Numerical simulation of mechanical compaction of deepwater shallow sediments

To study the compaction law and overpressure evolution in deepwater shallow sediments, a large-strain compaction model that considers material nonlinearity and moving boundary is formulated. The model considers the dependence of permeability and material properties on void ratio. The modified Cam-Clay model is selected as the constitutive relations of the sediments, and the deactivation/reactivation method is used to capture the moving top surface during the deposition process. A one-dimensional model is used to study the compaction law of the shallow sediments. Results show that the settlement of the shallow sediments is large under their own weight during compaction. The void ratio decreases strictly with burial depth and decreases more quickly near the seafloor than in the deeper layers. The generation of abnormal pressure in the shallow flow sands is closely related to the compaction law of shallow sediments. The two main factors that affect the generation of overpressure in the sands are deposition rate and permeability of overlying clay sediments. Overpressure increases with an increase in deposition rate and a decrease in the permeability of the overlying clay sediment. Moreover, an upper limit for the overpressure exists. A two-dimensional model is used to study the differential compaction of the shallow sediments. The pore pressure will still increase due to the inflow of the pore fluid from the neighboring clay sediment even though the deposition process is interrupted.     

Numerical simulation of water and sand blowouts when penetrating through shallow water flow formations in deep water drilling

In this study, we applied a two-phase flow model to simulate water and sand blowout processes when penetrating shallow water flow(SWF) formations during deepwater drilling. We define ‘sand' as a pseudo-component with high density and viscosity, which can begin to flow with water when a critical pressure difference is attained. We calculated the water and sand blowout rates and analyzed the influencing factors from them, including overpressure of the SWF formation, as well as its zone size, porosity and permeability, and drilling speed(penetration rate). The obtained data can be used for the quantitative assessment of the potential severity of SWF hazards. The results indicate that overpressure of the SWF formation and its zone size have significant effects on SWF blowout. A 10% increase in the SWF formation overpressure can result in a more than 90% increase in the cumulative water blowout and a 150% increase in the sand blowout when a typical SWF sediment is drilled. Along with the conventional methods of well flow and pressure control, chemical plugging, and the application of multi-layer casing, water and sand blowouts can be effectively reduced by increasing the penetration rate. As such, increasing the penetration rate can be a useful measure for controlling SWF hazards during deepwater drilling.     

基于多孔介质弹性理论的碳酸盐岩地层超压预测

碳酸盐岩地层超压预测目前仍然是国内外研究的难点问题。碎屑岩超压预测方法均是建立在明显的超压测井、地震宏观响应规律基础上的经验关系,这些经验性方法不适用于因岩性致密使得超压地球物理响应微弱的碳酸盐岩地层。通过碳酸盐岩样品超压岩石物理模拟实验,分析了在应力-孔隙压力共同作用下岩石中声波速度、弹性参数的变化规律;基于多孔介质弹性理论和广义胡克定律推导并建立了表征孔隙压力与岩石弹性参数定量关系的理论模型,即多孔介质弹性理论的超压预测量化模型。以川东北地区典型碳酸盐岩超压钻井为例,开展了碳酸盐岩地层超压预测应用研究:针对碳酸盐岩地层选择油气水测井综合解释模型获取岩石物性参数;利用Voigt-Reuss-Hill平均模量模型计算岩石基质体积模量,利用Wood模型和Patchy模型计算孔隙流体体积模量,利用BISQ模型计算岩石骨架体积模量,然后通过多孔介质弹性理论量化模型预测超压。预测结果显示预测压力与钻杆实测压力(DST)吻合较好,与泥浆密度换算压力和随钻监测压力变化趋势相近,表明这种基于多孔介质弹性理论的超压预测量化模型是一种解决碳酸盐岩地层超压预测的新途径。     

Geophysical Signature of the Shallow Water Flow in the Deepwater Basin of the Northern South China Sea

Shallow water flow (SWF), a disastrous geohazard in the continental margin, has threatened deepwater drilling operations. Under overpressure conditions, continual flow delivering unconsolidated sands upward in the shallow layer below the seafloor may cause large and long-lasting uncontrolled flows; these flows may lead to control problems and cause well damage and foundation failure. Eruptions from over-pressured sands may result in seafloor craters, mounds, and cracks. Detailed studies of 2D/3D seismic data from a slope basin of the South China Sea (SCS) indicated the potential presence of SWF. It is commonly characterized by lower elastic impedance, a higher Vp/Vs ratio, and a higher Poisson’s ratio than that for the surrounding sediments. Analysis of geological data indicated the SWF zone originated from a deepwater channel system with gas bearing over-pressured fluid flow and a high sedimentation rate. We proposed a fluid flow model for SWF that clearly identifies its stress and pressure changes. The rupture of previous SWF zones caused the fluid flow that occurred in the Baiyun Sag of the northern SCS.     

