Fan Caiwei, Jia Chengzao, Hu Desheng, et al. The Whole Petroleum System of Beibuwan Basin[J]. ACTA PETROLEI SINICA, 2026, 47(4): 772-790.DOI: 10.7623/syxb202604004.
Beibuwan Basin is one of the six major offshore petroliferous basins in China and is characterized by the development of diverse types of hydrocarbon reservoirs. However
the formation conditions of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons
as well as their ordered coexisting patterns
and sequential accumulation mechanisms remain poorly understood
thereby limiting further exploration progress. To elucidate the enrichment patterns of hydrocarbons across all reservoir types and identify potential directions for exploration breakthroughs in the basin
a systematic analysis of the Whole Petroleum System of Beibuwan Basin was conducted based on an integrated dataset comprising drilling
mud logging
well logging
seismic
and laboratory data. The results indicate the following. (1) The Eocene Liushagang Formation developed multiple sets of high-quality
widely distributed carbon-rich and algae-rich source rocks in Beibuwan Basin. Marked differences in thermal evolution are observed among different structural zones
forming a concentric zonation pattern characterized by low mature to mature oil generation in the peripheral areas
and high- to over-mature condensate and dry gas generation in the inner central zones. The whole-process hydrocarbon generation of source rocks provides abundant hydrocarbon supply for the accumulation of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs. (2) From the basin margin toward the center
prolonged sediment transport distance
weakened provenance supply
and intensified compaction result in a systematic transition from sand-rich to mud-rich lithology
accompanied by a progressive fining of grain size and increasing reservoir densification. This sequential evolutionary pattern gives rise to full-scale reservoir spaces
thereby providing different accumulation settings for conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs. (3) Distinct differences exist in hydrocarbon migration dynamics across structural zones. In near- and intra-sag areas
hydrocarbon migration is primarily governed by restricted or confined fluid dynamic systems
in which residual pressure serves as the primary driving force for hydrocarbon accumulation
resulting predominantly in the formation of tight hydrocarbon reservoirs through vertical backflow or shale hydrocarbon reservoirs via self-generation and self-storage. In contrast
far-sag areas are characterized by free fluid dynamics systems
where buoyancy represents the principal accumulation driving force
leading mainly to the formation of conventional hydrocarbon reservoirs through stepwise long-distance migration and accumulation. (4) The differential thermal evolution of source rocks
ordered densification of reservoirs
and dynamic evolution of fluid fields collectively control the vertical composite stacking and planar zonal distribution of source-reservoir-separated conventional reservoirs
source-reservoir-integrated shale reservoirs
and source-reservoir-adjacent tight reservoirs in Beibuwan Basin. As a result
an orderly accumulation model of full-series conventional and unconventional oil and gas resources has been established. These results further enrich and advance the fundamental theory of the whole petroleum system
propose new strategies for comprehensive hydrocarbon prospecting across all reservoir types and stratigraphic sequences in offshore continental rift lacustrine basins
and provide useful references and guidance for hydrocarbon exploration in similar basins both in China and abroad.
Situation of China's oil and gas exploration and development in recent years and relevant suggestions
Evaluation method for the effectiveness of temporary plugging fracturing based on time-frequency characteristics of pump pressure
Breakthrough and significance of natural gas exploration of Permian Changxing Formation at Well Pengshen10 in Sichuan Basin
Breakthrough and significance of oil and gas exploration in lowstand system tract reservoirs of the Permian Shangwuerhe Formation in Shawan sag,Junggar Basin
New achievements and emerging trends in oil and gas exploration in Junggar Basin
Related Author
Zhang Kang
Zhang Liqin
Liu Dongmei
Zhang Jialin
Sheng Mao
Si Lijuan
Zhang Yanjun
Li Jie
Related Institution
Sinopec Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute
Oil and Gas Survey Center, China Geological Survey
State Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Resources, China University of Petroleum(Beijing)
Research Center for Intelligent Drilling & Completion Technology and Equipment, China University of Petroleum(Beijing)
National Engineering Laboratory for Exploration and Development of Low-Permeability Oil & Gas Fields, Oil & Gas Technology Research Institute, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company