lower-viscosity flows. The larger cone-shaped mud volcanoes located at deeper water depths could be related to a longer eruption history. The formation of mud diapirs and volcanoes in the study area are ascribed to the overpressure in sedimentary layers, compressional tectonic forces and gas-bearing fluids. Especially, the gas-bearing fluid plays an important role in enhancing the intrusion after the diapirism as a large amount of gas expulsions is observed. The morphology of the upper Kaoping Slope is mainly controlled by mud diapiric intrusions.     

莺歌海盆地DF1-1底辟断裂系统及其对天然气成藏的控制

莺歌海盆地的巨厚充填，高地温梯度及大规模的超压流体活动等特殊的地质背景，造就了DF1－1底辟构造的独特性，其内天然气的总体特征与底辟区的断裂系统存在着密切的联系。底辟区内的超压流体活动使其上覆地层产生众多的断裂和裂缝。这些垂向上的断裂和裂隙既构成了异常压力体系能量释放的主要通道。同时也形成了天然气运多的垂向输导体系。在断裂开启过程中上升的活动流体主要取决于断裂下延的深度及断裂上延所连通的中深一浅层的渗透性砂体，因此由断裂与砂体的相互配置所构成的输导体系在DF1－1气田的成藏中起着重要的作用。根据DF1－1的成藏特点，强调断裂系统与天然气运聚的相互促进关系，建立了断裂系统与天然气成藏关系模式。     

Formation of pockmarks and submarine canyons associated with dissociation of gas hydrates on the Joetsu Knoll,eastern margin of the Sea of Japan

This study, based on 3.5 kHz SBP, 3D seismic data and long piston cores obtained during MD179 cruise, elucidated the timing and causes of pockmark and submarine canyon formation on the Joetsu Knoll in the eastern margin of the Sea of Japan. Gas hydrate mounds and pockmarks aligned parallel to the axis on the top of the Joetsu Knoll are associated with gas chimneys, pull-up structures, faults, and multiple bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs), suggesting that thermogenic gas migrated upward through gas chimneys and faults from deep hydrocarbon sources and reservoirs. Seismic and core data suggest that submarine canyons on the western slope of the Joetsu Knoll were formed by turbidity currents generated by sand and mud ejection from pockmarks on the knoll. The pockmark and canyon formation probably commenced during the sea-level fall, lasting until transgression stages. Subsequently, hydropressure release during the sea level lowering might have instigated dissociation of the gas hydrate around the base of the gas hydrate, leading to generation and migration of large volumes of methane gas to the seafloor. Accumulation of hydrate caps below mounds eventually caused the collapse of the mounds and the formation of large depressions (pockmarks) along with ejection of sand and mud out of the pockmarks, thereby generating turbidity currents. Prolonged pockmark and submarine canyon activities might have persisted until the transgression stage because of time lags from gas hydrate dissociation around the base of the gas hydrate until upward migration to the seafloor. This study revealed the possibility that submarine canyons were formed by pockmark activities. If that process occurred, it would present important implications for reconstructing the long-term history of shallow gas hydrate activity based on submarine canyon development.