低勘探程度区域压力分布预测及超压形成机制:以东海盆地西湖凹陷为例

基于地震速度谱资料,结合实测钻井压力、测井数据分析结果,从单井-剖面-平面系统预测了东海陆架盆地西湖凹陷的压力分布。研究结果表明:西湖凹陷储层呈现两套压力系统,分别为正常压力系统和超压系统,超压系统主要发育于花港组和平湖组内,层位上由西至东逐渐变新。泥岩亦表现为浅部常压、深部超压,不同的区带有所差异。西湖凹陷超压顶界面分布受深度控制不显著,主要受层位控制,超压顶界面通常位于花港组下段以及平湖组上段。西湖凹陷关键界面超压带覆盖范围、连续性总体较好,且具一定的区域展布方向,在规模较大断层具较明显的差异性。断层对压力的积累起着一定输导、分割和破坏作用。不均衡压实作用和生烃作用是西湖凹陷超压形成的主要机制,但在不同的区带存在较大差异。      

Accumulation and exploration of gas hydrate in deep-sea sediments of northern South China Sea

The large deep-sea area from the southwestern Qiongdongnan Basin to the eastern Dongsha Islands,within the continental margin of northern South China Sea,is a frontier of natural gas hydrate exploration in China.Multiform of deep-sea sedimentations have been occurred since late Miocene,and sediment waves as a potential quality reservoir of natural gas hydrate is an most important style of them.Based on abundant available data of seismic,gravity sampling and drilling core,we analyzed the characteristics of seismic reflection and sedimentation of sediment waves and the occurrence of natural gas hydrate hosted in it,and discussed the control factors on natural gas hydrate accumulation.The former findings revealed the deep sea of the northern South China Sea have superior geological conditions on natural gas hydrate accumulation.Therefore,it will be of great significance in deep-sea natural gas hydrate exploration with the study on the relationship between deep-sea sedimentation and natural gas hydrate accumulation.     

Petroleum geological framework and hydrocarbon potential in the Yellow Sea

Sedimentary basins in the Yellow Sea can be grouped tectonically into the North Yellow Sea Basin (NYSB), the northern basin of the South Yellow Sea (SYSNB) and the southern basin of the South Yellow Sea (SYSSB). The NYSB is connected to Anju Basin to the east. The SYSSB extends to Subei Basin to the west. The acoustic basement of basins in the North Yellow Sea and South Yellow Sea is disparate, having different stratigraphic evolution and oil accumulation features, even though they have been under the same stress regime since the Late Triassic. The acoustic basement of the NYSB features China-Korea Platform crystalline rocks, whereas those in the SYSNB and SYSSB are of the Paleozoic Yangtze Platform sedimentary layers or metamorphic rocks. Since the Late Mesozoic terrestrial strata in the eastern of the NYSB (West Korea Bay Basin) were discovered having industrial hydrocarbon accumulation, the oil potential in the Mesozoic strata in the west depression of the basin could be promising, although the petroleum exploration in the South Yellow Sea has made no break-through yet. New deep reflection data and several drilling wells have indicated the source rock of the Mesozoic in the basins of South Yellow Sea, and the Paleozoic platform marine facies in the SYSSB and Central Rise could be the other hosts of oil or natural gas. The Mesozoic hydrocarbon could be found in the Mesozoic of the foredeep basin in the SYSNB that bears potential hydrocarbon in thick Cretaceous strata, and so does the SYSSB where the same petroleum system exists to that of oil-bearing Subei Basin.     

