Characteristics of thrust-strike-slip faults and genesis of fractures in volcanic reservoirs in the Qionghai Uplift and its surrounding buried hills

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2096-1693.2026.01.003

Abstract

Abstract:

The Qionghai Uplift and the surrounding buried hills in the Zhu III depression, Pearl River Mouth Basin, are a key oil and gas exploration target in the northern South China Sea. The volcanic rock reservoirs in this area are significantly modified by fracture development. To clarify the formation mechanisms, this study combines high-resolution 3D seismic data, well data, and thin-section observations for analysis. The results indicate that the faults in the study area developed in two stages: (1) NW-SE compression during the Early-Middle Yanshanian formed NE-trending imbricate thrust faults, which were reactivated in the Early Himalayan; (2) left-lateral strike-slip during the Late Yanshanian formed a NNE-trending fault system comprising pure strike-slip, transtensional, and transpressional segments, which were reactivated in the Middle Himalayan. Fractures developed synchronously in two stages, with the densest fracture networks occurring in the hanging-wall regions near thrust faults (e.g., WC13-I well), transpressional segments of strike-slip zones (e.g., WC19-A well), and transtensional segments (e.g., WC13-M well). Specifically, the thrust faults caused shear fracturing of the hanging-wall strata through compression, while differential stresses along various strike-slip fault segments produced distinct fracture networks. Himalayan period stress field rotation further reactivated pre-existing fractures. The resultant fracture network provides effective pathways for oil and gas migration, thereby supporting exploration strategies in this area.

Key words: Qionghai Uplift, volcanic rock reservoir, thrust fault, strike-slip fault, fracture development patterns, Zhujiang slope depression, oil and gas reservoir

摘要：

琼海凸起及周缘潜山位于珠江口盆地珠三坳陷，是南海北部油气勘探重点区域。该区火山岩储层受裂缝改造作用显著，为厘清成因机制，研究结合高精度三维地震资料、钻井数据及薄片观察展开分析。结果表明，研究区断裂分两期发育：燕山早－中期 NW 向挤压形成 NE 向叠瓦式逆冲断层(喜山早期活化)；燕山晚期左旋走滑形成含纯走滑、张扭、压扭段的 NNE 向断裂体系(喜山中期活化)。裂缝同步发育两期，其中逆冲断层上盘近断层区(如 WC13-I 井)、走滑带压扭段(如 WC19-A 井)及张扭段(如 WC13-M 井)裂缝最密集。具体而言，逆冲断层通过挤压使上盘岩层剪切破裂，走滑断裂不同分段因应力差异形成差异化裂缝网络，喜山期应力转换进一步活化早期裂缝，最终形成的裂缝网络为油气运移提供有效通道，为该区勘探提供依据。

关键词: 琼海凸起, 火山岩储层, 逆冲断裂, 走滑断裂, 裂缝发育规律, 珠三坳陷, 油气储层

CLC Number:

SHAN Xuanlong, GENG Yang, LI Ang. Characteristics of thrust-strike-slip faults and genesis of fractures in volcanic reservoirs in the Qionghai Uplift and its surrounding buried hills[J]. Petroleum Science Bulletin, 2026, 11(1): 14-27.

单玄龙, 耿旸, 李昂. 琼海凸起及周缘潜山逆冲-走滑断裂特征与火山岩储层裂缝成因研究[J]. 石油科学通报, 2026, 11(1): 14-27.

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URL: https://sykxtb.cup.edu.cn/EN/10.3969/j.issn.2096-1693.2026.01.003

https://sykxtb.cup.edu.cn/EN/Y2026/V11/I1/14

Figures/Tables 12

Fig. 1 Location and stratigraphic characteristics of the Qionghai uplift and surrounding buried hills (modified from GENG Yang et al^[8])

Fig. 2 Profile characteristics of A-A’, B-B’, and C-C’ in the Wenchang 13 area of the Qionghai Uplift and planar distribution map of the NE-Trending thrust faults in the early-middle Yanshanian period

Fig. 3 Typical structural types, profile styles and three-dimensional models of NNE-trending strike-slip faults in the middle Yanshanian period in Qionghai Uplift and its surrounding areas

Fig. 4 Segmentation characteristics of NNE-trending strike-slip faults in the middle Yanshanian period in Qionghai Uplift and its surrounding areas

Fig. 5 Characteristics and mechanism of pure strike-slip segments

Fig. 6 Characteristics and mechanism of the middle transtensional segment

Fig. 7 Characteristics and mechanism of the compressional-tectonic segments in the south (a) and north (b)

Fig. 8 Fracture evolution characteristics of the Qionghai Uplift and peripheral buried hills

Fig. 9 Microscopic characteristics of fractures in Wenchang 13-I well

Fig. 10 Microscopic characteristics of fractures in Wenchang 19-A well and Wenchang 13-M well

Fig. 11 Development pattern of NE trending thrust controlled fractures in the Wenchang 13 area of Qionghai Uplift Qianshan

Fig. 12 Development pattern of controlled cracks by thrust strike slip faults in the Qionghai Uplift and surrounding buried hills

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