Stability of submarine slopes in the northern South China Sea: a numerical approach

Submarine landslides occur frequently on most continental margins. They are effective mechanisms of sediment transfer but also a geological hazard to seafloor installations. In this paper, submarine slope stability is evaluated using a 2D limit equilibrium method. Considerations of slope, sediment, and triggering force on the factor of safety (FOS) were calculated in drained and undrained (Φ=0) cases. Results show that submarine slopes are stable when the slope is <16° under static conditions and without a weak interlayer. With a weak interlayer, slopes are stable at <18° in the drained case and at <9° in the undrained case. Earthquake loading can drastically reduce the shear strength of sediment with increased pore water pressure. The slope became unstable at >13° with earthquake peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.5 g; whereas with a weak layer, a PGA of 0.2 g could trigger instability at slopes >10°, and >3° for PGA of 0.5 g. The northern slope of the South China Sea is geomorphologically stable under static conditions. However, because of the possibility of high PGA at the eastern margin of the South China Sea, submarine slides are likely on the Taiwan Bank slope and eastern part of the Dongsha slope. Therefore, submarine slides recognized in seismic profiles on the Taiwan Bank slope would be triggered by an earthquake, the most important factor for triggering submarine slides on the northern slope of the South China Sea. Considering the distribution of PGA, we consider the northern slope of the South China Sea to be stable, excluding the Taiwan Bank slope, which is tectonically active.     

Submarine landslides on the north continental slope of the South China Sea

Recent and paleo-submarine landslides are widely distributed within strata in deep-water areas along continental slopes, uplifts, and carbonate platforms on the north continental margin of the South China Sea (SCS). In this paper, high-resolution 3D seismic data and multibeam data based on seismic sedimentology and geomorphology are employed to assist in identifying submarine landslides. In addition, deposition models are proposed that are based on specific geological structures and features, and which illustrate the local stress field over entire submarine landslides in deep-water areas of the SCS. The SCS is one of the largest fluvial sediment sinks in enclosed or semi-enclosed marginal seas worldwide. It therefore provides a set of preconditions for the formation of submarine landslides, including rapid sediment accumulation, formation of gas hydrates, and fluid overpressure. A new concept involving temporal and spatial analyses is tested to construct a relationship between submarine landslides and different time scale trigger mechanisms, and three mechanisms are discussed in the context of spatial scale and temporal frequency: evolution of slope gradient and overpressure, global environmental changes, and tectonic events. Submarine landslides that are triggered by tectonic events are the largest but occur less frequently, while submarine landslides triggered by the combination of slope gradient and over-pressure evolution are the smallest but most frequently occurring events. In summary, analysis shows that the formation of submarine landslides is a complex process involving the operation of different factors on various time scales.     

鄂尔多斯盆地杭锦旗独贵加汗区带下石盒子组储层特征及孔隙演化

杭锦旗地区独贵加汗区带是鄂尔多斯盆地北部天然气勘探开发的重要对象,区带内下石盒子组砂岩储层非均质性强,含气饱和度差异大,前人对致密储层发育特征及其孔隙演化历史研究不够系统和深入。基于钻井岩心、岩石薄片及相关测试等资料,在统计、对比分析独贵加汗区带下石盒子组砂岩储层岩石学与物性特征的基础上,通过成岩作用分析,厘定控制储层孔隙发育的主要因素,进而重建主要储层段的孔隙演化历史。研究表明,杭锦旗地区独贵加汗区带下石盒子组砂岩多属超低渗透储层,局部存在裂缝发育的高渗透率段;压实作用和胶结作用对研究区储层孔隙演化起破坏性作用,减孔率分别为84.8%和7.1%,而溶蚀作用为建设性成岩作用,增孔率9.5%;盒一段储层现今孔隙度基本继承了早白垩世末期的特征,孔隙演化历经早成岩阶段A期压实与胶结作用快速减孔,B期持续压实减孔,中成岩A期溶蚀增孔作用与压实-胶结减孔作用并存及B期变化微弱等过程。      

Deep-sea geohazards in the South China Sea

Various geological processes and features that might inflict hazards identified in the South China Sea by using new technologies and methods.These features include submarine landslides,pockmark fields,shallow free gas,gas hydrates,mud diapirs and earthquake tsunami,which are widely distributed in the continental slope and reefal islands of the South China Sea.Although the study and assessment of geohazards in the South China Sea came into operation only recently,advances in various aspects are evolving at full speed to comply with National Marine Strategy and‘the Belt and Road’Policy.The characteristics of geohazards in deep-water seafloor of the South China Sea are summarized based on new scientific advances.This progress is aimed to aid ongoing deep-water drilling activities and decrease geological risks in ocean development.     

THE EVOLUTION OF STENOLS AND STANOLS IN MARINE SEDIMENT CORE FROM BEIBU BAY, THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

Ten stenols and stanols were identified by TLC , GC and GC-MS-DS in a marine sediment core from Beibu Bay , the South China Sea .C27, C28 and C29 A5 stenols and 5a- stanols mainly come from zoopiankton, algae and phytoplankton in marine environment. C29 24-ethylcholest- 5 - en- 3B- ol is thought to indicate input of terrigenous organic matter . The increase of C27 . C28 and C29 5a-stanol /5 stenol ratios with sediment depth shows the evolution of stenols and stanols in the marine sediment core .     

Empirical Equations of P-Wave Velocity in the Shallow and Semi-Deep Sea Sediments from the South China Sea

Three-hundred and thirty-one sediment cores, including six sediment types(clayey-and sandy-silt, silty-and sandy-clay, clayey-and silty-sand) were collected from the shallow and semi-deep seas of the South China Sea, and the P-wave velocities and physical properties of core sediments were measured under standard laboratory conditions. To eliminate the influence of environmental factors, the empirical sound speed ratio equations were established. Compared with several equations from literature, the porosity and wet bulk density empirical equations established in this paper agree well with Richardson and Briggs(2004)'s in-situ equations, which implies that our empirical equations can be used in the similar region of world's oceans under certain conditions and will be useful in areas lacking first-hand P-wave speed data. However, the mean grain size equations established in this study, similar to the previous studies, have low accuracy, which may be due to the different particle arrangements and degrees of compaction in sediments. The results also show that for different sediment types, the equation based on all sediment data is in good agreement with the measured data in the study area, as there are both siliciclastic and carbonate sediments on the studied seabed. It is suggested that appropriate empirical equations should be selected according to sediment types and sedimentary environment in future works, and the empirical equation of porosity or the two-parameter equation of porosity and grain size should be preferred.     

Characteristics of Thermal and Geopotential Height Differences Between Continent and Ocean and Its Role in the Strength of the Asian Summer Monsoon

The interdecadal factors affecting the summer monsoon winds over Somalia and the South China Sea were studied. Global geopotential heights and wind velocity fields of the 850-hPa and 200-hPa pressure levels, as well as sea surface temperature anomaly data and correlation coefficients were analyzed. The monsoons over Somalia and the South China Sea were found to be two different monsoon systems, operating on different mechanisms and being affected by different ocean-atmosphere interactions. The intensity of the Asian subtropical summer monsoon is influenced by the intensity of the summer monsoon over Somalia in the month of June and by the intensity of the summer monsoon over the South China Sea in the months of June and July. The summer monsoon wind strength over Somalia is affected by regional factors, such as the heating of the Tibetan plateau, and by global mechanisms, such as the subtropical heat exchange with Antarctica. The summer monsoon over the South China Sea is affected by different ocean-atmosphere interactions. The Somalia and subtropical summer monsoons have wind blowing down the pressure gradient from area over ocean to that over land, like typical summer monsoons. The South China Sea summer monsoon has winds that blow down the pressure gradient from area over land to that over ocean. The South China Sea summer monsoon is affected by the Kuroshio Current off the east coast of Japan.     

随钻核磁共振测井在南海文昌油田低阻油层流体识别中的应用

随钻核磁共振测井在南海文昌油田低阻油层的开发中以安全高效的测井方式提供了孔隙度、渗透率等参数,且在定性识别轻质油层方面发挥了关键作用。为了进一步提升随钻核磁共振测井在文昌油田低阻油层流体识别中的使用价值,从孔隙结构和流体性质2个影响因素出发,提出了T₂谱含油特征指标法并引入纯水谱重构法开展流体定量识别。其中T₂谱含油特征指标法以消除孔隙结构的影响为基础,利用轻质油和水的横向弛豫时间差异提取轻质油真实的拖尾现象达到定量识别流体的目的;水谱重构法则采用球管模型和正态分布模型分别构建束缚水谱和可动水谱,并将两者之和作为纯水谱,通过与实测核磁T₂谱的对比提取流体性质信息,达到识别流体性质的目的,2种方法在文昌油田低阻油层的流体识别中均取得了良好的应用效果,可在低阻油层、水淹层等储层流体的定量识别中发挥显著作用。     

Characterization of Fe(III)-Reducing Enrichment Cultures and Isolation of Enterobacter sp. Nan-1 from the Deep-Sea Sediment,South China Sea

To characterize the Fe(III)-reducing bacteria, enrichment cultures were initiated by inoculating deep-sea sediment from the South China Sea (SCS) into the     

Evolution of pore fluid of low porosity and permeability reservoir in Qinnan Sag:a case study of 29-2 structure in Qinhuangdao area

The southeast depression of Qinnan Sag is a potential oil-gas exploration region in the Bohai Sea area.With the analysis of large quantity of rock thin sections, scanning electron microscope and the physical property data of reservoir, the authors studied the petrological characteristics and the evolution of pore and fluid of sandstone in the deeper strata in 29-2 structure in Qinhuangdao area.The results show that the evolutionary tendency of Paleogene sandstone reservoir porous fluid in research area is changed from alkaline porous fluid to acidic porous fluid, and back to alkaline porous fluid.There are three stages of reservoir porous evolution in Qinhuangdao area, namely sharp decrease in porosity due to mechanical compaction, increase in porosity because of corrosion and dissolution, and remarkable reduction owing to carbonate cementation.     

论我国南海资源的特点及开发利用对策

南海我国可管辖的海域面积近 2 0 0万km2 ,具有丰富的生物、油气、矿产等资源 ,是我国经济与社会可持续发展的强大支持和保障因素 ,具有海域面积大、资源丰富、区位优势明显、未来开发潜力大等特点。应从强化“寸海寸金”的海洋国土意识出发 ,通过创新管理体制和运行机制 ,建立强有力的海上统一执法队伍 ,按照统一规划、相对集中、由远及近的原则实施重点区域开发战略 ,全面提升南海国土资源开发利用的水平和效益     

中国南海珊瑚岛礁第四系覆盖层钻探取心技术

中国南海珊瑚岛礁拥有巨大的资源潜力和科研价值。珊瑚岛礁第四系覆盖层结构为珊瑚砂和珊瑚骨架的松散堆积物,无胶结,钻探取心、成井极端困难。通过南海诸岛礁数百口钻井的施工实践,总结出"套管连续跟进干钻取心技术",工艺要点为4个步骤循环操作,称为"四步法"。使用该技术:①能确保珊瑚岛礁第四系覆盖层岩心采取率达到95%以上,并基本保持岩心原状性;②能实现在珊瑚岛礁第四系覆盖层中不使用泥浆护壁情况下安全钻进成井,达到避免地层过水通道堵塞、满足抽水试验要求的效果。研究成果对于珊瑚岛礁钻探具有重要的借鉴作用。      

Leak-off mechanism and pressure prediction for shallow sediments in deepwater drilling

Deepwater sediments are prone to loss circulation in drilling due to a low overburden gradient. How to predict the magnitude of leak-off pressure more accurately is an important issue in the protection of drilling safety and the reduction of drilling cost in deep water. Starting from the mechanical properties of a shallow formation and based on the basic theory of rock-soil mechanics, the stress distribution around a borehole was analyzed. It was found that the rock or soil on a borehole is in the plastic yield state before the effective tensile stress is generated, and the effective tangential and vertical stresses increase as the drilling fluid density increases; thus, tensile failure will not occur on the borehole wall. Based on the results of stress calculation, two mechanisms and leak-off pressure prediction models for shallow sediments in deepwater drilling were put forward, and the calculated values of these models were compared with the measured value of shallow leak-off pressure in actual drilling. The results show that the MHPS (minimum horizontal principle stress) model and the FIF (fracturing in formation) model can predict the lower and upper limits of leak-off pressure. The PLC (permeable lost circulation) model can comprehensively analyze the factors influencing permeable leakage and provide a theoretical basis for leak-off prevention and plugging in deepwater drilling.